BBC Weather could be facing a huge shake-up, as reports claim that two of the channel's most recognisable faces are considering leaving the network amid major cutbacks.
As part of plans to cut up to 2,000 jobs and make £500 million in savings, the national broadcaster is reportedly planning to downsize the national weather team, taking the number of presenters from 11 to 4.5.
According to The Times, three of the BBC Weather team's biggest names – Tomasz Schafernaker, Louise Lear and Darren Bett – are "considering taking voluntary redundancy" amid plans to make the broadcaster's meteorological coverage more digital.
While the three presenters, who have more than 86 years of presenting experience between them, are not said to have accepted the redundancy offer yet, changes are incoming at the channel to move away from the national weather team and focus more heavily on local presenters.
The 4.5 remaining national presenter roles, it is reported, will be split between London and the BBC's Salford base, with the BBC Breakfast and Today programme weather bulletins to be presenter from the existing hub near Manchester.
On the radio, weather updates will be read by the regular programme presenters, rather than specific weather reporters.
In addition, a new BBC weather centre is opening at the Met Office headquarters in Exeter. It will play host to four separate weather reporters, who will focus on the digital side and put together articles, video and social media posts, and means the net reduction in weather presenters will be three.
With climate change causing the UK weather to become more extreme each year, public interest in weather updates remains strong, with the BBC remaining a trusted source.
During the late June heatwave, The Times reports that a record-breaking 23 million people accessed BBC Weather online over 7 days.
Announcing the changes, BBC News’ interim CEO Jonathan Munro said: “As this summer’s heatwaves have proved, up-to-the minute and accurate weather information has never been more important.
“I’m looking forward to our partnership with the Met Office – this is a very apt time for our two trusted national institutions to be reunited.”
