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BBC broadcasters set to lose chief presenter roles amid merger shake-up

The trio will apparently lose their chief positions as the BBC launches its new rolling news channel

Julia Hunt
·Contributor
Updated ·2-min read
Jane Hill, Ben Brown and Martine Croxall have been affected by the BBC merger. (BBC)
Jane Hill, Ben Brown and Martine Croxall have been affected by the BBC merger. (BBC)

BBC veterans Martine Croxall, Jane Hill and Ben Brown will lose their chief presenter roles amid the merger between the broadcaster’s international and domestic news channels.

The channels are being combined to create a single 24-hour TV service – which will air in the UK and around the world - as part of a new “digital-first” strategy, resulting in job losses.

The trio have all been at the BBC with many years, with Croxall starting in 2001 and Hill and Brown both working there for around 30 years.

Read more: BBC News ditches desks as Huw Edwards unveils studio revamp

The main line-up for the new channel - entitled BBC News - has now been chosen.

Martine Croxall on Celebrity Mastermind S19 (BBC)
Martine Croxall on Celebrity Mastermind. (BBC)

It will consist of Matthew Amroliwala, Christian Fraser, Yalda Hakim, Lucy Hockings and Maryam Moshiri, with the BBC confirming the new line-up was recruited via a competitive interview process.

However, many viewers were unimpressed to hear about Croxall, Hill and Brown.

"What are you doing, @BBCNews?" one tweeted.

Another posted: "The channel is just not going to be the same. A huge amount of talent being lost here. I’m gutted to see this change being made."

BBC News 24,01-01-2010,Jane Hill,Embargoed for publication until: n/a - Picture shows: Jane Hill,BBC,Jeff Overs
Jane Hill has apparently lost her chief presenter role. (BBC)

The PA news agency understands the BBC is seeking to help staff find alternative roles across its services.

Deborah Turness, chief executive of BBC News, said she was "thrilled" to unveil the channel's faces.

“This team’s editorial leadership, talent, knowledge and flair make them the ideal presenters to bring the BBC’s trusted journalism to people at home in the UK and around the globe, and to guide audiences through the big stories as they break," she said.

The latest development comes weeks after it was reported that BBC News presenters David Eades, Joanna Gosling were taking voluntary redundancy after they were asked to re-apply for their jobs.

Ben Brown of BBC News (BBC)
Ben Brown is also said to be affected. (BBC)

Gosling signed off last week after 23 years, becoming emotional as she told viewers: “Thank you for having me.”

Read more: BBC faces backlash over 'staggeringly' sexist Jacinda Ardern headline

The new channel is set to launch in the spring.

Additional reporting from PA.

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