BBC announces details of cuts in bid to save £500m

The BBC has confirmed it will close BBC Three, BBC Scotland and BBC Radio 4 Extra linear broadcast services in the spring of 2027.

The decision comes as the corporation bids to save £500m by 2028.

In addition, BBC News will cut just over 100 roles, with a total value of around £5.5m, corporation staff have been told.

A number of roles will also be cut as a result of the broadcast closures, including ten in Scotland.

However, BBC Scotland will remain available on iPlayer.

A BBC statement said: "Today's changes were announced to staff this morning. It means: BBC Scotland will remain a channel on iPlayer. Content will also be available on BBC One and BBC Two in Scotland.

"BBC Three commissions, supported by increased investment in content for younger audiences, will be available on BBC iPlayer and on other platforms, including YouTube.

"Programmes from Radio 4 Extra will be on BBC Sounds - and The Daily Service will be on BBC Sounds and local radio."

In a note to staff setting out the changes, BBC Director-General Matt Brittin said: "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 added: "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."

More from Sky News:
Britain's first storm of the season named
Man to stand trial over murder of woman in Scotland in 1994

It is not the first time BBC Three has been cut from linear TV. It returned as a fully-fledged TV channel in January 2022, six years after it last moved online.

The channel has since been responsible for major hits including Fleabag, Normal People, and Killing Eve.

An email to staff from Rachel Jupp, the new director of BBC News, said the 100 employees who will lose their jobs have already been informed.

She said: "We're now announcing further saving proposals, with a total value of around £5.5m which represents the net closure of just over 100 roles.

"I know this will be very difficult news for those affected. We will continue to work closely with colleagues and trade unions throughout the consultation process and will do everything we can to minimise the need for compulsory redundancies.

"Colleagues affected by today's proposals have already been informed."

(c) Sky News 2026: BBC announces details of cuts in bid to save £500m