The BBC says it plans to cut some 300 jobs as it commercialises its studios after they lost the right to make at least half of the broadcaster’s programmes in-house.
The state-funded British broadcaster said on Thursday that it had worked in recent months to ensure BBC Studios “keeps creativity at the core while operating competitively and efficiently in the market place.
This is following the removal of a guarantee that 50 per cent of BBC programmes are made in-house.
It said the plans form part of a wider initiative to make the BBC “simpler, leaner and more adaptable to meet the challenges of the future.”
“It had already saved 2 billion dollars through improved productivity.
“However, we have also said more savings need to be found and staffing, which accounts for about a quarter of the BBC’s costs has to play its part in that.
“A strong, creative and competitive BBC Studios is crucial to maintaining the BBC’s role as one of the world’s great programme makers.
“We are committed to delivering the best content in all our genres, these plans will ensure we can compete successfully in the future, ” Mark Linsey, Director of BBC Studios said. (dpa/NAN)
