News Broadcasting
BBC announces factual commissioning appointments
MUMBAI: The BBC is undergoing a major change in its sytems and processes. One of the aims is to pave the way for a new, fairer one-stop shop commissioning system for in-house and independent producers alike. Therefore it has appointed three new commissioners for factual programmes across its four television channels in the UK.
Emma Swain becomes the commissioning editor for specialist factual. She will be responsible for history, natural history and science; Adam Kemp will be the commissioning editor for Arts, Performance and Religion. Meanwhile, Richard Klein takes on the new role of commissioning editor for documentaries. The new team will take up their posts on 4 April 2005.
One post of commissioner of factual features remains vacant, and external applications will now be invited. Swain will commission factual features in the interim. The five new commissioning editors will commission their own part of the slate and will report to the controller of factual television Glenwyn Benson. He said, “I am very pleased to have been able to assemble such a strong, experienced and creatively bold team. Each of them will have direct responsibility for commissioning programmes from both BBC in-house production and independents, which will ensure that that everyone has direct and equal access to the commissioning process.
BBC television director Jana Bennett said: “This structure creates a simple one-stop shop and puts the best in-house and independent ideas in open competition. The factual restructure is integral to the significant overhaul of the BBC’s commissioning system I announced last December, which has included restructuring of the Drama and Entertainment commissioning teams announced in recent weeks. It also prepares the BBC to introduce greater competitive space in its commissioning through the proposed Window of Creative Competition (Wocc).
“The new and streamlined commissioning structure for Television, together with our plans for new processes including developing faster turnaround times and greater information sharing with the creative community, will deliver audiences the richest content from the best programme makers.”
News Broadcasting
WITT Summit 2026 concludes in New Delhi
Babar Azam’s comical diving attempt goes viral as league introduces anti-dew measures.
MUMBAI: The WITT Summit just wrapped up with enough big ideas to fill a policy playbook because when India’s leaders, thinkers and icons gather under one roof, even the conversations hit sixes. The eighth edition of TV9 Network’s flagship What India Thinks Today (WITT) Summit 2026 concluded on Saturday after two days of dynamic discussions at its New Delhi venue. India’s largest multi-domain public policy and culture summit brought together political leaders, policymakers, sports icons, artists and technology innovators to examine the forces shaping contemporary India and its global standing.
Prime minister Narendra Modi delivered the keynote address on the theme “India and the World” for the third consecutive year. In a wide-ranging speech, he addressed the ongoing conflict in West Asia, calling for restraint and compassion while highlighting India’s continued development trajectory despite global turmoil.
The summit featured candid conversations with state leaders. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy articulated a people-first governance model and contrasted it with other development approaches. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav declared that Left-wing extremism had been effectively eliminated in his state and highlighted preparations for the upcoming Kumbh Mela. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann defended his government’s record, citing the closure of 19 toll plazas and creation of the Sadak Suraksha Force. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar expressed confidence in Congress prospects in Assam and addressed recent allegations against him.
On geopolitics and national security, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia outlined India’s ambition to become a builder of trusted digital infrastructure for the world, citing the rapid 5G rollout and village-level 4G connectivity.
Cricket received significant attention. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly praised player freedom and trust as hallmarks of great leadership and named MS Dhoni as the greatest captain due to his World Cup successes. India women’s team bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi credited the BCCI and Women’s Premier League for building a pipeline of world-class talent behind the team’s recent ODI World Cup triumph.
The summit also hosted the inaugural AI² Awards 2026, celebrating the convergence of human creativity and machine intelligence in storytelling and content creation. Poet and kathavachak Kumar Vishwas delivered a nuanced take on India’s concept of Dharma and criticised the recent arrest of an 80-year-old Shankaracharya. Veteran lyricist Sameer Anjaan and storyteller Neelesh Misra reflected on changing music trends and artistic responsibility in the wake of a recent controversy involving Nora Fatehi.
In a country where conversations often run as deep as the Ganges, the WITT Summit proved once again that when leaders, thinkers and storytellers come together, the real winner is public discourse lively, layered and refreshingly unafraid to tackle the big questions shaping India’s tomorrow.
