BBC Staff And Programmes To Face Cuts

The BBC has told staff to expect job losses and programme cuts. An independent report conducted by the consultants Coopers and Lybrand has suggested new ways for the corporation to save money.

The BBC’s commitment to eradicate its £183m borrowing requirements have led to worries of redundancies. Drama, Music and Arts departments are due to hear of cuts next week. The cuts are expected to be between 8 and 11%.

The BBC’s income is pegged in line with inflation but actors fees, sports broadcasting rights and cost of new technology have all risen above the rate of inflation. Coopers and Lybrand identified “substantial potential for cost improvements through job cuts”.

Will Wyatt, managing director of BBC television will meet John Birt, the Director General early this week to decide whether programme budgets should be revised. The Arts department is particularly vulnerable because of the reorganisation of BBC2’s arts output with the axeing of the Late Show and because of the stipulation that 25% of its programmes will have to be made outside of London.

The BBC would not comment on job losses, but insisted the moratorium on commissions will not affect what viewers see.