BBC to cut 41 roles within its sports department

The BBC will cut 41 roles within its sports department amid significant cost-cutting measures at the organisation.

Five new roles will also be created, resulting in a net loss of 36 jobs.

The organisation has opened a voluntary redundancy window and will seek as many cuts as possible through this process.

The job losses will reportedly amount to savings of around £2.6 million.

It comes after the BBC revealed it is facing “significant financial pressures” as the corporation plans to decommission TV shows and reduce its development spend.

In an internal note sent to staff, seen by the Press Association, chief content officer Kate Phillips outlined the proposed savings which aim to reduce the corporation’s spend on commissioning by £80 million in the 2027 to 2028 financial year.

The job losses are part of wider BBC cuts (Alamy/PA)

Ms Phillips told staff that the corporation estimates around 100 jobs will be cut from the BBC content division by the end of the financial year.

The cuts are part of a BBC-wide plan to axe up to 2,000 roles in an attempt to make £500 million in savings over two years

It marks the biggest round of BBC job cuts in almost 15 years.

Among the cuts, 550 will be from BBC News and TV and radio-related roles which director-general Matt Brittin said he hoped would make £160 million in cost savings.

The former Google executive also added that the BBC would be reducing senior leaders by “at least” 10% to make it “simpler and faster”.

Mr Brittin said further details on cuts and savings would be announced “in the months ahead”.