News Broadcasting
Al Jazeera International to showcase Asia Pacific programme ‘101 East’
MUMBAI: Al Jazeera International, the proposed 24-hour English-language news and current affairs channel, has announced that the news anchor Teymoor Nabili will present its flagship Asia-Pacific current affairs show, 101 East.
Earlier this year Nabili was announced as also being the channel’s principal male news anchor in Kuala Lumpur alongside Veronica Pedrosa formerly of CNN International.
Broadcast from Kuala Lumpur, one of four regional broadcast centres strategically placed around the world in Doha, London and Washington DC, 101 East will be the region’s definitive discussion show for a local and global audience. Topical and authoritative, according to an official release, 101 East will often beat local broadcasters to local stories. From Mongolia to Australia, China to Indonesia, 101 East will report and reflect on major issues from health and wealth, politics and religion.
Nabili is winner of best news presenter/anchor at the Asian TV Awards in 2005, he has also received awards from the UK Royal Television Society, for coverage of the Utah Olympic bribery scandal, and from the New York Awards, for reporting on economic development in Malaysia.
Al Jazeera International director news & programmes Steve Clark said, “101 East will complement our broad range of programmes to bring viewers around the world the latest on the Asia Pacific region from within, reversing the flow of information with Asia calling the shots. Local viewers will be surprised at the uncensored coverage.”
Nabili brings 17 years of experience to Al Jazeera International: writing, producing, reporting and anchoring in television, radio and print. He joined Al Jazeera International from CNBC Asia in Singapore, where he has been anchor since 2001. Previous roles include news anchor for BBC Television in London, and anchor for European Business News.
Reporting highlights include covering the September 11th terrorist attack on New York City for Channel 4 News and the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka for CNBC. Interview highlights include the Malaysia Prime Ministers Mahathir Mohammed and Ahmad Abdullah Badawi, Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, Singapore Prime Ministers Goh Chok Tong and Lee Hsien Loong.
As a commissioning house Al Jazeera International’s programmes will include material gathered from freelancers and independent companies all across the globe through a unique commissioning site: www.ajicommissioning.net
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.
