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3w ago

BBC Highlights £150M Content Budget Reduction in 2025/26 Annual Plan

The BBC faces significant financial challenges due to a £1 billion real-term income decline since 2010, prompting digital transformation efforts and calls for a new Royal Charter.

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Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson star in Doctor Who. A report cited a reduced appetite from global streamers for co-funding expensive dramas
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Overview

  • The BBC's 2025/26 Annual Plan reveals a £150 million cut to its content budget, reducing programming spend to £2.5 billion for the year.
  • The broadcaster warns that declining co-production partnerships and reduced licence fee revenues threaten its ability to sustain UK content production.
  • Over the past five years, the BBC has cut 2,000 roles as part of aggressive savings measures but states further reductions are no longer viable.
  • Digital innovation is a key focus, with plans to enhance BBC iPlayer, expand its presence on TikTok and Instagram, and explore AI applications.
  • The BBC is advocating for a new Royal Charter to secure sustainable funding, safeguard its independence, and address shifting audience habits.