Channel 4 is reportedly preparing to make its largest job cuts since the global financial crisis as bosses contend with a slump in TV advertising.

The broadcaster could cut as many as 200 jobs, according to the Guardian, after its staff numbers swelled to a record level of more than 1,200, putting its wage bill at more than £108m.

A Channel 4 spokesman told the newspaper: “Like every organisation, we are having to deal with an extremely uncertain economy in the short term and the need to accelerate our transformation to become a wholly digital public service broadcaster in the long term.

“As a result, we need to continue to divest from our linear channels business and simplify our operations to become a leaner organisation.

Channel 4 reduced its headcount by 200 people when the TV advertising market slumped during the 2008 financial crisis, which amounted to nearly a quarter of its then 875 permanent employees.

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