News Broadcasting
NDTV to have an exclusive fleet of helicopters
MUMBAI: With so many news channels being launched all at once, the race will definitely be for- who breaks the news first,sabse aagey, sabse tez and sabse pehle. After the launch of Star News Hindi channel and Headlines Today, the English channel from the TV Today group; all eyes are now on the NDTV news channels’ which are scheduled to go on air on 14 April 2003.
Interestingly, NDTV President Prannoy Roy in his online address states that, “I know this is common for news channels all over the world, but for the first time in India we will have a fleet of helicopters exclusive to NDTV — to ensure we get you the news first, fastest and with the right perspective.”
Hinting at what would probably be his channels’ cutting edge over other channels, Roy says, “All our anchors are not just newsreaders. Each one of them is an experienced journalist; people who will make sure you get the truth, first.”
Both the news channels will air shows like The Big Fight and We The People along with a host of new programmes. Also, another old favourite which will make a comeback is The World This Week, which will look at world events from India’s point of view .
NDTV India, the 24-hour Hindi news channel will have anchors like Dibang, Nidhi Kulpati, Abhigyan Prakash, Naghma, Pankaj Pichauri, Sikta Deo, Prasoon Kumar Vajpayee and Rupali Tiwari and sports anchors Sujatha Padmanabhan and Afshan Anjum.
NDTV 24×7, the 24-hour English news channel on the other hand, will have well known journalist-anchors like Rajdeep Sardesai, Barkha Dutt, Vikram Chandra, Sonia Varma, Arnab Goswami, Nidhi Razdan and Srinivasan Jain; business news anchors – Shivnath Thukral, Manvi Sinha, Manisha Natarajan and Chetan Sharma and sports anchor Sonali Chander, to name a few.
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.
