TV and radio now under one department

The BBC is to merge its teams commissioning comedy for TV and radio into one unit.

It means recently appointed comedy chief Chris Sussman, pictured, will oversee the genre, with Julia McKenzie, Radio 4’s long-serving commissioning editor for comedy and entertainment, joining his team.

Chief content officer Kate Phillips told staff of the move in an internal memo today, saying: ‘This is about creating more opportunities for commissioners to collaborate, share ideas and develop the strongest possible content for audiences wherever they are,’ she said.

Though it will also just happen to contribute to plans to save £500 million a year. Similar mergers will happen in arts and classical music. The BBC will lose around 100 jobs across the content unit by the end of its current financial year.

 It follows the announcement of further cuts across the BBC earlier this week, including the loss of Radio 4Extra. Almost 3,000 people have so far signed Chortle’s petition calling on director-general Matt Brittin to reverse the decision, which will save less than £4million a year.

» Sign the petition to save Radio 4Extra.

Published: 22 Oct 2026