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BBC considers replacing two news channels with one service BBC considers replacing two news channels with one service
(1 day later)
The BBC is considering a new 24-hour channel to replace two existing services, BBC News and BBC World News, as part of cost-cutting measures unveiled to staff on Tuesday.The BBC is considering a new 24-hour channel to replace two existing services, BBC News and BBC World News, as part of cost-cutting measures unveiled to staff on Tuesday.
Although no decision has been made on the proposals, the BBC executive board is understood to have urged the news team to do further work on replacing the two channels with one. A decision is expected to be made in July. Although no decision is expected to be made until the summer, the BBC executive board is understood to have urged the news team to do further work on replacing the two existing news channels with “a single new BBC News channel offering a global agenda from London”.
A BBC source confirmed that there were several options under discussion but that further work would be done on creating a new channel which would be available for UK and overseas viewers. Currently, BBC News is available to licence fee payers whereas BBC World News is commercially funded and available to overseas viewers. A BBC source confirmed that there were several options under discussion but it had ruled out the idea of switching off the rolling news service in a bid to cut costs.
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“This is not a BBC3 situation: BBC News will not be going online only,” said one corporation insider.“This is not a BBC3 situation: BBC News will not be going online only,” said one corporation insider.
The plans also include “enhancing” the output of the 24-hour BBC Parliament, which is expected to broadcast more news from inside parliaments other than Westminster such as Holyrood and the National Assembly for Wales. Mobile news streams are also to be added. The plans also include greater use of live streaming especially for mobile devices and enhanced output on the 24-hour BBC Parliament, which is expected to broadcast more news from inside parliaments other than Westminster, such as Holyrood and the National Assembly for Wales.
It is not clear how much money will be saved by the decision. In February it emerged that BBC News faces cuts of £80m over the next four years as the corporation as a whole looks to save an estimated £800m a year by 2021-22. The division employs about 7,400 of the corporation’s 18,000 workforce. It is not yet clear how much money will be saved by the decision. In February it emerged that BBC News faces cuts of £80m over the next four years as the corporation as a whole looks to save an estimated £800m a year by 2021-22. The division employs about 7,400 of the corporation’s 18,000 workforce.
As part of the BBC’s overall talent strategy, the cost of on-air and on-screen people in news over the last five years has fallen. The BBC is now to reduce it by a further 10% in real terms over the next five years. BBC News has committed to spending a maximum of 11 per cent of in-house content costs on talent on-air. As part of the BBC’s overall talent strategy, the cost of on-air salaries in news over the past five years has fallen. The BBC is now to reduce it by a further 10% in real terms over the next five years. BBC News has committed to spending a maximum of 11% of in-house content costs on talent on-air.
When he launched the three-month review in January to reshape the department for the next decade, director of news James Harding said the division “can’t afford to do everything”. When he launched the review in January to reshape the department for the next decade, director of news James Harding said the division “can’t afford to do everything”.
Last week’s white paper urged the BBC to add more distinctive features to its content.Last week’s white paper urged the BBC to add more distinctive features to its content.
With the BBC under pressure to cut costs, speculation has focused on the future of the News channel, as well as Radio 5 Live and local news. With the BBC under pressure to cut costs, speculation has focused on the future of the News channel, as well as Radio 5 Live. Both are now said to be off the table.
The BBC News channel alone costs £63m a year but much of its new gathering is used elsewhere in the BBC. Newsgathering in total is the biggest single cost in the whole department.The BBC News channel alone costs £63m a year but much of its new gathering is used elsewhere in the BBC. Newsgathering in total is the biggest single cost in the whole department.
Radio 5 Live employs fewer people but has a similar annual budget – £66m – because of the high cost of sports rights.Radio 5 Live employs fewer people but has a similar annual budget – £66m – because of the high cost of sports rights.
Another potential victim of the need to find savings to cover the £700m annual cost of free TV licences for the over-75s by 2020 is thought to be local radio, which costs £153m a year. BBC plans unveiled as part of its online creative review is likely to promote streaming services rather than channels. Another potential victim of the need to find savings to cover the £700m annual cost of free TV licences for the over-75s by 2020 is thought to be local news and radio. The latter costs £153m a year.
BBC plans unveiled as part of its online creative review is likely to promote streaming services rather than channels.