The BBC is preparing to cut up to 2,000 jobs in one of its biggest restructurings in the past 15 years. Staff were informed during a general meeting on Wednesday, with the cuts expected to affect around 10% of the organization’s 21,500 employees.

The process will begin ahead of the appointment of former Google executive Matt Brittin, who will take over as Director-General next month. This marks the largest reduction in staff since 2011.

In February, the BBC had already announced a cost-saving plan worth £600 million, warning it would lead to job losses and the cancellation of some programs.

Outgoing Director-General Tim Davie had stated that the organization would need to cut its annual operating costs—currently around £6 billion—by 10% over the next three years. Davie stepped down on April 2, after announcing his resignation in November amid criticism over coverage of issues such as Donald Trump, Gaza, and transgender rights.

Interim Director-General Rhodri Talfan Davies, who led the staff meeting, will remain in charge until Brittin formally assumes the role on May 18.

At the same time, the BBC is in negotiations with the government over the renewal of its Royal Charter, which expires at the end of next year, including the future of its funding model through the licence fee.

The licence fee increased on April 1 in line with inflation, rising from £174.50 to £180 annually. The BBC collected £3.8 billion from the fee last year from 23.8 million households, with an additional £2 billion coming from commercial activities and grants.

However, the number of households paying the licence fee fell by 300,000 year-on-year, as more viewers turn exclusively to competing digital platforms such as Netflix and Disney.

In February, Davie said the BBC is “holding its ground” despite challenges from streaming services and the growing influence of YouTube.

Last year, Ofcom warned that public service broadcasting—including the BBC, ITV, and Channels 4 and 5—is becoming an “endangered species” in the era of rapidly expanding streaming.