News Broadcasting
Patadia takes the prime plunge with Prima Entertainment
MUMBAI: Ajay Patadia, former Balaji Telefilms president has taken the entrepreneurial plunge. The 29-year-old has teamed up with Prima Entertainment, a South East Asian media company, as managing director and CEO.
Patadia heads Prima Entertainment India, a joint venture company (in which he has a stake) that is a subsidiary of Prime Movies International Ltd headquartered in Singapore.
Prime Movies International’s group companies include Prima Entertainment (Indonesia) and Cathay Holdings Organisation Ltd (Singapore). Prima Entertainment is also present in Singapore, Malaysia, China and Taipei.
Patadia’s endeavor in the Indian chapter will essentially be to replicate the business model that has worked for Prima in other Asian countries. The company is essentially in the business of producing mega series, weekly series, TV movies and mini series in multi-genres like family drama, romance, teen drama, comedy, action, suspense, mystery and thriller. Prima has a library of over 2,500 hours of prime time programming, says Patadia. With over 330 TV movies produced under the brand “FTV”, Prima is a household
brand in Indonesia, says Patadia.
“This is going to a very exciting challenge for me. The plan is to become the leader in Asia’s market, and handling India will be an extremely interesting proposition,” Patadia gushes.
According to Patadia, the plans for the Prima India are as follows:
Production of 3-4 small budget feature films in a year with budgets not exceeding $ 0.4 million.Production of cross-over serials leveraging the infrastructure & facilities of group companies Entering the exhibition business through setting up multiplex chains Production of television Software in different genres for satellite and terrestrial networks in Hindi as well as regional languages Distribution of Indian TV serials and movies worldwide through the network of group companies “Apart from production and distribution we will be looking seriously at the creation of television software in different genres for satellite & terrestrial networks in Hindi as well as in regional languages,” says the young and ambitious Patadia.
The management team in India consists of chairman Gunawan Sulaiman who has over 10 years experience in very senior positions Indonesia’s leading media companies and TV stations. His other principal investments include, controlling stake in KPSG, Indonesia’s largest outsourcing provider of direct selling, tele-selling & consumer services & controlling stake in ‘Globalfon’, a telecommunications system operator based in Jakarta. Group advisor is Shailesh Dave, a chartered accountant associated with the media industry for the last 20 years.
And finally, there is Patadia himself — MD, CEO, and founder-promoter of PMI India. “The sky is the limit,” he exhults.
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.
