News Broadcasting
News channels ride high on FII pull
MUMBAI: News channels NDTV and TV Today Network had a great run in the market, buoyed by huge volume transactions on the eve of the New Year.
The appetitive for these two scrips was fuelled by reports that the government would allow foreign institutional investments up to 26 per cent in news channels. The cap on foreign holding, however, would stay at 26 per cent.
While NDTV rose a whopping 20 per cent to end at a new high of Rs 146.15, TV Today Network rose 9.26 per cent to Rs 103.20. Incidentally, the foreign holding in both these companies is negligible. TV Today had a 6.21 per cent foreign shareholding, while foreign institutional investors (FIIs) held 3.05 per cent stake in NDTV.
“There is scope to substantially increase FII investment in the two companies,” says a fund manager in a leading broking house.
NDTV had a total volume of 5.16 lakh transactions on the BSE, way above its normal trading day. TV Today saw 4.80 lakh shares being traded. Compare this with TV Eighteeen’s volume figure of 22,491 shares being traded and the scrip rising 3.04 per cent to close at Rs 226.95.
“TV18 already has a foreign holding of 25 per cent. There is very little scope of foreign investors playing in that scrip,” says an analyst. CNBC-TV18, a business channel, is a joint venture between TV18 and CNBC.
“Domestic institutions showed active interest in NDTV and TV Today in anticipation of FIIs stepping in to buy these stocks,” adds the analyst.
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.
