News Broadcasting
BBC Worldwide returns record ?141m to BBC
MUMBAI: For the seventh successive year BBC Worldwide, the commercial consumer arm of the BBC, has increased its cash flow to the Corporation to supplement the licence fee income.
The figure of ?141 million for 2003/04 marks an increase of 14 per cent on the previous year’s ?123 million.
In spite of an extremely challenging and competitive environment, sales from continuing operations, including joint ventures, rose three per cent year-on-year from ?640 million in 2002/03 to ?657 million in 2003/04.
In addition BBC Worldwide’s profit, post exceptionals, rose to ?37 million from ?32 million in 2002/03. However due to the decline in the US dollar profit on continuing operations declined to ?37 million from ?44 million.
During the year, BBC Worldwide licensed more than 40,000 hours of programming around the world and grew its global network of TV channels to reach more than 340 million homes.
BBC Worldwide is responsible for around 50 per cent of the UK’s total television sales. Factual and drama television programming such as D-Day, Pompeii, Colosseum, Sea Monsters were among the top sellers to broadcasters around the world.
In addition, BBC Worldwide licensed the formats to hit shows such as Great Britons, The Weakest Link, What Not to Wear, Top Of The Pops and Top Gear to broadcasters in dozens of territories.
The joint venture channels BBC Canada and BBC Kids, with Alliance Atlantis, together reached more than 1.4 million subscribers last year. General entertainment channel BBC Prime increased its distribution to 14.6 million homes in Europe, Middle East and Africa and celebrated five years in Africa by posting a 65 per cent increase in ad revenue. BBC Food grew ad sales in Africa by 200 per cent.
BBC Magazines sold over 100 million copies of its titles during the year. It reaches almost one in five of all UK adults every month. In India it announced a joint venture with Bennett & Coleman the publisher of The Times of India. As per this the two parties are looking at coming out with titles for India.
BBC Worldwide CEO Rupert Gavin said, “These record results are remarkable in a period of global recession which has hit the TV and advertising markets hard. We have made our most significant contribution to BBC programming ever. The cash flow return of ?141 million means that we add nearly ?6 per year to the value of every licence fee in the UK.”
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
