Will Sir David Attenborough’s nature documentaries be next? Industry experts warn ‘expensive’ series such as Planet Earth and Frozen Planet could be axed as BBC cuts costs to find £500m in savings
The BBC could cancel a series of major shows, including Sir David Attenborough’s iconic nature documentaries.
After the government froze license fees for two years, the broadcaster has slashed costs in a bid to save £500 million.
Several shows have already been affected by the measures, including Newsnight – which was massively scaled back.
Sir David’s legendary shows could be among those axed if licensing costs do not rise in line with high inflation, according to BBC insiders.
A media consultant told The i that Sir David’s programmes, including Planet Earth, Wild Isles and Frozen Planet, are expensive to produce, and therefore could easily fall on the chopping block.
After the government froze license fees for two years, the broadcaster has slashed costs in a bid to save £500 million
Alice Enders told The i: ‘If licensing costs continue to fall you will be looking at the BBC’s big items to make savings so nothing can be immune.’
“There could be less high-end drama, it’s a big expense and streamers are forcing prices up. The costume budget alone for The Crown is enormous.
‘David Attenborough’s natural history series are sold well worldwide, but are also expensive. More co-productions with international broadcasters would be needed.’
BBC Two’s Newsnight will be cut to 30 minutes and broadcast on weekday evenings, but more than 60 jobs will be cut.
As part of further cuts, an expanded hour-long edition of BBC News At One will move to Salford.
BBC Breakfast, which also broadcasts from Salford, will be extended by 15 minutes daily.
As the broadcaster expects to save £7.5 million, they will focus more on digital storytelling and live reporting within the BBC News division.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told all public sector organizations to ‘cut their clothes accordingly’ during this difficult time for households.
Sir David’s legendary shows could be among those canceled if licensing costs don’t rise in line with high inflation, BBC insiders say
Television viewing costs have been frozen at £159 for two years, but will rise in line with inflation for four years from next spring. This will add almost £15 to the fee next year, taking it to £173.30 – the biggest increase in 40 years – if it is increased to meet wider price increases.
The government stressed on Sunday that the precise method for calculating inflation-linked license fee increases in coming years “remains to be confirmed”, suggesting it could insist that the increase be based on more recent, lower levels of inflation.
It comes amid reports that ministers could cancel the increase ahead of a major investigation into how the company is funded.
In a clear signal that the Government could intervene to prevent or reduce the rise, the Prime Minister said the BBC must ‘do what it can’ to limit the burden on struggling families.
Asked whether the license fee was sustainable, the Prime Minister told reporters: ‘The first thing I would say is that I think it is welcome that the BBC is looking at savings and efficiencies in the way they work.
“It’s really important that when things are tough, everyone does what they can to ease the cost of living for families.”
Sir David’s programmes, including Planet Earth, Wild Isles and Frozen Planet, are expensive to produce and could therefore easily end up on the chopping block in these difficult times