Sky is in talks with staff over plans to axe some broadcast operations roles as part of wider plans to move to a file-based operation.

The project to make Sky the first major broadcaster in the UK to operate a tapeless workflow will bring together its library, traffic, ingest and VT areas to form a single content services department of about 150 staff.

Because the process is ongoing, a Sky spokesman was unable to put a number on the total redundancies.

But it is thought that by the time the reorganisation is completed, at least 20 positions - and potentially up to 50 - could be lost.

The process of merging the library and VT department at operator level is already under way, with 11 staff thought to be taking part in redundancy talks, which began at the end of last month.

Broadcast understands that Sky’s post-production department could also merge with Sky Creative.

An employee from Sky’s VT department, who asked not to be named, said that since the start of the year, 10 people have left the VT department without being replaced, including five senior managers made redundant in May.

The Sky spokesman said: “Supported by the opening of our Sky Studios facility [formerly Harlequin 1], and in line with the industry’s move towards digital workflows, our broadcast operations are moving towards a tapeless system.

“These proposals are likely to result in some changes to the operations of our content services department and some existing roles may become redundant. We are consulting with all affected staff.”