BBC Three and Scotland may move to online-only services amid cuts
The BBC has initiated redundancy procedures in its television and streaming division, with director general Matt Brittin expected to announce next week that BBC Three and BBC Scotland will transition to online-only services. This move is part of a broader £500m cost-cutting plan affecting the broadcaster, as it seeks to shed up to 2,000 jobs and refocus on services that deliver better value for money as viewing habits shift towards on-demand and streaming platforms.
BBC Three, which originally moved online in 2016 before returning to linear television in 2022, has underperformed since its comeback, with recent broadcasts attracting only 74,000 viewers at 9pm and just 4% of the UK population watching live weekly. The channel's cost per user hour stood at 18p in 2024-25, significantly higher than BBC One (10p), BBC Two (9p) and BBC Four (6p). BBC Scotland, launched in 2019, similarly struggles with only 12% of Scottish viewers watching live despite receiving £250m since its launch. Though BBC Three has produced acclaimed programmes including Gavin and Stacey, Fleabag and Killing Eve, both channels are considered financially inefficient in their current linear form.
- BBC Three and BBC Scotland channels to move online-only next week
- High per-viewer costs and low audiences driving the decision
- BBC Three previously shifted online in 2016 before returning to linear TV in 2022
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The BBC is planning cuts of around £500m and up to 2,000 job losses as it adapts to how people watch television today. The corporation is considering moving some services online to operate more cost-effectively as viewing habits shift towards streaming and on-demand platforms.
BBC Three is a television channel that moved online in 2016, then returned to broadcast in 2022. Despite producing successful shows such as Fleabag and Gavin and Stacey, it has since struggled with low viewership and operates at a higher cost per viewer than other BBC channels.
BBC Scotland was launched in 2019 as a dedicated channel for Scottish audiences but has similarly struggled to build an audience, with only 12% of Scottish viewers watching live. The channel has received £250m in funding, leading the BBC to question whether an online-only service would deliver better value.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Staff fears grow that BBC will shut its Three and Scotland channels next week”.