By Jeffrey Goldfarb
LONDON (Reuters) - The BBC says it will axe another 2,050 jobs, including large numbers from its regional and news operations, paring total staff by 19 percent when taking into account earlier moves.
The latest round of cuts is expected to save 221 million pounds, which BBC Director General Mark Thompson said would be spent to develop new programmes.
"We are going through the toughest period any of us can remember," Thompson said. "It’s a difficult and painful process, but necessary."
The BBC is undergoing a massive restructuring ahead of its once-a-decade government review. It also follows a top management shake-up after criticism of its journalism in the run-up to the Iraq war.
It will cut 735 jobs, or about 13 percent, of its nations and regions division, which produces local programming for Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales and regions including Manchester and Bristol.
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Another 420 jobs, or 12 percent, are slated to go at its news division, and 424 jobs, or 21 percent, will be slashed from factual and learning operations. About 150, or 15 percent, will be eliminated from the radio and music unit.
Other cuts also were announced for drama, entertainment, sport and children’s programming divisions.
AND INCREASING SPENDING
All the savings will be realised over a three-year span, the broadcaster said.
At the same time, Thompson said the broadcaster would spend an extra 47 million pounds a year for TV drama on BBC1 and BBC2 starting in 2008, and 45 million more on news to increase coverage in the Middle East and to produce other original reporting.
"This is the worst day in the BBC’s history," said Luke Crawley, an official with the Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU).
"I can’t see how the BBC will deliver all Thompson’s promises about new services after ditching so many staff, and life for those who survive is going to be miserable," he added.
Union representatives from BBC workplaces across the UK are planning to meet March 23 to plan a united response to the cuts.
The BBC, home to long-running soap opera "EastEnders" and award-winning sit-com "The Office", earlier announced 1,750 job cuts at divisions including marketing and human resources, with savings there of 139 million pounds.
The total headcount reduction announced so far is 3,800, or 19 percent of its public service workforce, with related annual cost savings of about 355 million pounds by 2008.
Another 2,300 jobs might be at risk as the BBC seeks to sell its BBC Broadcast unit, which employs about 1,000 people to handle transmission, subtitles, promotions and other services.
It is also considering selling or finding a partner for BBC Resources, the post-production and studio arm that has about 1,300 employees.
