The BBC's director general, Matt Brittin, has indicated that some of the organization’s television channels and radio stations may need to close in an effort to cut costs by £500 million. This move comes in response to financial pressures and changing viewer habits, which have made it necessary to evaluate the long-term sustainability of certain services. Brittin acknowledged that the BBC cannot guarantee the continued existence of any specific programme or channel, as the organization must make difficult decisions sooner than ideal due to its tight financial situation. He highlighted a major shift in how audiences consume media, noting that many now prefer on-demand content over traditional scheduled broadcasts. This has created a challenge in determining the value and cost of different services. For example, some channels may have smaller audiences during live broadcasts but attract more viewers through on-demand platforms. Brittin suggested that the BBC must consider when to fully shift its services to on-demand formats to ensure that the money paid by licence fee supporters is used effectively. Brittin, who took over as BBC director general in May after spending a decade as president of Google in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, also discussed the potential role of artificial intelligence (AI) in programme creation. He said the BBC could use AI "within guardrails," meaning with strict guidelines, and expressed interest in experimenting with the technology. However, he warned against replacing human roles with AI, emphasizing that human creativity remains essential. He believes AI could help the BBC stretch its budget further and support decision-making and creative processes. In addition, Brittin expressed concerns about the increasing dominance of a few large technology companies in controlling information. He warned that six non-European firms could soon have significant influence over how information is accessed and created. He stressed the importance of the BBC as a reliable source of information, noting that it is trusted by over half a billion people. When asked about trusting big tech companies, Brittin said he does not inherently trust any platform and stressed the need to ensure BBC content is visible where it can best serve its public mission.