BBC responds to reports it is dismantling 'crown jewel' of live British broadcasting

The BBC is making cuts to the team that produces the broadcaster's coverage of major national events, including the Remembrance Day service and state funerals.

The BBC Studios Events team is behind some of these moments, but they will reportedly now be reduced to a team of just one and freelancers.

A source told The Times: "They are literally the crown jewel of live British broadcasting. They would never do this for Premiership football events, so what is it about national life that they don’t value?

"Surely this decision must be paused until it can be reassessed by the incoming director-general."

However, a spokesperson for the BBC insisted that viewers would not notice a change in coverage.

"As a prudent commercial business with a mandate to maximise returns to the BBC, we regularly look at how we're set up and where we can work more efficiently," the spokesperson told Radio Times in response to the reports.

"We're proposing some changes that will help us stay strong creatively and continue to deliver a range of high-quality programmes – whilst managing our costs in a challenging and fast‑moving market.

"The BBC and its production arm, BBC Studios, remains committed to broadcasting and producing events of national importance including ceremonial and live events."

This news comes days after the BBC Board appointed Matt Brittin as the 18th director-general of the BBC. Brittin is the former President Google EMEA and is set to take over the role on 18 May.

Samir Shah, chairman of the BBC Board, said: "Matt brings to the BBC deep experience of leading a high-profile and highly-complex organisation through transformation. He is an outstanding leader and has the skills needed to navigate the organisation through the many changes taking place in the media market and in audience behaviours.

"Matt’s passion for the BBC, his understanding of the challenges facing the organisation, his commitment to its independence and his determination to maintain the BBC’s position as one of the country’s greatest national assets were critical factors in the Board’s decision to appoint him as the 18th director-general.

"Matt joins the BBC at a critical time. The Government’s review of the Charter is underway, and it is clear there is need for radical reform of the BBC, its funding model and the framework in which it operates. The stakes for the BBC, and the future of public service broadcasting, have never been higher.

"The Board and I believe Matt is the right person to lead the BBC as it fights for a sustainable future in an uncertain world, for the benefit of audiences and the UK."

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