MAM
Vodafone UK hatches deal with BBC for ‘Fawlty Towers’
LONDON: This is news that should give mobile service companies looking to provide value adds to customers pause for thought. Users of Vodafone live! in the UK will be able to download Fawlty Towersexcerpts, together with other BBC comedies, directly to their handsets for the first time. This follows a deal between BBC Worldwide and Vodafone UK.
In india the comedy show starring John Cleese used to air on Star World. An official release informs that the deal, which represents the first of its kind for BBC Worldwide, was concluded following consultation and negotiation with on-screen talent, writers and/or their representatives. This ensured all contributors and rights’ holders benefit from this new business activity, which BBC Worldwide expects to grow rapidly.
BBC Worldwide’s director of commecial broadband and interactive television Jonathan Crane said, “Licensing BBC comedy sequences to Vodafone live! is a genuinely groundbreaking deal for us. Accessing video via handsets is now a reality for us all, and as demand grows, BBC Worldwide is poised to provide a range of great video content to these new mobile services.”
Fawlty Towers has sales to broadcasters in over 70 countries, including India, Russia and Thailand.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI:Â Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
