News Broadcasting
Basu to do ‘University Challenge’ for BBC World
MUMBAI: The master of quiz is back with a new one.
Siddhartha Basu may be taking longer to decide on the kind of show he wants to do with Doordarshan, but his plan of action for the next series on BBC World is ready. After the unmitigated success of Mastermind India, a delightful exercise in some serious intellectual sparring, Basu is set to launch University Challenge on the satellite channel in August.
This year, Mastermind India takes a break, according to Synergy, Basu’s production company. The groundwork is ready and Basu’s team is now sending out calls for entries to participate in the contest through leading dailies. The all India inter college TV quiz requires participants to be over 18, top quizzers, part of a four member team nominated to represent their college or university, and need to be bona fide students of colleges affiliated to universities/ deemed universities recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
University Challenge has been running on BBC UK for the last 40 years as the licensed version of the American programme, College Bowl. The series will have its first ever telecast on BBC World in India, starting August 7, 2003, with Indian teams and an added bonus of five special episodes featuring top British University Challenge teams. A total of 32 episodes will be telecast.
University Challenge in India will be planned as a nationwide search for the brightest and best-informed college students in the country in 27 Indian knock out rounds, according to Synergy.
University Challenge is a prime time, elimination quiz show where the best quizzing teams from prime university colleges across India vie for top honours in a head to head challenge with opponent college teams. The four special episodes consisting of winning teams from the British University Challenge will be pitted against the top quizzing teams from Indian colleges. The series will end with a grand final between the Indian University Challenge winning team of this year and the winning team of the UK University Challenge. The British teams will be flown down by British Council India to participate in the recordings in Delhi.
Each episode of University Challenge will feature two teams of four members each.
A typical question answer sequence will comprise of a ‘Starter’ question, which will be open to all eight contestants. Whichever contestant buzzes in the answer to the ‘Starter’ question correctly, his/her team is asked three linked bonus questions, of a specified subject field. This sequence of question answers will be repeated as many number of times as the duration of the episode (i.e. 26 minutes) permits.
The series would cover the gamut of sports, theatre, technology, industries, films, music, dance, science and medicine, television, advertising, art and literature, destinations, cuisine and many more areas.
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.
