BB plans to axe 550 roles and scrap programmes in £500m bid to make huge savings

The BBC is planning to cut 550 jobs from its news, television and radio operations as part of a major restructuring programme to reduce costs

The BBC is set to axe 550 jobs across its news, television and radio divisions as part of a cost-cutting drive. The shake-up will also see programmes scrapped and £80million slashed from content budgets.

The broadcaster’s new Director General Matt Brittin informed staff of the sweeping cuts via email. More than a quarter of the corporation’s planned 1,800 to 2,000 redundancies over the next three years will come from its editorial and broadcasting teams.

The cuts form part of the broadcaster’s drive to save £500million over the next two years. Around 700 corporate positions are also set to vanish as the corporation launches a major overhaul.

The BBC has also confirmed it will examine its television channels and radio networks portfolio as viewers increasingly shift online. It has yet to reveal which programmes or services could be for the chop.

In his message to staff, Brittin cautioned that tough decisions were on the horizon.

He said: “The scale of savings requires tough choices, careful work and won’t all be ready at once. We are committed to letting you know as soon as we have plans in your area. All divisions will be making significant savings.

“We live in very uncertain times. Our audiences rely on us every day to keep them informed, entertained and equipped to make sense of the world.

“Making savings while fulfilling our mission means a doubly difficult time for everyone. Do speak to your leaders and use the support that’s available. In the meantime, thank-you for all you are doing.”

The BBC is banking on cuts hitting its news, television and radio operations to deliver roughly £160million towards its broader savings objective.

Brittin also revealed that the BBC would slash the number of senior leaders by no less than 10 per cent in a bid to make the organisation “simpler and faster”.

Brittin indicated that further details of the restructuring would be unveiled in the coming months.

The fresh cuts come after Brittin’s appointment as director-general in May following Tim Davie’s departure in November 2025.

Davie quit after editorial coverage sparked a 10-billion-dollar (£7.5 billion) lawsuit from US President Donald Trump over the editing of a Panorama documentary.

A BBC spokesperson told The Express: “The BBC has today confirmed the first phase of its proposals to make £500m of savings over the next three years.

“Staff were informed today that 550 roles would be closed across the News, Nations and Content divisions by the start of 2027/28. These divisions would also be making a reduction in commissioning spend of around £80m by the end of 2027/28.

“The savings announced today will deliver around £160m of the £500m target, which will see an overall reduction to headcount of around 1,800 to 2000 and a cost reduction of 10%, over the next three years.

“Further savings across all divisions will be set out in the coming months. This includes corporate divisions, where around 700 roles are expected to close.”