BBC closing BBC Three (again) after RuPaul’s Drag Race UK dropped

Oct 20
Written by Jack Wetherill

The BBC previously dropped RuPaul’s Drag Race UK (BBC/World of Wonder/Guy Levy)

The BBC has confirmed BBC Three will stop broadcasting on TV in spring 2027, with BBC Scotland and BBC Radio 4 Extra also closing as linear services as part of a £500m savings drive.

The announcement was confirmed in the BBC’s latest cost-cutting plans, with the broadcaster saying output from the three services will continue online. It follows upset from the LGBTQ+ community after a number of queer shows were cancelled or dropped from the network, including RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, which will air on WOW Presents Plus following the current season, and I Kissed A Girl/Boy which ended after four series earlier this year.

BBC director-general Matt Brittin said the corporation was facing “immediate cost pressures” as it shifts further towards on-demand viewing. “We need to make every pound work harder for audiences as we respond to the immediate cost pressures and reinvent the BBC for a changing world. We all know that means tough choices,” he said, as per Sky News.

The future of BBC Three

The BBC said BBC Three, as well as BBC Scotland, will become online-only services, with content continuing on BBC iPlayer.

On iPlayer, BBC Scotland will continue to be available as a channel, while some of its content will also air on BBC One and BBC Two in Scotland. Nightly programme Reporting Scotland: News at Seven will end when the linear channel closes, rather than move to iPlayer.

The BBC is closing BBC Three, BBC Scotland and Radio 4 Extra (Getty Images)

The corporation said BBC Three commissions will be available on iPlayer and other platforms such as YouTube, supported by increased investment in content for younger audiences.

And it appears the BBC may already be preparing for that online content, as reports have emerged that casting is underway for a gender and sexuality inclusive dating show.