The BBC has announced its savings plan for its news services – revealing that the number of presenters on Radio 4’s Today programme will be cut among other cost-saving measures. Newly-appointed director-general Matt Brittin shared the news on Wednesday (17 June), sharing his plans to slash BBC costs by £160 million. The budget cuts will result in 550 job losses in BBC News, TV and radio, while 700 corporate roles will be impacted. Announcing plans for news coverage across TV and radio, the broadcaster said
that it will be cancelling six shows on BBC Radio 4: The World Tonight, the Midnight News, Money Box Live, AntiSocial, The Law Show and Crossing Continents. While on TV, BBC One will no longer make a Sunday morning edition of BBC Breakfast from September. Instead, the BBC News Channel will be simulcast in its place. The broadcaster said that it will be cancelling six shows on BBC Radio 4, including The World Tonight and the Midnight News, while BBC One will no longer make
a Sunday morning edition of BBC Breakfast from September. As for changes to senior on-air roles, the BBC said that too “balance audience needs with best value for money”, the Today programme would have a roster of four permanent presenters rather than five. Meanwhile, only one anchor will present the format on Saturday. Today is currently hosted by Anna Foster, Emma Barnett, Justin Webb, Nick Robinson and Amol Rajan. While it is yet to be announced which of the presenters will stay within the line-up,
Rajan announced in January that he would be leaving the show this summer after five years. More to follow.
BBC, Radio 4 Today, BBC Breakfast, Matt Brittin, £160 million savings, job losses, Radio 4 cancellations