Plans to axe BBC Two daytime schedule

Reports claim that BBC Two’s daytime schedule could be axed and replaced with simulcast broadcasting with the BBC News Channel as part of radical plans to cut costs at the corporation.

Reports claim that BBC Two’s daytime schedule could be axed and replaced with simulcast broadcasting with the BBC News Channel as part of radical plans to cut costs at the corporation. The Mirror reports the proposal to clear out BBC Two’s daytime schedules and replace it with the BBC News Channel before 7pm has been put forward.

The move would mean programmes such as Flog It, To Buy Or Not To Buy, Diagnosis Murder and Celebrity Cash in the Attic would all be axed. The move would also put a question mark over the BBC’s children programming that airs on BBC Two on weekday mornings. It’s possible the BBC may decide to shunt that across to the CBBC or CBeebies Channel as BBC Two during the day becomes the BBC News Channel.

The proposals to cut costs at the corporation are in response to rising costs and the licence fee freeze until 2017. The licence fee is frozen at its current rate in a deal between the BBC and the Government last year but it effectively means a reduction in income for the BBC because of rising inflation. The corporation also now has the additional responsibility of the BBC World Service and BBC Monitoring putting an extra burden on the already stretched BBC. The corporation has already announced cutbacks on services and job losses as it tries to reign in cost. These proposals show how radical the BBC is thinking in order to slash costs.

BBC Two’s prime-time schedules would not be affected by the move. The channel is concentrating on creating a distinctive look with an increased focus on original drama – including producing returning dramas – and also comedy.