The BBC is to bring back its BBC World channel after it merged it with BBC News just under a year ago. Last April the corporation merged the two channels in a bid to cut £500m in costs, but the move prompted backlash from journalists and viewers.
Since then programming has seen a single rolling news channel serve both UK and international audiences with British viewers switched to a separate feed focused on domestic news only if and when major news breaks.
However, now the BBC News channel will focus on UK current affairs from 9am to 6pm rather than offering a global perspective at all times.
The combined channel currently in use will be relegated to evening and overnight use.
However, the corporation insists the measures are temporary in the run-up to the general election, but it is thought this could open the door to a permanent return for BBC World.
When the channels merged it prompted claims of bias from viewers over its handling of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, with the BBC receiving a number of complaints claiming it was favouring Israel during South Africa’s genocide case at the International Court of Justice in January.
The trial was covered heavily on the world output but the corporation’s UK feed focused on the Post Office scandal.
British viewing figures fell by one million in the first month after the merger as the more international outlook proved less engaging with the public.
Those working at the BBC claim the move has left them trying to run two channels with significantly weakened resources, with the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) claiming it was a “major mistake” that would lead to the “hollowing out of news coverage” after 70 roles were cut.
Signs of a rethink on that decision are now beginning to show with a TV slot handed to Radio 5 Live presenter Nicky Campbell slashed in half, reduced from two hours to one. His show had been heralded as a key part of the relaunch when the channels were merged last year.
Insiders said the televised show, which drew criticism for mimicking the format of rivals such as TalkTV, told the Telegraph it could be shelved altogether.
A BBC spokesman said: “There’s no change to our plans, which have saved money and reduced staffing costs – as we’ve consistently said, this is a single operation which can run two separate news feeds when necessary – one for the UK, and one for the rest of the world.
“When there’s a big UK-specific story, for example a UK election, viewers in the UK see a separate UK feed.”
