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BBC News
15-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
BBC reaches record audience digitally
The BBC Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25 published today (15 July) reveals that we are informing, educating and entertaining 94% of UK adults on average, every month, and we remain the number one brand for media in the UK. Delivering value for all Digital consumption of BBC content significantly increased this year with nearly 10% more requests on BBC iPlayer, and the platform was the UK's fastest-growing long-form video-on-demand service in 2024/25. Programming which drove audiences to the BBC included The Traitors, Race Across the World, Gavin and Stacey: The Finale, the Men's Euros, the Olympic Games in Paris, the Proms, award winning podcasts such as Miss Me?, and in News, our General Election coverage. Trust in BBC News went up year-on-year in 2024/25, and the BBC News app is now the number one news app in the UK for monthly reach. Meanwhile, our fact-checking service BBC Verify expanded its operations and is now the most likely service of its kind to be used by UK adults. Our 6.30pm regional news programmes remain the UK's most watched news programme. Samir Shah, BBC Chair, says: "This year has shown that the BBC and the public service values it stands for are more important than ever to our audiences and the UK as a whole. "As we look towards Charter Review, the Board and I are determined to work on behalf of audiences to secure an independent, universal public service BBC for generations to come.' Tim Davie, BBC Director-General, says: "I am proud of the outstanding value we have delivered for audiences this year and the speed at which we are transforming the organisation to meet the challenges of a fast-changing media landscape. "This report demonstrates the importance of the BBC and the vital role we play in helping to strengthen the UK's democracy, economy, and society, now and in the years to come." Finance and commercial The vast majority of homes have a TV Licence - with 23.8 million TV Licences in force, generating an income of £3.8 billion. BBC Commercial delivered record sales of £2.2 billion while BBC Studios, the main commercial arm, delivered its fourth successive year of EBITDA in excess of £200m. Despite this success, this is not enough to plug the gap left by a licence fee that generates 30% less income for the BBC now than it did in 2010/11, as well as rising costs across the production sector. In response to these financial challenges, we have made further progress towards our £700 million annual recurring savings target by March 2028, achieving total savings of £564 million since 2022/23. Transformation for the future As part of our savings plans, we have transformed operationally this year to ensure we can provide the services audiences want in the future. By March 2025, we had delivered a net 400 reduction of public service posts including the closure of around 900 roles. This has enabled reinvestment into 400 new roles, 200 of which are in our Product department, to enable delivery of exceptional digital services for audiences. We are working hard to transform the BBC through cutting-edge technology and AI driven innovation. We have already used Generative AI to increase the value we offer audiences with initiatives such as adding subtitles to programmes on BBC Sounds, and we continue to look at ways we can use AI to transform our digital offer, in line with our published principles. Ahead of Charter Review, we have launched our biggest ever public engagement exercise to find out what audiences want from the BBC. Our questionnaire has gathered over 870,000 responses from across the UK. The findings and next steps will be published later this year. Culture In April, in the wake of shocking revelations about Huw Edwards as well as several further cases of inappropriate behaviours and abuses of power, we published a Workplace Culture Review. It found no evidence of a toxic culture at the BBC, but in a series of detailed findings and recommendations it highlighted key areas for improvement which we are implementing at pace. In further efforts to make the BBC a great place to work and to ensure we can authentically reflect and represent audiences at home, we updated our Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging plans in March. Our refreshed strategy brings together our creative diversity and workplace diversity plans for the first time and includes a new workplace disability goal of 14% staff to include deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people. Read the BBC Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25 Download the BBC Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25 as a PDF Further Report highlights which support the BBC's three key roles include: Pursue truth with no agenda 74% of UK adults use BBC News on average per week – well ahead of the next nearest provider 36% of 12–15-year-olds in the UK follow the news with the BBC, which is higher than any other organisation The BBC is carrying the UK's voice, values, and influence to a weekly audience of 453 million people worldwide More than eight in ten UK adults came to the BBC for UK General Election results coverage across all platforms, putting the BBC way ahead of the competition Nearly one year in, Newsnight's reformatting has proven a success with audiences. The seven-day average audience has increased by just over a third across all channels, and by nearly 70% on iPlayer alone Back the best homegrown storytelling As the single largest investor in original UK content, we contributed almost £5 billion to the UK economy last year, and for every £1 of the BBC's direct economic activity, £2.63 is generated in the UK economy Our focus on homegrown storytelling has been an essential point of difference between the BBC and global media providers in 2024/25, leading to accolades for shows like Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, Mr Loverman, Industry, The Jetty, Ludwig, and Inside No. 9, as well as major awards for Horrible Histories and Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl At the heart of our offer are the shows firmly rooted in the distinctive nations and regions of the UK, such as Lost Boys and Fairies, Shetland, Sherwood, and Blue Lights More than 60% of the BBC's network TV budget is spent in the nations and regions. Hit drama Blue Lights boosted the Northern Ireland economy by £20 million across the first two series Bring people together 21 million watched Gavin & Stacey: The Finale, in the 28 days from the first broadcast on Christmas Day in 2024. On Christmas Day itself, 10/10 of the most watched shows on UK television were on the BBC Nearly three quarters of the population engaged with our Summer of Sport coverage, from the Olympic Games to Men's Euros and Wimbledon The BBC's radio stations remained the UK's favourites and at the heart of national life, with BBC Radio 2 listened to by more than any other station Our digital-first approach is transforming BBC Local's online news services. The last two years has seen average weekly traffic grow by 33%, and BBC Local online news stories now represent almost 30% of all news stories read on the BBC News website and app BBC Press Office
Metro
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Disgraced BBC star 'refuses requests to return £200,000 paid after arrest'
BBC chairman, Samir Shah, has issued a personal plea to former presenter Huw Edwards to return the £200,000 he was paid after his arrest. The 63-year-old disgraced TV star pled guilty to having indecent images of children, including those as young as seven, in July 2024. It came after he admitted to three charges of making indecent photographs and received 41 illegal images from a convicted paedophile over WhatsApp. After his court appearance, where he was spared jail with a six-month suspended prison term, the BBC demanded he repay five months' worth of salary starting from November 2023 until his resignation in April, which totalled around £200,000. Now, BBC chairman Dr Shah has reiterated calls for the money to be returned, even offering a personal request to the ex-high-profile newsreader. 'Frankly, if Huw is listening to this: Give it back Huw, just give it back. Really, just give it back. You know you should and you should do it,' Dr Shah, who has been BBC chairman since March 2024, told Times Radio. He added: 'We've been asking him and asking him and asking him. We're getting legal advice on it.' It is the latest request from the BBC to see the money returned. In August 2024, the BBC Board said: 'Mr Edwards pleaded guilty to an appalling crime. Had he been up front when asked by the BBC about his arrest, we would never have continued to pay him public money.' 'He has clearly undermined trust in the BBC and brought us into disrepute.' It was a sentiment echoed by the culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, who told Sky News it's 'wrong' for him to keep that portion of the salary and 'not a good use of taxpayers' money'. BBC director-general Tim Davie explained to Amol Rajan that the BBC's current policy indicates someone should be 'paid until charged', which is why Edwards received his salary after his November arrest. 'We want the money back and we've asked for it back, and we're waiting to hear back,' Davie then added. Edwards had been on screens for 40 years and rose to become the highest-paid presenter on the channel with his 2023/2024 pay bracket of £475,000 to £479,999. Last week, an independent review ordered after the Edwards' scandal found that 'a minority of people who behave unacceptably and whose behaviour is not addressed'. And 'often in positions where power could be abused.' Reflecting on the report findings, Dr Shah warned that 'nobody in the BBC is irreplaceable' and added: 'One of the best recommendations — there are many good actions — one of them was to have a succession plan in place. 'There's always a number two. So if they go, fine, we've got somebody else in place to replace them.' An insider added: 'It is ludicrous for the BBC to expect Edwards to pay back the money. They are asking a man whose fall from grace is total – there is no way back for him to public life, so what incentive is there for him to return the money? Good luck appealing to his conscience,' per the Times. In September, Dr Shah was questioned before the House of Lords' Communications and Digital Committee, where he recalled the 'shock' at what Edwards had been charged with. He continued: 'He had led this double life. On the face of it, a trusted news presenter, but hidden, secretly, he was this figure who did the most appalling things. I mean, let's never forget the victims.' More Trending The child abuse materials that were sent to the ex-presenter by 25-year-old convicted paedophile Alex Williams included seven category A, the worst, 12 category B, and 22 category C. The estimated age of most of the Category A children was between 13 and 15, but one was aged between seven and nine, the court was told. His sentence also included 25 'rehabilitation sessions', sex offender treatment for 40 days, and seven years on the sex offenders register. As well as £3,000 in prosecution costs. View More » Metro has reached out to Edwards' lawyer for comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: BBC viewers comparing new Doctor Who episode to 'worst ever' MORE: Zoe Ball jokes she's 'back again with the ill behaviour' as she makes BBC Radio 2 return MORE: Maura Higgins' next move 'revealed' after Danny Jones 'drunken kiss'
Daily Mirror
28-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
BBC vows to take 'immediate action' to improve workplace culture
A BBC Workplace Culture review has been published today - the corporation vowing to take 'immediate action' to change things. The BBC has said it will take immediate action to improve workplace culture, after publishing a comprehensive independent report. The report from Change Associates, led by Executive Chairman and Founder Grahame Russell, found no evidence of a toxic culture, but in a series of detailed findings and recommendations it highlighted key areas for improvement. The review heard from around 2,500 employees and freelancers; through one-to-one meetings, group discussions, a survey and written submissions. The review was commissioned by the BBC Board in August 2024, with work beginning in October. Harrods coffee backed by Deborah Meaden and Sara Davies now 20% off 'Even though they are small in number, their behaviour creates large ripples which negatively impact the BBC's culture and external reputation,' the report concludes. The BBC Board has fully accepted the report and its findings, as has BBC management. Both view it as a catalyst for meaningful change - to reinforce expectations around behaviour and act more decisively when standards are not met. BBC Chair Dr Shah told staff today: 'There is a minority of people whose behaviour is simply not acceptable. And there are still places where powerful individuals – on and off screen – can abuse that power to make life for their colleagues unbearable. 'The report makes several recommendations that prioritise action over procedural change – which is exactly right. It also addresses some deep-seated issues: for example, the need to make sure everyone can feel confident and not cowed about speaking up. 'I support the idea that we need to reinforce the behavioural expectations and standards we have for everyone who works with or for the BBC.' He added: 'In the end, it's quite simple: if you are a person who is prepared to abuse power or punch down or behave badly, there is no place for you at the BBC.' Director-General Tim Davie said: "This report represents an important moment for the BBC and the wider industry. It provides clear, practical recommendations that we are committed to implementing at pace. I'm grateful to everyone who took part and contributed. 'The action we are taking today is designed to change the experience of what it is to be at the BBC for everyone and to ensure the values we all sign up to when we arrive here – the values that, for most of us, are what made us want to come to the BBC in the first place – are lived and championed by the whole organisation each and every day.' The corporation are taking action by launching a refreshed and strengthened Code of Conduct, implementing a more robust Disciplinary Policy and requiring all TV production partners to meet Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority standards. They're also rolling out a new 'Call It Out' campaign which aims to challenge poor conduct and introducing clear pledges for anyone raising concerns. The BBC also have a long-term plan for changes, including changing how they manage concerns and cases, conducting regular culture checks, expanding HR support and more.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Westwood report key findings: DJ's alleged behaviour was ‘a factor' in BBC exit
The key findings of a report commissioned by the BBC into Tim Westwood has concluded that there were a 'range of factors which ought to have alerted the BBC' that he may have presented a 'risk to young women and girls'. Barrister Gemma White KC was commissioned in 2022 by the BBC Board to examine what was known about Westwood's alleged conduct in the nearly 20 years he worked at the corporation. She claimed in the report that Westwood's alleged behaviour was a 'factor' in his contract not being renewed by the BBC in 2013, and he left Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra. Westwood faced historical sexual abuse allegations from multiple women in 2022, and stepped down from his Capital Xtra show that April. He has said he 'strongly denies all allegations of inappropriate behaviour'. A summary below delves into the report: – What are the allegations in the report? Some of the accusations and concerns were not reported to the BBC at the time, and part of them were redacted from the report amid the police investigation. A person alleged that after giving him a 'business card', the DJ said he would come to her house and despite her refusal later in the day he 'insisted and turned up anyway, slurring his words' and was later 'mildly abusive'. She claims he contacted her again, and a family member intervened. Another woman claimed that he 'hounded' a friend, who she described as 'a 17-year-old black woman', and invited her to his hotel, and an allegation from an individual alleged he made 'inappropriate comments' at a post-GCSE results event and he 'messaged her friend inviting her back to his home'. Allegations were also made of his behaviour at university halls, nightclubs, festivals and he sent messages to 'girls'. There were also claims by a BBC employee that Westwood took another DJ's competition winners to a club event, where friends of a woman raised concerns. The person did not want to make a report, though seemed 'unsettled, but not overly distressed', the employee said and they 'reported this to someone at work', but could not recall further information. Westwood's lawyers said he was never spoken to about the incident, and the BBC has no record of a complaint. An allegation, dating back to 2010, said Westwood 'mimed grabbing' a student's 'breasts' on his 1Xtra drivetime show – which his lawyers say he 'strongly denies'. A BBC staff member also alleged Westwood was seen with a 'young girl' or possibly two 'young girls' in his hotel room, but 'they did not know or believe that Tim Westwood was having a sexual relationship with any of the girls or young women'. A text message sent to BBC 1Xtra in 2011 which contained an allegation of 'serious, criminal, sexual misconduct' on behalf of 'more than one person who worked for the BBC', including Westwood, was viewed as a 'crank malicious communication', the report said. There was an 'altercation' on December 17 2012 between Mic Righteous and Westwood at Broadcasting House, which was reported to Radio 1 and BBC management, following the rapper releasing a diss track alleging inappropriate behaviour with teenagers. – Why did BBC staff say they did not make allegations? The report said one person told Ms White that 'Tim Westwood was very popular so no-one wanted to listen'. The report read: 'A common theme amongst those who reported allegations was that they did not know or understand at the time that the behaviour which they had described to me was wrong. 'Some said they had only realised when they were older, or recently. 'One person referred to not understanding at the time what sexual assault was.' The report said one alleged victim 'felt they would not be taken seriously and described the conduct as being 'so public and brazen' that Tim Westwood clearly felt comfortable doing it'. BBC staff also said they 'found it very difficult to work with him', and staff were 'upset and in tears' by his behaviour. – What did the barrister suggest? She said that the BBC may properly consider 'safeguarding duties' and that someone is 'not suitable for engagement in particular roles', and they may want to look at the 'ages of the people with whom an individual engages in sexual contact and the circumstances in which it takes place'. Ms White said the BBC could look at the criteria used in education settings, which requires schools to respond to 'low-level concerns' including 'nagging doubts' about a person's behaviour. She said encouraging reporting does not always mean 'formal action' needs to be taken and added that it 'enables an organisation to consider concerns which might not appear significant when taken alone but which together demonstrate a pattern of inappropriate behaviour'. She also said there was 'inadequate communication' between the BBC and 'people who raised complaints', and a 'lack' of certain record keeping – which she raised as something that could be looked at. – Why did Westwood leave the BBC? Ms White said the head of programmes and commissioning editor, at the time, claimed the decision to take Westwood off his 'daytime drivetime show announced in May 2012' was 'in part because he was creating a toxic atmosphere in the studio' and the need for younger talent, and his rap show was not renewed in 2013 for similar reasons. Ms White also said the employee said he 'cannot specifically recall there being any ongoing staff issues' with the rap programme, but Westwood was 'unpopular amongst BBC staff because of his behaviour'. The employee also said the ''shock jock' style of broadcasting had come at the cost of overstepping the mark on several occasions and had been attracting some criticism: it was becoming tired'. Other factors he mentioned included Westwood having an argument with 'an artist which had led to a physical altercation, the negative social media, the fact his persona was being mocked by (comedian) Sacha Baron Cohen as Ali G, and The Sun inquiry meant there was an unacceptable level of 'noise'' Westwood's lawyers told the report that the radio shake-up was due to 'new management', and he 'was not made aware of any other reason for the decision at the time'. – What has Westwood said? The report said Westwood declined to take part but his lawyers did provide a statement. It said he 'strongly denies that his behaviour ever amounted to bullying or harassment', and said some people 'behaved poorly towards' him. The statement said he 'complained to the controller about this negative behaviour at the time and he was essentially advised to rise above it'. It added: 'On certain occasions, he took issue with some of his colleagues' poor attitude to work and low productivity, and expressed his opinion that they were lazy and out of touch with the audience. 'He accepts that this contributed to a divisive atmosphere within some of the teams with which he worked.' – What did the BBC Board say? The BBC Board apologised and said 'on behalf of the entire BBC to anyone impacted by what the review has found', their 'voice has been heard, and the findings of the review will further fuel the drive to ensure it does not happen again'. It also said: 'There is evidence of bullying and misogynistic behaviour on the part of Mr Westwood and the plain fact is that his general conduct was entirely incompatible with BBC values – not just now, but then. 'The organisation fell short and failed people – including our own staff – who had a right to expect better from us.' They also said there had been changes in workplace policy and 'the senior management team will actively consider any other actions which can build on and improve our processes for handling concerns'. It also said the BBC 'must and will act on their recommendations – doing so is vital to ensuring trust in the BBC.'.
