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Local BBC News and radio services disrupted by strikes against cuts on BBC Local Radio in England


BBC Broadcasting House
BBC Broadcasting House (Image: Wikipedia)

A 24-hour strike is affecting regional TV news bulletins, local radio shows and online output


The strike, taking place on Wednesday and Thursday this week, is by those who work for BBC Local and who belong to the National Union of Journalists (NUJ).


The strike started at 11:00 GMT on Wednesday and it comes as the BBC have announced plans to merge some local radio shows, meaning some people could be at risk of loosing their jobs.


The BBC have said "see no overall reduction in staffing levels or local funding" and deliver "even greater value to communities", after the corporation announced the plans for its 39 local radio stations to share more of their shows.


As a result of the strike action, it means most of the BBC's regional news bulletins on TV at 13:30, 18:30 and 22:30 across England will not be broadcast. Some may be broadcast, though.


On Twitter, BBC London, for example, said: "Due to industrial action there will be no BBC London bulletins on BBC One today at 1:30pm, 6:30pm, 10:30pm and 'other programmes will be broadcast at these times'.


On Wednesday after 11:00, some BBC local radio stations broadcast a syndicated programme across many stations. Some, however, kept their shows on air but used stand in-hosts instead of their regular presenters for each show.


Programming in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is not affected by the NUJ strikes.


The strike action on Wednesday affected coverage of the chancellor's Budget. The NUJ are also considering further strikes for upcoming events, which could include, The King's coronation, local elections in May and the Eurovision Song Contest.


The BBC's proposals mean the 39 local radio stations in England will keep their own weekday morning shows but share 20 afternoon weekday programmes. Some stations will have to share schedules between 14:00 - 18:00.


10 shows would also be shared after 18:00 and a single programme covering the whole of England after 22:00. Weekend output is also set to be affected by the changes.


Shows on BBC local radio that discover new and up-coming musicians, called 'BBC Introducing' will be cut to 20, from the current 39 shows. In the plans, the BBC have added extra timeslots meaning a broad range of music is still played.


Live sports coverage and local news bulletins will be maintained as they are currently under the new plans.


In Bradford, Wolverhampton, Sunderland and Peterborough, the BBC plans to create 11 investigative reporting teams and to create a new fund for commission local podcasts and programmes.


For more music news, follow us on Twitter @Hart_Pro_Tweets #HartleyProductions and Like us on Facebook and Instagram @HartleyProductionsOfficial. As always, keep checking back on hartleyproductions.com for more.


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