News Broadcasting
India TV plans regional & entertainment forays
MUMBAI: The next big phase of expansion in the news genre could well be the regional space. Most broadcasters, including India TV, think so.
The Rajat Sharma – promoted India TV, which has already applied for uplink permission for a Gujarati language news channel to add to its Hindi offering, has set its sights on a Punjabi news channel as well.
Confirming the development, India TV chairman Rajat Sharma told indiantelevision.com, “Punjabi language space look promising as there is no full-fledge news channel operating in that segment.”
Though Sharma refused to dwell further on the company’s plans, industry sources said that the work is in full-swing on the Punjabi and the Gujarati channels, which will only be at a “little incremental cost”, but, more importantly, would add to clout with cable operators.
The Gujarati news channel is expected to launch ahead of the festive season of Diwali or the festival of lights in November, in an attempt to capitalise on the tendency of the advertisers to increase their ad spend during that time.
As for the Punjabi news channel, according to company sources, the target is to put it on air towards the end of 2005. At the moment, players operating in this space, including the Delhi headquartered Punjab Today (part of the group promoting Balle Balle music channel), are few.
That is not all. Indications are that the company is looking at creating a bouquet of channels and has ambitions of entering the entertainment space as well. According to the sources, the company proposes to mark its entry into the entertainment space in 2006.
In its entertainment ambitions, India TV seems to be on the same strategic forward path as the Prannoy Roy – promoted NDTV Ltd that is also toying with an entertainment channel and creating a bouquet of channels after crafting a mark in the news channel space.
India TV is looking at putting its existing and proposed channels on PAS 10 satellite, which will help cable operators to tune-in to the bouquet easily.
India TV, a free channel based in the Film City in Nodia on the outskirts of Delhi, beams via PAS 10 satellite.
The Gujarati news channel is expected to launch ahead of the festive season of Diwali or the festival of lights in November, in an attempt to capitalise on the tendency of the advertisers to increase their ad spend during that time.
As for the Punjabi news channel, according to company sources, the target is to put it on air towards the end of 2005. At the moment, players operating in this space, including the Delhi headquartered Punjab Today (part of the group promoting Balle Balle music channel), are few.
That is not all. Indications are that the company is looking at creating a bouquet of channels and has ambitions of entering the entertainment space as well. According to the sources, the company proposes to mark its entry into the entertainment space in 2006.
In its entertainment ambitions, India TV seems to be on the same strategic forward path as the Prannoy Roy – promoted NDTV Ltd that is also toying with an entertainment channel and creating a bouquet of channels after crafting a mark in the news channel space.
India TV is looking at putting its existing and proposed channels on PAS 10 satellite, which will help cable operators to tune-in to the bouquet easily.
India TV, a free channel based in the Film City in Nodia on the outskirts of Delhi, beams via PAS 10 satellite.
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.
