BBC considering axe of BBC Sounds?

The BBC is giving consideration to axing BBC Sounds as a separate service as part of its ongoing efforts to significantly cut costs.

The corporation has a target of saving £500m by 2028 but has so far only announced around £200m worth of savings, despite axing BBC Three, BBC Scotland and BBC Radio 4 Extra in recent weeks.

According to Deadline, new director-general Matt Brittin has given some thought to merging the CBBC and CBeebies channels but decided to take the option off the table amid the broadcaster’s ongoing charter renewal discussions with the government.

Sounds – launched in 2018 – is the BBC’s dedicated service for live audio streaming, downloads of audio shows and podcasts

Brittin is said to have recruited a product designer, Manon Dave, to come up with a demonstration of a “reimagined iPlayer” that would incorporate existing Sounds content in a combined audio-video service.

Further announcements from the BBC on areas for cuts are expected in the coming months.