News Broadcasting
Govt. panel on surrogate ads issues notices to 10 TV channels
NEW DELHI: The government panel, which also includes some representations from NGOs and the advertising industry, has issued fresh notices to over 10 TV channels late last week over the continued airing of surrogate liquor and cigarettes advertisements.
In a related move, the panel has asked the law ministry to examine whether a crackdown can be enforced on brand promotion on and off air too.
“Fresh notices have been issued to lot of channels last week,” a senior information and broadcasting ministry official told indiantelevision.com today, adding that other aspects of surrogate advertising are being examined as well.
According to the official, while some channels like the Star channels and Sony had agreed to take off surrogate advertisements, what some media companies had done was to shift such surrogate advertisements to sister channels and some have just continued to air such ads.
The official hinted that Sony Entertainment TV’s AXN channel was still airing ads pertaining to liquor products. Ditto for ESPN too.
Sources within AXN however, said till last week, the only clear directive that had come from the I&B ministry on the issue was the notices for two advertisements – McDowell’s Mera Number One and Gilby’s Green Label. These ads had subsequently been removed the sources said.
ESPN officials were not available for comment.
The high-powered government panel, under the chairmanship of I&B additional secretary (broadcasting) Anil Baijal, has also now started looking into the issue whether liquor and tobacco companies can promote their brands through indirect promotion of events too.
“Suppose a liquor company is sponsoring an event (like the recent fashion awards which were brought by Kingfisher/UB Group), it’s indirectly promoting its brand and products. The issue has been referred to the law ministry whether something can be done to curtail such things. The ministry’s views are awaited,” the official said.
The panel also claims that it has managed to arrest the rampant airing of surrogate advertising on TV channels and that it has also succeeded in banning those ads which don’t conform to the code. Like the commercial relating to a brand of salt which was drawing mileage, according to the panel, from the historic Dandi march during the pre-Independence days.
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.
