BBC director-general Matt Brittin said he had underestimated the scale of savings required at the corporation, which is seeking to cut £500 million over the next three years. He defended Newsnight against reports of cancellation and confirmed that Top Gear will return, while acknowledging that job losses and further programme closures are likely as the BBC responds to financial pressures, changing viewing habits and artificial intelligence.

The BBC is expected to cut around 2,000 jobs, with management posts also at risk, after already cancelling programmes including Winterwatch, Live at the Apollo, Blankety Blank and Celebrity Mastermind. Brittin said the BBC’s public-service obligations, political scrutiny and criticism can make it risk-averse, while entertainment director Ed Havard said details of the revived Top Gear, including any presenter, would be announced later.