BBC to be “digital-first”.The corporation has confirmed that the two channels will stop airing in no less than three years’ time, with content continuing to be produced for its streaming service BBC iPlayer.As part of the shake-up, the BBC’s news channels will be merged into one, while Radio 4 Extra will move off the airwaves and exclusively to BBC Sounds.The BBC said the changes are aimed at “creating a modern, digital-led and streamlined organisation that drives the most value from the licence fee and delivers more for audiences”.The changes will lead to cuts of £200million per year, with job losses of up to 1,000 expected over the next few years.“This is our moment to build a digital-first BBC. Something genuinely new, a Reithian organisation for the digital age, a positive force for the UK and the world,” said director-general Tim Davie.“Independent, impartial, constantly innovating and serving all.
BBC Strikes Pay Deal That It Says Is “Fair To Licence Fee Payers And Staff”
11.05.2022 - 12:51 / deadline.com
The BBC has struck a pay deal with its staff that will see the majority given a 4.2% pay rise in August followed by 1% later in the year.
Under pressure after two years of minimal pay increases, the deal will not apply to senior leaders, whose pay is subject to a different process.
Describing the move as “a fair deal to licence fee payers and staff,” the BBC said the increase, which is well below the 7% rate of inflation, has been made possible due to “cutting staff numbers and saving costs.” The BBC’s employee number feel by 1,200 last year.
Last year’s annual pay increase was 1% and in 2020 there was a pay freeze across the BBC due to the impact of the pandemic, meaning the 4.2% rise is the biggest jump since 2019.
“We would rather have fewer people paid closer to the wider media market,” said the corporation. “The BBC will never be able to meet the levels of pay at some of our rivals – and nor should we be expected to – but we are operating in a global market for talent, and without that talent, there are no programmes or content.”
The BBC has also updated its approach to parental support, providing consistency of approach for maternity and paternity leave, along with providing support for carers and women experiencing the menopause.
Director General Tim Davie said: “The BBC is smaller but we also need to attract and retain world class talent, within a reformed, modern and efficient organisation, that provides great value to audiences.”
The corporation has to make savings of around £1.5BN ($2BN) over the next five years and will set out how it intends to do this later this month.
New and returning series on broadcast, cable and streaming
Series that made it or didn’t make it in 2021-22
Broadcast networks’ fall lineups and
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BBC Four and CBBC to end as audiences ‘watch streaming shows instead’
Popular BBC TV channels, BBC Four and CBBC are set to end, as audiences "watch streaming shows instead." Director-General of the BBC, Tim Davie, announced the news today after more and more audiences are turning to streaming services to watch their programmes. He also revealed that there is set to be a cut of around 1,000 jobs, as BBC embarks on a £500million budget cut for the taxpayer-funded corporation, which looks to move towards a "digital-first BBC." As he spoke to BBC staff, Tim said: "This is our moment to build a digital-first BBC. Something genuinely new, a Reithian organisation for the digital age, a positive force for the UK and the world.
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