THE BBC are set to axe iconic news show Sportsday as part of a huge revamp, according to reports.
The organisation is reportedly restructuring to place a greater focus on digital content which will mean cutting 27 jobs to create 27 new roles.
The BBC are set to axe Sportsday[/caption]
That means redundancies could happen as the BBC puts less emphasis on airing sports news.
Sportsday, a staple of BBC coverage for over two decades, will be axed this summer along with a number of presenting roles, claim the Daily Mail.
Voluntary redundancy will be offered to the majority of staff on the sports desk.
One insider claims the move will “effectively kill sports news on television” as the BBC switches to a more modern output.
Traditional sports news coverage will be replaced with streaming and original journalism.
The BBC hopes the revamp will grow its audience but the news has reportedly not been well received in-house with voluntary redundancies offered.
Three presenters and two correspondents are expected to be made redundant as the BBC begins cost-cutting as part of its Value for All strategy.
A source told the Mail: “It feels like they are killing sports news on television.
“Those involved are distraught. It came as a shock and it’s fair to say that none of them saw it coming. They’re basically decimating the output of sports news on television.”
Sportsday first broadcast in 2001 and airs 12 times each day from Monday-Thursday, and 11 times on Friday.
A BBC Sport spokeswoman said: “The proposed changes would allow us to enhance our storytelling and live event coverage to ensure we remain relevant and deliver more value for audiences across the UK.”
The shake-up comes amid major change for sport on the BBC.
Long-time Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker is stepping down from his role as host with three new presenters filling the void.
Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman will share hosting duties from next season.
