Exclusive: BBC-TV sacks classical music department

We hear that the entire staff of the classical music department at BBC Television have been offered redundancy as part of the latest structural reorganisation.

When we sought conformation, a BBC press officer sent us this press release.

Pressed for a yes-or-no answer, she said: ‘Classical music programme (sic) on television is an important part of BBC Studios and we will continue to make them.  But in a new world where BBC television programming is open to 100% competition and a reduced licence fee, we are reshaping to be more flexible and able to compete.’

Pressed again, she said: ‘The process is still underway so I am unable to answer your original question on whether or not the entire department would be laid off.’

Essentially, the BBC is having one of its periodic clearouts and the classical production team is in the front line.