from Religion Media Centre
The BBC is reducing the number of local radio Sunday morning religious programmes to six, down from 15 at present. There are 39 BBC local radio stations and each had its own religious programme until 2023 when the number was reduced to 15. Now they are to be cut again as the BBC seeks to make £500 million cuts over three years.
The news was delivered in an internal email to staff, following a Teams call which itemised the cuts. It means the new regional Sunday morning programmes will span the North West and North East of England; the South and South East; and the East and West Midlands.
Some of the presenters are household names who have broadcast for decades. The local producers have been supported by a small team providing features and interviews from all faith perspectives.
The Rev Peter Crumpler, former Director of Communications for the Church of England, said: “Regional coverage tends to favour ‘the unusual’ or controversial, rather than the grassroots activities of faith groups in their local areas. So dilution of the local is a significant negative in the BBC’s coverage of faith issues”.
The cuts are a scythe through local programming, with the late night show replaced by 5Live, and six regional programmes currently broadcast on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings coming to an end.
Radio Today reports that the proposals “form part of plans to save £9m and close 90 roles across BBC Local”.