BBC Prepares Major Job Cuts as Funding Talks Continue

The BBC is preparing one of its biggest efficiency drives in years, with hundreds of staff in its main news division expected to be laid off as early as next week, according to the Financial Times. Maariv said the cuts come amid growing pressure to reduce spending and while the corporation is holding sensitive talks with British government ministers over the future of its funding model.

The news division is expected to be the first BBC unit to present its cut plan. Its journalists make up about a quarter of the broadcaster’s more than 20,000 employees and produce news for television, radio, the website, apps and regional services. Internal sources said viewers and listeners are likely to feel the impact, including on some radio programs.

Because most of the costs in the news division are salary-related, the number of jobs lost there is expected to be relatively high. The broader plan is to cut costs by about one-tenth across the various departments. Overall, around 2,000 jobs could be eliminated across the BBC, with savings of hundreds of millions of pounds.

The corporation has already imposed limits on hiring and travel and reduced spending on management consultants, conferences, awards and events. New BBC director-general Matt Brittin told the Financial Times that he sees the fight over the broadcaster’s future as important. He said his aim is to present a vision for a BBC that is “relevant, inspiring and unique” and can reinvent itself during a difficult period.