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The BBC has found itself at the centre of a storm regarding its Newsbeat bulletins on the flagship radio station, BBC Radio 1.
Airing during the station’s breakfast show with Greg James, Newsbeat bulletins have quietly been shortened in length from three minutes to just one.
The decision comes after the Beeb had promised to protect Radio 1’s news output amid changes made to the corporation’s operating licence by Ofcom last year.
US publication Deadline reported the BBC had declined to comment on whether the cutting of Newsbeat’s airtime was a permanent or temporary measure.
It also heard from insiders who’ve panned the decision, including one who told the publication they “can’t understand how it can be defended”.
Other insiders said it wasn’t a “great look” for the broadcaster while industry trade body Radiocentre similarly aired concerns about the decision.
Greg James: Newsbeat bulletins during the DJ’s breakfast show have been cut in length
BBC
Radiocentre argued this could result in “less news overall” coming from BBC Radio 1 and suggested it showed a “failing to provide distinct public value”.
The decision not only sparked outrage from insiders and trade bodies but from listeners too.
Soon after the move was reported in the news cycle, members of the public flocked to social media to share their reactions.
On X, formerly Twitter, one person penned in response to Deadline’s report: “Yep they most certainly have, it’s a minute long now which is shocking especially as Newsbeat was rubbish and too simplistic at 3 minutes long.”
The BBC has sparked controversy with its Newsbeat cuts
GETTY/BBC
A second echoed: “Wonder why the #BBC doesn’t want to do any news anymore? Is it because they don’t know how to do it anymore?”
Meanwhile, a third concerned listened expressed: “I’m a passionate defender of the BBC licence fee, but it’s to ensure we have essential media and content the commercial market can’t or doesn’t provide.
“In this context, it’s impossible to justify a mass audience music channel with so little news.” (sic)
The BBC declined to comment when contacted by GB News.
The move is the latest in a line of major changes set to be rolled out by the Beeb in regards to its radio output.
In February, the corporation unveiled plans to launch extensions of BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 3 after witnessing “transformed audience habits” following “significant growth in streaming and digital radio listening”.
BBC Radio 1: Greg James fronts the breakfast show on the station
BBC
It said at the time the move to launch the extensions “have been developed to ensure the BBC serves all its audiences and better meets the expectations of listeners”.
BBC Director of Music, Lorna Clarke, said of the decision: “Our extensions for Radio 1, Radio 2 and Radio 3 will allow listeners to deep-dive into more pop and classical genres and periods of music they love the most, uniquely created by the BBC.
“They’ll get a deeper listening experience than what’s available elsewhere, hear brilliant storytelling through our extensive archive, and discover more music to love whatever their mood.”
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