BBC Sets Out Plans To Reshape Its Local Services Across England

The BBC has set out plans to reshape its local services across England to deliver greater online impact and more original journalism.

The BBC will also create 11 investigative reporting teams across the country to provide more analysis of key local issues across TV, radio and online.

The proposals are part of the BBC's strategy, announced earlier this year, to create a modern, digital-led organisation offering even greater value to all audiences.

To support the new plan, the BBC will create multi-media news operations across the country - bringing its local news teams together across radio, tv and online for the first time.

The BBC aims to maintain its overall investment in local services, but the changes will see around £19m reprioritised from broadcast services towards online and multimedia production, to keep pace with changing audience expectations.

The plans will see the closure of the local television news programmes in Oxford and Cambridge, announced back in May, as well as greater programme sharing between neighbouring Local Radio stations in the afternoons and evenings, when audiences are typically lower.

Overall, BBC local staffing in England is expected to reduce by around 48 posts – this amounts to a total reduction of two percent. There will be around 131 additional roles across local news services, with around 139 fewer roles in audio teams as greater programme sharing is introduced. This includes the 40 posts closing due to documentary series We are England coming to an end, which was announced in May.

Rhodri Talfan Davies, Director of Nations, said: "These are ambitious and far-reaching proposals to grow the value we deliver to local audiences everywhere. The plans will help us connect with more people in more communities right across England, striking a better balance between our broadcast and online services and ensuring we remain a cornerstone of local life for generations to come."

www.bbc.co.uk