SuffolkOnline.net

The BBC will be cutting its online services budget by twenty five per cent from the current £137 million to the lower figure of £103 million by February 2013.

This may appear to be good news for public spending cutbacks, but it will result in the loss of around three hundred and sixty jobs and the closure of around a hundred and eighty websites!

According to the director general of the BBC, Mark Thompson, BBC Online is “at the heart of the BBC’s digital future” but said it needed to hone in on key areas.

“BBC Online is a huge success, but our vast portfolio of websites means we sometimes fall short of expectation,” he said.

“A refocusing on our editorial priorities, a commitment to the highest quality standards, and a more streamlined and collegiate way of working will help us transform BBC Online for the future.”

The cutbacks will mean that some websites will be automated; there will be less blogs on available and some message boards including the iPlayer message board.

“I know that these changes will be painful for affected staff. But I firmly believe that they are right for the BBC at this time,” added Thompson.

Article Courtesy of IT Pro