Up to 1000 fewer people will be employed in the public-funded part of the BBC over the coming years.
Davie told staff: “When I took this job I said that we needed to fight for something important: public service content and services, freely available universally, for the good of all.
“This fight is intensifying, the stakes are high.”
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CBBC, BBC Four and Radio 4 Extra will become online-only services, though the exact date for this change has not yet been announced.
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UK News
Coronation Street and Emmerdale cancel filming after news of cutbacks and reduced schedule
Danny Jones
Coronation Street and Emmerdale production crews are said to have cancelled at least one day of filming this week following news of more cutbacks and a reduced schedule of programming.
The beloved British soaps have been up against it for some time now, with viewing figures and costs struggling at both ends of the spectrum, and the latest development doesn’t spell great news for the cast and crew, not to mention audiences.
According to Digital Spy, regularly scheduled filming was due to take place in Manchester and Leeds on Tuesday, 5 February, with each show shooting roughly six to eight weeks in advance of storylines.
However, following reports of more hits to the industry and the latest steps ITV, specifically, which will see fewer episodes of both Corrie and Emmerdale air each week, film crews are said to have been stood down as they await further updates.
Part of the Coronation Street set over in Salford Quays. (Credit: The Manc Group)
Announcing steps at the start of February, ITV confirmed that Coronation Street and Emmerdale are to see their content cut by an hour a week between them from next year.
While Corrie currently broadcasts three hour-long episodes per week and Emmerdale four half-hour episodes plus one full-hour instalment, the new slate will see both soaps dial back to only air 30-minute episodes, with a so-called ‘soaps power hour’ every both shows at 8pm and 8:30pm.
Put in simplest terms, viewers will have half an hour less of their regular soaps to watch overall each week but with episodes airing at more regular intervals, which the network claims is “viewer-led” and will allow fans to enjoy the shows “in the most digestible way.”
Metro writer Duncan Lindsay has labelled the decision as a tough one to make but something that could ultimately “save” the two long-standing soap operas in the long run.
On the other hand, this obviously means a big chunk of work being lost for those working on sets across the board, with ITV having already taken steps to cut costs ever since the pandemic, and the UK’s viewing public has given mixed reactions, to say the least.
The hour of scripted content saved from the overdue cut to Corrie and Emmerdale should be pumped into a new continuing drama. It’s the only way to justify the loss to the industry.
With an increased focus on streaming and making both shows more accessible, episodes will continue to be released from 7am on ITVX before airing on live telly later that evening.
Responding to the changes, the performing arts union Equity admitted that the steps do cause “further cause for concern”, especially following the cancellation of other soaps like Doctors and Hollyoaks also having recently seen its schedule adjusted.
Meanwhile, there still remains a loyal and passionate viewership for both iconic UK shows and Corrie, in particular, notched yet another award for best soap/continuing drama at the 2025 Broadcast Awards.
Cast and crews are understood to have paused filming just for the day to address the situation and inform everyone working on the Coronation Street and Weatherfield sets, and we sincerely hope they’re back up and running as per usual.
What do you make of the cutbacks – is it a bittersweet step that could help freshen up the format and sustain it for years to come, or are you just gutted that the end result is simply less telly each week?
Eurosport is shutting down all of its channels in the UK
Danny Jones
It’s the end of an era for one veteran broadcaster as Eurosport is set to switch off all its current channels after shutting down UK operations.
The veteran sports channel has been available on tellies in Britain for over 35 years but not for much longer as the European broadcaster – headquartered in Issy-les-Moulineaux, France and owned by Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) – is set for a key restructure.
Known for showing everything from football, tennis, snooker and rugby, to cycling, touring cars; motorcycle racing, MMA and more, it’s provided some of the most well-rounded sports coverage on the planet for a generation and then some.
It’ll feel weird not seeing it on the TV guide anymore but fear not, because their programming isn’t disappearing completely – here’s why…
Sorry to see Eurosport will be no more in our part of the world from next month. Been watching since the early 90s and they did so much so well, including tons of football, athletics, tennis and winter sports that couldn’t be seen anywhere else. It was invaluable. pic.twitter.com/8iBieQ6aJ6
Although Eurosport is set to shut down next month, their existing coverage will be moving over to TNT Sports in the UK and Ireland.
Given that they’re also part of Warner Bros.’ global Discovery arm, TNT’s wide range of sports offerings just keeps getting bigger and better, having landed more and more Premier League fixtures, as well an increased number of European football and rugby fixtures, not to mention some major boxing matches.
While TNT used to have the Formula 1 too back when it was still BT Sport, they’ve also boasted exclusive MotoGP coverage since 2014, having the British Superbikes and World Superbike Championship also follow suit and join one big homogeneous roster does make sense.
However, it’s safe to say the decision hasn’t proved popular with everyone, mainly because of the uplift UK viewers will now have to shell out if they want to access the same content they were paying just £7 a month for.
As many long-standing Eurosport viewers were paying what was generally considered a reasonable fee to enjoy a handful of their sports, if they want to continue accessing those chosen favourites they will now have to pay more than four times the price for the privilege.
For decades, Eurosport has been providing a great service for fans of minority sports. And it was affordable. Now these Americans are closing it and hiding everything behind a much higher paywall. From £3.99/month to £30.99/month, an increase of 777%. Brilliant. pic.twitter.com/YVCVvjR37J
So, while Eurosport as we know it might be bidding farewell to one of its biggest and most loyal audiences, it isn’t gone forever for the brand and, to the truth, it isn’t really a goodbye as such – at least not for everyone.
The big question is, will you be one of those willing to pay for a new subscription in order to carry on watching watch Eurosport delivered for so many years?
Daisy Jackson -
26th May 2022 
