BBC local radio cuts to be replaced by new local TV stations

The BBC’s Chief Operating Officer, Caroline Thompson, has stated that the reversal of the planned 280 job cuts to local radio is not “out of the question”.

The BBC faced a huge backlash last week when the provider announced budget cuts of £15 million to 40 stations across England.

Peter Preston for The Guardian puts these cuts down to the BBC’s attempt at developing local TV; he explains “In short, local radio is being squeezed – mostly of local programming outside the peak news periods – to help get local TV going.”

Jeremy Hunt, secretary for state for culture, media and sport, commented on the possible 65 local TV stations, stating they would bring a “fundamental change in how people get information about their communities, and how they hold their representatives to account”. He insists there is still “a huge appetite for local news and information the length and breadth of the country”.

This ‘appetite’ in which he refers to is arguably not being met by the current attempts of local BBC radio.

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