The BBC News has announced a significant restructuring plan, aiming to create a new “international model” to boost audience growth. This follows previous cost-cutting measures, including job losses.
By 2025, six regional directors will be appointed to lead editorial and operational efforts across six global regions outside the U.K. These regions are Africa, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Central and South Asia, Europe, and the Middle East and North Africa. Each region will have its own headquarters and provide regional expertise.
“The regional directors will be tasked with growing audiences in their region and providing clear reporting lines for each of the BBC World Service’s 42 language services,” a BBC statement explained. The exact locations of these regional headquarters and staffing details remain unclear.
While the BBC will maintain its U.K. operations in London, the restructuring may result in further job losses, particularly in leadership roles with international ties. Jonathan Munro, global director and deputy CEO, BBC News, stated: “BBC News’ international output and the BBC World Service have never been more needed as the fight against disinformation intensifies and press freedom is increasingly under threat globally. The BBC’s trusted journalism has to go further, to reach more of those who need it most and to provide an alternative for those who want impartial coverage.”
The BBC World Service currently delivers news in 42 languages to an estimated 450 million people weekly. The announcement didn't detail the specific strategies for audience growth or the financial implications of this new model. This follows previous announcements of job cuts (approximately 500 in 2024) and the merging of the U.K. and world news channels in 2023.