News

The BBC will lay off 500 more staff members by March 2026 in a bid to become a “leaner, more agile organization” as its annual report tells a tale of financial difficulty for the U.K. broadcaster.

The service’s license fee, the annual TV tax that Britons pay, which accounts for 65 percent of the BBC’s total budget, generated 30 percent more income in 2010/11 than it does today, a difference of over £1 billion a year. In a bid to make further savings and under significant funding pressure, 500 public service roles are to be cut.

The BBC’s headcount is down by 10 percent in the past five years, a reduction of almost 2,000 roles, and a voluntary redundancy scheme has launched today. “Over the course of the next two years, we will look to further move the money we have into the priority areas that provide real value for audiences,” the BBC said. “This means,...

The BBC will lay off 500 more staff by March 2026 as its annual report paints a worrying financial picture including a near-doubling of its deficit to almost £500M ($646M).

BBC headcount has fallen by 2,000 – or 10% – over the past five years, the corporation said, and a further 500 net public service posts will go over the next 20 months. A voluntary redundancy scheme was launched today. Headcount this year sat at 17,611. “Over the course of the next two years, we will look to further move the money we have into the priority areas that provide real value for audiences,” the BBC said. “This means, in public service, we will close and transfer roles in some areas, and create roles in growth areas.” Severance payments topped £50M this year, according to the report, a three-year high. The news comes with rivals ITV and Channel 4 laying off around 200 staff apiece amid the difficult economic backdrop.

BBC presenter Huw Edwards has resigned from the corporation after receiving “medical advice” from his doctors.

“Huw Edwards has today resigned and left the BBC,” the corporation said in a statement on Monday. “After 40 years of service, Huw has explained that his decision was made on the basis of medical advice from his doctors. The BBC has accepted his resignation which it believes will allow all parties to move forward. We don’t believe it appropriate to comment further.”

The news broke in early July 2023 that a top BBC presenter was facing allegations of paying a teenager for sexually explicit photographs, later revealed to be Edwards.

Edwards’ wife, Vicky Flind, issued a statement on July 12 saying Edwards was suffering “serious mental health issues” and had been hospitalized. “As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years,” she said. “The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters.

A BBC report into the investigation of the Huw Edwards scandal has identified shortcomings in the corporation’s process.

A review of the BBC’s non-editorial complaints process was commissioned last year in the wake of the scandal. It was led by BBC Group COO Leigh Tavaziva and Deloitte, under the direction of Simon Cuerden. The report was published on Tuesday.

Tavaziva said: “Although our existing processes and systems are, on the whole, working effectively, this review shows that we need to join them up better to ensure no matter how a non-editorial complaint comes into the BBC it is escalated swiftly, when needed, and dealt with by the right people.

“Where the review identifies process improvements we accept those in full, and we are delivering on an action plan with a number of enhancements already in place.

“The report identifies specific process shortcomings in the presenter case. The initial...

In July 2023, the BBC commissioned a review of the effectiveness of its non-editorial complaints policies and processes, following a complaint about the alleged behavior of former news anchor Huw Edwards who was later named by his wife as being the one accused of having paid a teenager for sexually explicit photos. On Tuesday, the U.K. public service broadcaster unveiled plans to “enhance” its complaints process after the review found “shortcomings” in its existing system.

The assessment was led by BBC Group chief operating officer Leigh Tavaziva and undertaken by Deloitte, under the direction of the firm’s senior partner Simon Cuerden. Its findings, published on Tuesday, identified “shortcomings” that require enhancements.

“The initial complaint in this case was not escalated quickly enough to senior management, and we have apologized to the complainant for this,” the public broadcaster emphasized.

“The review has been comprehensive and far-reaching, considering both the processes...

The BBC did not “consider the potential wider significance” of the complaint against Huw Edwards when it was logged last May, a review into the disgraced newsreader has said.

The review, published in the past few minutes, makes for uncomfortable reading for the nation’s public broadcaster and its response to the initial complaint made against Edwards. BBC Group Chief Operating Officer Leigh Tavaziva said the broadcaster has apologised to the complainant about the speed in which it was escalated.

The BBC newsreader was revealed to be the subject of a Sun exposé about a ‘BBC presenter’ who had allegedly paid a young person around £30,000 for indecent images, and Director General Tim Davie soon after ordered two reviews into the matter – one on BBC complaints processes, which published today, and the other a ‘factfinding investigation.’

The initial complaint was made in May 2023 but BBC senior leadership was only informed on July 6, the review said,...

The BBC has published its terms of reference for the review of its non-editorial complaints process following last week’s Huw Edwards scandal.

The review will be led by BBC Group COO Leigh Tavaziva and Deloitte, under the direction of Simon Cuerden. It is set to commence this month and will be completed by late fall.

“The objective of the review is to assess the effectiveness of the current BBC policies and processes regarding non-editorial complaints and allegations (complaints) which come into the BBC,” according to a press release. “The review will cover complaints received by the BBC Public Service or World Service in the U.K. It will not cover the editorial complaints process. Areas of the BBC not currently within scope, e.g. BBC Studios, will be considered for assessment as part of the action plan from this review.”

The news broke in early July that a top...

BBC director general Tim Davie and acting chair Elan Closs Stephens answered searching questions from the U.K. Lords Communications and Digital Committee on Tuesday on the corporation’s funding model.

The BBC’s main source of revenue is annual license fee of £159 ($202). The BBC annual report, which was published last week revealed that the number of people who bought a license fee fell by 500,000 to 24.3 million. Consequently, BBC revenues dipped from £3.8 billion to £3.74 billion. The license fee, which is currently frozen for two years, is set to rise significantly in April 2024.

It emerged on Tuesday morning that a review into the BBC funding model could be ordered this fall. “The evidence that there is a growing unwillingness to pay is shown by figures each year. The licence fee model is becoming unsustainable,” the London Times said, quoting a government source.

Variety understands that the timing of the review is...

The BBC has drafted in a senior partner from Deloitte to help with its high-profile review into protocols following the Huw Edwards scandal, which Tim Davie revealed should complete in the late Autumn.

Simon Cuerden, who leads the accounting giant’s Fraud, Data and Disputes team, will support BBC Group Chief Operating Officer Leigh Tavaziva and the Board’s Senior Independent Director Nick Serota on the review, which the Director General said will publish its terms of reference later this week but won’t be completed for several months.

Speaking to the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee in the past few minutes, Davie said the review will “go through the process in terms of understanding what we do and whether we need to adjust protocols and procedures.”

“I have asked to see what is flagged [throughout] to ensure the consistency during the period we do the review,” he said.

Updated: The ongoing BBC scandal has become murkier after a second young person has spoken out about the top presenter currently under the scanner.

A young person in their early 20s told BBC News that they were initially approached by the presenter anonymously on a dating app and pressured to meet up, but didn’t. The conversation then moved to other platforms where the identity of the presenter was revealed. When the young person hinted at naming the presenter, “they were sent abusive, expletive-filled messages,” BBC News said.

“They had been scared by the power the presenter held,” BBC News said, adding that “the threats made in the messages had frightened them – and they remain scared.”

BBC News said they had contacted the presenter directly and via his lawyer but received no response to the allegations.

BBC News has verified that the messages were sent from a phone number belonging to the presenter.

The BBC said on Tuesday that police asked it to pause its investigations into allegations that a male staffer paid a teenager for explicit photos.

The public broadcaster also reported later in the day that the BBC presenter in question had sent a second young individual abusive messages after meeting them on a dating app.

On Monday, July 10, the BBC’s Corporate Investigations Team had a meeting with London’s Metropolitan Police “in relation to information provided to the BBC by The Sun newspaper” on Thursday, the U.K. public broadcaster said in a statement. “As a result of this meeting, the BBC has been asked to pause its investigations into the allegations while the police scope future work.”

It added: “The events of recent days have shown how complex and challenging these kinds of cases can be and how vital it is that they are handled with the utmost diligence and care.

BBC Director General Tim Davie has admitted that complaints procedures could be improved amid questions over how the UK broadcaster responded to allegations that one of its top presenters paid a young person for sexual images.

Speaking to media as the BBC published its annual report on Tuesday, Davie said he has launched a review of processes, including a focus on how complaints are red-flagged to senior managers.

“There’s clearly going to be learnings,” Davie said. “I have asked that we assess how some complaints are red-flagged up the organization.” Leigh Tavaziva, BBC Chief Operating Officer, will lead the review.

The BBC said today that its investigation into the unnamed presenter has been paused at the request of the Metropolitan Police, which is currently assessing evidence before determining whether to launch its own inquiry.

Davie said he had not spoken to the star in question. He said the BBC...

The BBC’s head of creative diversity, Joanna Abeyie, is stepping down after less than a year and a half in the role, Variety can reveal.

Abeyie is leaving the broadcaster to return to her consultancy business, Blue Moon, which specializes in diversity and inclusion, and executive recruitment. Variety understands that she may consult for the BBC in the future.

Sources indicate that Abeyie’s departure was first announced by BBC director of content Charlotte Moore on June 22. Her last day in the role is Monday (July 3). When her exit was revealed to her team by the BBC’s group director of diversity and inclusion Chinny Okolidoh, it’s believed a number of staff protested why Abeyie, a well-liked exec with a strong rapport with the group, had been allowed to leave the public broadcaster. However, Variety understands that her departure reflects the exec’s choice to return to her business,...

The BBC has appointed its interim head of creative diversity, Joanna Abeyie, to the role permanently.

According to an internal note from group chief operating office Leigh Tavaziva and chief content officer Charlotte Moore, Abeyie was chosen following a rigorous selection process.

Media diversity and inclusion practitioner Abeyie was brought in in April to replace June Sarpong, who spearheaded the role for two and a half years.

Abeyie will report to the BBC’s incoming director of diversity and inclusion, Chinny Okolidoh, who is set to join the broadcaster imminently. She will also work closely with Moore and director of nations Rhodri Talfan-Davies. Included in her remit will be reviewing audience panel processes alongside the Chief Customer Office Group to make sure audiences include under-represented groups so that there is an array of perspectives.

In 2008 Abeyie set up Shine Media, a social enterprise which helped 3,000 people from diverse backgrounds work within creative industries,...

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The BBC said on Wednesday that it has named Chinny Okolidoh director of diversity & inclusion to lead the U.K. public broadcaster’s diversity efforts and strategies. She will take up the role “later this year.”

Okolidoh will be “responsible for ensuring diversity and inclusion is at the heart of everything the BBC does” and that the organization “accurately reflects the audiences it serves, both on and off air,” the broadcaster said. “The role combines BBC Workforce and Creative Diversity responsibilities to ensure strategic oversight of all the BBC’s diversity commitments. Leading and developing the BBC’s diversity and inclusion team, Chinny will collaborate with directors and their teams across the BBC, including in content, news, studios and the nations, to drive best practice.”

She will also oversee the development and implementation of initiatives related to on-air and production talent representation, commissioning guidelines,...

The BBC has hired Chinny Okolidoh as its new director for diversity and inclusion.

Okolidoh joins from L’Oreal U.K. and Ireland, where she is the director of diversity, equity and inclusion.

At the BBC, her role will include overseeing diversity strategies, leading the diversity and inclusion team, originating and integrating initiatives related to everything from new talent to hiring to commissioning to training, and collaborating with directors across the BBC – including in news, content, studios and nations – to ensure best practices are implemented.

“I’m thrilled that Chinny Okolidoh will be joining the BBC,” BBC chief operating officer Leigh Tavaziva said in a statement. “Ensuring the BBC truly reflects the public we serve – both on and off screen – has never been more important. I know Chinny’s experience and passion will help us to expertly build on the progress we’ve already made to improve representation across the industry.

The BBC has unveiled its first Diversity & Inclusion Director, with L’Oréal (UK & Ireland) diversity exec Chinny Okolidoh taking on the role.

Okolidoh will oversee the development and implementation of initiatives related to on-air and production, talent representation, commissioning guidelines, diversity and inclusion training programs and metrics to measure progress.

She will work with directors and their teams across the BBC, including content, news and BBC Studios.

“Ensuring the BBC truly reflects the public we serve – both on and off screen – has never been more important,” said BBC Chief Content Officer Leigh Tavaziva. “I know Chinny’s experience and passion will help us to expertly build on the progress we’ve already made to improve representation across the industry.”

Okolidoh moves from her role as Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at L’Oréal (UK & Ireland).

She joins a team that includes the soon-to-depart Director of Creative Diversity June Sarpong, Interim Head...

Question Time

The U.K.’s cross-party Dcms Committee, which scrutinizes the spending, policies and administration of the government Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, is set to interrogate BBC bosses on impartiality, the license fee and earnings.

The committee, which is chaired by Julian Knight, is set to convene on Tuesday, Sept. 6 to question BBC director general Tim Davie, BBC chair Richard Sharp and BBC COO Leigh Tavaziva. They will ask questions on topics including how the corporation “plans to remain relevant and effective in the modern media landscape,” “how the BBC’s offering is impacted by a more polarised political atmosphere” and the future of the license fee in light of soaring inflation rates.

Questions about impartiality will be particularly of interest to BBC watchers following a recent lecture by former “Newsnight” host Emily Maitlis at the Edinburgh TV Festival, where she used her platform to suggest the BBC was too objective.

U.K. broadcaster BBC has revealed ambitions of a more representative workforce as part of its Annual Plan that was published on Wednesday.

“We will introduce a new target for 25% of our staff to come from low socio-economic backgrounds by 2027, to ensure our workforce is more representative of the audiences we serve,” the BBC said in a statement.

The corporation also noted its disappointment with the license free, its main source of income, being frozen and said that savings have to be found in the long run.

“While we recognize the licence fee is a privilege, this is a disappointing outcome at a time of high inflation and media super-inflation,” the BBC said. “As a result of the settlement, we will need to find £285 million [$375 million] in annual savings by 2027/28, requiring a reduction in the content and services we provide to audiences.”

In the Annual Plan, the BBC projects annual income...