News Broadcasting
Mipcom Junior to look at the state of animation in India
MUMBAI: The organisers at the television trade event Mipcom in France Reed Midem have announced that Mipcom Junior which is dedicated to kids content has enhanced its conference programme.
Mipcom Junior takes place from 7-8 october 2009.
Some of the key topics scheduled to be discussed include multi-platform content, licensing and merchandising and programming strategies. There will also be a special session on the evolving landscape of animation in India. The country is already known worldwide for its animated series in 2D and 3D for TV and DVD and this spotlight will enable potential investors to keep abreast of the developments which are attracting more and more foreign investment.
Another highlight this year will be a special discussion between two executives, DIC Entertainment’s chairman and CEO Andy Heyward and Cookie Jar Entertainment president and COO Toper Taylor. The session is co-organised with Licence! magazine and will focus on the importance of licensing for children’s TV companies.
On 7 October three separate sessions, partnered with Kidscreen Magazine, will demonstrate to participants the art of pitching projects to broadcasters, optimising new digital platforms and anticipating the needs of buyers.
Also on the agenda are two specialised licensing workshops. The first is in collaboration with the French consultancy agency Kazachok and is called I Have a Great TV Programme, How do I Licence it?. During the session leading experts in the licensing/merchandising field will give participants first-hand advise to help them successfully license their products.
The second workshop organised by The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA), demonstrates via case studies with companies such as Nickelodeon, the mechanics of producing spin-off products parallel to the TV success of a programme.
The “Mipcom Junior Licensing Challenge” returns to Cannes on 8 October. This gives delegates the opportunity to put their property forward in full view of the TV community in the hope of finding tomorrow’s licensing star. The competition is held in association with US trade publication, Licence! magazine.
Following a pre-selection process led by the Editor-in-Chief of the publication, a jury of experts, predominantly toy manufacturers, agents and broadcasters, will evaluate a total of five non-aired projects selected on the basis of their strong potential for licensing and merchandising exploitation.
For those presenting, as well as those in attendance, the event is sure to be informative, eye-opening, and fun. The “MIPCOM Junior Licensing Challenge” was launched for the first time in 2004.
The number of programmes screened at the 2005 edition of Mipcom Junior reached an all time record with the easy-to-use digital video library launched in 2004. A total of 39,134 screenings were recorded compared to 13,956 in 2004. Once again this new digital technology will offer optimal screening conditions for all the programmes listed in the Mipcom Junior 2006 catalogue.
Last year’s edition of Mipcom Junior 2005 welcomed, 819 participants from 497 companies and from 53 countries. 839 programmes were presented of which 462 were new.
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.
