The BBC has outlined plans to cut around 500 public service roles by March 2026.
Director general Tim Davie has revealed plans to invite voluntary redundancies shortly in a bid to create “a leaner, more agile organisation” after licence fee income fell from £3.7bn in 2022/23 to £3.6bn in 2023/24, according to the corporation’s annual report.
The BBC said it would “make the most of the digital-first opportunity to redesign our process, cuts costs and service audiences better” amid what competitive and financial challenges, and what Davie called “intense scrutiny”.
Indie spend
In an accompanying commissioning supply report, the BBC revealed that around one in five of the indies it worked with last year – 64 out of 326 – were first-time suppliers to the organisation.
However, while 298 indies secured funded TV development with the BBC, up from 258 the previous year, its spend with them has decreased from 95% to 90%, with BBC Studios doubling its share from 5% to 10%.
Of the 326, 70 were backed by the BBC’s small indie fund or indie development fund.
Elsewhere, the BBC spent £243 on diverse commissions, more than doubled its £100m target.
While the BBC hit its national and regional production and spend quotas, BBC3 spend outside of London did dip by 7% from 56% to 49%.
Just 71% of 16-34s use its services each week, short of the corporation’s 75% target.
Strictly controversy
Davie also apologised to contestants on Strictly Come Dancing who felt they were mistreated on the show as the BBC looks into complaints and reworks the show's protocols to ensure a member of the production team is always present during rehearsals.
“There are clearly learnings specifically with regards to oversight in the training rooms that we have needed to address," he said.
"But the measures we have taken I believe are an appropriate and fair response.
“There has always been hard work and competitiveness alongside the fun and entertainment of Strictly, but there are limits and lines that should never be crossed.
“Overall, our teams care deeply about these issues so when you hear about these things you are inevitably disappointed."
Davie said that while it was inaccurate to characterise Strictly as not having had significant duty of care, "there are clearly learnings and the team has acted to address that".
