MAM
Former BBC DG Dyke criticises cutbacks
MUMBAI: Earlier this month the BBC announced major organisation restructuring in the UK. As per the plan it will let go off of thousands of employees in order to save hundreds of millions of pounds a year.
Now the BBC’s former DG Greg Dyke has spoken out against the move saying that it would prove debilitating.
Appearing on the BBC show Newsnight Dyke claimed that he would have dealt with the situation differently. Dyke said that the 2,900 job losses which were recently announced could prove to be “debilitating” for the BBC and could affect the organisation’s creativity.
He said, “I think that the creativity of an organisation is based on the morale and enthusiasm and the energy of the staff. If you could make all those big cuts at one time then you could pick it up later. If you have to drag them out over three or four years it’s incredibly debilitating for an organisation.”
A report in BBC News states that the BBC is hoping to save £320 million per year, which will be put back into programme-making. Further cuts are expected in the New Year.
The vast majority – some 2,500 posts – will go from administrative departments including human resources, finance, marketing, training and legal services. A further 400 jobs will go in the corporation’s factual and learning department.
Dyke told the BBC Two programme that he could not understand the BBC board’s support of the job-cutting plans. “I find the position of the board of governors a bit odd because many of those governors were the people who sat there for the last four years supporting a completely different approach”.
Dyke went on to deny that if he had stayed in the job he would have faced a “new political reality” which would have forced him to make the same decision. “I don’t think that’s the case. Personally I find it offensive in some ways that you try to appeal to a Labour government by taking people who have got decent jobs – not particularly well paid, but not bad jobs – where they get pensions and they have proper support systems and the rest of it, and we want to take those things outside, often to organisations where you get none of those.”
Brands
Hyundai Venue crosses 1 lakh bookings, adds HX8 Diesel AT variant
New top-spec automatic diesel trim brings ventilated seats, OTA updates and paddle shifters.
MUMBAI: Hyundai Venue just hit the jackpot and upgraded the prize because when you cross 1 lakh bookings, you don’t just celebrate, you throw in paddle shifters and ventilated seats for the ride. Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) announced that the all-new Hyundai Venue has achieved 1 lakh bookings, cementing its strong position in the compact SUV segment. To mark the milestone and further enhance customer choice, the company introduced the new HX8 Diesel Automatic (AT) variant.
The HX8 Diesel AT is powered by the proven U2 1.5L CRDi diesel engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. It adds a host of premium comfort, safety and convenience features, including:
- Ventilated front seats
- Dual-tone leatherette seats with VENUE branding
- Electric 4-way driver seat adjust
- Controller Over-the-Air (OTA) updates
- Hyundai Bluelink connected car technology
- Electric parking brake with auto hold
- Rear disc brakes
- Ambient lighting on crash pad and central console
- Drive mode select (Eco, Normal, Sport)
- Traction control modes (Sand, Mud, Snow)
- Paddle shifters
HMIL, managing director & CEO Tarun Garg said, “We are delighted that the new Hyundai Venue has crossed 1 lakh bookings, reaffirming the strong trust Indian customers place in our brand. The introduction of the new HX8 Diesel Automatic variant further strengthens the Venue lineup, offering customers the perfect blend of diesel efficiency, torque-rich performance and effortless convenience.”
Backed by Hyundai’s extensive sales and service network, the Venue continues to appeal to buyers seeking a feature-rich, comfortable and future-ready compact SUV. The new variant reinforces HMIL’s focus on delivering advanced technology, safety, comfort and value while adapting to evolving customer preferences.
In a segment where bookings are the real horsepower, Hyundai isn’t just counting milestones, it’s handing drivers an automatic upgrade that makes every journey feel like the victory lap.
