BBC to axe local news, create super regions?

Beeb staff fear cuts to regional news and current affairs programming.

A report out today suggests that the BBC may cut regional news in the morning and axing sub-opt regional news services in a bid to save money.

The three sub-opt services which provide more ultra local news from places such as the Channel Islands are on the cards to be axed. There are also plans to create super regions for regional current affairs programming. It is said that the money the BBC needs to save is around £400 million.

It is claimed that regional bulletins could be axed from BBC One’s Breakfast programme, which is currently attracting an average of 1.7 million viewers. The regional lunchtime programme, which follows the BBC News at One is also said to be up for the chop.

Safe are the half-hour local news programmes such as Look North, Midlands Today, North West Tonight and Spotlight.

“The fear is that the BBC regional news could now go the same way as ITV with fewer regions and at a time when the government is keen to encourage more ‘localness'” – A BBC staff member speaking to the Media Guardian

A report is due to be drawn up in a few months and will be presented to the BBC Trust in July.