News Broadcasting
BBC hopes to launch channel in China
MUMBAI: Three years after it was given the unceremonious heave-ho for “infringing” state broadcasting rules, BBC is eyeing a return to China with the launch of its channel.
Representatives from BBC Worldwide, the corporation’s commercial arm, are to visit China this summer with plans for a television channel. The corporations’ focus is on international expansion plans as the commercial unit announced record profits of £55 million for 2004/05, a year on year increase of 50 per cent.
International expansion of both the channels and TV sales business is a crucial part of the corporation’s plans. BBC Worldwide chief executive and chief operating officer John Smith will head a team of between five and 10 senior Worldwide executives hoping to start discussions with several joint venture partners as well as the Chinese government in August, informs media reports.
The division, which operates international channels including BBC America, BBC Kids in Canada and the BBC Food channel in the Middle East and Africa, is keen to look at other territories. China is on the list of the countries where channel expansion is on the agenda, according to a media report.
A kids channel in the US has, however, been mentioned previously by Simth as one possibility. BBC Worldwide will be announcing the appointment of a new managing director of global channels some time soon.
According to a media report, Smith said that he was “pretty confident” of meeting his target to double profits from £37m last year to £74m next year.
But relations with the Chinese authorities have been at times strained over the corporation’s coverage of news events.
In 1994, Rupert Murdoch attempted to appease the Chinese government by removing BBC World from his Star satellite platform in the country, after dissatisfaction was expressed at BBC coverage of the Tiananmen Square massacre.
In 2002, the Chinese International Television Corporation temporarily ejected BBC World from the Sinosat 1 satellite service on the basis of unfavourable reports on the Falun Gong spiritual movement.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
