Employees were told the news of redundancies during an all-staff call on Wednesday.
The BBC is to cut 2,000 jobs in a bid to reduce costs by 10% over the next three years (Image: Getty)
The BBC is to cut 2,000 jobs as it tries to reduce costs by 10% over the next three years. Employees were told the news of redundancies during an all-staff call at 3pm on Wednesday, the Press Association understands.
The job cuts, which mark the biggest round of BBC job cuts in almost 15 years, are being set in motion as former Google boss Matt Brittin prepares to take over as Director General May 18. Rhodri Talfan Davies, who is currently serving as interim Director General before Brittin joins, is expected to oversee the initial phase of the restructuring. The Corporation also recently revealed plans to drastically reduce the team behind the coverage of national occasions, such as royal events and State funerals to one member of staff and freelancers. In February, the BBC announced a £600million cost-cutting plan, warning it would mean job losses and the end of some programming.
At the time, outgonig Director General Tim Davie warned the Corporation would have to cut up to 10% of its £6billionn annual cost base over the next three years.
The BBC has previously said: “Over the last three years we have delivered more than a half a billion pounds worth of savings, much of which we’ve been able to reinvest into our output across the BBC.
“In a rapidly changing media market, we continue to face substantial financial pressures. As a result we expect to make further savings over the next three years of around 10% of our costs.
“This is about the BBC becoming more productive and prioritising our offer to audiences to ensure we’re providing the best value for money, both now and in the future.”
On April 2, Davie left the BBC – five months after announcing his resignation last November – after the broadcaster found itself embroiled in controversy on issues including Donald Trump, Gaza and trans rights.
The BBC’s main funding stream remains the licence fee, which generated £3.8billlion last year. The licence fee recently rose from £174.50 to £180.
However, households around the UK have gradually shifted to streaming services such as Netflix and Disney.