News Broadcasting
Bangalore to be imp Reuters hub by end 2005
MUMBAI: News provider Reuters plans to increase it’s head count from the present 340 at Bangalore to about 1200 by the end of 2005. A formal inauguration of it’s new offshore center by CM Dharam Singh was held yesterday 7 October 2004.
The Bangalore center will be one of the four key locations of Reuters around the world. It will provide world class information to professionals in the financial services, the news media and the corporate markets as per media reports. Reuters plans to locate around 50 per cent of it’s data operations in Bangalore, which will result in 450 jobs ‘disappearing’ at it’s overseas centers by the end of next year.
At present about 50 jobs have already been dissolved. This is line with Reuters cost cutting “Fast Forward” programme which aims to cut the staff numbers by 3000 to 13000.
Company estimates show that costs in India would be around 40 per cent of the costs in UK or the US. The journalist strength in Bangalore is around 20 for providing new types of coverage on corporate news coming out of the US. This team would be doubled soon. No journalist has been made redundant because of Bangalore operations said a company spokesperson as per media reports.
Reuters also plans to look at third party vendors to offer high end technology support in Bangalore in the areas of automated processes and work flow technology. On the anvil is formation of an internal business services operations within the Bangalore facility which would form a part of the Reuters Global Finance Division for processing finance transactions of the group.
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.
