News Broadcasting
Ajay Vidyasagar is head of marketing, communications at Star India
MUMBAI: Star India’s head of its Tamil language channel Vijay TV has been given a new portfolio.
Ajay Vidyasagar, general manager (regional channels), now heads marketing and channel communications of the entire Star network.
Reporting directly to Vidyasagar are the respective marketing and press relations (PR) heads Mubina Ansari, vice-president marketing and Shola Rajachandran, vice-president publicity and PR.
Vidyasagar’s number two at Vijay TV, deputy general manager Harsh Rohatgi, is now overall head of Star’s regional language channel.
With Vidyasagar’s appointment, there is now a clear demarcation between corporate communications and channel PR. While Vidyasagar will have overall responsibility for channel PR, Nitin Atroley, brought in as executive vice-president corporate affairs and communications in January this year, will manage corporate communications.
Meanwhile, Star is still to fill in the vacancy left by the shifting of senior V-P Yash Khanna from corporate communications to head of client relations early last month.
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.
