News Broadcasting
Combination of brand, process and team the real superstar: MK Anand
MUMBAI: The year is coming to an end on a satisfying note for the Times Network. 2017 threw up several challenges right from the start of the year with demonetisation, top-level changes in the editorial team and the tough competition between Times Now and the newly launched rival Republic TV, run by the Times’ former iconic anchor Arnab Goswami.
The two big events at the Times Network this year were the rebranding of ET Now from a full-time business news channel to a general news channel and the launch of Mirror Now. The former has broad-based itself beyond 5 pm in a bid to offer holistic news for business.
Times Network CEO & MD MK Anand says the channel has had a good streak lately. “It’s indeed a very satisfying December at the end of an eventful year with multiple challenges and multiple high points. The top-level change in Times Network’s editorial team last year pleasantly cascaded into a series of structural corrections unleashing innovation, synergy, asset optimisation and the sheer release of creative energy. The results are there for the world to see,” he says.
He highlights that digital will be a major thrust area for Times Now next year. Furthermore, the channel shifted its editorial team to Delhi in the second half of 2017 in order to centralise news operations.
Anand says that Times Now kept its primacy intact with style. “In spite of some desperate stunts by competition, India’s No 1 English news channel majestically marched along. Not once missing step,” he states. In the midst of the news hullabaloo, it launched and stabilised Times Now HD. “With that, we effectively proved that the combination of brand, process and team is the real superstar,” he adds.
For ET Now, the channel came up with an exciting developmental debate concept. The concept puts a new responsibility on the team to focus on areas that lead to India’s growth and give direction to the economy.
The same team, using almost entirely in-house resources, gave birth to Mirror Now in the middle of the battleground that 2017 was. The new channel climbed up the charts and carved a clear and differentiated niche for itself with reach/ viewership comparable with other major English news brands. It has also thrown up an extremely promising primetime star. “Mirror Now’s steady growth will upset the order in 2018 and I look forward to it being India’s second rank English news brand,” he adds.
Anand expects the news genre to be more active and exciting in 2018. “And with better market conditions, now that GST and demonetisation are behind us, the overall English and news space is poised for a truly great ride through the new year,” he predicts.
Also read:
Times Network hosts Digital India Summit and Awards 4.0
Times Now leadership continues, new launches notwithstanding, says MK Anand
ET Now revamps to offer both, business and general news
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.
