News Broadcasting
Mudra Videotec to expand operations; targets southern channels
MUMBAI: The familiar Mudra logo with two hands striking a pose (mudra) will be seen more often on television sets now. Mudra Videotec has announced its intentions to expand it’s presence in the domain space of TV software and ad-film production.
One of the earliest entrants, Mudra Videotec is into the business of buying/selling slots on the national broadcaster Doordarshan (DD) and its regional channels; co-producing “commissioned” software on cable and satellite (C&S) channels; producing ad films and audio-visual productions to fulfill the needs of in-house clients.
The company has already bagged the mandate to create TV software for DD Bharati (sports programmes) and Eenadu TV. The company teamed up with an independent producer Tamil Mani on DD-Chennai to create a new prime time slot Mon-Fri at 6:30 pm – and the programme Atthaai has won rave reviews in a market which has been traditionally dominated by the private satellite channels. The company is also planning to increase the proportion of DD National (Hindi) offerings as compared to the vernacular programmes on regional DD channels.
While speaking to indiantelevision.com, Mudra executive director and chief creative officer Kaushik Roy says: “As far as contributing revenues and marketing content to national broadcaster DD is concerned, we are already amongst the top five players. Now, we are planning to increase our presence on DD and its regional channels as well as amongst the private broadcasters. In the initial phase, we are targeting the south Indian market and moving cautiously. Later on, we shall tap the ‘Big Guns’ such as Star, Zee and Sony in a phased manner. “
Mudra Videotec has the following programmes on air
Programme Channel/Time slot TAM Ratings for 18-24 May (week 21)
Mera Humsafar DD1, Mon-Tue 9pm 3.4 (all homes) ranked 61
Shayad Tum DD-1, Thur 9:30 pm 6.3 (all homes) ranked seven
Chori Chori Chupke Chupke DD-1 Wed 9:30 pm 5.3 (all homes) ranked 19
Manchuparvatam DD-Hyderabad Mon-Fri 4pm amongst the top five in Hyderabad
Atthaai DD-Chennai Mon-Fri 6:30 pm
Marurmarunnu DD-Keralam
Mudra Videotec has a team of 15 people spread across the country with offices in Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Hyderabad. Roy has two business unit heads who report to him: Mudra Videotec national marketing head – ad sales Sunil Shetty and manager, audio-visual and films Umang Pahwa.
While speaking to indiantelevision.com, Shetty says: “We have contributed Rs 90 million over the last 20 months to DD’s kitty. In terms of revenue contribution, Mudra Videotec is amongst the top five. Currently, Mudra Videotec has around seven hours of weekly programming on DD and its affiliate channels; we are amongst the top two.”
Meanwhile, Roy has also expressed optimism that the division will also get new business from Mudra clients. “As far as ad-films and audio-visual production is concerned, we are aggressively pitching for in-house business from within the Mudra network. We are hoping to leverage our expertise in software/content production and offer value-added services to clients.”
Pahwa, who is responsible for the AV and films business, adds: “We have done quality work for clients such as McDonald’s, Reliance Infocomm, Godrej group, HP lubricants amongst others. In fact, the McDonald’s campaign has won seven awards last year inclusive of three Abby awards and four AAAI awards. We are hoping to convert other large clients within the Mudra fold such as Yamaha and Dainik Bhaskar.”
Incidentally, Mudra Videotec had worked to create the Reliance Infocomm launch AV films which were aired at the Reliance technology centre in Navi Mumbai on the launch date earlier this year. “We managed to deliver despite constraints of hectic schedules and almost impossible deadlines. We were creating three to four films every week!” says Pahwa.
Roy sums it up by saying that Mudra Videotec has become one of the top revenue earning divisions within the Mudra fold and is growing at a furious pace. “Mudra Videotec is giving something back to the parent agency in terms of revenues as well as insights and inputs!” he says.
Looks as if Mudra Videotec has come a long way since the time Roy undertook the challenge (August 2001) of ensuring that the division’s potential is translated into revenues and value for shareholders.
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.
