by Thinus Ferreira
On Monday the BBC's global BBC World News channel will change its name to just BBC News when it merges its domestic UK channel with its global TV news channel and combine the roster of anchors in a dramatic cost-cutting move, with the broadcaster also announcing that it plans to cut at least 1 000 hours of original programming this year across its channels to save money.
A year in the making, BBC World News will delete the word "World" on Monday and just become BBC News - also changing its logo from white and red to black and red, as part of a massive cost-cutting drive merging the two channels into one and resulting in retrenchment.
Matthew Amroliwala, Yalda Hakim, Christian Fraser, Lucy Hockings, Maryam Moshiri and Sumi Somaskanda are becoming the new main anchors on BBC News.
Naja Nielsen, BBC News digital director, says that "Our aim is to create the best live and breaking news on both TV and on digital platforms, where more and more audiences are getting their news. We need to modernise the way we deliver the news – while addressing the financial challenges we face."
"The channel will be a single operation with two different feeds, just as now, so viewers in the UK and internationally will sometimes see the same content, sometimes different."
Naja Nielsen says "First, people should not expect any kind of ‘big bang’ at the beginning of April – we’re bringing in the changes gradually, in a phased roll-out, so things will continue to alter over the coming months. We want to keep the best of what we do at the moment, while introducing better ways of reporting what matters. Viewers will notice some differences from the beginning of next week."
"There will be more updates and live reporting from journalists across the UK and around the world, using modern mobile equipment to give audiences the latest information about what’s happening, where it’s happening – as well as information from reporters in the BBC newsroom."
"We will be putting the spotlight on our journalism, from our chief presenters to the newest reporters. Viewers in North America and anyone watching overnight) will see a new look from Washington DC, and we will be also broadcasting live from Singapore outside core UK hours."
The BBC tells TVwithThinus that BBC News (DStv 400) will continue to cover news around the world and will "move around the world from Singapore to the United States to London over every 24-hour period".
A BBC spokesperson said in response to a media query that "From 3 April our international TV channel
will be called BBC News".
"It will – as today – have some output targeted at both
global and United Kingdom audiences, alongside bespoke programming for global audiences."
"The anchoring of BBC News will move around the world from Singapore to the United States to London over every 24-hour period. The channel will carry the best of the
BBC's journalism from our expert teams across our unique global footprint."
"It
will offer enhanced coverage of breaking news and big live events reflecting
the way in which audiences across all markets are increasingly coming together
and seeking out trustworthy reporting and coverage during big shared moments
such as the invasion of Ukraine, the fall of the Boris Johnson government, the
death of Queen Elizabeth II and the protests in Iran."
Hours cut
Meanwhile, in its latest annual corporate plan it released on Thursday, the BBC revealed that it will cut back at least 1 000 hours of TV programming this year as part of its cost-cutting drive, with half of the 1 000 hours coming from sport which the BBC will no longer be showing.
The 1 000 hours programming cuts don't extend to news but the BBC notes that it is busy with "an annual reduction of 1 000 hours in content commissions across our portfolio". The BBC wants to try and focus more on producing "unique, high-impact content".
Tim Davie, BBC director-general, notes that the Coronation of King Charles and Eurovision 2023 are two of the global highlights that the BBC will be broadcasting this year.
