BBC News Sets out Cost Savings and Reinvestment Plan

The BBC said news consumption habits are changing, with linear TV audiences declining by 11% over the last five years, and that it needs to invest in online news to respond.

Against the background of a flat Licence Fee settlement and the impact of inflation, the BBC is looking to make £500m of savings.

BBC News and Current Affairs CEO Deborah Turness said: “Like many businesses, we are in a tough financial climate and as our audiences shift rapidly from TV to online news consumption, we need to make choices about where we allocate our resources. While TV and radio remain crucial to BBC News, we must invest in our digital platforms to ensure they are also the home of our very best journalism, and today’s package of measures will accelerate this transformation.”

Newsnight will remain as a nightly BBC Two TV programme from Mondays to Fridays, but be shortened by 10 minutes to become a 30-minute interview, debate and discussion show. As a result Newsnight’s current 57-strong team will be reportedly cut by more than half to 23.

However, a new BBC News Investigations unit is being created, and areas such as BBC Verify will be boosted, with new reporting and production roles.

An extended hour-long edition of the BBC News at One will also relocate to Salford, the first time a daily BBC national news bulletin will be broadcast outside London.

There will also be a restructure of BBC News’ story teams in the UK, with a focus on digital storytelling and live coverage, and a reduction in the amount of television packaging, as the BBC moves to digital-first.