The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is set to shut down two television channels and a radio channel as part of a cost-cutting drive aimed at saving
£500 million over the next two years. The move is expected to result in the loss of around 1,800-2,000 jobs as the broadcaster looks to streamline its operations and reduce expenditure. The proposed closures mark a significant restructuring of the publicly funded broadcaster as it seeks to manage financial pressures and adapt to changing audience habits. The move is also expected to have implications for its workforce and traditional broadcasting operations as the media industry increasingly shifts towards digital platforms. Under the cost-cutting measures, BBC will shut down BBC Three and BBC Scotland television channels in spring and move both services online amid mounting financial pressures. The broadcaster will also shut Radio 4 Extra, which airs speech-based programmes from its archives, as per the BBC report.
BBC earlier job cut:
Notably, earlier, BBC announced around 550 job cuts in news and more than 30 in BBC Sport. Rachel Jupp, the newly appointed director of BBC News, has also proposed additional savings of £5.5 million, which could result in the elimination of around 100 roles.
The broadcaster has announced several high-profile programme cancellations in recent weeks, including RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, Blankety Blank, Celebrity Mastermind, Live at the Apollo, Football Focus and Ski Sunday. Other programmes, including DIY SOS, have been temporarily rested.
