BBC Director-General Tim Davie Sets Out ‘Digital First’ Strategy, Plans $250 Million a Year Cuts

variety.com:

K.J. Yossman BBC Director-General Tim Davie has revealed plans for a “digital first” BBC as the broadcaster celebrates its hundredth year as well as revealing at hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of cutbacks.Davie said he plans to cut £200 million ($250 million) from the budget due to the government’s decision to freeze the license fee, which funds the BBC.

The freeze will create a £285m annual funding gap by 2027/28.Of the £200 million, Davie said £50 million “is already baked into our current budgets” but the rest will have to be delivered by “stopping things and running the organisation better where we can.”Part of that involves cutting headcount, Variety understands, which has prompted a response from broadcasting union Bectu, a number of whose members work within the BBC. “We recognise the need for organisations to change and adapt and welcome the BBC’s commitment to step up to the challenges of a changing media landscape and build a digital-first corporation,” said Bectu head Philippa Childs. “However, once again we see the impact of poorly-judged political decisions on workers as the Government’s decision to freeze the licence fee has instigated these real-term job cuts.”“Bectu will fully engage in every aspect of these proposals and we will be doing everything we can to support our members.

We will be working to ensure that change is not cost cutting for the sake of it, but truly does position the BBC strongly for the future and delivers the best possible outcomes for members.”As part of the digital-first strategy it is also reported that CBBC and BBC Four will cease to be aired as linear channels.Read Davies’ full speech below:Good afternoon everybody.Today, in our centenary year, I want to set out a.