BBC Three Among Linear Services Set to Close as Broadcaster Looks for Savings

The BBC has confirmed it will shut down a host of linear broadcast services next year.

Among those impacted are BBC Three, BBC Scotland and BBC Radio 4 Extra.

The decision was made as the beleaguered corporation seeks to make cuts across the board in a bit to save £500 million by 2028.

“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,” said BBC director-general Matt Brittin. “We all know that means tough choices.”

“Much of the great content they currently carry will still be found where audiences already enjoy it on iPlayer and Sounds,” he said specifically of the shuttering linear services. “While this follows media speculation, I recognise the confirmation of this news will be hard for audiences and colleagues.”

Content from BBC Scotland, BBC Three and Radio 4 Extra will still be available digitally, via iPlayer, BBC Sounds and YouTube. BBC Scotland will also continue as a standalone channel on iPlayer while some of its content will be available on local broadcasts of BBC One and BBC Two.

News director Rachel Jupp will also be making changes within the BBC News division.

In response to the news, Directors U.K. CEO Andy Harrower, said: “The removal of BBC Three and BBC Scotland from linear broadcast must not lead to a reduction in the number or range of programmes commissioned for their audiences. For many directors, commissions on BBC Three and BBC Scotland provide essential opportunities for them to develop their craft, take creative risks and progress towards larger productions.”

“Directors U.K. is therefore calling on the BBC to guarantee that these changes will not reduce the volume or breadth of commissioning, or opportunities behind the camera. Any new model must protect investment in emerging directors and production across the nations and regions, and ensure that audiences are still able to easily find these programmes online.”