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BBC announces details of cuts in bid to save £500m

The BBC has confirmed the closure of BBC Three, BBC Scotland and BBC Radio 4 Extra linear broadcast services in the spring of 2027.

The decision comes as the corporation bids to save £500m by 2028.

In addition, BBC News will cut just over 100 roles, with a total value of around £5.5m, corporation staff have been told.

A number of roles will also be cut as a result of the broadcast closures, including ten in Scotland.

A BBC statement said: "Today's changes were announced to staff this morning. It means: BBC Scotland will remain a channel on iPlayer. Content will also be available on BBC One and BBC Two in Scotland.

"BBC Three commissions, supported by increased investment in content for younger audiences, will be available on BBC iPlayer and on other platforms, including YouTube.

"Programmes from Radio 4 Extra will be on BBC Sounds - and The Daily Service will be on BBC Sounds and local radio."

In a note to staff setting out the changes, BBC Director-General Matt Brittin 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."

He added: "Much of the great content they currently carry will still be found where audiences already enjoy them on iPlayer and Sounds.

"While this follows media speculation, I recognise the confirmation of this news will be hard for audiences and colleagues."

It is not the first time BBC Three has been cut from linear TV. It returned as a fully-fledged TV channel in January 2022, six years after it moved online.

The channel has since been responsible for major hits including Fleabag, Normal People and Killing Eve.

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(c) Sky News 2026: BBC announces details of cuts in bid to save £500m

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