BBC to cut 1,800 jobs, programs
The British Broadcasting Corp. announced Thursday that it would cut 1,800 jobs, broadcast fewer programs and require staff to create content for television, radio and the Internet, creating a showdown with journalists and other employees.
Union leaders vowed to strike if the BBC went forward with the radical overhaul, which includes major cutbacks to news and documentary divisions.
BBC Director-General Mark Thompson told staff that 2,500 jobs would be cut over the next six years, but that 700 new jobs probably would be created.
The move is partly a response to competiton from the Internet and partly to a government-mandated reduction in fees from viewers.
The job cuts represent about 8% of the corporation’s 23,000 positions. Up to 490 jobs will be cut in the BBC news operations.
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