News Broadcasting
GoQuest Media acquires several dramas from Europe
Mumbai: Global independent content distributor GoQuest Media has acquired several dramas from Europe. The deals finalised gives GoQuest Media distribution rights to Secrets of the Grapevine from Serbian telecommunications and cable TV operator Telekom Srbija, Crazy in Love from Polish broadcaster TVN, Still Waters from Estonian pubcaster ERR, and Sacrificiul (Sacrificial) from Romanian production company Dream Film Production.
Commenting on the deal GoQuest Media manager – acquisitions Akshit Sandhu said, “We’re so pleased to continue our partnership with Telekom Srbija and ERR & build a new one with TVN and Dream Film Production. These gripping series enjoyed high ratings and found great popularity with their local audiences, and we believe that these evergreen themes and performances will appeal to international audiences too.”
Find below the details of each show!
Winner of the most viewed series at the 11th International Drama and Series Festival FEDIS 2021 (Belgrade), Secrets of the Grapevine (72 x 50’) produced by MetRo Productions for Telekom Srbija, is a romantic drama that follows the incredible story of two winemaking families – the Tomovics and Smiljanics. The intimate saga of the feuding families is rapt with devastating secrets, long-lost love, and heartbreak. Former lovers Vuk Tomovic and Vera Smiljanic rekindle their romance after twenty years but they must make great sacrifices to realize a passion project they had dreamt of together a long time ago.
The telenovela Crazy in Love (260 x 22’) which originally aired on TVN 7 is an entangled story of holiday love. Piotr Nowak accidentally meets Joanna Popiel ten years after a holiday romance when she opens a veterinary office in the same building as his dental practice. Will Piotr choose youthful love or stay with high school sweetheart and ambitious partner Sylwia Witos? Or will the holiday lovers fall crazy in love again?
Still Waters (8 x 30’), produced by Zolba Productions for ERR follows teenager Marianne as she arrives at a new bilingual school far from the capital city. She finds herself being blackmailed when someone launches an online smearing and digital bullying campaign against her. As the events spiral into maddening terror threatening to destroy her fragile friendships and new stepfamily, Marianne has to find out who her friends and enemies really are and fight back with all means necessary.
Broadcast on Romania’s free-to-air television network, Antena 1, owned by Antena TV Group and part of the Intact Media Group, the drama Sacrificiul (100 x 45’) revolves around the extraordinary stories of three sisters who were separated and were only reunited years later by the fortuitous connection of their children.
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.
