News Broadcasting
BBC World Service to get more funds every year
LONDON:The radio arm of the BBC has just received a shot in the arm from the British government. The BBC World Service, which commands a listenership of 150 million every week all over the globe, will gain an average annual increase of 3.4 per cent in real terms over the next three years as part of the government’s Spending Review for 2003-2006.
The new investment represents an extra 48 million spread over the three years, in addition to a strong, stable capital baseline, says an official release. The money will be used to:
# Consolidate recent extensions in BBC services following the events of 11 September and launch new programmes serving Afghanistan, South West Asia and the Arab World.
# Develop landmark radio programmes on global issues such as global security; Islam in the 21st century, and development and democracy.
# Develop new flagship programming serving Africa, China and Europe.
# Strengthen online capability through more depth in key language sites and increased interactivity.
# Expand World Service availability on FM, particularly in capital cities.
# Support the World Service’s important capital modernisation programme.
The BBC World Service gains an additional 8 million, 13 million and 27 million respectively in each of the three years. The settlement goes hand-in-hand with a rigorous programme of efficiency over the period. BBC World Service is funded through grant-in-aid from Britain’s Foreign Office. The grant-in-aid currently stands at 201 million and will increase by 38 million to 239 million by 2005/6, including the additional 11 million for 2003/4 announced in the 2000 spending review.
The BBC World Service broadcasts in 43 languages including English, Hindi, Arabic, French, Tamil. Outside the UK, BBC World Service is available on short wave; on FM in more than 129 capital cities; and selected programmes are carried on almost 2,000 FM and MW radio stations around the world.
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.
