EXCLUSIVE: The BBC has quietly cut by two-thirds the length of news bulletins on Greg James‘ Radio 1 breakfast show, one of the UK broadcaster’s most important ways of reaching young people.
Newsbeat updates on Breakfast with Greg James have been slashed from three minutes to just one minute this week, with the BBC declining to provide a reason for the change.
BBC insiders are concerned about peak-listening news bulletins being butchered, with one person telling Deadline that they “can’t understand how it can be defended.” There is suspicion that the change has been made in a naked attempt to keep hold of listeners in the week Capital launched a revamped breakfast show with former Radio 1 DJ Jordan North.
The BBC declined to comment on whether shorter bulletins are a tactical short-term switch or a more strategic permanent change. “Not a great look either way,” said an insider.
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