LONDON: BBC to Cut 500 Jobs to Become ‘More Agile’, The BBC plans to cut 500 jobs by early 2025, aiming to save £200 million (US$258 million) and transform into a “leaner, more agile organization,” according to an announcement made on Tuesday (Jul 23) by the British public service broadcaster.
The redundancies, intended through role closures, transfers, and new positions in “growth areas,” mark the BBC’s response to financial constraints and inflationary pressures, reflecting ongoing efforts to streamline operations and adapt to evolving challenges in broadcasting.
The broadcaster, funded primarily by the £169.50 annual licence fee paid by UK households watching live TV channels, faces challenges from shifting media consumption habits towards streaming and on-demand services.
The BBC saw a £80 million decrease in licence fee income over the last year, primarily due to a two percent decline in sales volumes and unchanged licence fee pricing.
The number of active licences dropped from 24.4 million in 2022-23 to 23.9 million by the end of last year, according to the annual report.
According to the annual report, the number of active licences decreased from 24.4 million in 2022-23 to 23.9 million by the end of last year.
“We need to create a leaner, more agile organization and seize the digital-first opportunity to redesign our processes, reduce costs, and better serve our audiences,” said Davie.
“We also need to explore the best long-term funding options to safeguard the full benefits of universal public service broadcasting for the future,” Davie emphasized.
The BBC chief emphasized the need for discussions with the government on the “appropriate funding approach” for the BBC World Service, especially at “a critical moment for global democracy.”
