The BBC is set to merge television and radio commissioning teams across comedy, arts and classical music as part of a wider cost-cutting drive that will see around 100 roles closed within its content division.
BBC content chief Kate Phillips announced the changes in an internal email to staff earlier this week, warning that “tough” decisions would be necessary as the corporation works towards saving £500 million across its operations.
The new arrangements will take effect from January 2027, bringing together television and audio commissioning teams in a move the BBC says will encourage greater collaboration and help deliver stronger content for audiences across different platforms.
“This is about creating more opportunities for commissioners to collaborate, share ideas and develop the strongest possible content for audiences wherever they are,” Phillips said.
Under the changes, BBC comedy chief Chris Sussman will oversee the genre across both television and radio. Julia McKenzie, Radio 4’s commissioning editor for comedy and entertainment, will join his team.
Suzy Klein, head of arts and classical music television, will take responsibility for arts commissioning across audio and video, with Radio 4 arts commissioning editor Matthew Dodd joining her team. Sam Jackson, controller of BBC Radio 3 and the BBC Proms, will oversee commissioning for classical music across both audio and television.
The restructuring forms part of the BBC Content division’s contribution to the corporation’s wider savings programme. Around 100 roles are expected to close by the end of the current financial year, although the BBC says it will prioritise voluntary redundancy and closing vacant positions wherever possible, with the aim of minimising compulsory redundancies.
“Although staff costs are a relatively small proportion of our overall budgets, some headcount reduction will be required,” staff were told.
The content division had previously committed to delivering £100 million in savings towards the BBC’s overall £500 million target. This includes reducing commissioning expenditure by £80 million and cutting between 100 and 150 hours of original television programming, alongside 350 to 400 hours of audio content, by March 2028.
The BBC has warned that these reductions will mean fewer commissions across its genres, the cancellation of some existing programmes and a reduction of around 15% in development spending.
The broadcaster has already confirmed that several established programmes will be affected, including RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, Blankety Blank, Celebrity Mastermind and Live at the Apollo.
The latest announcement comes amid wider changes to the BBC’s services. Earlier this week, the corporation confirmed plans to close BBC Three, BBC Scotland and Radio 4 Extra as broadcast television services by spring 2027.
Phillips thanked staff for their work during what she acknowledged was a difficult period for the division, while warning that further changes lay ahead.
“I’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone in BBC Content who is working incredibly hard to ensure we’re set up for future success,” she said. “I know things aren’t easy at the moment; and there will be more change to come. But I’m so proud of all that we do.”