This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/7050122.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
BBC staff await job announcement BBC staff await job announcement
(about 4 hours later)
BBC staff are waiting to hear how many will be made redundant under plans to reduce the size of the corporation.BBC staff are waiting to hear how many will be made redundant under plans to reduce the size of the corporation.
On Wednesday, director general Mark Thompson's plans for its future were approved by its governing body.On Wednesday, director general Mark Thompson's plans for its future were approved by its governing body.
The BBC trust's chairman has admitted that if the plan does not work the whole future of the corporation could be under question.The BBC trust's chairman has admitted that if the plan does not work the whole future of the corporation could be under question.
Up to 2,800 jobs are reportedly at risk as Mr Thompson attempts to deal with a £2bn budget shortfall.Up to 2,800 jobs are reportedly at risk as Mr Thompson attempts to deal with a £2bn budget shortfall.
The shortfall was caused by a smaller licence fee settlement from the government.The shortfall was caused by a smaller licence fee settlement from the government.
BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons said the plans for the next six years could be make or break for the corporation.BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons said the plans for the next six years could be make or break for the corporation.
He said: "All of this - the whole exercise - I see as focussed on ensuring that the BBC continues to be valued by the people who pay for it.He said: "All of this - the whole exercise - I see as focussed on ensuring that the BBC continues to be valued by the people who pay for it.
"That's our ambition, that's our shared ambition. If it doesn't live up to that then its future is in question, for sure.""That's our ambition, that's our shared ambition. If it doesn't live up to that then its future is in question, for sure."
'Devastating cuts''Devastating cuts'
The trust also backed "in principle" the sale of Television Centre, the corporation's studio and office complex in Shepherd's Bush, west London.The trust also backed "in principle" the sale of Television Centre, the corporation's studio and office complex in Shepherd's Bush, west London.
But it refused to confirm reports that it had approved proposals to place advertisements on the international pages of the BBC News website.But it refused to confirm reports that it had approved proposals to place advertisements on the international pages of the BBC News website.
Some BBC staff and union activists gathered outside Broadcasting House in central London ahead of the trust's meeting to express their concern about potential job losses.Some BBC staff and union activists gathered outside Broadcasting House in central London ahead of the trust's meeting to express their concern about potential job losses.
The BBC is expected to move towarrds an integrated newsroom The BBC is expected to move towards an integrated newsroom
BBC News and factual TV - which makes programmes such as Planet Earth and Top Gear - are expected to bear the brunt of the job cuts.BBC News and factual TV - which makes programmes such as Planet Earth and Top Gear - are expected to bear the brunt of the job cuts.
BBC correspondent Nick Higham said he understood about 500 jobs would go in BBC News, largely by amalgamating the television, radio and online newsrooms.BBC correspondent Nick Higham said he understood about 500 jobs would go in BBC News, largely by amalgamating the television, radio and online newsrooms.
There would also be "considerable" savings in BBC television, in factual programmes, documentaries and children's programmes, while there would also be more repeats, he added.There would also be "considerable" savings in BBC television, in factual programmes, documentaries and children's programmes, while there would also be more repeats, he added.
Steve Hewlett, a media columnist for The Guardian said the changing nature of broadcasting meant the BBC had to shrink.Steve Hewlett, a media columnist for The Guardian said the changing nature of broadcasting meant the BBC had to shrink.
"The BBC has been increasing the amount of content it produces to meet the demands of the multichannel age."The BBC has been increasing the amount of content it produces to meet the demands of the multichannel age.
"Well, look forward - not far - to the on-demand age; why do you need so many channels? And if you don't need so many channels, do you need as much content?""Well, look forward - not far - to the on-demand age; why do you need so many channels? And if you don't need so many channels, do you need as much content?"
Last week, some of Radio 4's most familiar voices, including newsreaders Charlotte Green and Peter Donaldson, joined the protest at the proposed cuts.Last week, some of Radio 4's most familiar voices, including newsreaders Charlotte Green and Peter Donaldson, joined the protest at the proposed cuts.
'Call for strikes''Call for strikes'
High-profile journalists like Jeremy Paxman and John Humphrys have also spoken out in recent months, prompting Sir Michael to urge staff to stay out of the public debate on the future of news and current affairs at the corporation.High-profile journalists like Jeremy Paxman and John Humphrys have also spoken out in recent months, prompting Sir Michael to urge staff to stay out of the public debate on the future of news and current affairs at the corporation.
ROAD TO THE BBC SHAKE-UP January - Government raises licence fee by 3%, less than the hoped for settlementMarch - Mark Thompson says BBC faces 'tough choices ahead' due to settlementMay - New trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons (pictured) says a debate about how the licence fee is used should be openedAugust - Sir Michael says the BBC may 'do less' to meet a budget shortfallOctober - Mark Thompson's strategy for the BBC's future is approvedROAD TO THE BBC SHAKE-UP January - Government raises licence fee by 3%, less than the hoped for settlementMarch - Mark Thompson says BBC faces 'tough choices ahead' due to settlementMay - New trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons (pictured) says a debate about how the licence fee is used should be openedAugust - Sir Michael says the BBC may 'do less' to meet a budget shortfallOctober - Mark Thompson's strategy for the BBC's future is approved
Broadcasting union Bectu and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) are drawing up plans to fight an expected announcement which could spark a series of strikes in the run-up to Christmas.Broadcasting union Bectu and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) are drawing up plans to fight an expected announcement which could spark a series of strikes in the run-up to Christmas.
NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear said cuts would lead to "compulsory redundancies and increased workloads".NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear said cuts would lead to "compulsory redundancies and increased workloads".
He said: "It is inevitable anger will grow and calls for strike action get louder."He said: "It is inevitable anger will grow and calls for strike action get louder."
The government announced in January that the BBC's licence fee would rise to £151.50 by 2012.The government announced in January that the BBC's licence fee would rise to £151.50 by 2012.
Mr Thompson said the settlement left a "gap" of about £2bn over the six years. The deal was less than the projected rate of inflation over the six years.Mr Thompson said the settlement left a "gap" of about £2bn over the six years. The deal was less than the projected rate of inflation over the six years.
The trust has already told Mr Thompson to make further efficiency savings of 3% each year.The trust has already told Mr Thompson to make further efficiency savings of 3% each year.
The director general has said the changes he will announce, under the banner of Creative Future, are designed to make the corporation competitive in a digital media environment.The director general has said the changes he will announce, under the banner of Creative Future, are designed to make the corporation competitive in a digital media environment.