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Ofcom tells the BBC it has failed to give a 'clear picture' of how its £500m cuts will hit audiences

Ofcom warned the BBC that £500m of cuts, due by 2028, have been communicated piecemeal, hiding their cumulative damage to audiences across the nations and regions.
Ofcom warned the BBC that £500m of cuts, due by 2028, have been communicated piecemeal, hiding their cumulative damage to audiences across the nations and regions.

Ofcom's Cristina Nicolotti-Squires wrote directly to BBC deputy director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies demanding a full consolidated account of every planned closure, job cut and service reduction under the corporation's savings drive. The regulator warned the BBC has communicated its cuts through "a series of separate announcements" that individually fail to show their cumulative damage. Ofcom wants the BBC to set a firm timetable and explain how it will monitor whether audience needs are still being met.

The BBC must find £500m in savings by 2028, responding with job cuts and channel closures including BBC Scotland losing its broadcast TV slot.

Ofcom singled out news and programming that connects with audiences across the nations and regions as particularly at risk from the cuts.

The regulator acknowledged the BBC faces "real financial pressures" but insisted that is no excuse for keeping audiences and regulators in the dark.

MoreYahoo News UKBBC asked for 'clear picture' on impact of £500m cost‑cutting driveThe IndependentOfcom says BBC 'hasn't given a clear picture' of impact of £500m cutsEvening StandardOfcom: BBC must provide clear picture of impact cuts will haveThe HeraldOfcom says BBC has not shown how £500m cuts will affect audiencesThe HeraldOfcom: BBC must provide clear picture of impact cuts will have
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