BBC Three to close (again) after BBC axed queer shows

BBC Three will stop broadcasting on TV in spring 2027 as part of a £500m savings drive, with BBC Scotland and BBC Radio 4 Extra also ending their linear TV/radio services. The BBC says the services’ output will continue online, with BBC Three and BBC Scotland moving to BBC iPlayer, while some BBC Scotland content will air on BBC One and BBC Two in Scotland. The shift follows backlash from the LGBTQ+ community after queer shows were cancelled or dropped, including RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, moving to WOW Presents Plus, and I Kissed A Girl/Boy, which ended after four series earlier this year. BBC director-general Matt Brittin cited “immediate cost pressures” and the need to adapt to on-demand viewing.