Some BBC channels and radio stations 'may well' have to close, director general says
BBC Director General Matt Brittin has warned that some channels and radio stations may face closure to fund a shift toward on-demand services. The broadcaster is seeking £500m in savings to adapt to changing audience habits.
Why it matters
This reflects the broader struggle of traditional media institutions to remain relevant and financially viable in a digital-first landscape.
Figure caption, 'We can't guarantee any programme or channel forever' - BBC Director General Matt Brittin
Published 15 minutes ago The BBC's financial situation and changing audience habits "may well mean" some channels and radio stations have to close so resources can be invested in on-demand services, its director general has said.
As the BBC seeks £500m savings, Matt Brittin told BBC One's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg that "we wouldn't guarantee any programme or any channel will exist forever".
He said: "The tight financial situation means that we're having to look at some of those decisions a bit sooner than we might like."
Audience behaviour is also rapidly changing, he said. "If most of an audience is getting things on demand, we have to look the value and the cost of all of those different services."
Brittin said his focus when making savings was to "minimise the impact on audience".
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