channel has lost 1M viewers in the UK after it was merged with BBC World News as part of the corporation’s efforts to slash costs.
The 9.7M figure was comfortably BBC News’ worst audience reach in at least 16 months, though it is likely to be longer, given Barb’s figures only date back to December 2021.BBC News Presenter Gives Herself A Shock After Her Stretch Between Links Is Broadcast Live April was the first month that BBC News broadcast merged output with World News, with the channel taking on a more international flavor, even though it does split for big domestic stories.
Insiders said BBC managers were warned about a potential ratings slump and Barb’s figures were “entirely predictable.” One person said the channel’s agenda was “relentlessly global,” while a second added: “The UK viewer never knows what they’re going to get.”