Why BBC News at Six could be on its way out

The BBC’s News At Six and News At Ten could soon fade from television screens as the corporation’s coverage shifts to digital, its head of news has said.

Fran Unsworth told a national newspaper that within a decade news will be “in the digital space” where it will be accessed by iPlayer.

Ms Unsworth said: “Ultimately, in ten years’ time, we probably won’t be consuming linear bulletins. I might be wrong about that, but I doubt it.

“There might be one [bulletin] a day, but video will just be in a different space ... you know, iPlayer, your tablet, your iPhone.”

Ms Unsworth said one of the flagship programmes, whose audiences have doubled during the pandemic, might survive. Figures released at the start of lockdown showed news bulletins and lifestyle programmes had seen a rise in ratings.

In the week ending 29 March, five of the ten most-watched broadcasts were editions of the BBC News At Six, with the bulletin on Monday 23 March attracting a TV audience of 8.3 million – nearly double the programme’s typical rating so far this year.

Ms Unsworth also said the 10pm programme had reported audiences of six million.

Lord Tony Hall is meanwhile to reflect on his seven-year tenure as BBC director-general in one of his final public appearances in the role.

He will open this year’s online edition of the Edinburgh TV Festival this Monday, addressing delegates on issues including diversity, the role of news in public service broadcasting, and how to stay relevant while competing with streaming services such as Netflix.

Lord Hall will also discuss the importance of public service broadcasters, the challenges they face and why the UK Government needs to be reminded of the role it plays in the media landscape and society.

His appearance will kick off four days of discussion about the UK TV industry, which will also feature a keynote address by broadcaster and historian David Olusoga as the annual MacTaggart Lecture.

BBC Studios head Tim Davie is due to replace Lord Hall as director-general of the corporation.

He was acting director-general for four months following George Entwistle’s resignation in November 2012 before Lord Hall’s appointment.

Lord Hall’s exit comes amid a turbulent time for the BBC, with the spotlight on a number of issues around equal pay, diversity, free TV licences for the over-75s and competition from streaming services, as well as the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The BBC also faces criticism over its planned shake-up of regional TV news and local radio in England, axing some 450 jobs. Earlier this year it announced plans to cut more than 150 roles in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

This year’s Edinburgh TV Festival will take place from Monday to Thursday in a digital format.