BBC to cut online budget by 25% (BBC)

The BBC is to cut about 200 websites as it reduces the amount of money it spends on its online output.

The changes, which will see BBC Online's budget cut by £34m, will also result in the loss of up to 360 posts over the next two years.

Among the sites to close include teen services Switch and Blast and community site 606.

The plans are part of the BBC's cost-cutting measures to make 20% savings as a result of the licence fee settlement.

The BBC says the changes are intended to make its website more distinctive and reduce competition with commercial websites.
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more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12265173




BBC World Service to cut five language services

The BBC World Service is to close five of its language services.

It is thought that about 650 jobs will be lost from a workforce of some 2,400. It is believed staff will be informed on Wednesday of the redundancies.

The Macedonian, Albanian and Serbian services will be axed, as will English for the Caribbean and Portuguese for Africa, in a bid to save £46m a year.

The BBC said it had to make savings after its government support was cut, but unions called the move "ferocious".

Last October, the government announced the BBC would take over the cost of the World Service from the Foreign Office.
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more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12277413




Austerity strikes again. Thanks, Neocons!