New BBC director-general Matt Brittin has informed staff that cuts are necessary and some difficult decisions will have to be made.
Brittin, a former Google executive and Olympic athlete for Team GB, has taken over from Tim Davie, who stepped down last year.
The plan, released before Davie finished his term, stated the BBC remains “needed more than ever,” but requires “radical reform” because of increasing financial difficulties.
Starting his new role, Matt Brittin has emphasized the need for difficult decisions to cut costs, mirroring the message of the person he replaced.
As a lifelong BBC viewer, I was really struck by what Brittin shared with the staff. She pointed out something truly important: the BBC has always been amazing at adapting. Think about it – they completely shifted gears during World War II, then again during Covid, and even managed to get services running in conflict zones. She’s right – we need that same kind of quick thinking and energy right now to keep the BBC thriving.
This requires speed and focus. The BBC has always been known for fantastic, original stories and strong, unbiased reporting. Now, it also means delivering those stories in the best way possible – on the platforms people use most.
The email went on to say that we need to meet people where they are and be more willing to try new things. This means testing out ideas, learning from the results, and focusing on what’s successful. Our audience will appreciate knowing we’re listening to them, constantly improving, and working hard to provide a better experience.
We understand that change won’t be simple, and making necessary savings will require difficult decisions. We need to honestly consider what the BBC would look like if we were building it from scratch today, and then act decisively and quickly with a clear plan.
Brittin highlighted the need to meet audiences where they already are, a goal supported by the company’s plan to create content specifically for YouTube as outlined in their 2026/2027 annual plan.
The BBC plans to cut around 10% of its workforce to achieve £500 million in savings over the next two years.
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Authors
Phoebe Kowhai Barnes is a freelance writer specializing in pop culture and entertainment for TopMob. Before that, she was a Senior Assistant Editor at The Tab, where she oversaw their local teams. She holds a BA (Hons) degree in English Literature from the University of Nottingham.
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2026-05-18 19:53