David Attenborough show at risk of ‘axing’ as BBC make further cutbacks

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Following cutbacks within the BBC, it is feared that Sir David Attenborough’s shows could face the chop. The 97-year-old broadcaster presents a series of wildlife shows which are extremely popular.

A media consultant has suggested programmes like Planet Earth, Wild Isles and Frozen Planet, could be axed. According to the source, they are expensive to produce and come along with pricey budgets.

Alice Enders told The i: “BBC’s big-ticket items” are on the cards and nothing is “immune”. She said: “If the license fee continues to wither, you are looking at the BBC’s big-ticket items to make savings so nothing can be immune.

“The costume budget alone for The Crown is huge.“David Attenborough’s Natural History series sell well globally but they are expensive too.

“There would need to be more co-productions with international broadcasters.”

Express.co.uk has reached out to the BBC for comment.

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The move from the broadcaster could reportedly save the BBC millions of pounds. However, repercussions from this have resulted in 60 jobs being lost.

In the huge shake-up, they have since extended BBC News at One which will also relocate to their Salford HQ.

The BBC Two show will continue to air on weeknights as an interview, debate, and discussion show.

Following the government’s licensing fee freeze two years ago, a string of major shows is also rumoured to be axed.

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Newsnight has already been hit by cutting-cost measures since it was massively scaled back. The new structure will see it be condensed to a 30-minute programme.

BBC Breakfast will now be extended by an extra 15 minutes every day.

It has been said that the shift in focus will be placed on digital storytelling and live coverage across the BBC News division.

This will coincide with a “reduction in the amount of television packaging”. The corporation expects the changes to save £7.5 million.

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