BBC Radio Foyle staff face uncertain future as posts axed
The ongoing cuts across the BBC have hit Radio Foyle.
Four Assistant Content Producer (ACP) posts are going at the station and will be replaced by one combined post, The Derry News understands.
While the four employees will have the option of applying for the single post, if they are unsuccessful, they will be unemployed and may not receive a redundancy payment.
It is also believed that two veteran members of BBC Radio Foyle staff will leave the station when their contracts end.
In a statement to The Derry News, a spokesperson for the Derry and North West Branch of the NUJ said: “The Branch expresses its solidarity with members of the Foyle chapel as members await further clarification of how the BBC’s planned cutbacks will affect the station. It’s understood that the deadline for applications for voluntary redundancy has now passed.
“The Derry and North West Branch of the NUJ also welcomes confirmation that following an intervention by the union’s Health and Safety Committee, repairs have been carried out at the Radio Foyle building on Northland Road in Derry,” they added.
“The Branch had raised concerns following reports that a first floor broadcast studio there was in a potentially hazardous situation due to rainwater leaking on to the broadcast desk.
“The Branch has received confirmation that repairs have been carried out on the roof and a cracked outlet pipe, and the building continues to be monitored,” said the NUJ spokesperson.
BBC Radio Foyle, whose morning news programme North West Today recently won a Gold IMRO Radio Award for its reporting on the murder of Amy Doherty, has faced an uncertain future for a number of years.
In November 2022, a widespread community campaign of support was mounted for the staff at BBC Radio Foyle following the announcement BBC NI was planning to close 36 posts, in an attempt to save £2.3m. These projected cuts were subsequently partially reversed.
In May this paper reported the building which currently houses Radio Foyle had been put up for sale with an asking price of £475,000. This sale has now been completed.
At that time, a BBC spokesperson said the Corporation remained committed to Foyle as a BBC production and broadcast hub and its future role within its service portfolio.
They added: "The BBC’s lease on its Northland Road site will remain in place until at least September 2029.”
BBC Northern Ireland had previously indicated its intention to close around 50 full-time equivalent posts, in addition to other efficiencies and cost reductions.
On October 15, the BBC also announced it would be cutting 60% of the full-time roles within the BBC Irish Language team.
It is understood staff were informed of the cuts via a Microsoft Teams presentation.
Conradh na Gaeilge described the cuts as entirely “disproportionate” in comparison to other units, teams and departments within the BBC, identifying the "devastating impact” they will have on the BBC live Irish language programmes.
“The cuts will most likely mean live (and award-winning) BBC Radio Ulster Irish language programmes such as Blas will come to an end,” it added.
The Derry News approached the BBC NI Office for a comment on the situation in Radio Foyle.
A spokesperson confirmed the Corporation’s previous comment “around the Foyle lease … still stands”.
They added: “Please find here details on BBC Northern Ireland’s savings update. https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/articles/2026/bbc-ni-savings-update
“We have nothing further to add at this time.”
The BBC’s 2027/28 Savings Update statement - BBC Northern Ireland was published online October 15, 2026.
The full statement said: “BBC Northern Ireland has provided an update on its plans to deliver approximately £4.1million in savings by the end of 2027/28.
“These savings reflect the financial challenges affecting the BBC’s work and services on a UK-wide basis – involving a current savings total of £500 million.
“BBC Northern Ireland had previously indicated its intention to close around 50 full-time equivalent posts, in addition to other efficiencies and cost reductions.
“A voluntary redundancy process was initiated in early summer 2026, delivering approximately half the total number of expected post closures.
“Work has since been underway to review the impact of having fewer staff and a smaller budget on local BBC services and to identify how remaining savings can be achieved.
“A key concern has been to maintain the quality, impact and distinctiveness of local BBC output and its alignment with changing audience needs and technology.
“Further post-closures will be required over the next period, with accompanying structural and operational changes to different aspects of the BBC’s work.
“We expect to source an increased % of programmes on BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle/Sounds from the independent production sector and will re-direct other editorial effort and resource – seeking to maximise its editorial and audience benefits and deliver best value for money.
“We will close our in-house Factual department, whilst still retaining core production capability for BBC coverage of major events.
“The work of the Business Operations team within BBC Northern Ireland will be adjusted to reflect smaller in-house production budgets and technical support needs and with some additional post closures.
“BBC News NI will make further savings within its budget, including as a result of the operational efficiencies that will result from updated newsroom facilities and a review of local politics and television current affairs output (balancing considerations around cost, impact, public value and equivalent BBC provision elsewhere).
“A significantly increased % of Irish language programming (across the BBC’s radio and digital platforms, including learning resources) will be sourced from the independent sector, with a consequent reduction in BBC staffing in this area. BBC expenditure on Irish and output totals on BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle will remain unchanged. And these plans include the retention of senior in-house staff roles for Irish language services and their integration within a single, cross-platform strategy.”