News Broadcasting
Broadcast India symposium concludes in Mumbai
Professionals of broadcast, film and multimedia industries from all over the city converged at the Y B Chavan auditorium to participate in the 11th Broadcast India 2001 Technical Symposium that culminated on Wednesday evening.
The penultimate talk of the two-day symposium centered on media asset management, a topic that offers vast potential in the burgeoning broadcasting industry in India. Dinesh Sawhney, the Hong Kong based manager with Sony Corporation, dwelt on the company’s product offerings, which help convert analog video archives into digital tapes that are easily catalogued, accessible and secure.
According to Sawhney, CNN has already used Sony software in a two-year-old project to convert 50,000 hours of video archives in this fashion. Analog tapes, the conventional method of storing data, suffer from quality deterioration as well as outmoded methods of searching for particular files. The Peta site mass storage system and the Peta serve HSM system, patented by Sony, allows search and re-purposing of content, enables news broadcasters to provide comprehensive information, as well as allows them to prepare for video on demand (VOD) services that may enter India in the near future.
Archive migration in digital mode thus allows organizations to create a multi media repository, which will allow local as well as remote access using web browsers to trawl for data. Sony’s HSM system also enables partial retrieval of files, making broadcasting newsrooms more efficient while searching archives, Sawhney said.
Citing another example, Sawhney said that HBO too has used the Peta serve system for video archive storage, and uses its automated facility for pre-programming up to 48 hours of its promos, so that no manual intervention is necessary to play them on the channel during that period.
The symposium’s other sessions focused on interactive TV, routing technology, content management, digital cinema, screen writing and film editing, among other topics. The symposium will be followed by a three-day exhibition on broadcasting equipment at the World Trade Centre, Mumbai.
Sony and Panasonic are to exhibit the equipment and technology used by George Lucas to digitally shoot the latest episode of Star Wars. Brand names like JVC, SGI, Discreet, Thomson Broadcast and Seagate will present their wares at the exhibition, covering the trades of TV, radio, video, film, cable, satellite, multimedia, transmission, computer graphics, animation and broadband.
For the first time the annual trade event will present the Seagate Technical awards for excellence in digital technology for films and television. The awards will be presented on 2 November 2, in conjunction with the Radio Advertisers and TV Practitioners Association of India and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees.
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.
