News Broadcasting
NDS, MagnaQuest forge alliance
HYDERABAD: News Corp’s NDS has announced a strategic partnership with MagnaQuest, a leading customer care and billing solutions provider for the pay-TV and convergence industry headquartered in Hyderabad.
An official release informs that the companies have completed integration of the NDS VideoGuard conditional access with MagnaQuest’s MQSubscribe customer care and billing solution. The integrated solutions create a valuable opportunity for operators to maximise their revenue and reduce churn.
The robust feature set of VideoGuard that enables operators to package content in a variety of ways, in conjunction with MQSubscribe’s ability to bill flexibly for each such option can be a winning deployment option. NDS and MagnaQuest will also co-operate for joint sales and marketing activities in the Asia Pacific region, states the release.
NDS, Asia Pacific VP and GM Sue Taylor said, “NDS is committed to providing open end-to-end solutions that ensure faster and easier integration for our customers. We selected MagnaQuest as a partner because the India-specific features of MQSubscribe make it uniquely suited to the Indian cable TV market.”
MagnaQuest VP (Sales and Marketing) A. N. Vasan said, “NDS and MagnaQuest have ambitious aspirations to serve the customers with an unbeatable value proposition. Both companies have developed world-leading technology, and have deep domain and geographical knowledge of the markets, but also continually strive to improve it with aggressive product roadmaps and a strong R&D team. Together we offer an end-to-end pay-TV solution with a very compelling value proposition.”
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.
