News Broadcasting
BBC Worldwide chief Rupert Gavin quits
MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide chief executive Rupert Gavin has resigned. Gavin’s resignation follows the corporation’s announcement of a wide-ranging review of its entire commercial operation.
Gavin who joined BBC Worldwide in 1998 has been regarded as the driving force behind the success of the Worldwide enterprise. Gavin will assist the BBC on finding a replacement and handover issues until he leaves in October.
Gavin said in his statement, “This is the seventh record year in succession that we have achieved since I joined BBC Worldwide back in 1998. Since that date, we have generated a total of ?704 million for the BBC and are well on our way to achieving the long term targets that the government set us.
“In addition the company achieved a record 109 industry and consumer awards in 2003/04, including Exporter of the Year at the prestigious International Business Awards, emphasising the quality and excellence of our work.
“From this position of strength, I have decided now is the right time to stand down as CEO of BBC Worldwide.”
Gavin mentioned the company’s review plan saying, “As you know, a review of commercial businesses, including BBC Worldwide, is currently underway, led by the BBC’s Chief Operating Officer John Smith. This is due to report by the end of 2004. I will assist the BBC on handover issues until I leave in October,” he said.
BBC director-general Mark Thompson said: “Rupert has taken Worldwide to record levels of success and the company is now a market leader in key areas both in the UK and globally.
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 to spotlight India’s global rise
PM Modi keynotes two-day event on 27–28 February in New Delhi with ministers, diplomats and icons.
MUMBAI: India’s rise isn’t just making headlines, it’s headlining its own summit, and this time the guest list reads like a global power playlist. News18 Network will host the Rising Bharat Summit 2026, a high-powered thought-leadership forum anchored around the theme “Spotlighting Bharat’s Rise: Driven by Strength Within.” The two-day event kicks off on 27 February 2026 at 10:00 AM in New Delhi, bringing together policymakers, diplomats, business leaders, strategists, innovators, and cultural icons for conversations that aim to define India’s confident, self-assured role on the world stage.
Prime minister Narendra Modi will deliver the keynote address, setting the tone for discussions on economic momentum, geopolitical positioning, and long-term aspirations for the decade ahead.
The ministerial lineup includes Piyush Goyal (Commerce and Industry), Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, Information & Broadcasting, Electronics & IT), Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (Communications & Development of North Eastern Region), and Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta.
Global diplomacy and strategic voices feature former Singapore foreign minister George Yeo, ex-UK Chief of defence staff general Sir Nick Carter, former US commerce secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez, and ambassadors from Norway (May-Elin Stener), Germany (Philipp Ackermann), and Sweden (Jan Thesleff).
Industry, innovation, and economic perspectives come from veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems Founder & CEO Dr Vishal Sikka, and Deeptech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati.
Defence, technology, and thought leadership include Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, RSS Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar, Apple expert Patrick McGee, military aviation historian Tom Cooper, and defence scholar Adrian Fontanellaz.
Culture, sports, and popular influence bring actor-MP Kangana Ranaut, Olympic medallists Saina Nehwal and PR Sreejesh, cricketers Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Mithali Raj, plus film stars Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
Broadcast live across News18 Network channels, CNBC-TV18, CNBC Awaaz, and streaming platforms from 10:00 am on both days, the summit aims to move beyond headlines and shape deeper narratives around policy, leadership, and innovation at a decisive moment for India’s global trajectory.
In a world watching Bharat’s next moves, this gathering isn’t just talk, it’s the opening scene of a story that’s already rewriting the script.
