At the end of May 2022, the BBC set out its plan to create a modern, digital-led, streamlined organisation that drives the most value from the licence fee and delivers more for audiences. This first phase represents £500m of annual savings and reinvestment to make the BBC digital-led. However, these savings also come at a human cost with estimates of 100 job losses at BBC News. Amongst a range of measures within the next few years BBC Four, CBBC and Radio Four Extra will not be broadcast as linear channels. Their content will be available but only on online platforms. This means further job losses, at least 1,000 over the next few years and audiences without access to the internet denied being able to view this content.
To access the statement issued by the BBC Media Centre click here www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2022/plan-to-deliver-a-digital-first-bbc
In his speech to staff, Tim Davies, Director General believes that
“This is our moment to build a digital-first BBC. Something genuinely new, a Reithian organisation for the digital age, a positive force for the UK and the world.
“Independent, impartial, constantly innovating and serving all. A fresh, new, global digital media organisation which has never been seen before.”
