BBC News channel & BBC World News to merge

A new channel to be called BBC News is to launch in April 2023, replacing the corporation’s two existing, separate UK and global news channels.

About 70 UK-based BBC staff will lose their jobs as a result of the merger, it is understood.

BBC News digital director Naja Nielsen said: “In recent years we’ve seen a huge surge in audiences coming to our live coverage, with tens of millions following live pages when big stories and events unfold,” she said.

“As the world’s most trusted source of news, with a huge depth and breadth of expertise, the BBC is uniquely placed to offer audiences the best analysis and explanation as these stories are unfolding.”

She said investing in this would mean “our news channel and digital teams will work hand-in-hand to bring the best journalism to audiences both at home and abroad”.

A key feature of the new channel is to visualise popular radio shows, starting with the BBC Radio 5 Live Nicky Campbell programme, which will be broadcast on BBC Two on weekday mornings, as well as on the UK stream of the new channel.