Appointment of Rhodri Talfan Davies as BBC Deputy Director General
Rhodri Talfan Davies was appointed as deputy director general of the BBC in June.
BBC Deputy Director General Expresses Hope for Radio Cymru 2's Future
The BBC's new deputy director general has expressed hope that Radio Cymru 2 will not disappear amid the corporation's service cuts.
Rhodri Talfan Davies, appointed to the role in June, stated that the station offers an "important additional choice" and hopes "there is a way we can work the funding that would sustain the station."
The corporation's annual report published on Wednesday indicated that two million fewer people paid the licence fee last year compared to five years ago.
Currently, the BBC faces significant cuts — one in ten jobs is expected to be lost as the corporation aims to save £500 million over the next two years, with programmes and possibly entire services expected to disappear.
Financial Challenges and Licence Fee Structure
Rhodri Talfan Davies is the BBC's new deputy director general.
Speaking on the Dros Frecwast programme on Wednesday morning, Mr Talfan Davies, who has previously served as acting director general, director of nations, and director of BBC Cymru, described the financial situation as "serious."
"We face cuts of around £500 million over the next two years, mainly due to pressures on licence fee income," he said.
"The licence fee structure is based on live broadcasting, and it is clear to everyone that viewing habits and media usage are changing, so the licence fee structure also needs to change."
"We are in intensive discussions with the UK government. We have been very clear about the nature of the challenge, and we believe the BBC is a co-investment in democracy, culture, and communities, and it is important that it is maintained."
"We are also clear that the current structure, where payment is based on live broadcasting, is not sustainable."
Impact of Cuts on BBC Services
The cuts, representing approximately ten percent of the BBC's budget, will affect all the corporation's services.
"Cuts at Radio 4 have been announced, there have already been cuts announced in and across the nations," he said.
"There is no service within the BBC that is not affected by these challenges."
Future of Radio Cymru 2
When asked about the future of Radio Cymru 2, he said the BBC's investment and support for the Welsh language, whether on Radio Cymru, Radio Cymru 2, or through S4C, is extremely important.
"But I have to be honest, there is no model over the next eighteen months that does not affect all our services," he said.
He added that the BBC Cymru team has already identified cuts of around £9 million over the next two years, including approximately 50 job losses.
"Of course, we will protect things that are core to our relationship with the audience."
He emphasized that he is part of the discussions regarding Radio Cymru 2 and believes the station offers an important additional choice.
"So I would hope there is a way we can work the funding that would sustain the station."
"We hope there is a way through this that sustains both stations in a manner that appeals to the audience and maintains the support the BBC receives from Welsh users."
Concerns Over Welsh Language Programming and S4C
Regarding the impact of the decline in licence fee payers on S4C, he noted that the channel is independent and that decisions on how to cope with digital changes are for them.
"What is crucial for everyone to understand is that licence fee income supports all our Welsh services," he said.
"If income decreases, it affects the sustainability of our services."
"Therefore, it benefits everyone, including S4C, that there is a change to the funding system, and if there is not, we will see gradual changes and reductions year on year across the services funded by the licence fee."
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