BBC shrinks
The week's news at a glance.
London
The BBC will lay off more than 3,000 reporters, editors, researchers, and administrative staff starting next year, the company said this week. BBC director Mark Thompson said the broadcaster had to cut back if it was to remain “the greatest force for cultural good on the face of the earth.” The company, which is funded by the British government and an annual tax on British TV owners, has 27,600 employees and broadcasts worldwide. The network has been considering a restructuring since last year, when it was sharply criticized for an incorrect report claiming that Tony Blair’s government had knowingly falsified data on Iraq’s weapons programs.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Today's political cartoons - February 19, 2025
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - marking territory, living under a rock, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Mickey 17: 'charming space oddity' that's a 'sparky one-off'
The Week Recommends 'Remarkable' Robert Pattinson stars in Bong Joon-ho's sci-fi comedy
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
EastEnders at 40: are soaps still relevant?
Talking Point Albert Square's residents are celebrating, but falling viewer figures have fans worried the soap bubble has burst
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published