News Broadcasting
MipTV cancelled over coronavirus fear
MUMBAI: Fears over coronavirus have led to the cancellation of MipTV, one of the world’s leading television and entertainment conferences. According to the French organisers of the event Reed Midem, all the events, surrounding MipTV, including Mip Formats, Mip Doc and Canneseries, have also been cancelled.
The television conference has been rescheduled for 12-15 April 2021 which was originally scheduled to be held between 30 March 30 – 2 April 2020 in Cannes, France.
The decision was taken after the French government imposed a ban on gatherings of more than 5,000 people in view of the virus scare. France has seen 212 cases of coronavirus and four deaths.
Reed MIDEM chief executive Paul Zilk said that the event has been cancelled after many clients raised concerns about travelling. Since rescheduling the conference wasn’t a good idea, the organisers decided to cancel MipTV, he said.
MIPDoc and MIPFormats, the markets targeted at the formatted TV and nonfiction programmes, have also been canceled. They were scheduled to run 28-29 March 2020. Season 3 of the TV festival Canneseries, the Cannes International Series Festival, has also been rescheduled to 9-14 October 2021. The event was meant to be held parallel to MipTV.
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.
