THE BBC is reportedly considering major outsourcing plans that could risk thousands of jobs as it seeks to cut costs.
According to reports from The Guardian, potential plans include offshoring jobs currently carried out in the UK, with the broadcaster allegedly in talks with US tech firms regarding the outsourcing of recommendation algorithms.
Significant concerns are already brewing within the organisation over the impacts the plan could have on UK jobs and the BBC’s control of its own platforms, with overhauls being looked at in departments such as operations in its digital product group, responsible for the likes of Sounds, iPlayer and News Online.
Jobs in its regional hubs in Glasgow, Newcastle and Salford could potentially face the axe if the broadcaster decides to outsource operations.
Sources told The Guardian that the plans had already been approved by the board, but were yet to be formally announced internally.
The proposal, drawn up with advice from external consultants as director general Tim Davie seeks to cut costs, comes amid serious financial pressure on the BBC, with the licence fee value down by a third since 2010 and half a million cancellations in 2023 as younger audiences shift to YouTube and streaming services.
There are internal concerns the plans could reverse the BBC’s “across the UK” jobs scheme, despite political pressure from culture secretary Lisa Nandy to expand operations outside London.
Some believe the plans may cut short-term costs but leave the BBC without the expertise for long-term savings or platform improvements for services such as iPlayer.
Insiders fear the broadcaster could be tied to rigid contracts unsuited to a fast-changing media landscape, with recent cuts weakening its ability to oversee procurement, legal and management functions.
Davie hinted at the plans in a spring keynote speech, saying he was exploring major partnerships with leading global tech firms.
He said: “We are already working on the media supply chain, the processes behind the scenes that gets content from the camera to screen, from microphone to headphone.
“This will open up huge creative possibilities. And it will allow us to drive efficiencies and reinvest into world-class content.”
Philippa Childs, head of UK broadcasting union Bectu, criticised the outsourcing proposals, calling them “totally counter to the growth agenda” and harmful to the BBC’s public role.
She condemned the lack of union consultation, saying the union only learned of the plans through a leak. Childs urged the BBC to reaffirm its commitment to UK jobs and warned the move risks aiding those seeking to weaken the broadcaster’s public service mission.
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has now called for greater clarity from the BBC following the reports.
Laura Davison, NUJ general secretary, said: “Workers at the BBC will be alarmed to hear of proposals focused on outsourcing with serious implications for jobs and the future structures of the broadcaster.
"We need urgent clarity from the BBC on options being considered and trade unions around the table in meaningful engagement.
“Cost cutting measures that impact content produced by the BBC or fragment the ways in which it operates will affect how audiences perceive and value the organisation.
"Its workforce should not be blindsided by discussions with US tech giants as unions simultaneously campaign for greater funding for the BBC, to support its position as a valued public service broadcaster.”
Campaign group Media Reform Coalition posted on Twitter/X: "The BBC was once a world leader in digital tech for public good. Now after 15 years of gov cuts & total strategic failure it wants to outsource UK public media to US tech giants.
"We support @bectu & @NUJofficial in opposing this attack on UK media workers."
A spokesperson for the BBC told The National: "While we wouldn’t comment on any speculation, we have made clear our ambition to innovate and transform, to be able to invest in the content and services audiences love.
“To do this, we must accelerate our transformation and take advantage of opportunities in technology or with partners to strengthen our capabilities. Like many organisations, it’s routine to assess different options that could deliver these changes and it would be wrong to suggest decisions have been taken.”
