BBC warns TV and radio stations face axe in £500m savings drive
The BBC has signalled that some of its television channels and radio stations could face closure as it looks to deliver £500m in savings and accelerate its shift towards on-demand services.
Speaking to Laura Kuenssberg, BBC Director-General Matt Brittin said the broadcaster’s financial pressures and changing audience habits mean difficult decisions may lie ahead. He said the situation “may well” result in some channels and radio stations closing to allow greater investment in BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds.
Brittin said, “We wouldn’t guarantee any programme or any channel will exist forever.” He added: “The tight financial situation means that we’re having to look at some of those decisions a bit sooner than we might like.”
Related to this
.
.
.
BBC Director General Tim Davie resigns
.
BBC Cuts: Five ways the BBC Asian Network can save money
Highlighting the shift in audience behaviour, Brittin said, “We might have some channels and services where maybe 100,000 people are watching the broadcast service but 500,000 are getting those programmes on iPlayer.” He added that the BBC must consider “the right time to migrate that service fully to being on-demand”.
No specific channel or radio station has been earmarked for closure, although industry speculation has focused on services such as BBC Three. The BBC has yet to announce any final decisions.
