News Broadcasting
BBC mounts most ambitious broadcasting operations in its history
MUMBAI: As the US-led invasion steps into full throttle, BBC World has abandoned its regular programming schedule and is providing extensive rolling news coverage of the situation in Iraq.
Terrestrial broadcasters from around the world are simultaneously broadcasting BBC World’s breaking news as it happens, a company release states.
BBC World is being co-presented live from around the world by Nik Gowing in Doha, Qatar; Lyse Doucet in Amman, Jordan; Jon Sopel in Kuwait; Annita McVeigh and Mishal Husain in Washington and the BBC World team in London.
In addition, BBC News has put extra teams of reporters and crews in more than 30 key locations. BBC personnel are also based in Iran, Egypt, Syria, Bahrain and Turkey, with a journalistic presence on carriers such as Ark Royal.
Overall, the BBC is mounting one of the most ambitious broadcasting operations in its history to cover the invasion of Iraq, the release says.
The BBC News deployment to the region is in excess of 200 staff, including producers and camera people. All staff have attended a week-long hostile environment course and correspondents are carrying personal body armour and CBR (chemical, biological and radiation) suits in their kit bags.
TV viewers had a look at some of that when following the first US-UK strikes on Iraq, a scud missile attack on the border with Kuwait was reported. The correspondent from the “frontlines” was seen wearing a gas mask while reporting the news. Just in case the Scuds had chemical weapons material, the viewers were informed.
The question this raises is about those intrepid journos who’re sending out news from the real frontlines i.e. Baghdad itself. It must be like a nightmare from Hell for them.
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.
