The British public corporation BBC plans to cut up to 2,000 jobs, representing more than a tenth of its total workforce. According to available information, this is the most extensive layoff in the last 15 years. The measure comes as the institution's leadership prepares for Matt Brittin, a former Google executive, to take over.
The reduction is a key part of an austerity plan designed to cut costs by £500 million (approximately 14 billion CZK) over the next two years. Interim director Rhodri Talfan Davies stated that the station would not avoid fundamental decisions. The reason for the cuts is the declining number of households paying license fees and the growing competition from streaming services.
“At £500m, we will inevitably be facing some fundamental and difficult choices,” Davies said.
In connection with the financial crisis, the British government is considering changing the funding model. Options include introducing advertising, voluntary subscriptions for commercial content, or a hybrid model that would retain fees only for news and public service.