Greg James' Radio 1 Breakfast show brings in controversial change

Greg James' Radio 1 Breakfast show has brought in a controversial change involving its Newsbeat bulletins.

The BBC has cut the length of the flagship station's news bulletins from three minutes to one minute this week, with the broadcaster declining to comment on the reason behind the change (via Deadline).

The decision comes after the BBC promised to protect Radio 1's news output amid changes made to the corporation's operating licence by Ofcom last year.

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BBC insiders told Deadline that they are concerned about the peak-listening segments being cut, with one explaining that they "can't understand how it can be defended."

Another insider said it was "not a great look either way", while industry trade body Radiocentre argued that the cut could result in Radio 1 broadcasting "less news overall."

The show's listeners were quick to share their thoughts on the changes on X (formerly Twitter). "Wonder why the #BBC doesn't want to do any news anymore? Is it because they don't know how to do it anymore?" one person wrote.

"This is an interesting and frustrating move. Newsbeat bulletins have been a great way to connect a younger audience to news — and if the BBC doesn't do this no one will," another added.

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A third listener echoed: "I'm a passionate defender of the BBC licence fee, but it's to ensure we have essential media and content the commercial market can't or doesn't provide. In this context it's impossible to justify a mass audience music channel with so little news."

The news follows producer Chris Sawyer's departure from the station's breakfast show, after 15 years on the programme. Radio 1 also saw Jordan North leave the network in February, after 10 years on air.

The former I'm a Celebrity star has since made his debut on Capital FM's breakfast show alongside Sian Welby and Chris Stark, following Roman Kemp's recent departure.