BBC World Service sets out savings plan for the year ahead

BBC World Service makes operational changes in order to meet £6m worth of savings requirements with around 130 roles closing
The BBC World Service has announced that it will be making a series of changes in order to meet savings requirements for the year ahead.
Despite the government providing a what the BBC says is a welcome uplift in the grant-in-aid funding for the World Service, previous freezes on the licence fee, global inflation, and the need for ongoing digital and technological upkeep have meant savings are necessary.
The BBC World Service is also operating in a highly competitive global media environment with international news providers investing billions in state-backed media that sees increased competition for staff, platforms and frequencies, and audiences.
In total, the savings needed for the next financial year are around £6m and will largely be met by the closure of posts with a net reduction of around 130 roles.
The BBC World Service’s commitment to providing journalism of the highest quality across its 42 language services is undiminished. It says that it will continue to counter disinformation, provide emergency services in times of crisis and report from all corners of the globe.
The operational changes will be in line with the BBC’s broader digital first strategy, ensuring our services are fit for the future and reflecting changing audience behaviour.
Jonathan Munro, Global Director and Deputy CEO, BBC News, says:
“While the result of the latest grant-in-aid funding settlement means we are able to maintain all of our existing language services, we were clear it would not stave off difficult decisions in order to remain globally competitive and meet our savings requirements. These changes will ensure we operate effectively with the resource we have, creating the most impact for audiences internationally.”
Key changes will include; closing posts across the BBC World Service in the UK and internationally, closing roles in BBC Monitoring whilst also reinvesting in strategically important skills, making changes to the commissioning mix on World Service English, and reshaping some of our World Service Language teams to enhance the focus on digital output