News Broadcasting
BBC Entetainment & Comedy Commission to ensure meritocracy in commissioning process
MUMBAI: UK broadcaster the BBC is hoping that the changes it has recently made to the Entertainment and Comedy Commissioning team will help put the window of creative competition (WOCC) into action and ensure a true meritocracy of commissioning.
In the entertainment genre there will be a new role for the head of comedy commissioning. This will involve commissioning all in-house and independent scripted comedy. The person will report to BBC Entertainment commissioning controller Jane Lush.
The head of comedy commissioning will be supported by a Commissioning Editor, Comedy, Out of London – based in Glasgow. In this role the person appointed will be responsible for developing Out of London comedy proposals, with a £9m dedicated budget. In addition the BBC will also have three new senior roles which will replace the current commissioning executive roles. The new roles are executive editor, mainstream entertainment; executive Editor, format and executive editor, comedy. The people chsoen will work with independent and in house programme makers, and will have a clear brief and a dedicated development budget.
Explaining the reasons behind the restructuring Lush says, “Entertainment and comedy are incredibly important to our audiences. I am confident these changes will help us get the very best programmes on screen.” BBC has already started making changes to its drama division. The Factual genre and Daytime are each introducing a new commissioning role out of London to better reflect the diversity of the audience and to help build thriving production bases across the UK.
BBC Television director Jana Benett said, “Our primary commitment and determination is to ensure a true meritocracy of commissioning – getting the best ideas on screen as efficiently and as effectively as we can, irrespective of who makes them – and the new structure in each genre is designed to ensure that happens.”
In 2004, even without the creative window in place, the BBC’s commissioning of independents is forecast at more than 30 per cent, well over the 25 per cent quota, for the first time in its history. “Equal access and a one-stop shop for independents and in-house suppliers will ensure a level playing field and a simpler, faster commissioning process should underpin it. A strong independent sector and a flourishing in-house production base are not mutually exclusive and will stimulate the competition that will deliver the best ideas to the audience.” adds Bennett.
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
