BBC local radio hit by budget cuts
BBC local radio stations today bore a large brunt of the corporation's proposed cuts - with a £5.3 million reduction in their budgets. BBC local radio stations today bore a large brunt of the corporation's proposed cost cuts - with a £5.3 million reduction in their budgets. The BBC is to cut 2,000 jobs, sell off offices and show more repeats as it seeks to cut 20 per cent from its budget, it was announced today. At BBC Shropshire, 20 per cent of the workforce will be lost as eight jobs are axed. Staff at the station were called into a meeting this morning where they were told the details of the cuts. How the budget cuts affect you - full coverage in today's Shropshire Star [24link]
The BBC will cut 2,000 jobs, sell off offices and show more repeats as it seeks to cut 20 per cent from its budget, it was announced today.
The jobs are expected to go by 2016 and a further 1,000 staff will move to the new BBC base at Media City in Salford.
There will be more repeats on BBC One and fewer panel and chat shows on BBC Two under the shake-up, ordered as part of a deal to freeze the licence fee.
Local radio stations bore a large brunt of today's proposed cuts with a £5.3 million reduction in their budgets.
Reports said that equated to 280 jobs being lost - 14 per cent of entire BBC cuts.
At BBC Shropshire, 20 per cent of the workforce will be lost as eight jobs are axed. Staff at the station were called into a meeting this morning where they were told the details of the cuts.
It is thought local radio could see major changes under the plans. More regional programming will be introduced with some programmes being shared between stations after 1pm on weekends.
There will be "a phased but full exit for the BBC's public services from their current home in West London" including its White City offices.
Under the proposals factual programming will leave Birmingham and go to Cardiff and Bristol although some shows like Doctors and The Archers will stay in the Midlands.
The plan is expected to lead to savings of £670 million a year by 2016/17 and comes after the annual licence fee was frozen at £145.50 for six years.
Director General Mark Thompson said: "It's a plan for a smaller BBC, but a BBC which uses its resources more effectively."
The BBC HD channel will be closed and replaced with an HD version of BBC Two and all new daytime shows will be moved to BBC One with more repeats on Two.
There will also be less original programming on radio, with cuts to comedy on Radio 2 and Radio 5 Live and fewer lunchtime concerts on Radio 3.
Some radio stations will also share news bulletins.
The Asian Network radio station, which was previously threatened with closure, will lose a third of its "service licence budget reduction".
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