The BBC has confirmed it will close BBC Three, BBC Scotland and BBC Radio 4 Extra as part of a major cost-cutting drive aimed at saving £500 million by 2028. The closures are expected to take place in spring 2027.
The move follows a warning from the BBC's Director-General Matt Brittin in June that the organisation needed to make significant savings. As part of the latest cuts, a further 100 jobs will be axed at BBC News, while an additional 10 roles in Scotland will be lost following the removal of BBC Scotland as a television channel.
Content Moves Online
Viewers will still be able to access BBC Scotland content on BBC iPlayer, with programmes also continuing to air on BBC One and BBC Two in Scotland. BBC Three, which primarily targets younger audiences, will move its content online, with programmes available through BBC iPlayer and other platforms, including YouTube.
This is not the first time BBC Three has made such a move. The channel originally went online in 2016 before returning to broadcast television in 2022. It has been behind hits such as Killing Eve, Fleabag and Normal People.
Tough Choices Ahead
BBC Radio 4 Extra programmes will remain available to listeners through BBC Sounds, despite the closure of the broadcast channel. Announcing the changes in a note to staff, Brittin said the corporation needs to make "tough choices" to ease cost pressures.
"We need to make every pound work harder for audiences as we respond to the immediate cost pressures and reinvent the BBC for a changing world. We all know that means tough choices," he said. "Much of the great content they currently carry will still be found where audiences already enjoy them on iPlayer and Sounds. While this follows media speculation, I recognise the confirmation of this news will be hard for audiences and colleagues."
Further Savings Expected
Rachel Jupp, the new director of BBC News, is expected to set out further plans for savings next year. Other divisions across the corporation are also due to announce their own cost-cutting measures in the coming months as the BBC continues its efforts to reduce spending.
It comes after Nick Knowles confirmed that DIY SOS has been axed after 26 years. He admitted to feeling "disappointed" over the announcement, but said he understands that the BBC doesn't have an "endless pot of money".
"Of course, I'm disappointed not to be filming the show next year or again in the same format we know and love. But I do understand there's no endless pot of money at the BBC and sometimes they have to make difficult decisions," Nick wrote on Instagram. "It's so clear you share my sentiment and deep love for this show. For 26 years it's been an honour and a privilege to be part of DIY SOS, and I've loved nothing more than making it. What I always come back to is that it's the people who are the beating heart of SOS."
"Over the years we've had thousands of tradespeople, suppliers and volunteers, all people trying to make their own living, who have shown up time and time again for the families who need it most. Kind, hardworking people and real working-class heroes coming together to build a better community. It really is the best of Britain, and we need to see more of it on telly," he continued.
"I've always put my head above the parapet for tradespeople and this industry I love, and I'll keep doing that. But for now, I want to say thank you to every family for sharing their story with us over the last 26 years. To the volunteers, production team, purple shirts, commissioners and everyone watching at home, we couldn't have done this without you," he added, signing off: "And to everyone who hasn't seen the series yet, give it a watch. I promise your heart will be warmed."
