BBC to close Scotland channel and two other services

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 14:29 · Archive

The BBC will close BBC Scotland, BBC Three and BBC Radio 4 Extra as linear television and radio services in spring 2027.

The BBC has announced it will close three broadcast services as part of major cost-cutting measures. BBC Scotland, BBC Three and BBC Radio 4 Extra will cease linear broadcasting in spring 2027. The closures form part of £500m in savings the corporation must make by 2028 due to sustained financial pressures.

The changes will result in about 10 job losses at BBC Scotland, in addition to 60 posts the corporation announced cutting earlier this year. Around 100 journalism positions will also be cut at BBC News, though full plans for that department will be confirmed early next year.

BBC Scotland launched as a television channel in February 2019 but will move to BBC iPlayer and remain available there. Its nightly News at Seven programme will close. Other Scottish programming including Scotland's Home of the Year, Murder Case, Inside Barlinnie, the Scottish Cup Final and Hogmanay will be available online or on BBC One and BBC Two in Scotland. SPFL Championship matches currently broadcast on Friday evenings will move to BBC Two.

BBC Three, which has a younger audience, will be available on BBC iPlayer and other platforms including YouTube. The channel previously moved online in 2016 before returning as a full television service in January 2022. It has since produced major hits including Fleabag, Normal People and Killing Eve. Programmes from Radio 4 Extra will continue on BBC Sounds, with The Daily Service moving to BBC Sounds and local radio.

BBC Director-General Matt Brittin told staff the organisation must "make every pound work harder for audiences" as it responds to cost pressures and reinvents itself for a changing world. He said much of the content from the closing services would still be available on iPlayer and Sounds, and acknowledged the news would be "hard for audiences and colleagues".

How it is being reported

• BBC Scotland TV channel to close as cost-cutting measures announcedBBC Scotland is among the services to be cut by the national broadcaster with jobs lost as the corporation faces pressure to make savings of £500m by 2028.Daily Record · 20 Oct, 14:17
• BBC Scotland among three services axed in major cuts, BBC confirmsBBC Scotland will be among three broadcast services to close down from next year, it has been confirmed.The National · 20 Oct, 14:09
• BBC Scotland TV channel to close amid cuts to servicesThe station, which started in February 2019, will move to BBC iPlayer in spring next year.BBC Scotland · 20 Oct, 14:02

In this story: BBC · BBC Scotland · BBC Three · BBC Radio 4 Extra · Matt Brittin · Hayley Valentine · Scotland

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