...By Solomon Thomas for TDPel Media.
BBC has reportedly sent out redundancy letters to its senior presenters, including some of its biggest names, to consider voluntary redundancy.
Presenters such as Huw Edwards, Sophie Raworth, Clive Myrie, Reeta Chakrabarti, Nick Robinson and Justin Webb have been sent the letter.
The move is part of the broadcaster’s plan to save money and meet the target of £400m, which is up 40% due to inflation and a licence fee freeze.
The BBC had previously projected that it would need to save £285m by 2027/28 – the end of the current charter period.
It is now reducing 1,000 hours of content commissions across its portfolio, among other measures.
According to The Mail, the letter from the interim managing editor of news and current affairs has been sent to senior figures on BBC1 and some of Radio 4’s biggest names.
A BBC spokesperson stated that this was a standard HR exercise and not about any new job cuts.
The savings exercise is not targeting any individuals, and the broadcaster is looking for expressions of interest in redundancy, not offering it.
It is not the case that anyone who came forward would be accepted.
The BBC’s plan to cut its costs comes amid high inflation and a licence fee freeze.
The broadcaster had previously announced a £300m reinvestment plan to better position itself for an on-demand world.
The move to reduce 1,000 hours of content commissions is a cumulative figure from across all the BBC’s TV content and largely reflects changes in BBC Four and fluctuations in the sporting calendar.
The BBC has stated that it recognises the licence fee as a privilege, but the settlement continues to place significant financial challenges on the broadcaster at a time of high inflation and media super-inflation.
