BBC News loses one MILLION viewers as channel undergoes major changes

BBC Newsreader Joanna Gosling signs off for the final time

Figures from UK ratings body Barb revealed BBC News has lost one million viewers since the broadcaster’s recent shake-up.

Viewing figures for the domestic service plunged from 10.7 million after the amalgamation with BBC World News last month.

The 9.7 million now tuning in to watch the bulletins represents a nine percent decrease in those watching at the beginning of March.

Insiders claimed the plunge was “entirely predictable” as British viewers are left confused by the BBC’s “relentlessly global” agenda.

They say the link-up has also been unpopular among staff and veteran journalists including Ben Brown and Jane Hill have left the channel during the change.

One insider told Deadline: “The UK viewer never knows what they’re going to get.”

Explaining the change two weeks ago, BBC News digital director Naja Nielsen said: “People should not expect any kind of ‘big bang’.

“We’re bringing in the changes gradually, in a phased roll-out, so things will continue to alter over the coming months.

“We want to keep the best of what we do at the moment while introducing better ways of reporting what matters.”

Express.co.uk has reached out to the BBC for comment.

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In February, BBC News and BBC World News channels cut 70 jobs as part of its rebranding.

The broadcaster went on to relaunch a more digitally-focused rolling news service in April.

Part of this rebranding meant cutting jobs, including 14 presenters, leaving just five dedicated presenters, which is expected to save the BBC more than £1million.

Merging the two channels was part of a £500m cost-cutting exercise.

Presenters were invited to apply for the chief anchor roles but Jane Hill, Ben Brown and Martine Croxall were not chosen.

Other regulars including Annita McVeigh, Geeta Guru-Murthy or Shaun Ley also missed out on a job.

Instead, Matthew Amroliwala, Christian Fraser, Yalda Hakim, Lucy Hockings and Maryam Moshiri are the key presenters.

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