BBC Magazines set to cut 30 staff

Peter Phippen, managing director of BBC Magazines, a subsidiary of the corporation's commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, informed staff of the move yesterday (14 May). It is likely to impact primarily on the children's division, which earlier this year closed a number of its titles.

In an e-mail to staff, Phippen said: "As you know, we have already taken steps to reduce costs where we can, including a recruitment and pay freeze, the closure of some of our loss-making titles in children's and the fact that we will no longer be publishing Good Homes magazine.

"But the current climate is particularly tough for magazine publishers affected by falling advertising revenues, lower sales than anticipated, increased paper prices and poor exchange rates."

It is thought the staff cuts will run across the business, including commercial and editorial.

BBC Magazines axed BBC Good Homes magazine last month and, earlier this year, it closed children's titles Tweenies and Balamory because of falling sales.