BBC confirmed to axe Sports bulletins on News channel amid budget cuts

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Sports bulletins are set to be cut from lunchtime and overnight bulletins on the BBC News channel as part of a plan to save £500m by 2028.

The Guardian has revealed that the broadcaster confirmed the decision in "internal announcements made to staff".

It comes as a result of perceived changes in the way that sports news is consumed, with senior BBC figures reportedly feeling that many see goals or key developments on social media far in advance of the bulletins.

The report claims that staff have been told compulsory redundancies will need to be made, with a net reduction of 36 jobs, including four senior producer positions, across BBC Sport.

The cuts are part of a wider plan to save £500m and reduce staff numbers by as many as 2,000 by 2028 – with announcements expected about more axings, including potentially BBC Three.

They are also part of a shift to the BBC's sport strategy in recent years.

High-profile shows like Football Focus and Ski Sunday have been cut, while the broadcaster has lost broadcasting rights to the Commonwealth Games, the Boat Race, the World Indoor Bowls Championships, and the Rugby League World Cup, which gets under way next month.

More emphasis has been placed on building and creating content for digital and social media audiences to reflect the changing way sport is being consumed.

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In a statement celebrating the success of the BBC's coverage of the European Athletics Championships last month, director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski admitted that "the BBC faces difficult choices and significant financial challenges".

He added: "We cannot do everything. Some sports will understandably prioritise the revenue they need to survive and thrive, and every situation is different.

"But the value, visibility and scale that free-to-air broadcasting can provide remains something we're incredibly proud of."

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Authors

Ned is a sports writer at RadioTimes.com. He has covered a host of sports from EFL football, international cricket and golf all the way through to bike polo and triathlon.