BBC execs are said to be considering axing Newsnight, their flagship current affairs programme, as part of a bid to trim costs.
The Mirror reports that network bosses believe the format is becoming increasingly irrelevant and too expensive to run, prompting it to place the format “under review”.
This comes amidst continuing declines in audience figures with the show shedding 15% of its audience over the last seven months and average audiences have plummeted to around 450,000, just half the number tuning into the programme a decade ago.
An insider informed the paper: “There is poor leadership and no journalistic rigour. Real journalism takes time and commitment. That's been phased out. Instead they broadcast internet gossip dressed up as investigative journalism.”
Newsnight’s editor peter Rippon attributes the apparent shedding of viewers to an “archaic” ratings system.
Updated:
The BBC told The Drum to deny the report that it plans to axe Newsnight, claiming that the programme's viewing figures rose in July.
Write Your Comment