{"id":592273,"date":"2026-05-19T10:33:37","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T10:33:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/592273\/"},"modified":"2026-05-19T10:33:37","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T10:33:37","slug":"the-new-bbc-plan-to-axe-channels-and-overhaul-licence-fee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/592273\/","title":{"rendered":"The new BBC plan to axe channels and overhaul licence fee"},"content":{"rendered":"

The BBC<\/a> could close TV channels and move shows to YouTube as the new director-general<\/a> warned staff that \u201ctough choices are unavoidable\u201d in order to make \u00a3500m in savings.<\/p>\n

Arriving at Broadcasting House at 8.15am on Monday, former Google Europe boss Matt Brittin pressed \u201csend\u201d on an email to staff explaining that the BBC must move with \u201curgency\u201d to reinvent itself in a world of \u201climitless choice\u201d.<\/p>\n

Brittin raised the prospect of cutting back the BBC\u2019s sprawling platforms and services to its essentials. \u201cWe should ask ourselves, honestly: if we were inventing the BBC<\/a> today, what would we do?\u201d the former Team GB Olympic rower asked. \u201cThen respond with clarity, pace and purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n

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POLITICS<\/p>\n

Who are the Labour figures who want to replace Starmer?<\/p>\n

\"FILEsaid to be privately considering whether he will contest challenges to his leadership, despite having publicly insisted he will fight them.<\/p>\n

Labour appears to be heading towards a leadership contest, after disastrous local election results led to almost 100 Labour MPs calling for Sir Keir Starmer to stand down. <\/p>\n

Wes Streeting has said he will stand in any contest. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has also made clear he wants to be prime minister \u2013 if he can win a crucial by-election.<\/p>\n

The frontrunners<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Andy Burnham carries hopes of many on the left, as polling shows he is the favourite with the public. He is hoping to win a seat through the Makerfield by-election.<\/p>\n

Wes Streeting is viewed by many as a \u201cBlairite\u201d representing the Labour right. He told Starmer he had \u201clost confidence\u201d in his leadership.<\/p>\n

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OPINION<\/p>\n

5 min read<\/p>\n

\nWho else might run?\n<\/p>\n

\"LONDON,Angela Rayner says the party needs to reconnect with younger voters (Photo: Carl Court\/Getty)<\/p>\n

Angela Rayner<\/p>\n

The former deputy Labour leader is thought to be supportive of Burnham \u2013 but may still decide to stand and appeal to the left.<\/p>\n

Ed Miliband<\/p>\n

The Energy Secretary is also keen on Burnham. But if his ally cannot take part in the contest, Miliband may decide to take on Streeting.<\/p>\n

\"EnergyCaption: Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband reacts to a heckler at the Fabian Society 2026 New Year Conference at the Guildhall, central London. Picture date: Saturday January 24, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: James Manning\/PA Wire
Photographer: James Manning
Provider: James Manning\/PA Wire
Source: PA<\/p>\n

\"ShabanaShabana Mahmood has embarked on a radical overhaul of the UK\u2019s immigration system (Photo: Kin Cheung\/AP)<\/p>\n

Other ministers<\/p>\n

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Armed Forces minister Al Carns may also decide to run.<\/p>\n

\nHow would a contest work?\n<\/p>\n

A Labour leadership contest would be triggered if one MP gets backing from 81 MPs. <\/p>\n

Other candidates can join if they have 81 backers.<\/p>\n

Keir Starmer can decide to contest the leadership election, and does not need 81 MPs to do so. But he could decide to stand down.<\/p>\n

Labour members and affiliated unions then vote by ranking candidates in order of preference. <\/p>\n

The National Executive Committee (NEC) decides on the timetable.<\/p>\n

More from The i Paper on Labour<\/p>\n

The average British retiree falls short of moderate lifestyle<\/p>\n

The typical pensioner in the UK does not have enough income to live comfortably, new research has found.<\/p>\n

\"The\u2018As a private renter now working part time, I am in a precarious situation and may have to rely on savings,\u2019 says a reader (Photo: Alex Tihonov\/Getty)<\/p>\n

\nWhat does average pensioner live on?\n<\/p>\n

\u00a326,200<\/p>\n

This is how much the average tax-paying pensioner between 65 and 69 lives on.<\/p>\n

This is according to an analysis of 2024 HMRC figures by AJ Bell.<\/p>\n

\u00a322,700<\/p>\n

This is how much the average tax-paying pensioner between 70 and 74 lives on.<\/p>\n

This is according to an analysis of 2024 HMRC figures by AJ Bell.<\/p>\n

\nWhat you need for moderate lifestyle\n<\/p>\n

An individual pensioner needs \u00a331,300 a year for a moderate standard of living, according to Retirement Living Standards research by Loughborough University.<\/p>\n

\"BankSome state pensioners will have their income protected from tax (Andrii Yalanskyi \/ 500px\/Getty)<\/p>\n

\"TheThe man is currently drawing a small defined benefit (DB) pension (Photo: SimpleImages\/Getty)<\/p>\n

A pensioner couple need \u00a343,100 a year to live to a moderate standard, the Retirement Living Standards\u00a0research discovered.<\/p>\n

\nThe good news and bad news\n<\/p>\n

Average pensioner incomes fall \u201cwell short\u201d of what the average Brit is hoping for, said Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at AJ Bell.<\/p>\n

Women are even more stretched than men in retirement. Women aged 65 to 69 received an average of \u00a323,000, while men received \u00a329,600.<\/p>\n

However, the standards are a \u201cfairly blunt instrument\u201d, said Coles, because they don\u2019t take into account the income you are used to while you\u2019re working.<\/p>\n

Watch more from The i Paper<\/p>\n

@theipaper<\/a> <\/p>\n

The Parliamentary Standards watchdog has launched a probe into the \u00a35m \u2018gift\u2019 from businessman Christopher Harborne to Nigel Farage in 2024. A Reform UK spokesman said: \u201cMr Farage\u2019s office is in communications with the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. He has always been clear that this was a personal, unconditional gift and no rules were broken. We look forward to this being put to bed once and for all.\u201d nigelfarage reformuk ukpolitics<\/p>\n

\u266c original sound \u2013 The i Paper \u2013 The i Paper<\/a> <\/p>\n

\"London, London, UK \u2013 April 15 2025. General view of Broadcasting House, the BBC headquarters in central London, with people walking outside.
Photographer: VV Shots
Provider: Getty Images
Source: iStock Editorial<\/p>\n

MEDIA NEWS<\/p>\n

The new BBC plan to axe channels and avoid scandal<\/p>\n

The corporation could close TV channels and move shows to YouTube as it tries to save \u00a3500m and cut up to 2,000 jobs. <\/p>\n

The new director-general, Matt Brittin, has warned staff in an email that \u201ctough choices are unavoidable\u201d.<\/p>\n

\nWhich channels could go?\n<\/p>\n

\"ForThe bew BBC director general, Matt Brittin, will formally begin his role on 18 May (Photo: BBC\/PA)<\/p>\n

Brittin decides<\/p>\n

Insiders predicted that the new director-general would look at the case for closing the BBC\u2019s entire channels.<\/p>\n

BBC Three in doubt?<\/p>\n

Roger Mosey, ex-head of BBC TV News, said BBC Two and BBC Four could merge, while BBC Three could be \u201cfinally laid to rest\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"ProgrammeCaption: Programme Name: Fleabag \u2013 TX: n\/a \u2013 Episode: n\/a (No. n\/a) \u2013 Picture Shows: Fleabag (PHOEBE WALLER-BRIDGE) \u2013 (C) Two Brothers Pictures Ltd. \u2013 Photographer: Screengrab
Photographer: Screengrab
Provider: BBC\/Two Brothers Pictures Ltd.<\/p>\n

\"TelevisionBenedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock in the 2010s BBC version (Photo: Robert Viglasky\/BBC\/Hartswood Films)<\/p>\n

Daytime shows<\/p>\n

Mosey also suggested that the BBC could drop \u201cfiller\u201d daytime programmes in favour of high-impact drama.<\/p>\n

How BBC will avoid scandals<\/p>\n

\"LONDON,Former BBC Director General Tim Davie arrives at Broadcasting House on November 11, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Leon Neal\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Brittin will protect \u201ceditorial excellence\u201d to avoid errors like Panorama\u2019s misleading editing of a Donald Trump speech.<\/p>\n

The scandal led to the resignation of Tim Davie, pictured above.<\/p>\n

Brittin will also appoint a deputy director-general with news experience to get ahead of future scandals.<\/p>\n

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Analysis<\/p>\n

3 min read<\/p>\n

\nA\u00a0reinvented\u00a0licence fee?\n<\/p>\n

The BBC is keen to extend the base of people required to pay the\u00a0licence fee \u2013 possibly including those who watch streaming platforms.<\/p>\n

Brittin has yet to publicly state his personal preference on how to reinvent the charge imposed on TV viewers.<\/p>\n

But the former Google boss has already met Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy to push the case for reform.<\/p>\n

More from The i Paper on the BBC<\/p>\n

@theipaper<\/a> <\/p>\n

New BBC director general Matt Brittin has told BBC staff that \u201ctough choices are unavoidable\u201d on his first day in the job. The former Google Europe boss has taken on the role during a tumultous period at the broadcaster, despite having no previous TV production or planning experience. This is everything he has to do deal with from the outset. #UK<\/a> #news<\/a><\/p>\n

\u266c original sound \u2013 The i Paper \u2013 The i Paper<\/a> <\/p>\n

\"ACaption: A vehicle\u2019s hatch and doors are opened near where a body of one of the shooters was placed near the scene of a shooting outside the Islamic Center of San Diego Monday, May 18, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo\/Gregory Bull)
Photographer: Gregory Bull
Provider: AP Photo\/Gregory Bull
Source: AP<\/p>\n

world news<\/p>\n

Teen suspects fatally shoot three in suspected hate crime at San Diego mosque<\/p>\n

Two teenage attackers fatally shot three men at a mosque in San Diego, California, in a suspected hate crime, before taking their own lives, police said.<\/p>\n

The shooting took place on Monday morning, two hours after the mother of one of the suspects called police to say her son had run away and was potentially suicidal.<\/p>\n

\nWhat happened?\n<\/p>\n

San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said officers first received a call about 9.42am from a mother about a \u201crunaway juvenile\u201d. The mother believed her son was suicidal and reported \u201cseveral of her weapons\u201d and vehicle were missing.<\/p>\n

\"SANCaption: SAN DIEGO, UNITED STATES \u2013 MAY 18: People inspect the scene in the area near the San Diego Islamic Center as officers urge residents to avoid the area and remain indoors after reports of an active shooter at a mosque, in San Diego, California, United States, on May 18, 2026. Police in the US city of San Diego said Monday that a reported active shooter threat at the Islamic Center of San Diego had been \u2018neutralized.\u2019 (Photo by Michael Ho Wai Lee\/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Photographer: Anadolu
Provider: Anadolu via Getty Images
Source: Anadolu<\/p>\n

\"TwoCaption: Two men embrace at the scene of a shooting outside the Islamic Center of San Diego Monday, May 18, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo\/Gregory Bull)
Photographer: Gregory Bull
Provider: AP Photo\/Gregory Bull
Source: AP<\/p>\n

She told police her son was with a companion and they were both dressed in camouflage, prompting police to elevate the threat level and send out officers to search for the teens.<\/p>\n

How the incident unfolded<\/p>\n

Police were with the mother only a few streets away from the Islamic Center of San Diego when an active shooter was reported, about 11.43am local time. When officers arrived, they found three deceased victims. One was a security guard at the centre.<\/p>\n

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Big Read<\/p>\n

4 min read<\/p>\n

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NEWS<\/p>\n

3 min read<\/p>\n

Police investigate hate crime<\/p>\n

Two teenage suspects were later found dead in a nearby vehicle with self-inflicted wounds.<\/p>\n

Police said they are investigating the shooting as a hate crime and \u201chate rhetoric\u201d was involved.<\/p>\n

The suspect\u2019s mother found a note left behind, but police did not provide further details on what was written beyond it containing \u201cgeneral hate speech\u201d.<\/p>\n

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Explained<\/p>\n

4 min read<\/p>\n

Understand this story in pictures<\/p>\n

\"PeopleCaption: People embrace near the scene of a shooting outside the Islamic Center of San Diego Monday, May 18, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo\/Gregory Bull)
Photographer: Gregory Bull
Provider: AP Photo\/Gregory Bull
Source: AP<\/p>\n

\"PoliceCaption: Police tape is placed near the scene of a shooting outside the Islamic Center of San Diego Monday, May 18, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo\/Gregory Bull)
Photographer: Gregory Bull
Provider: AP Photo\/Gregory Bull
Source: AP<\/p>\n

\"PeopleCaption: People stand behind police tape at the scene of a shooting outside the Islamic Center of San Diego Monday, May 18, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo\/Gregory Bull)
Photographer: Gregory Bull
Provider: AP Photo\/Gregory Bull
Source: AP<\/p>\n

\"BRIDLINGTON,Caption: BRIDLINGTON, ENGLAND \u2013 MARCH 10: Crew members stand on the bow as the Royal National Lifeboat Antony Patrick Jones returns safely with crew to Bridlington RNLI station after taking part in rescue operations after two vessels collided in the North Sea on March 10, 2025 in Bridlington, England. Thirty-two people were reportedly brought ashore with injuries after the collision of the oil tanker Stena Immaculate and the Solong, a cargo vessel, on Monday morning. (Photo by Ian Forsyth\/Getty Images)
Photographer: Ian Forsyth
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images Europe
Copyright: 2025 Getty Images<\/p>\n

NEWS<\/p>\n

RNLI\u00a0urges people to \u2018float to live\u2019 if struggling in water<\/p>\n

With warmer weather coming up over the weekend, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has issued guidance about what to do if you get into trouble in the water. <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a break down of their advice for staying safe while swimming.<\/p>\n

\nSwimmer safety\n<\/p>\n

Float to Live, lifeguards urge<\/p>\n

\"PeoplePeople gathering in the river Thames in South Bank in London (Photographer: lorenzo grifantini
Provider: Getty Images
Source: iStock Editorial)<\/p>\n

Most people will instinctively thrash around in the water if they get into trouble, but this is dangerous as you can quickly tire. <\/p>\n

Tipping your head gap so your ears are submerged is the best way to stay afloat, moving your arms and legs if you need to.<\/p>\n

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LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n

4 min read<\/p>\n

\"APolice received a report from paramedics at around 4.30pm on Wednesday of people requiring assistance on the beach off Bournemouth Pier (Photo: Andrew Matthews\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n

Relax and breathe <\/p>\n

By doing this, you give yourself the chance to rest and recover your breathing.<\/p>\n

Emmie Seward Adams, of the RNLI water safety delivery support team, said that floating gives the body a chance to relax. <\/p>\n

You can then call for help or start to swim for safety once you\u2019re calm. <\/p>\n

In 2024, there were 193 accidental drowning deaths in the UK, according to the RNLI\u2019s data.<\/p>\n

\nWhat do the figures tell us?\n<\/p>\n

How many accidental drowning deaths have there been in recent years?<\/p>\n

193<\/p>\n

In 2024, there were 193 accidental drowning deaths in the UK, according to the charity\u2019s data.<\/p>\n

84%<\/p>\n

Of these fatalities, 84 per cent were male and more 20 to 29-year-olds drowned that year than any other age group.<\/p>\n

Watch more from The i Paper<\/p>\n

@theipaper<\/a> <\/p>\n

A video was released this week of a World War II-era seaplane making an emergency landing on a street in Phoenix, Arizona, in April. The video shows the plane flying over the city as it begins to lose altitude, then shows its hard landing and the three passengers emerging uninjured. #US<\/a> #news<\/a><\/p>\n

\u266c original sound \u2013 The i Paper \u2013 The i Paper<\/a> <\/p>\n

Celebrities call for end to Chelsea Flower show gnome ban<\/p>\n

\"UndatedCaption: Undated handout photo issued by the Royal Horticultural Society of gnomes painted by celebrities photographed at RHS Chelsea Flower Show which will be on display at the 2026 Show and are available to bid on from tomorrow in an online auction that runs until Sunday 24th May. Gnome lineup (left-right): FBrian May, Kelly Hoppen, Alan Titchmarsh, Mary Berry, Frances Tophill, Angellica Bell, Joanna Lumley and Floella Benjamin. For the second time in the history of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the world\u2019s leading horticultural charity has lifted its ban on gnomes, inviting celebrities to paint them to help raise funds for the next generation of gardeners. The ban on gnomes has been lifted only once before, in 2013, to celebrate the centenary of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Issue date: Thursday May 14, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Oliver Dixon\/RHS\/PA Wire<\/p>\n

NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Photographer: Oliver Dixon\/RHS
Provider: Oliver Dixon\/RHS\/PA Wire
Source: PA
Copyright: Oliver Dixon<\/p>\n

Stars and gardeners, including Alan Titchmarsh and Frances Tophill, have called on the prestigious charity to end the century-long ban on garden residents. <\/p>\n

Their inclusion was allowed this year by special permission.<\/p>\n

A royal reprieve<\/p>\n

The ban has been in place since the show\u2019s foundation in 1927, but the Royal Horticultural Society is under pressure to lift it after celebrities painted gnomes for the King\u2019s garden this year. <\/p>\n

The Chelsea Flower Show, which opens today, raises money for the Royal Chelsea Hospital in south-west London.<\/p>\n

\"UndatedCaption: Undated handout photo issued by the Royal Horticultural Society Frances Tophill and a selection of gnomes painted by celebrities photographed at RHS Chelsea Flower Show this morning. Gnome lineup (left-right): Brian May, Kelly Hoppen, Alan Titchmarsh, Mary Berry, Frances Tophill, Angellica Bell, Joanna Lumley and Floella Benjamin. For the second time in the history of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the world\u2019s leading horticultural charity has lifted its ban on gnomes, inviting celebrities to paint them to help raise funds for the next generation of gardeners. The ban on gnomes has been lifted only once before, in 2013, to celebrate the centenary of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Issue date: Thursday May 14, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Oliver Dixon\/RHS\/PA Wire<\/p>\n

NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Photographer: Oliver Dixon\/RHS
Provider: Oliver Dixon\/RHS\/PA Wire
Source: PA
Copyright: Oliver Dixon<\/p>\n

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LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n

3 min read<\/p>\n

End unfair ban on friendly guardians, says comedian<\/p>\n

The origins of gnomes is the Latin\u00a0gnomus, meaning earth dweller. The Romans had them as guardians of the garden and to protect against malign spirits. So I think they have been much maligned.<\/p>\n

BILL BAILEY, ACTOR, MUSICIAN AND COMEDIAN, TOLD THE GUARDIAN<\/p>\n

\"ACaption: A gnome on display on the Harkness Roses stand during press day at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London. Picture date: Monday May 18, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Aaron Chown\/PA Wire
Photographer: Aaron Chown
Provider: Aaron Chown\/PA Wire
Source: PA<\/p>\n

Watch more from The i Paper<\/p>\n

@theipaper<\/a> <\/p>\n

Germany is cracking down on shrinkflation after a court ruled Milka \u201cvisually tricked\u201d shoppers by shrinking its chocolate bars while raising prices. The iconic purple wrapper stayed almost identical, but customers were paying more for less chocolate. Mondel\u0113z maintains that the lower weight was clearly visible on its packaging and has denied the allegations made by the Hamburg consumer group. milka chocolate germany mondelez freddobar<\/p>\n

\u266c original sound \u2013 The i Paper \u2013 The i Paper<\/a> <\/p>\n

Bodies of missing divers found in Maldives<\/p>\n

The bodies of four Italian divers who went missing during a scuba diving accident in the Maldives last week have been located.<\/p>\n

\"MembersCaption: Members of National Defence Force (MNDF) prepare to take part in a search and recovery operation for four Italian scuba divers in the waters of Vaavu Atoll, Maldives, May 16, 2026. Maldives President???s Office\/ Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO ARCHIVES. NO RESALES. MANDATORY CREDIT.
Photographer: Maldives President\u2019s Office
Provider: via REUTERS
Source: Handout<\/p>\n

Who were the victims?<\/p>\n

Two of the Italian divers \u2013 Professor Monica Montefalcone and Muriel Oddenino from the University of Genoa \u2013 were looking at the impact of climate change on biodiversity.<\/p>\n

Giorgia Sommacal, Montefalcone\u2019s daughter, and Federico Gualtieri, a recent graduate, were also part of the diving group.<\/p>\n

The fifth Italian victim was boat operations manager and diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti.<\/p>\n

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OPINION<\/p>\n

3 min read<\/p>\n

\nDivers found in Vaavu Atoll\n<\/p>\n

The Italians were found inside a 60-metre-deep cave in Vaavu Atoll by a team of Finnish and Maldivian divers.<\/p>\n

The body of a fifth Italian diver, a member of the group, had already been recovered shortly after Thursday\u2019s accident.<\/p>\n

\"FILECaption: FILE \u2013 This undated handout picture released by Greenpeace Italia on Friday, May 15, 2026 shows Monica Montefalcone one of the five Italian scuba divers who died near Alimathaa in the Maldives archipelago while exploring an underwater cave. (Greenpeace via AP, Ho)
Photographer: Greenpeace
Provider: Greenpeace via AP
Source: Greenpeace<\/p>\n

A Maldivian rescue diver \u2013 Staff Sgt Mohamed Mahdhee \u2013 also died while searching for the bodies of the group. It is believed to be the worst single diving accident in the tiny Indian Ocean nation.<\/p>\n

What happens next?<\/p>\n

\u201cFurther dives [are] to be carried out in the coming days to recover the bodies,\u201d Mohamed Hossain Shareef, a Maldivian government spokesperson, said. <\/p>\n

Two of the bodies would be recovered on Tuesday and the remaining two the following day, he said.<\/p>\n

\"ScubaCaption: Scuba divers swim at Tugboat Beach in Caracasbaai, Curacao, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo\/Matias Delacroix)
Photographer: Matias Delacroix
Provider: AP Photo\/Matias Delacroix
Source: AP<\/p>\n

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WORLD<\/p>\n

6 min read<\/p>\n

Watch more from The i Paper<\/p>\n

@theipaper<\/a> <\/p>\n

An anti-Islam activist wore bacon while playing cello at the Unite the Kingdom march on Saturday during a live event streamed by far-right activist Tommy Robinson.\u00a0 Ryan Williams, also known as Korean Bacon on social media, has pulled similar stunts before, infamously appearing on Sky News Australia wearing bacon. Williams, who is known for making anti-Islam statements on social media, said on stage, \u201cI\u2019ve got enough balls to fight Islam\u201d. #news<\/a> #UK<\/a> #unitethekingdom<\/a><\/p>\n

\u266c original sound \u2013 The i Paper \u2013 The i Paper<\/a> <\/p>\n

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\u201cWe must be where audiences are, and experiment more bravely,\u201d Brittin said, acknowledging that YouTube<\/a> is becoming the default viewing option for millions of young people.<\/p>\n

With the BBC set to cut 2,000 jobs under a three-year savings plan, insiders predicted Brittin would look at the case for closing entire channels.<\/p>\n

Roger Mosey, former head of BBC TV News, said the new director-general should make the iPlayer<\/a> \u201cthe heart of everything the BBC does. That would mean fewer traditional channels: perhaps merge BBC Two and BBC Four, and finally lay to rest BBC Three\u201d.<\/p>\n

A stripped-back BBC would commission high-impact drama, entertainment and current affairs shows for iPlayer and drop \u201cfiller\u201d programmes, such as daytime series, that beef out channel schedules, under Mosey\u2019s vision.<\/p>\n

\"BBCBBC director-general, Matt Brittin, speaks to members of the media as he arrives for his first day at Broadcasting House in London. The corporation is set to cut 2,000 jobs under a three-year savings plan (Photo: Chris J Ratcliffe\/Reuters)<\/p>\n

Brittin also suggested that the BBC\u2019s layer of middle managers could be in his sights, with a promise to back bold decision-making by programme-makers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe must never allow our duty to take risks and deliver quality to be undermined by unnecessary process or misplaced caution,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

However, he has also asked the BBC\u2019s executive committee to explore measures to protect the broadcaster\u2019s \u201ceditorial excellence\u201d and avoid costly errors like Panorama\u2019s misleading editing<\/a> of a Donald Trump speech, which led to his predecessor Tim Davie\u2019s resignation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cuts to programmes and staff<\/p>\n

The new DG pledged to fight for the BBC\u2019s future and back \u201cour brilliant creative, editorial and technical people\u201d. <\/p>\n

But he did not suggest any retreat from plans already in place<\/a> to cut 2,000 jobs and make a further 10 per cent in savings over the next three years. \u201cI know change will not be easy. Tough choices are unavoidable as we make savings,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

BBC Three and Four could be under threat. Some news figures believe the rolling BBC News channel is also outdated in the YouTube era. <\/p>\n

A\u00a0reinvented\u00a0licence fee<\/p>\n

Brittin told staff he would be \u201cmaking the strongest possible argument for our future as part of the charter process\u201d. <\/p>\n

The BBC wants to extend the base of people required to pay the licence fee<\/a>, possibly including those who watch streaming platforms. A skilled negotiator of Whitehall\u2019s corridors of power during his decade as Google boss, Brittin has already met Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy to push the case for reform. <\/p>\n

He has yet to publicly state his personal preference for a reinvented charge<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Lessons from Google<\/p>\n

Brittin\u2019s skill at the tech giant was to hire the right people and let them get on with the job, allies say. A streamlined organisational structure helps Google respond to change with agility. The BBC is bogged down with bureaucracy to the frustrations of staff. <\/p>\n

The BBC \u201cmust be simpler, faster and more connected with audiences than ever\u201d said Brittin, in what will be a culture shock for some. <\/p>\n

Restore trust in News<\/p>\n

Brittin has tasked the BBC\u2019s executive committee to look into measures to preserve \u201ceditorial excellence\u201d \u2013 code for avoiding more failings like the misleading Trump edit<\/a> on Panorama and the Gaza documentary<\/a> narrated by the son of a Hamas official.<\/p>\n

Brittin will appoint a deputy DG with news experience to get ahead of future scandals. But the new boss is also \u201cbacking bold journalism and storytelling\u201d which will please staffers. Brittin avoided the vexed question of news \u201cimpartiality\u201d in his email but will invite questioning by staff at a meeting on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

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