BBC Director General Matt Brittin Day One On Savings & Technology

New BBC Director General Matt Brittin is not wasting any time on day one, telling staff early Monday morning that the nation’s 100-year-old public broadcaster needs to “experiment more bravely” and that he wants to “reinvent public service broadcasting for the 21st century.”

In a note to staff, seen by Deadline, the former Google EMEA chief said “we must be where audiences are, and experiment more bravely: test ideas, learn quickly and back what works.”

He also swiftly addressed the mega savings plan he is walking into that will see around 2,000 BBC staff laid off, equating to about 10%. “I know change will not be easy. Tough choices are unavoidable as we make savings,” he said.

These savings comprise one of Brittin’s three main areas of focus, he wrote, which are charter renewal, editorial excellence and “increased velocity – making the savings we must and the choices we should, simplifying the BBC for staff and audiences alike.”

“That means moving with velocity and clarity,” he said. “Excellence at the BBC has always been founded on great, creative storytelling and brilliant, independent journalism. Today it also means making sure we get the right stories in the right formats on the right platforms.”

Intriguingly, and off the back of several big BBC scandals, he noted: “I want to make sure we are always backing the right people to make decisions with clear accountability. We must never allow our duty to take risks and deliver quality to be undermined by unnecessary process or misplaced caution.”

Met by protests

Brittin was met at the front of the BBC’s New Broadcasting House HQ in London by a small group of protesters holding National Union of Journalists placards, taking umbrage with the layoffs in the BBC News division.

He is now gearing up to lead his first all-staff call tomorrow at 11 a.m. GMT (3 a.m. PT).

Meanwhile, in a video posted on the BBC’s social media channels that felt reflective of his past life working for a giant U.S. tech firm, Brittin said that as a “first time insider” he has spent time over the past few weeks traveling around the country seeing “first hand” the work the BBC teams put in. As a Director General who hasn’t previously worked for the BBC, Brittin is a rare breed.

Brittin said his goal as director general is to “reinvent public service broadcasting for the 21st century.” “What would the pioneers of the BBC have done if they’d had today’s technology and reach in their hands?,” he questioned.

The 60 second vid revealed the current BBC show Brittin is enjoying is dark crime thriller Mint.

When faced with the big question about the BBC’s biggest show of all, Brittin said he is a “faithful” not a traitor.

Brittin’s note in full

Hello everyone,

It’s an honour to join you as Director-General and to be asked to lead this incredible organisation.

In the last few weeks, I’ve met teams in each of the four Nations, internationally and across genres and formats, to listen and to learn. As a lifelong fan of the BBC, it’s been a special privilege to witness the world-class expertise and teamwork behind the output first-hand.

I’ve seen production from Ambridge to Shetland, met legends of local radio, delivered tea to galleries deep in election coverage and celebrated teams collecting BAFTAs by the armful – to name but a few.

It has all underlined just what an extraordinary, priceless asset the BBC is for all of us. It has shaped who we are as a country and how the world sees us. It has shaped me too. In an accelerating world of limitless choice, its trust, reach and creative strength are unrivalled.

I’m struck by how far the BBC’s impact goes beyond our own output and shores. So many people trained or inspired by the BBC go on to contribute brilliantly elsewhere, and I’ve seen how critical that creative investment is for the UK at home and worldwide. If you travel internationally, you know how often people share, unprompted, their love for and trust in the BBC.

Today, the BBC has never been more needed – on the side of the audience as their most trusted news provider, the cornerstone of our creative economy, and a force that brings people together. I know we face very real challenges, but at a time of flux and uncertainty, people here and around the world need us to meet the moment with courage and vision.

I’ve already seen our brilliant creative, editorial and technical people coming together to meet the moment every day. The BBC has proved throughout its history how quickly it can reinvent itself to serve the needs of audiences – from restructuring for World War II to repurposing during Covid to spinning up services in conflict zones. We need, collectively, to call on that sense of urgency now.

That means moving with velocity and clarity. Excellence at the BBC has always been founded on great, creative storytelling and brilliant, independent journalism. Today it also means making sure we get the right stories in the right formats on the right platforms.

We must be where audiences are, and experiment more bravely: test ideas, learn quickly and back what works. Audiences will value the fact we are listening, innovating and working hard to serve them better.

I know change will not be easy. Tough choices are unavoidable as we make savings. We should ask ourselves, honestly: if we were inventing the BBC today, what would we do? Then respond with clarity, pace and purpose.

As I get underway, my focus will be on three priorities:

Editorial excellence is the very foundation on which the BBC’s reputation has been built. I have asked the Executive Committee to begin looking at this immediately, working with colleagues across the BBC, and will be appointing a Deputy to ensure this ambition is addressed and sustained.

I want to make sure we are always backing the right people to make decisions with clear accountability. We must never allow our duty to take risks and deliver quality to be undermined by unnecessary process or misplaced caution.

My goal is yours: a thriving BBC. Enduring public service values realised with creative and editorial excellence, innovation and courage. To do this we must be simpler, faster and more connected with audiences than ever. I look forward to meeting more of you over the coming weeks, and to getting started together.

Matt