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
CNN-News18 to host Kolkata Town Hall on Hooghly River
‘Bhalobasa Bengal Inspiring Bharat’ event on April 20 brings cultural icons, trailblazing women and leaders aboard a cruise to celebrate Bengal’s enduring influence.
MUMBAI: Bengal is about to make fresh waves on the Hooghly and this time the current is pure conversation. CNN-News18 is taking its iconic Town Hall format to the waters of the iconic Hooghly River on 20 April 2026 with a special edition titled ‘Bhalobasa Bengal – Inspiring Bharat’. The floating event will celebrate the state’s rich cultural legacy and how its ideas, creativity and spirit continue to shape the rest of the country.
The unique riverside setting draws on Bengal’s history as a cradle of reform, art and intellectual thought. The speaker line-up mirrors that diversity: cultural heavyweights Mithun Chakraborty and Sreenanda Shankar will share the stage with trailblazing “Devis” such as Tanya Sanyal (India’s first woman firefighter in aviation), Ipsita Chakraborty (Kolkata’s first woman bartender) and Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi (Nari Shakti awardee and marine pilot). Music will flow through the celebrated pianist-vocalist duo Sourendro and Soumyojit, while public life and governance will be represented by Smriti Irani, Leander Paes, Saira Shah Halim, Keya Ghosh, Rekha Patra, Roopa Ganguly and Babul Supriyo.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director, Rahul Shivshankar, said the event honours voices that carry Bengal’s legacy forward. Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News, Network18, added that Bengal’s stories resonate far beyond its borders, especially as the state heads into polls.
From the first woman to battle flames in the skies to legendary actors who shaped Indian cinema, the gathering promises a rich mix of inspiration, courage and candid dialogue. In a city where culture has always flowed as freely as the river itself, CNN-News18 is turning the Hooghly into a floating forum for ideas that matter.
Tune in on 20 April on CNN-News18, CTV and YouTube to catch Bengal’s heartbeat in full flow.
