Once the World's Best, Now "Can't Survive Without Money" - BBC to Cut 2,000 Jobs

550 Job Cuts Across News, TV, and Radio Divisions
Up to 2,000 Jobs to be Eliminated, Affecting 9% of Workforce
News Program Cancellations and Presenter Reductions Under Review

BBC to undergo massive restructuring including layoffs and program cancellations. Yonhap News

The Asia Business Daily reported on June 18 that the British public broadcaster BBC will lay off 550 employees in its news, TV, and radio content divisions.

In April, the BBC announced that it would need to cut costs by 500 million pounds (approximately 1.014 trillion won) over the next two years, and that it planned to lay off between 1,800 and 2,000 employees. This represents a massive restructuring, reducing up to more than 9% of its total workforce.

This newly announced measure is the first phase of the plan, and BBC Director General Matt Brittin stated that it will save 160 million pounds (324.6 billion won).

Brittin, who took office last month, wrote in an email to employees, "Cost reductions of this scale are impossible without difficult choices and careful consideration." He added, "While involuntary redundancies may be unavoidable, we will strive to maximize voluntary departures."

Brittin also explained that, in the coming months, further restructuring plans will be announced, including a 10% reduction in senior executive positions and 700 layoffs in the corporate division.

Jonathan Munro, interim CEO of the news division, told staff in an email that the news division will see 200 job cuts under the latest plan, saving 25 million pounds (about 50.7 billion won). He said that the measures will include the cancellation of some news programs, a reduction in the number of regular presenters, and the consolidation of production teams for different programs.

Previously, the BBC has faced financial pressure as its main source of funding, the license fee, has dropped by about 25% since 2017. The BBC claims that 94% of UK adults use its services each month. However, in recent years, the broadcaster has become embroiled in various controversies, leading to a decline in public trust.

Last November, the BBC underwent turmoil as its director general was replaced following a controversy over manipulated remarks in a documentary about U.S. President Donald Trump. The BBC is currently defending itself against a massive lawsuit brought by President Trump, while also negotiating with the government over the regular revision of the BBC Royal Charter, which underpins its public funding, and the license fee.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.