BBC Three and BBC Scotland axed in latest round of cuts

The BBC has confirmed it will close three channels next year as part of cost-cutting measures to save £500 million. The BBC Three and BBC Scotland television channels will close next spring, along with the Radio 4 Extra digital station. Youth channel BBC Three and BBC Scotland will become online-only, with programmes moving to iPlayer. Shorts Programmes on Radio 4 Extra, which airs speech programmes from the BBC’s archive, including comedy, drama and documentaries, will move to the BBC Sounds app. The closures are the latest blow to staff, already facing widespread redundances as the broadcaster pursues a cuts programme in response to a worsening financial situation. The BBC said it “needs to make tough decisions due to the sustained financial pressures facing the organisation and must make savings of £500 million by 2028.” The corporation will shift programming for viewers aged 16-34 from BBC Three to YouTube. It is the second time BBC Three has been axed. The channel, which aired shows such as Ru Paul’s Drag Race, was moved entirely online in 2016 before Tim Davie, the former Director-General, restored BBC Three to television screens in 2022. However live viewing figures remained low and the channel became one of the broadcaster’s most expensive services in terms of cost-per-viewer. BBC Scotland will remain a channel on iPlayer, but will no longer be a broadcast channel on television. Content will also be available on BBC One and BBC Two in Scotland In a note to staff setting out the changes, BBC Director-General Matt Brittin said: “We need to make every pound work harder for audiences as we respond to the immediate cost pressures and reinvent the BBC for a changing world. We all know that means tough choices.” He added on the closure of linear broadcast services: “Much of the great content they currently carry will still be found where audiences already enjoy it on iPlayer and Sounds. While this follows media speculation, I recognise the confirmation of this news will be hard for audiences and colleagues.” Meanwhile the new Director of BBC News, Rachel Jupp, announced more cuts, taking total job losses in her department to 100. Jupp said she will be laying out plans for further savings early next year as part of the longer-term vision for BBC News. Other divisions will confirm savings plans as soon as possible in the coming months, the BBC said. EXPLORE MORE ON THE TOPICS IN THIS STORY