BBC New Media has outlined details of the 10 per cent savings it will make to meet the target set by BBC governors in response to the Graf review of the BBC’s online activity, writes Caitlin Pike.
Around £6m will be saved through the closure of some sites, improved efficiency and the reduction of investment.
Ashley Highfield, director of New Media & Technology, said: “In order to free up the required funding we need to behave more like television and radio. It’s a fast flowing market and we have to be fleet of foot, able to change and re-prioritise funding.”
BBC Online has previously been criticised for stifling competition and venturing into activities not justified by its public service remit.
Recent cutbacks include the closure of the US sports section of bbc.co.uk/sport and the local history site, bbc.co.uk/legacies . Funding for bbc.co.uk/cult will be reduced, with the exception of the Doctor Who section to support the new series on BBC One, and bbc.co.uk/lifestyle will continue with amore modest investment.
The Where I Live sites will end comprehensive local listings and restrict themselves to user-generated community notice boards, combined with community information from BBC Local Radio and click throughs to local listings sites.
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