News Broadcasting
BBC Worldwide inks first-look deal with SPT
MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide, the BBC’s main commercial arm, has signed a three year,first-look deal with Sony Pictures Television (SPT) for scripted series in the US.
The deal gives SPT a first-look option to develop and produce scripted comedy and drama series for the US market based on BBC formats.
“This is a great opportunity to be working with the new management team at Sony’s Television Studio and we look forward to developing exciting new projects with them in the future,” says BBC Worldwide senior VP programming, Paul Telegdy.
“This deal reinforces BBC Worldwide’s commitment to growing its production business in the US,” addsTelegdy.
SPT co-president programming and production, Zack Van Amburg, adds, “We feel very fortunate to be in business with the BBC. We aspire to be innovative and the BBC, with its creative ingenuity, is a perfect partner for us.”
According to media reports, BBC Worldwide plans to be actively involved in the development of as many as 25 projects under the deal with SPT, and the Corporation is moving away from the licensing model and more toward hands-on production in the lucrative US scripted series marketplace.
As part of that new strategy, BBC Worldwide is already producing the hit series Dancing with the Stars for ABC, although that show is not scripted, and reality series are apparently not included in the new deal.
News Broadcasting
Parikshit Luthra exits CNBC-TV18 after 20-year run
Former bureau chief to take brief pause before next role
NEW DELHI: Senior journalist Parikshit Luthra has signed off from CNBC-TV18, marking 28 February 2026 as his final day and closing nearly two decades with Network18 Media & Investments Limited, including eight years at the business news channel.
During his tenure, Luthra interviewed prominent business leaders and Union ministers, reporting on economic policy, corporate strategy, the automobile sector and financial markets. His coverage spanned key inflection points in India’s economic narrative.
He also led new programming formats such as Newscentre, Global Eye and Global Lens, shows that examined politics and foreign policy through an economic prism, reflecting the channel’s push towards globally linked business reporting.
In a LinkedIn post, Luthra said his final weeks were spent covering the Union Budget, the India AI Summit, India’s trade agreements with the US and EU, and the group’s flagship Rising Bharat Summit 2026. He added that he continued anchoring until his last day and briefly met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his closing assignments.
Luthra joined CNBC-TV18 in June 2018 as assistant editor, later rising to senior editor and chief of bureau, a position he held for over two years. Before that, he worked with Republic TV and CNN-News18.
He said he plans to take a short break before embarking on his next professional chapter.
