News Broadcasting
NBC captures the festive mood-‘ER’and ‘Will And Grace’to have Christmas themes
MUMBAI: US broadcaster NBC celebrates Christmas in episodes of its sitcom ,Will And Grace and the hospital drama series, ER. In India, these two shows air on Zee Cafe.
On 8 December 2005 the Will and Grace episode cheekily titled A Little Christmas Queer airs. The gang spends the holidays at the house of Marilyn Truman (guest star Blythe Danner) while Grace (Debra Messing) and Will’s (Eric McCormack) brother share some holiday romance. In addition, Will’s 10-year-old nephew is clearly gay — and it bothers Will that his mother ,Marilyn, is more tolerant towards the boy than she was of her son.
Also on 8 December is an episode of ER called All About Christmas Eve: Hark The Herald Angels Sing. After a little girl is mistakenly shot, Drs. Pratt (Mekhi Phifer) and Weaver (Laura Innes) desperately try to bring her back to life, while Nurse Haleh (Yvette Freeman) holds her annual choir tryouts and everyone is surprised at who is chosen to sing the solo. In addition, Eve (Kristen Johnston) crosses the line with a patient and causes management to get involved. Abby (Maura Tierney) and Dr. Kovac (Goran Visnjic) exchange Christmas gifts but, Abby’s gift for him is bigger than expected.
The broadcaster will also air the animation special The Happy Elf on 2 December 2005. Grammy winning singer, Harry Connick, stars in his first CGI-animated family holiday special. Connick provides the voice for the animated narrator who tells the story of Eubie the Elf, one of Santa’s helpers whose overly enthusiastic, rose-colored view of the holiday season is put to the test when he sets out to bring Christmas joy to a dreary town called Bluesville.
First, NBC, celebrates Thanksgiving on 24 November 2005. The traditional Macy’s Thanksgiving Day kicks things off. It will feature all the pageantry, fun and surprises that have made this annual New York City extravaganza a perennial favorite. Heralding the start of the Christmas season, this holiday event features colourful, grand floats, marching bands, character balloons and special performances by musicians and Broadway performers. Santa Claus also makes an appearance.
The sitcom Joey also celebrates Thanksgiving that same day with the episode Joey and the Bachelor. Joey (Matt LeBlanc) and Zach (Miguel Nunez) run into trouble when they discover ancient Native American artifacts on Joey’s property and mistakenly give them away. Meanwhile, Gina (Drea de Matteo) is trying to have a meaningful family Thanksgiving with Alex (Andrea Anders) and Michael (Paulo Costanzo) but Joey isn’t cooperating with her plans.
Christmas celebrations on NBC kicks off on 30 November 2005 with Christmas in Rockefeller Center. This is an one-hour special broadcast live from Rockefeller Center in New York City and celebrates the lighting of what the broadcaster says is the world’s most famous Christmas tree. The popular musical lineup for the special will include a mix of current hits and favourite holiday music.
News Broadcasting
BBC to cut up to 2,000 jobs in biggest overhaul in 15 years
Cost pressures and leadership change drive major workforce reduction plan
LONDON: BBC has unveiled plans to cut up to 2,000 jobs, roughly 10 per cent of its global workforce, in what marks its biggest downsizing in 15 years.
The announcement was made during an all-staff meeting led by interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies, as the broadcaster moves to tackle mounting financial pressures and reshape its operations.
Between 1,800 and 2,000 roles are expected to be eliminated from a workforce of around 21,500. The cuts form part of a broader plan to save £500 million over the next two years, aimed at offsetting rising costs, stagnating licence fee income and weaker commercial revenues.
In a communication to staff, BBC interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies said, “I know this creates real uncertainty, but we wanted to be open about the challenge,” acknowledging the impact the move would have across the organisation.
The restructuring comes at a time of leadership transition. Former director-general Tim Davie stepped down earlier this month, with Matt Brittin, a former Google executive, set to take over the role on May 18, 2026.
While some cost-cutting measures are being implemented immediately, the majority of the structural changes are expected to roll out over the next few years, with full savings targeted by the 2027–2028 financial year.
The broadcaster had earlier signalled its intent to reduce its cost base by around 10 per cent over a three-year period, warning of “difficult choices” as it adapts to shifting economic realities and audience expectations.
With operating costs hovering around £6 billion annually, the BBC’s latest move underscores the scale of the financial challenge it faces, as it balances public service commitments with the need for long-term sustainability in an increasingly competitive media landscape.
