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BBC
announces changes to New Media division
BBCi
has today (12 March 2003) announced to its staff that it is making
some changes to the focus of the New Media division.
This
will mean changes to staffing levels in the following areas of new
media: interactive Factual & Learning, interactive Development
& Services (new media central) and Radio & Music interactive.
Where
possible these changes will be achieved through natural wastage,
voluntary redundancy and redeployment. It is estimated that there
will be approximately 100 job reductions in these areas over the
next six to twelve months.
As
with any well run business, BBCi has undertaken a thorough assessment
of its current operation and future needs to ensure that licence
fee payers receive those distinctive and value-for-money services
expected of the BBC.
This
has resulted in a step change in its activity, approved by the BBC's
Executive Committee, which requires commensurate changes within
the department.
The
New Media business has matured, moving from a phase of high initial
investment into a period of consolidation which sees increased resource
in interactive TV; an even more robust technical architecture and
infrastructure; and easier access to BBCi content through improved
distribution.
BBCi
has also looked at how audiences have responded to the programmes
and services the strategy has delivered so far, and adjusted its
focus accordingly.
The
new media strategy - to create a 100 per cent 'connected' Britain,
with BBCi at its heart - has resulted in a redistribution of investment
from web content and production.
This
new emphasis, coupled with increases in infrastructure, distribution
and overheads, has revealed a need to reallocate resources, and
review which staff have the necessary skills to match the needs
of the business.
BBCi
is working together with the unions to ascertain how best to proceed
and to determine the fairest outcome for both staff and the BBC.
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