The BBC is in the midst of a mass culling of its channels and series, across broadcast television and radio, with many popular shows being axed, among them Drag Race UK and Live at the Apollo. BBC Three, BBC Scotland and BBC Radio 4 Extra linear broadcast services will also close in spring 2027 as part of cost-cutting measures, the corporation announced in October.
The BBC has come under pressure to make significant cuts in recent years, with the broadcaster reporting that its income from the £180 annual licence fee has fallen by a quarter over the past decade. The corporation currently faces pressure to make savings of £500m by 2028. In March, the corporation warned that its current funding model was “not sustainable and needs reform”, committing to exploring options around reforming the licence fee.
