News Broadcasting
Japan leads Asia-Pacific e-commerce market
MUMBAI: New York-based market research firm eMarketer has in its latest report called the e-commerce market in Asia-Pacific “a huge and still rapidly expanding one”.
Japan leads the market with sales last year of $38.4 billion, followed by South Korea at $6.3 billion. China and Taiwan are placed in the third position with each recording about $1.1 billion in sales. Meanwhile, India is targeting a market size of Rs 8 billion by 2006.
China, though currently ranked second in total internet users, couldn’t win the top slot mainly due to two key factors: Only 7.2 per cent of China’s population is online and the country’s broadband penetration is low. Still, the analysts call it as the “most promising e-commerce market in the region.”
eMarketer estimates that last year 73 per cent of all households in South Korea had a broadband Internet connection. Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and Singapore are all placed ahead of the US in this important driver of online shopping.
The encouraging government policies have helped Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Singapore to go ahead in the area of information communication and technology. Online gaming has also played a key role in triggering broadband boom in these countries.
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.
