BBC to close linear BBC Three, BBC Scotland in cost-cutting drive

The BBC is to close the linear broadcast services of BBC Three, BBC Scotland and BBC Radio 4 Extra in spring 2027 as it works towards savings of £500m (US$670m) by 2028.

Matt Brittin

The changes were announced to staff this morning, confirming considerable media and industry speculation about the future of BBC Three.

Under the new plans, BBC Scotland will remain a channel on iPlayer and its content will also be available on BBC One and BBC Two in Scotland.

BBC Three commissions, which the BBC said will be supported by increased investment in content for younger audiences, will be available on iPlayer and other platforms, including YouTube.

The closure of BBC Scotland will see the loss of about 10 posts, in addition to the axing of 60 roles already announced by BBC Scotland earlier this year. A consultation period has begun with impacted teams and unions. As part of the changes, BBC Two in Scotland will be reconfigured to enable the BBC to deliver Scotland-only programming.

Hayley Valentine

The BBC said the decision follows a review of its linear services and reflects the continuing shift in audience consumption from traditional broadcast television to digital platforms.

In a note to staff, director-general Matt Brittin said: “We need to make every pound work harder for audiences as we respond to the immediate cost pressures and reinvent the BBC for a changing world. We all know that means tough choices.”

On the channel closures, he said: “Much of the great content they currently carry will still be found where audiences already enjoy it, on iPlayer and Sounds. While this follows media speculation, I recognise the confirmation of this news will be hard for audiences and colleagues.”

Commenting on today’s announcement, Hayley Valentine, director of BBC Scotland, said: “Against the backdrop of significant financial challenges, we must focus our resources where they will have the greatest impact for audiences. The way audiences watch television continues to change at pace and our data tells us that more people are choosing to watch BBC Scotland content on BBC iPlayer now.”

The BBC also announced further changes at BBC News. Rachel Jupp, the new director of the division, will set out plans for further savings early next year as part of a longer-term vision. Other divisions will confirm their savings plans in the coming months.