CBBC, BBC Four and Radio 4 Extra should close and become online-only services, the BBC said on Thursday, in an effort to turn the corporation into a “modern, digitally driven and streamlined organization that derives the most value from license fee “.
BBC World News and BBC News Channel will merge according to plans to become just BBC News.
Part of the radio’s history will also end, as Radio 4’s long-wave service has been removed, along with Radio 5 Live’s medium-wave broadcasts at 909 and 693 Khz.
Oxford and Cambridge regional television news are also being removed and will be merged with “parent” programs from Southampton and Norwich, respectively.
Overall, the wider changes will mean that around 1,000 jobs will be lost in the BBC over the next few years.
CEO Tim Davy told employees about the need for the corporation to reform in order to stay relevant and continue to provide great value to its customers.
“When I took up this job, I said we had to fight for something important: content and public service, freely available everywhere, for the good of all,” he said.
“This struggle is intensifying; the stakes are high. ”
Mr Davey confirmed that although the changes in the channels would not take place in the next three years, the plan to move them from line television was in place for the future.
BBC CEO says “the stakes are high” for the corporation in the “struggle” to provide its services
(PA)
Other changes noted in the press release include plans for new on-demand content and news and current affairs formats, including plans to make some of the World Service’s foreign language content digital only.
Philippa Childs, head of the Bectu Broadcasting Union, said: “This announcement reveals that the reality behind the BBC’s political scream is that extremely talented and dedicated people who work hard to provide critical services to the nation and beyond now face facing even more job losses and continuing uncertainty. “
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