The BBC is to create a new ‘tech hub’ in Newcastle-upon-Tyne as part of a wider plan to move more jobs out of London.
The public broadcaster has come under pressure from Boris Johnson’s Conservative government with director-general Tony Hall himself admitting the proposals “could be hugely disruptive”.
In a presentation to staff he said the plan would see at least two thirds of staff based outside of the capital by 2027.
Lord Hall wants the BBC to take advantage of the north-east’s digital cluster, hiring software engineers, designers and product developers to work on the iPlayer and the much promoted podcast and audio streaming app BBC Sounds.
Curation staff for BBC Sounds will be based at Salford, alongside sport, children’s and BBC Breakfast. BBC R&D already has a base at Dock House within the Salford Quays development.
A further 150 jobs will be moved to Bristol to join the BBC’s Natural History Unit.
Just over half of the BBC’s 19,000 staff are currently based outside of London, up from a half a decade ago.
Lord Hall also announced there would be a “new experience” for children using the iPlayer and a significant update to the BBC News app.
