News Broadcasting
Network18 to provide Idea subscribers with news content
MUMBAI: Network18 will pump in customised finance, news and technology content to Idea Cellular subscribers.
The services will be powered by the group’s online news properties – moneycontrol.com, IBNLive.com and Tech2.com.
Subscribers to general news and tech content will have to pay Rs 30 a month while the weekly fee is Rs 10 and for daily services it is Rs 3. The subscription price for finance content is Rs 50 a month, Rs 15 a week and Rs 5 per day.
“These offerings are a great beginning for us. With the combined expertise of Network 18 and Idea Cellular, we will be able to serve the masses in a better manner,” says Network18 mobile business head Rahul Pandey.
The services will be available to GPRS users of Idea across its 15 telecom circles in India. The service can be accessed on Idea’s WAP portal- wap.ideaFresh.com.
“The sites will offer information and updates with text, video and pictures in a crisp, mobile-friendly format for Idea GPRS subscribers on the move,” says Idea Cellular CMO Pradeep Shrivastava.
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.
