The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is shutting down two television channels and a radio channel to save £500 million over two years. The process will eliminate about 1,800-2,000 jobs, BBC said in a report today. Under the cost-cutting measures, BBC will shut down BBC Three and BBC Scotland television channels in spring and move both services online amid mounting financial pressures. The broadcaster will also shut Radio 4 Extra, which airs speech-based programmes from its archives.
BBC had earlier announced around 550 job cuts in news and more than 30 in BBC Sport. Rachel Jupp, the newly appointed director of BBC News, has also proposed additional savings of £5.5 million, which could result in the elimination of around 100 roles. The broadcaster has announced several high-profile programme cancellations in recent weeks, including RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, Blankety Blank, Celebrity Mastermind, Live at the Apollo, Football Focus and Ski Sunday. Other programmes, including DIY SOS, have been temporarily rested.
