Inside chat: Why BBC backtracked on orchestra cuts

Three strategic reasons are emerging for the BBC’s sudden soft-pedalling of its plan to slash jobs in three orchestras.

First, the summer Proms are being announced next week. Nobody wants protests or demonstrations at what promises to be a pretty meagre season, lacking the world’s best orchestras. Simon Rattle’s intervention on behalf of the BBC Singers was a sign of embarrassments to come. The BBC needed to have them out of the way.

Second, the BBC wants no further distrations before the King’s coronation, when the Corp will seek to regain its eroding role as the voice of the nation.

Third, Sam Jackson started work last week as controller of Radio 3 and de facto head of classical music at the BBC. Jackson needs time to assess his assets before he can give a view on strategy for the orchestras and the station’s output.

Taken together, that’s why the BBC hit pause.

The next flashpoint will arise, we hear, shortly after the Proms.