Radio Today: More job cuts announced as BBC radio stations combine further bulletins and programmes

Story from Radio Today:

More programme and news sharing is coming to BBC Asian Network and 5 Live as the BBC announces proposals to cut dozens of radio jobs across the newsrooms.

BBC Radio 5 Live will commission a new shared overnight programme with BBC local (rather than the current deal with BBC News), whilst BBC Asian Network will take news bulletins from Radio 1 at all times, and drop content from Drivetime.

The Ankur Desai show, 60 Minutes and Asian Network News Presents will cease, losing 18 jobs.

5 Live’s overnight show will be replaced with a reshaped show commissioned by 5 Live and produced by the BBC’s Nations and Local division, along with other team changes and sharing bulletins with Radio 2, losing eight jobs.

And the Radio Newsroom (which makes bulletins for 2,3,4,6 and World Service) to make one bulletin overnight not two (World Service bulletin to go out in UK), and Radio 4’s News Briefing at 5.30am will be dropped, losing five jobs.

Deborah Turness, CEO of the BBC News, announced today a proposal to close 185 roles and open 55 new ones – a net reduction of 130 posts. As a result of the changes in News, Media Operations is also proposing to close the equivalent of 25 posts.