BBC News Chief Warns of Need for 'Urgent' Win Over TikTok Generation

The BBC's new news director has revealed that bringing back young viewers is a key priority. In a first message to staff since being appointed last week, Rachel Joupe said BBC News must 'adapt immediately' to ensure the British broadcaster meets audiences where they consume content. In […]

The BBC's new boss has revealed that one of his top priorities is to win back young viewers.

In her first message to staff since being named director of news last week, Rachel Jupp said BBC News must "immediately adapt" to ensure the UK broadcaster meets the audiences it consumes.

In an email seen by Deadline (copied in full below), the former Panorama editor wrote, "People are changing how they get their news, and many of them, especially younger audiences, aren't finding us. Insider: 'Doctor Who' previews MIPCOM

“We need to adapt immediately – we need to be where they are, with journalism built for them. "To do that, we need to think about how we can improve, we need to test new ideas, and we need to judge our success based on results, not just activity." Watch on Deadline

The recent comments echoed those of Matt Brittain, the BBC's new director-general. "I'd like to see us celebrate less of the activity and more of the results," Brittain told staff last week.

Jupp, who began his new role on Monday and officially replaces Deborah Torrance, acknowledged there was uncertainty in the newsroom about the job cuts. He plans to share more information about the savings plans later this month.

“I know you want to know about the savings we need to make to meet our budget. I will announce the changes as soon as I can, and I realize the uncertainty is difficult.

BBC News announced in June that it was axing Radio 4's The World Tonight to save £25 million ($33.5 million), but the department still needs to save another £25 million in the coming months, meaning many journalists are bracing for more bad news.

Listing his priorities, he added: “Support distinctive and quality journalism. I will request original reporting, detailed analysis and further research, all delivered to the highest editorial standards.

Formerly BBC News' director of long-running news documentaries and journalism, Jupp now oversees the UK's biggest newsroom. He will earn 400,000 pounds ($528,000), 50,000 pounds less than his predecessor.

Dear all, today is my first day as news manager and I want to start by thanking you. First, for the warm and generous welcome you have given me since the announcement of my appointment. I appreciate that it has been a tough year for BBC News, with leadership changes and the need to save and live within our budget. I know many of you are making changes to your team and I understand the personal impact it can have. Thank you for the professionalism and commitment you have all shown. I want to especially thank Jonathan Munro for his work over the last eleven months. He has provided vital stability and leadership to the department during a very difficult time for the BBC and we are grateful to Fiona Crook for leading the World Service during this time. I am very proud to lead BBC News. Every day, our teams report from places others can't or won't go. We break stories, deliver great editorial, explain a complex world and hold power to account for audiences across the UK and in 45 languages worldwide. Our work is extremely important. As Matt said last week, an important part of the BBC's public service mission is the pursuit of truth, and it's time to recommit to that and reinvent how we do it. To me, that means high-quality journalism, wherever our audience is. The need for accurate and independent journalism has never been greater. I understand that people want a clear direction about the future

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