News Broadcasting
BBC internet radio users up 70 per cent on 2004
MUMBAI: UK broadcaster The BBC has announced that its radio services are growing in popularity. Nearly seven million unique British users visited its radio websites in January.
This marks a year-on-year increase of 70 per cent and the highest ever for BBC Radio.
Listeners heard a record 4.2 million hours of radio on-demand, with digital-only services spearheading the increase: 1Xtra, 6 Music, Asian Network and BBC 7 all reported record on-demand listening, totalling 1.2 million hours.
6 Music saw record online listening, with a combined live and on-demand total topping half a million hours. Asian Network’s Top 40 Soundtracks vote pushed weekly unique users of the network’s site over 60,000 for the first time in early January. 1Xtra gave another impressive performance with more than 500,000 hours of online listening and 70,000 on-demand requests for the M1X Show.
For January 2005 Radio 4’s The Archers attracted 456,975 users. The same station’s show I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue got 252,618 users.
News Broadcasting
BBC to cut up to 2,000 jobs in biggest overhaul in 15 years
Cost pressures and leadership change drive major workforce reduction plan
LONDON: BBC has unveiled plans to cut up to 2,000 jobs, roughly 10 per cent of its global workforce, in what marks its biggest downsizing in 15 years.
The announcement was made during an all-staff meeting led by interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies, as the broadcaster moves to tackle mounting financial pressures and reshape its operations.
Between 1,800 and 2,000 roles are expected to be eliminated from a workforce of around 21,500. The cuts form part of a broader plan to save £500 million over the next two years, aimed at offsetting rising costs, stagnating licence fee income and weaker commercial revenues.
In a communication to staff, BBC interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies said, “I know this creates real uncertainty, but we wanted to be open about the challenge,” acknowledging the impact the move would have across the organisation.
The restructuring comes at a time of leadership transition. Former director-general Tim Davie stepped down earlier this month, with Matt Brittin, a former Google executive, set to take over the role on May 18, 2026.
While some cost-cutting measures are being implemented immediately, the majority of the structural changes are expected to roll out over the next few years, with full savings targeted by the 2027–2028 financial year.
The broadcaster had earlier signalled its intent to reduce its cost base by around 10 per cent over a three-year period, warning of “difficult choices” as it adapts to shifting economic realities and audience expectations.
With operating costs hovering around £6 billion annually, the BBC’s latest move underscores the scale of the financial challenge it faces, as it balances public service commitments with the need for long-term sustainability in an increasingly competitive media landscape.
