THE BBC is making major changes to its local radio services which will see jobs lost and fewer area-specific programmes.
Plans confirmed by the broadcaster on Monday will see all 39 local stations like BBC Radio Wiltshire broadcasting their usual shows between 6am and 2pm on weekdays - but the afternoons will be filled with one of 18 new regional programmes shared between the stations.
In the rest of the schedule, 10 local programmes will be shared across England between 6 and 10pm on weekdays, across the day on Saturday, and on Sunday mornings.
BBC Radio Wiltshire, based in Swindon's Old Town, will also be affected.
The BBC said there will be “additional investment” to support the production of the new shows which serve parts of the country in a way which broadly mirrors the existing local TV areas.
The 48 jobs being cut include 40 caused by the documentary series We Are England coming to an end, which was announced in May.
Greater programme sharing will result in 139 fewer roles in audio teams, but there will be around 131 additional roles across local news services.
The changes will see around £19 million re-prioritised from broadcast services towards online and multi-media production.
The BBC is creating a new fund to commission original local programmes and podcasts, as well as 11 new investigative reporting teams across the country.
BBC director of nations Rhodri Talfan Davies said: “These are ambitious and far-reaching proposals to grow the value we deliver to local audiences everywhere.
“The plans will help us connect with more people in more communities right across England – striking a better balance between our broadcast and online services – and ensuring we remain a cornerstone of local life for generations to come.”
In response to the announcement, the head of The Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union (Bectu), Philippa Childs, said: “This announcement and the periods of uncertainty that will follow are extremely concerning.
“The impact on affected staff is devastating and we will do everything we can to support our members.
“The Government’s decision to freeze the licence fee has made these damaging cuts inevitable.
“Behind the political shrill about the BBC is the reality of today’s announcement: talented and hardworking people who deliver local services face job losses, and audiences and communities will suffer from reduced local output and ultimately a reduced BBC.
“Just last month we saw how important public service broadcasting and local radio are to our democracy via prime ministerial interviews."
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