The
BBC is planning to move £700 million ($977M) in spending and hundreds of jobs outside of London as the corporation bids to better reflect the UK’s nations and regions after being criticized by government ministers for having a “narrow urban outlook.”
The BBC’s so-called ‘Across The UK’ strategy was announced to employees on Thursday morning, and is being touted by BBC top brass as one of the most radical reorganizations of the broadcaster in its nearly 100-year history.
The changes are partly motivated by political pressure, but they are also aimed at heading off existential threats. The BBC is facing unprecedented competition from big-spending streamers like Netflix, but thinks they don’t do a great job of representing the UK. The BBC wants to dominate in telling British stories and in turn ensure that audiences are prepared to continue paying for the license fee.
deadline.com