BBC to close BBC Three as a TV channel in spring 2027 after RuPaul's Drag Race UK dropped

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 follows the cancellation or dropping of several queer shows, including RuPaul's Drag Race UK, which will air on WOW Presents Plus after the current season, and I Kissed A Girl/Boy, which ended after four series earlier this year. BBC Three launched in 2003, moved online in 2016 and was relaunched as a channel in February 2022; its commissions will continue on iPlayer and platforms such as YouTube.