A fan-favourite radio programme that has been on the air for 56 years is set to be axed by the BBC in a fresh wave of cuts.
Yesterday, the broadcaster announced it would be cutting 550 roles and overhauling parts of its news output.
It also confirmed that roles will be removed across its TV, radio and news divisions as part of a wider cost-saving plan, alongside further reductions expected in the coming months.
Additional corporate job cuts are planned, with 700 positions expected to go.
Very sad to learn that Radio 4's The World Tonight is to be killed off in the latest round of BBC cuts. It has a long and honourable history as one of the more thoughtful BBC news programmes and I am proud to have been associated with it for more than twenty years.
— Robin Lustig (@robinlustig) June 17, 2026
Matt Brittin, the BBC's director-general since May, announced £160 million in savings to be made by the end of the financial year.
Among the most high-profile changes is the decision to axe The World Tonight after 56 years on air.
The late-night news programme will be replaced by Newshour, which will be moved an hour later and serve both the World Service and Radio 4.
Fans took the news badly.
One posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Very sad to hear The World Tonight is being axed by the BBC. Newshour is a great programme but it isn’t a substitute.
"Radio 4 and its audience won’t have a domestic facing outlet after 1800.
"I hope audiences now understand the challenges facing the BBC."
Another wrote: "Very sad to learn that Radio 4's The World Tonight is to be killed off in the latest round of BBC cuts.
"It has a long and honourable history as one of the more thoughtful BBC news programmes and I am proud to have been associated with it for more than twenty years"
Jonathan Munro, interim chief executive of BBC News and Current Affairs, said: "Our news presenters have a unique relationship with our audiences.
"However, given the savings we need to make across the whole of BBC News, we are carrying out a review of our chief presenter roles.
Very sad to hear The World Tonight is being axed by the BBC. Newshour is a great programme but it isn’t a substitute.
Radio 4 and its audience won’t have a domestic facing outlet after 1800.
I hope audiences now understand the challenges facing the BBC.— ritula shah (@ritula) June 17, 2026
"This is designed to ensure we have the right number of presenters, deployed as flexibly and efficiently as possible, to balance audience needs with best value for money."
The cuts come as the BBC continues to face financial pressures and changing audience habits, requiring it to streamline services and reduce spending.
Senior leadership roles across the corporation are also expected to be cut by at least 10 per cent.
Further details on job losses in other areas are expected to be announced in the coming months.
The BBC said the changes are part of a wider strategy to remain sustainable and focused in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
Will you be sad to see The World Tonight go? Let us know in the comments
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