BBC is to shut BBC Three for a SECOND time and axe its Scotland channel in £500m cost drive
BBC Three's most-watched show on Monday night was an old Top Gear repeat, drawing around 77,000 viewers. The channel went online-only in 2016, returned to TV in 2022 and will retreat to iPlayer again in spring 2027. Yet closing it alongside BBC Scotland and Radio 4 Extra will save less than £10m a year. Only about £200m of the £500m target has reportedly been cut so far.
Director-general Matt Brittin admitted the closures mean 'tough choices' for the corporation.
Scottish Culture Secretary Mairi McAllan called it 'wholly unacceptable' and will go to Ofcom.
Around 100 BBC News jobs will also go, saving just £5.5m.
More
Evening StandardMoving BBC Scotland online ‘wholly unacceptable’, says Scottish GovernmentBBC NewsBBC closures make business sense, but far more savings are needed, says Katie RazzallHollywood ReporterBBC Three and BBC Scotland Set to Close In Broadcaster’s Latest Cost CutsGB NewsNick Knowles issues statement following DIY SOS axe as he breaks silence over BBC cancellationMetroBBC Three officially being shut down for a second time, broadcaster confirmsEvening StandardBBC Three and BBC Scotland channels to close in savage cost-cutting bidLBCBBC Scotland TV channel to close as broadcaster announces further cutsThe GuardianBBC Three and BBC Scotland TV channels to be shut down next yearDaily MailBBC axes 100 jobs and stops broadcasts for BBC Three and BBC ScotlandThe IndependentBBC to axe key TV channels in cost-cutting driveBBC NewsBBC Three, BBC Scotland and Radio 4 Extra channels to closeThe SunBBC to axe BBC Three & Scotland on top of 100 News jobs brutal cull
