Sir David Attenborough’s iconic wildlife documentaries ‘could be axed by the BBC’
The BBC could be set to cancel a series of major shows, including Sir David Attenborough’s iconic wildlife documentaries, it has been claimed
After the government froze the licence fee for two years, the broadcaster has been cutting costs in an attempt to save £500million.
Several shows were already affected by the measures, including Newsnight – which was massively scaled back.
Sir David’s legendary shows could be among the axed programmes if the licence fee doesn’t level up in line with high inflation, according to BBC insiders.
A media consultant told The i that Sir David’s programmes including Planet Earth, Wild Isles and Frozen Planet are expensive to produce, and therefore could be easily go on the chopping block.
The BBC could be set to cancel a series of major shows, including Sir David Attenborough’s iconic wildlife documentaries, it has been claimed
After the government froze the licence fee for two years, the broadcaster has been cutting costs in an attempt of saving £500million
Alice Enders told The i: ‘If the licence fee continues to wither, you are looking at the BBC’s big-ticket items to make savings so nothing can be immune.’
‘There could be less high-end drama, it’s a big expense and streamers are forcing prices up. The costume budget alone for The Crown is huge.
‘David Attenborough’s natural history series sell well globally but they are expensive too. There would need to be more co-productions with international broadcasters.’
BBC Two’s Newsnight will be cut down to 30-minutes and will continue to air on weeknights, but more than 60 jobs will vanish.
As part of the further budget-cutting measures, an extended hour-long edition of BBC News At One will be relocated to Salford.
BBC Breakfast, which is also broadcast from Salford, will be extended by an extra 15 minutes daily.
As the broadcast corporation expects to save £7.5 million, they will be more focusing on digital storytelling and live coverage among BBC News division.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told all public organisations should ‘cut their cloth accordingly’ during a difficult time for households.
Sir David’s legendary shows could be among the axed ones if the licence fee doesn’t level up in line with high inflation, according to BBC insiders
The TV licence fee has been frozen for two years at £159 but is due to rise in line with inflation for four years from next spring. This will add nearly £15 to the fee next year, taking it to £173.30 – the biggest hike in 40 years – if it is increased to match wider price rises.
The Government stressed on Sunday that the precise method for calculating inflation-linked licence fee increases in the coming years is ‘yet to be confirmed’, suggesting it could insist the rise be based on more recent, lower inflation levels.
It comes amid reports that ministers could cancel the hike ahead of a major review into how the corporation is funded.
In a clear signal that the Government could intervene to prevent or reduce the increase, the prime minister said the BBC should ‘do what it can’ to limit the burden on struggling families.
Asked if the licence fee was sustainable, the PM told reporters: ‘First thing to say is I think it is welcome that the BBC are looking at making savings and efficiencies in how they operate.
‘It’s really important that when things are difficult, everyone is doing what they can to ease the cost of living on families.’
Sir David’s programmes including Planet Earth, Wild Isles and Frozen Planet are expensive to produce, and therefore could be easily go on the chopping block during this difficult times
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