Roger Bolton’s Beeb Watch

Mark Damazer on BBC Cuts, Digital-First, and the Fight for Public Service Broadcasting

2026-06-24

Former BBC Radio 4 Controller, Deputy Director of News and BBC Trustee Mark Damazer reflects on the BBC cuts announced last week and how such decisions are really made. He examines whether the reductions are justified, the trade‑off between chasing new audiences and providing high‑quality journalism, and how far the BBC’s digital‑first strategy should apply to radio as well as television — and at what pace. We also discuss what the BBC, new Director-General Matt Brittin, and supporters of public service broadcasting need to do next if the Corporation is to safeguard its future.To support our journ...