Key facts
- Over 100 jobs will be cut.
- BBC Scotland and BBC Three channels will cease broadcast.
- Radio 4 Extra will close.
- The broadcaster aims to save £500 million over two years.
- Job cuts are expected to save £5.5 million.
The BBC announced over 100 job cuts and the closure of two channels on Tuesday, as the broadcaster seeks to save £500 million over the next two years amid immediate cost pressures. BBC News director Rachel Jupp stated in an internal note that the cuts represent "just over 100 roles" and will save £5.5 million. The broader organization is targeting around 2,000 job cuts to meet its savings goals.
The affected channels are BBC Scotland and BBC Three, which will transition to online-only availability on the iPlayer streaming platform. Radio 4 Extra will also cease broadcast, with its programming moving to the BBC Sounds audio platform. BBC Director General Matt Brittin acknowledged the need for "tough choices" as the BBC reinvents itself for a changing world, assuring that much of the content will still be available on iPlayer and Sounds.
Scottish culture minister Mairi McAllan described the move of BBC Scotland online as "wholly unacceptable." These latest cuts follow previous announcements of 550 job losses and £160 million in savings. The BBC's income from its license fee has significantly decreased in real terms since 2017, contributing to the financial strain.