News Broadcasting
NDTV employs opt-out telecast for southern-India
MUMBAI: The Prannoy Roy-promoted NDTV Ltd can now offer region specific programming with the introduction of opt-out telecast technology.
NDTV 24X7 today announced the launch of Southern Edition, a daily news programme for its viewers in Southern India. Starting 12 June, the viewers in the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala will be able to watch region specific news and programmes. The southern specific telecast will be extended to Andhra Pradesh soon.
Opt-out telecast allows NDTV 24X7 to air Southern Edition while the rest of the country continues to watch the national telecast.
Explaining the technology, an official release states that the entire process of opt-out programming is done automatically through the satellite without any physical intervention. The set-up involves individual boxes that are programmed to receive and switch frequency at the desired time to opt-out of the regular feed and again switch back to the main channel feed when the opt-out is over, with a two second changeover between the switch. The opt-out telecasts are common in terrestrial networks where the local station replaces the national beam with a local broadcast, but very few satellite broadcasters have carried out this kind of programming.
The southern specific telecast will be extended to Andhra Pradesh in due course. The company is also planning to expand the region specific telecast through the opt-out technology across all the three channels NDTV 24×7,NDTV India and NDTV Profit.
Southern Edition will air every weekday on NDTV 24×7 at 7:30 pm. On weekends, the channel will bring a bouquet of special programs for the viewers of these states, the statement says.
Meanwhile, if everything goes well, the news broadcaster could soon be targeting the launch of metro-centric channels. Rival news broadcaster TV Today has already launched a Delhi and national capital region specific channel named Dilli Aaj Tak.
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.
