BBC plans major changes to sports news bulletins, cutting seven journalist roles
The channel axes sports bulletins and tells staff they may have to reapply for their jobs
The BBC is reportedly planning to end regular sports bulletins on its news channel and make more senior journalists redundant as the corporation is set to unveil a series of drastic cutbacks as part of major changes to its programming and coverage.
According to internal announcements made to staff, lunchtime and overnight bulletins that appear on the BBC News channel will no longer be broadcast.
The primary motive behind the cuts is part of a BBC-wide plan to save £500m and lose as many as 2,000 staff by 2028. Meanwhile, the shift away from scheduled sports is viewed as part of a broader transition in how sports news is consumed.
Senior BBC figures believe that many sports fans have already seen significant goals and developments on social media before they appear on bulletins. Meanwhile, more cuts are expected to be announced across the corporation creating a challenging pay period for staff.
The BBB has taken drastic measures, axing long-running programming and coverage of a series of minority sports. Further, that decision came after it had already dropped the crucial events including Commonwealth Games, the Boat Race, the World Indoor Bowls Championships and the Rugby League World Cup.
The BBC said last month, “The BBC faces difficult choices and significant financial challenges, and we cannot do everything,
“Some sports will understandably priorities the revenue they need to survive and thrive, and every situation is different.”
“But the value, visibility and scale that free-to-air broadcasting can provide remains something we’re incredibly proud of.”
