News Broadcasting
ICM poll reveals public views on BBC programmes
MUMBAI: A lot of television viewers in the UK (58 per cent) think the BBC’s programmes are similar to those on other broadcasters. Support for the BBC as an institution in the wake of the Hutton Inquiry remains strong, with 68 per cent believing that the BBC is an institution to be proud of, says a survey conducted by ICM.
The special What’s the point of the BBC? aired on Sunday on BBC One. In a major studio debate the broadcaster’s acting DG Mark Byford fielded tough questions from a UK audience and a panel of the BBC’s friends and critics.
The poll found that that 37 per cent of those surveyed thought that the BBC’s programmes are distinctive to other broadcasters. The charge was also made in the programme by veteran BBC broadcaster Sir David Attenborough who claimed that the range of programmes was no longer wide enough.
He said, “I think that the pendulum swung in the last five years or so a bit towards the popular and away from the more specialised. I think there are great areas of drama which it doesn’t tackle, classical drama of one sort or another. Science has one programme on BBC but very little on BBC One and science should be at the core of what people should be interested in and be learning about all the time. So if you have three programmes on gardening, then I would suggest you drop one of them, or maybe even two of them and do some of these other things.”
The poll also found that public opinion on the future of the funding of the BBC is divided. 31 per cent supported a continuation of the licence fee in its current form. 31 per cent thought that there should be advertising on the corporation’s channels while 36 per cent are of the opinion that the corporation should be funded by subscription.
However the poll found that the majority 59 per cent still felt the corporation was good value for money. On the flip side 54 per cent criticised the broadcaster for dumbing down the content.
Television production company Endemol UK’s chairman Peter Bazalgette attacked the governance of the BBC on the special. He alluded to the Kelly affair as an “accident waiting to happen” and called for a major shake-up in the governance system, from the cheerful bunch of amateurs to a more independent and professional board including experts on journalism and competition law.
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.
