News Broadcasting
BBC to prune workforce by the thousands: report
MUMBAI: The BBC in the UK is said to be finalising plans to cut up to a quarter of its 28,000-strong workforce in the biggest single reorganisation in its history.
A report in The Times states that the changes, being masterminded by BBC director-general Mark Thompson, could lead to thousands of jobs being lost in the news and production divisions.
While the BBC has not commented on the number of job cuts, around 6,000 jobs are expected to be under threat from next year, according to the report.
The proposed reorganisation comes as the BBC faces the debate on whether its ten-year Royal Charter that ends in 2006 should be renewed. By demonstrating that costs are under control, the BBC believes that it can justify accepting a lot of public money. Last year’s income from the licence fee was ?2.8 billion.
Another report in The Sunday Mail states that there are four reviews under way. The first is examining the future of the commercial arms of the BBC. The second is looking at its content supply system, which regulates who makes programmes.
The third is considering whether the corporation should move more of its activities outside London. The final ‘value for money’ review is looking at the corporation’s efficiency.
The reviews are expected to be completed in early December. Thompson and BBC chairman Michael Grade have targetted savings of ?2 billion before the earlier mentioned Royal Charter comes up for review. Ernst & Young has been assigned to conduct a study that will examine the BBC’s departmental spending.
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. AICC’s Praveen Chakravarty weighs ‘Power Sharing vs Principles’, while former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan joins the fray. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
