News Broadcasting
I&B jt secretary Rakesh Mohan dissatisfied with CAS preparations in Mumbai
MUMBAI: He came, he saw, he was not happy with what he saw.
That reportedly sums up what was the feeling that information and broadcasting joint secretary Rakesh Mohan carried back with him to his bosses in Mandi House at the end of a two-day “reconnaisance” trip to Mumbai to ascertain ground realities and check the preparedness of the multi-system operators (MSOs) and cable operators to usher in the post-14 July era of the conditional access system (CAS).
Mohan met the representatives of several MSOs and also had discussions with Mumbai based cable operators. Sources indicate that Mohan had expressed disappointment with the current state of affairs wherein certain MSOs didn’t have CAS headends in place; others had ground connectivity problems; still others have got into a stalemate situation with distributors as they tried to woo franchisees directly.
Certain MSOs reportedly argued that they had initiated certain measures but the lack of clarity on the pricing issue (broadcasters not declaring individual pay channel prices) and hassles related to imports/manufacture of set top boxes had slowed down the process and made them cautious. They expressed a viewpoint that MSOs were caught in a trap between the broadcasters and the cable operators.
Another major issue relates to the fact that the government task force seems to be oblivious of the concerns of the Mumbai based cable operators.
Sonali Cable proprietor and WIN Cable distributor Suvarna G Amonkar, who met Mohan, expressed surprise over the joint secretary’s contention that the concerns of Mumbai’s cable operators hasn’t reached the government. “Mumbai based cable operators didn’t have any representation on the CAS task force till the I&B minister appointed Shekhar Joshi of Cable Vision recently. The earlier representative of cable operators in the task force didn’t raise his voice and merely toed the line of the MSOs.”
All eyes now on the scheduled meetings between the I&B ministry and the broadcasters/MSOs/cable operators scheduled for early next week.
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.
