BBC News Slashes Newsnight to 30 Minutes in Digital Shake-Up
BBC News is shaking up its output as viewers ditch linear TV for online news. The broadcaster will cut Newsnight down to a sharp 30-minute slot, ramp up streaming on iPlayer and the BBC News app, and launch a brand-new Investigations Unit to boost digital journalism.
£500 Million Savings Fuel Major Digital Push
Linear TV viewing has plunged 11% over five years, forcing BBC News to tighten belts. With a flat licence fee and inflation biting, the BBC plans to save half a billion pounds. CEO Deborah Turness says the goal is clear: “We must invest more in digital platforms to serve changing audience habits.”
Part of this means trimming Newsnight’s team and rejigging its format. Despite the cuts, the show stays on BBC Two as a rapid-fire mix of interviews, debates, and discussions, reflecting audience feedback.
Big Changes: New Investigations Unit & UK News Moves Out of London
- New BBC News Investigations Unit to unite the best investigative reporters across the network with fresh roles in financial and political journalism.
- Focus will be on deep analysis, podcasts, and premium digital content.
- Extended hour-long BBC News at One moves to Salford — the first national news bulletin broadcast outside London.
- UK story teams will restructure to prioritise digital-first storytelling.
Panorama Safe, But Cuts Hit Other Programmes
The BBC promises to keep Panorama running as usual, with no change in hours, ensuring flagship current affairs survive. However, 1,000 hours of content commissions will be slashed. This includes closing the ‘Our World’ strand on the News Channel and reducing single documentaries on BBC Two.
The moves underline the BBC’s tough balancing act: boosting digital reach while managing tight budgets and shifting viewer habits.
