BBC announces 2,000 job cuts in major restructure to slash costs by 10 percent

The British broadcaster targets 10 percent cost cuts amid financial pressure

The BBC is set to cut 2,000 jobs as part of a major restructuring drive aimed at reducing costs by 10 percent over the next three years, sources say.

Staff were informed about the planned redundancies during an all-staff call on Wednesday afternoon, although no details were given on which roles would be affected, Independent reports.

The cuts represent the broadcaster’s largest reduction in headcount in nearly 15 years and come as former Google executive Matt Brittin prepares to take over as director-general next month.

The corporation has also recently outlined plans to significantly downsize its team covering national events, such as royal occasions and state funerals, reducing it to a single staff member supported by freelancers.

In February, the BBC said it would cut spending by hundreds of millions of pounds over the next three years as it faces “substantial financial pressures”.

At the time, it said it aimed to save about 10 percent of its overall costs by 2029, though it did not specify which services would be affected.

Earlier, in January 2025, the BBC World Service announced plans to cut 130 jobs to save around £6 million in the following financial year.

Funded largely through the annual television licence fee -- paid by UK households watching TV -- the BBC has faced increasing scrutiny over value for money amid competition from streaming platforms such as Netflix and Disney+.

The licence fee rose to £180 per year on Apr 1.

Outgoing director-general Tim Davie stepped down on Apr 2 after announcing his resignation in November following a turbulent period for the broadcaster.

Interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies, who is believed to have led the all-staff meeting, will head the organisation until Brittin takes over on May 18.