Radio Reshuffle: BBC Budget Cuts

The BBC is set to axe 65 radio jobs as part of major review relating to budget cuts.
High profile DJs at Radio One and 1Xtra will leave as part of the cuts including Edith Bowman, Nihal, Mike Davies, Rob Da Bank, Jen Long and Ally McCrae.

As part of the reshuffle effective from September 1st this year, Radio One will broadcast a new three-hour Rock Show with Daniel P Carter on Sunday night from 7 – 10pm, following The Official Chart. Elsewhere, Alice Levine is hosting a new weekend afternoon show from 1-4pm and Huw Stephens will host an extended late evening programme from Monday to Wednesday, 10pm-1am focusing on new music.

Controller of Radio One & 1Xtra Ben Cooper said: “These cuts to our budget are hurting. It means I have had to make some tough choices and say goodbye to some friends and respected colleagues”.

Cooper added: “I believe these new schedules continue to innovate, reflect and celebrate the UK’s youth and music culture”.

Of course, in the bigger picture, the BBC is under pressure to save cash following the fixture of the license fee and the subsequent effect on the Corporation’s income each year. The cuts are part of a radio restructure that will cut 200 roles between 2012 and 2017- a 15% reduction. BBC’s national radio stations will be divided into two ‘hubs’: one consisting of all the pop music services- Radio One, 1Xtra, Radio Two, 6 Music, the Asian Network, whilst the other will cover classical and speech output including Radio 3, 4 and 4 Extra.

Director of BBC Radio Helen Boaden said: “BBC Radio is the envy of the world and our creativity is second to none. But we must also be as small as we can be, to meet our savings challenges and increase our agility in the digital world without losing our distinctiveness or damaging relationships with our many audiences. Reducing the division’s headcount by 15% is challenging, but shows just how hard we are working to drive efficiency in everything we do”.