News Broadcasting
Creative Broadcast Services to acquire BBC Broadcast for £166 million
MUMBAI: The BBC has announced that a contract has been signed with Creative Broadcast Services Limited for the sale of BBC Broadcast. BC Broadcast is involved with designing the look, logo of channels among other activities.
Completion of the sale is subject to approval from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport. Creative Broadcast Services Limited owned by the Macquarie Capital Alliance Group and Macquarie Bank Limited, has been selected as the new owner following an extensive and rigorous evaluation of final bids from financial and industry buyers. The sale follows on from the corporation’s internal review of its commercial businesses. The review team concluded that, whilst the services provided by BBC Broadcast are vital to the BBC, they did not necessarily need to remain owned by the BBC.
The list of financial bidders had included – Advent International, Apax Partners Worldwide LLP, Bank of Scotland Corporate, Barclays Pvt Equity, Bridgepoint, Exponent Pvt Equity, HgCapital, Kleinwort Capital, Montagu Pvt Equity, Palamon Capital Partners LP and The Carlyle Group. The BBC believes that the new ownership and its commitment to a long-term partnership will mean that the BBC can continue the strong relationship it has built up with BBC Broadcast. Creative Broadcast Services will provide the business with opportunities for growth which are not available whilst it is owned by the BBC, but with the stability of an on-going contract in place with the BBC. As well as delivering the best deal to the BBC, Creative Broadcast Services has also given assurances on pensions, terms and conditions for staff in BBC Broadcast.
BBC COO and executive board sponsor John Smith said, “Creative Broadcast Services made the BBC a great offer and showed real capabilities in managing a contractual long-term partnership with a commitment to growing and investing in the business.” Macquarie Capital Alliance Group CEO Michael Cook said, “BBC Broadcast has state-of-the-art facilities and services delivered by very talented people and is in a strong position to take advantage of growing opportunities in Europe as well as developing demand from new communication media. The BBC Broadcast management team has extensive experience and strong industry relationships across all aspects of the business.”
BBC Broadcast MD Pam Masters said, “I am delighted with the BBC’s decision for Creative Broadcast Services to acquire BBC Broadcast. The Board and I have built this company from an internal BBC department through incorporation and three successful years of trading under BBC ownership.
“It is now time for the business to flourish under new ownership with increased investment. We feel confident the decision is right for our business and our staff, and I look forward to working with them to fulfill the potential of this fantastic business.”
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
