BBC World Service plans 650 job cuts

The BBC says it plans to cut 650 jobs in its World Service as part of efforts to slash costs annually by 46 million pounds ($73 million) by 2014.

The BBC says it plans to cut 650 jobs in its World Service as part of efforts to slash costs annually by 46 million pounds ($73 million) by 2014.

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The corporation has said it plans to close five foreign language services and scale back radio programming in seven languages. The figures announced Wednesday came after drastic grant cuts from the U.K. Foreign Office, which funds the the state-sponsored broadcaster.

The BBC said the job losses are in preparation for the end of Foreign Office funding in April 2014.

The BBC World Service, which started airing in 1932, costs 272 million pounds ($430 million) a year and boasts an audience of 241 million people worldwide across radio, television and online platforms.