Quarter of jobs to go

The BBC’s in-house comedy department is to be slashed by a quarter – with the loss of 15 jobs.

The department currently has 62 staff, and the losses will affect producers, production managers, script editors, assistant producers and personal assistants  based in London.

The department makes such shows as Miranda, Mrs Brown’s Boys, Come Fly With Me and Twenty Twelve – which was today commissioned for a second series.

In an email to all staff, head of comedy Mark Freeland, said: ‘BBC in-house comedy has had an outstanding and award winning few years, with exceptional programmes entertaining a wide range of audiences.

‘Our content has been a credit to all the people who have worked so hard to create it, on screen and off. I am enormously grateful.

‘However, over the last four years the comedy genre as a whole has had around 20 per cent less commissioning money, which in turn has impacted on the level of in-house production.

‘We need to ensure that our overheads are at a sustainable, streamlined and affordable level, whilst for the benefit of our audiences, ensure that we have the right mix of skills in place, in order to deliver quality comedy programmes.

‘Despite the proposed changes, in-house comedy will remain the biggest single supplier of comedy to the BBC.’

There will be a six-week period where the BBC will be seeking voluntary redundancies, and assessing which staff will be for the chop.

Freeland added: ‘I know that the next six weeks and beyond will be very difficult for many of you. I am acutely aware of the impact that this news will have on all affected staff and their colleagues. We intend to make this process as clear, open and fair as possible.’

The radio comedy department is unaffected by the redundancies, as it has only recently been reorganised.  

Published: 15 Apr 2011