BBC may move BBC Three and BBC Scotland online — The Guardian

In the United Kingdom, the BBC has begun a staff reduction process in its television and streaming division. Against this backdrop, corporation employees fear that BBC Three and BBC Scotland may stop terrestrial broadcasting and move exclusively online. The Guardian reports.

According to the publication, BBC Director-General Matt Brittin is due to inform employees on Wednesday about the next stage of a plan to cut costs by £500 million and reduce the workforce by up to 2,000 employees. Dan McGolpin, director of BBC iPlayer and Channels, urged staff to indicate whether they are willing to take part in the voluntary redundancy programme.

Reductions in the television division

In a letter to employees, McGolpin also suggested considering job-sharing, reduced working hours or a transfer to another BBC base in the United Kingdom. According to The Guardian’s sources, these steps have strengthened speculation that the corporation will abandon linear broadcasting for the two channels, which have high costs per viewer.

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BBC Three previously moved online in 2016 to save money, before returning to terrestrial broadcasting in 2022. The channel, aimed at a young audience, has aired series including Gavin and Stacey, Fleabag, Killing Eve and Normal People. Its budget rose to about £80 million after its return to broadcast television, stood at £90 million in 2023–2024, and was reduced to £66 million in 2024–2025.

Channel figures

About 4% of the UK population watch BBC Three live during a week. The cost per hour viewed was 18 pence per user in 2024–2025, compared with 10 pence for BBC One, 9 pence for BBC Two and 6 pence for BBC Four.

BBC Scotland, created in 2019 as a separate channel for Scottish content, had a budget of £42 million in 2024–2025. According to the BBC’s latest annual report, it is watched live by 12% of Scotland’s residents. At the same time, 54% of the region’s adult population consume BBC Scotland content each week through television, iPlayer, radio and online platforms. In June, the BBC announced plans to cut 60 jobs in Scotland to save £10 million. The corporation did not comment on speculation about the channels’ future.