News Broadcasting
DD strikes deal for ICC cricket matches till 2007
NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati, which manages Doordarshan and All-India Radio, announced today that it has secured the terrestrial rights for Champions Trophy (2004 and 2006), Holland Cup and the cricket World Cup in 2007 and would show all India matches live.
It also stated that it would bid for the Board for Cricket Control in India (BCCI) cricket telecast rights on a “competitive basis independently.” But, in a contradictory stand, reserved the option of collaborating with another company on the rights issue at a later stage.
Taking a stand that may not amuse the Indian cricket board much, Prasar Bharati is unlikely to follow a BCCI tender document condition that the bids’ denomination should be either in dollar or Euro.”We are assessing the bid document and in a day or two would put up a competitive bid,” Prasar Bharati CEO KS Sarma told newspersons today, a day after the organisation’s board met to discuss various issues.
Reiterating what indiantelevision.com had reported yesterday, Sarma added that the Prasar Bharati board had decided to request the government to formulate a legislation that would “give the public service broadcaster
mandatory access to telecast rights of events of national importance on a non-competitive basis.”
Prasar Bharati is an autonomous organisation that manages the affairs of Doordarshan and All-India Radio.
Clarifying on the collaboration issue, additional secretary (broadcasting) in the I&B ministry Vijay Singh, (a government nominee on the Prasar Bharati board), said that Prasar Bharati would alone bid for the telecast rights. “But in a situation where it fails to bid successfully, it would keep the option open to collaborate with the rights holder,” he added.
Concurring with him, Sarma said that Prasar Bharati was scheduled to meet up with ESPN executives “today or tomorrow” to keep all channels open.
In a stand that may upset the Indian cricket board, Singh also said that Prasar Bharati would make it clear to BCCI that it would make payments in Indian rupees.
Asked whether payment by an Indian organisation to another Indian organisation in foreign currency is banned under an existing piece of legislation, Singh said that those aspects were being examined. “Let me assure you all that Prasar Bharati would abide by the law of this country and so would BCCI,” he added.
DD TO TELECAST ICC TROPHY, HOLLAND CUP
In a clear bid to augment its revenues, DD has bagged the terrestrial rights for quite a few up and coming cricket tourneys, some of them on a revenue-sharing basis with the original rights holder the Newscorp-owned Global Cricket Corporation (GCC).
The telecast rights obtained by DD include the Champions Trophy later this year and the one to be played in 2006, apart from the terrestrial rights of the cricket World Cup in the West Indies in 2007 and the Holland Cup.
DD will telecast live nine matches each from the ICC Champions Trophy and 19 from the ICC Cricket World Cup, including all India matches, semis and finals and ‘Big Gun’ matches, particularly on weekends.
According to Sarma, for the Champions Trophy later this year, a minimum guarantee of Rs 7.5 million per One Dayer would be provided by Nimbus Communications while the revenue share would be in the ratio of 80:20 in favour of Nimbus (GCC has appointed Harish Thawani’s sports management company to exclusively handle on air sales of these events).
In the case of Holland Cup, which promises to be high voltage drama with India, Pakistan and Australia participating, Sony Entertainment TV India, the rights holder, would provides the bank guarantee and make available signals of India matches to DD on a revenue-sharing basis, the details of which were not disclosed.
As ministry’s Singh rightly pointed out — half in jest — that with the Olympics coverage turning out to be a financial loss for Prasar Bharati (expenses: Rs 250 million; revenue: approximately Rs 80 million), maybe advertising revenue from cricket does some compensation.
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.
