BBC staff fear Three and Scotland channels could go online-only next week

The BBC has launched a voluntary redundancy drive within its TV and streaming division, intensifying concerns among staff that two underperforming channels — BBC Three and BBC Scotland — could soon be pulled from linear broadcast.

Dan McGolpin, who heads the BBC iPlayer and Channels division, this week emailed staff asking for expressions of interest in voluntary redundancy, aimed at reducing the number of enforced job losses. The email also raised alternatives such as job-sharing, reduced hours, or relocating to another BBC site across the UK.

High costs, shrinking audiences

Sources say the director general is expected to brief staff on Wednesday about the next phase of a cost-cutting plan, having repeatedly warned that linear TV and radio services may eventually be phased out as viewers shift online.

BBC Three, known for hits such as Fleabag and Killing Eve, was previously moved online-only in 2016 before returning to linear broadcast in 2022. Since then it has struggled to draw viewers — its top-rated show on a recent Tuesday drew just 74,000 average viewers in a primetime slot. The channel recently cancelled the high-profile RuPaul's Drag Race UK due to financial pressure. Its cost per user hour stood at 18p in 2024-25, compared with 10p for BBC One.

BBC Scotland, launched in 2019, is watched live by just 12% of the Scottish population, even though 54% consume BBC Scotland content weekly across all platforms. The channel had a budget of £42m in 2024-25 and a cost per user hour of 13p.

One insider suggested that fully closing the Scotland channel would be politically difficult, making a shift to online-only a more palatable option. The BBC has already made several savings moves, including trimming Radio 4's presenter lineup and axing The World Tonight after decades on air. The BBC declined to comment on the speculation.