BBC Three and BBC Scotland linear channels to close

Explaining the closures, the BBC said it needs to make “tough decisions” to save £500m by 2028, due to sustained financial pressures facing the organisation.

BBC Scotland will remain a channel on iPlayer, while the service’s content will also be available on BBC One and BBC Two in Scotland. BBC Three commissions will also be available on BBC iPlayer and on other platforms, including YouTube. 

The decision follows a BBC review of its linear services and comes amid a continuing shift in audience consumption from traditional broadcast television to digital platforms.

The move of BBC Scotland to an iPlayer-only channel will lead to the closure of approximately 10 posts, in addition to 60 role closures in Scotland that the BBC already announced earlier this year.

Meanwhile, programmes from Radio 4 Extra will be available on BBC Sounds only, while The Daily Service will be on BBC Sounds and local radio.

In a note to staff setting out the changes, Matt Brittin, Director-General, BBC, said: “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. We all know that means tough choices.” 

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

The linear channel closures were announced the same day the new director of BBC News, Rachel Jupp, laid out plans for more savings early next year as part of the longer-term vision for BBC News.

BBC News will also reportedly cut around 100 roles from the division as part of the corporation’s £500m savings programme.

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