News Broadcasting
British author Alan Hollinghurst on CNN’s ‘Talk Asia’
CNN's chat show Talk Asia catches up with British author Alan Hollinghurst. He won the prestigious Booker Prize in 2004. He talks about his award-winning novel The Line of Beauty. The show airs on 7 May at 8:30 am, 10 am, 10:30 pm and on 8 May at 4 pm and 8:30 pm.
He says, "When I wrote my first book, which I started writing over 20 years ago now, gay lives and gay sexuality really hadn't been written about at all in literary fiction in England. And there did seem an urgency and originality in doing that. It was a whole new subject, which was just waiting to be written about. And I sort of did that."
During the half-hour interview, the British author also talks about his other novels – highly acclaimed volumes of prose describing life in the 1980s, homosexuality, Aids and Thatcherism. Hollinghurst continues to discuss his interests in literature, music and architecture and how he incorporates his hobbies into this novel.
"I think one of my pleasures, there's a sort of proxy way of being an architect if you like, that I do invent, construct houses in my books. That's sort of the nearest I get to do the real thing."
Additionally, the author chats about the influences in his life, his work as an editor for the Times Literary Supplement and professor at Oxford University, and the possibility of exploring new writing styles for his future literary works.
"I do feel that I want to do something different. I don't have another novel at the moment, but I do have a lot of ideas for stories so I want to see if I can do that. Short stories…which is something I've never really done."
News Broadcasting
BBC to cut up to 2,000 jobs in biggest overhaul in 15 years
Cost pressures and leadership change drive major workforce reduction plan
LONDON: BBC has unveiled plans to cut up to 2,000 jobs, roughly 10 per cent of its global workforce, in what marks its biggest downsizing in 15 years.
The announcement was made during an all-staff meeting led by interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies, as the broadcaster moves to tackle mounting financial pressures and reshape its operations.
Between 1,800 and 2,000 roles are expected to be eliminated from a workforce of around 21,500. The cuts form part of a broader plan to save £500 million over the next two years, aimed at offsetting rising costs, stagnating licence fee income and weaker commercial revenues.
In a communication to staff, BBC interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies said, “I know this creates real uncertainty, but we wanted to be open about the challenge,” acknowledging the impact the move would have across the organisation.
The restructuring comes at a time of leadership transition. Former director-general Tim Davie stepped down earlier this month, with Matt Brittin, a former Google executive, set to take over the role on May 18, 2026.
While some cost-cutting measures are being implemented immediately, the majority of the structural changes are expected to roll out over the next few years, with full savings targeted by the 2027–2028 financial year.
The broadcaster had earlier signalled its intent to reduce its cost base by around 10 per cent over a three-year period, warning of “difficult choices” as it adapts to shifting economic realities and audience expectations.
With operating costs hovering around £6 billion annually, the BBC’s latest move underscores the scale of the financial challenge it faces, as it balances public service commitments with the need for long-term sustainability in an increasingly competitive media landscape.
