Employees wielded placards featuring quotes including Stop the cuts.
BBC1s lunchtime regional news bulletin was canceled, while its 6.30PM bulletin is also expected to be derailed.
The 6.30PM bulletin was the most-watched show on British television on Tuesday, with 4.3M viewers.
BBC strike picket line in SouthamptonNational Union of Journalists/Twitter
We have tried to minimise disruption as much as possible.
We are obviously disappointed that the strike has gone ahead.
BBC employees are protesting against plans to make nearly 50 roles redundant across local services.
Radio shows are being cut, while the BBC has axedWe Are England, a regional documentary TV show.
The turnout was 69%, which was higher than some were expecting.
Flagship shows, includingNewsnightandBreakfast, fell off air as star presenters including Fiona Bruce joined the protest.
The International Federation of Journalists, the global union for journalists, voiced its support for theBBC strike.
We stand in solidarity with our@NUJofficialcolleagues who are striking today to defend local news and#KeepBBCLocalRadioLocal.
Our goal is a local service across TV, radio and online that delivers even greater value to communities.
We will continue to engage with the trade union and do everything possible to minimise the impact on staff.
