More than 25% of the corporation’s planned 1,800 to 2,000 redundancies will come be from its editorial and broadcasting teams and the BBC is also reviewing is television channels and radio networks portfolio
The BBC is planning to cut 550 jobs from its news, television and radio operations to reduce costs. The move will also see programmes axed and £80million stripped from content spending.
The broadcaster’s new Director General Matt Brittin notified staff of the scale of the cuts in an email. More than a quarter of the corporation’s planned 1,800 to 2,000 redundancies over the next three years will come be from its editorial and broadcasting teams.
The move forms part of the broadcaster’s bid to save £500million over the next two years. Around 700 corporate roles are also expected to disappear as the corporation embarks on a major restructuring programme.
The BBC has also said it will review is television channels and radio networks portfolio as customers increasingly move online. It is yet to confirm which programmes or services could face the axe.
In his message to staff, Brittin warned that difficult decisions lay ahead.
He said: “The scale of savings requires tough choices, careful work and won’t all be ready at once. We are committed to letting you know as soon as we have plans in your area. All divisions will be making significant savings.
“We live in very uncertain times. Our audiences rely on us every day to keep them informed, entertained and equipped to make sense of the world.
“Making savings while fulfilling our mission means a doubly difficult time for everyone. Do speak to your leaders and use the support that’s available. In the meantime, thank-you for all you are doing.”
The BBC hopes that cuts affecting its news, television and radio will contribute around £160million towards its overall savings target.
Brittin also said that the BBC would reduce the number of senior leaders by at least 10 per cent to try and make the organisation “simpler and faster”.
Brittin said further details of the restructuring would be announced in the coming months.
The latest cuts follow Brittin’s appointment as director-general in May after Tim Davie stepped down in November 2025.
Davie resigned after editorial coverage resulted in a 10-billion-dollar (£7.5 billion) lawsuit being brought by US President Donald Trump over the editing of a Panorama documentary.
A spokesperson for the BBC told The Express: “The BBC has today confirmed the first phase of its proposals to make £500m of savings over the next three years.
“Staff were informed today that 550 roles would be closed across the News, Nations and Content divisions by the start of 2027/28. These divisions would also be making a reduction in commissioning spend of around £80m by the end of 2027/28.
“The savings announced today will deliver around £160m of the £500m target, which will see an overall reduction to headcount of around 1,800 to 2000 and a cost reduction of 10%, over the next three years.
“Further savings across all divisions will be set out in the coming months. This includes corporate divisions, where around 700 roles are expected to close.”
