BBC tipped to announce closures of TV and radio networks next week – and 2 channels appear under threat

It has been reported that the BBC is preparing to announce closures of TV and radio services "as early" as next week, with speculation currently surrounding the futures of BBC Three and BBC Scotland.

The report has come from Deadline, with the publication saying that BBC insiders and industry sources believe BBC Three is vulnerable to being cut, while also noting that there has been press speculation about BBC Scotland’s future, and that changes are expected to be made to radio services.

It should be noted that nothing is confirmed at this stage, but it is known that the corporation is looking to save £500 million over the next three years, which director-general Matt Brittin is currently overseeing.

In June, he told staff that the BBC will slash commissioning spend across its TV, radio and news divisions by £80 million.

Radio Times has approached the BBC for comment.

Deadline reports that internal announcements are being made over the coming days, with the broadcaster having already told Manchester-based staff about plans to axe sports bulletins on its news channel.

BBC Three was the original home of programmes like Gavin & Stacey, Fleabag and Torchwood, and also featured shows such as The Mighty Boosh, Being Human and Bad Education.

It has also been home to RuPaul's Drag Race UK, but it was recently dropped after eight seasons. When that decision was made, the BBC said it was facing "very difficult choices" as it works to deliver significant savings.

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The show will continue, however, with future runs of both it and its spin-off vs The World set to air on Wow Presents Plus, the platform run by World of Wonder. The BBC's decision on that show could be seen as indicative of its plans for BBC Three as a whole, but again, nothing has yet been confirmed in that regard.

BBC Three has been closed before. The channel originally moved to online-only in 2016, but the decision was reversed in 2022 and the channel was reinstated.

At the same time as the cuts are being proposed, the BBC is also in negotiations with the government with regards to renewing its charter.

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Authors

James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.