News Broadcasting
PBS and Discovery Education partner to distribute PBS programs to schools
MUMBAI: PBS and Discovery Education have inked a major multi-year media partnership through which PBS has licensed hundreds of hours from its most acclaimed series and specials for distribution to schools through Discovery Education’s digital learning services.
PBS titles to be made available via Discovery Education include The Civil War and other Ken Burns documentaries; Freedom: A History of US; the complete CyberChase series; and selected episodes from Nova, American Experience, Frontline and others.
A number of local PBS stations already partner with Discovery Education in delivering its flagship video-on-demand service and united streaming as part of their portfolio of local education offerings.
“For both PBS and our local stations, this new partnership represents an important opportunity to bring PBS content to a growing audience of educators. PBS is entering into a number of new, non-exclusive licensing relationships to broaden the reach of our award-winning education resources, and we are pleased that the first of these new partnerships is with Discovery Education,” said PBS president and CEO Paula Kerger.
Beginning this fall, schools nationwide will have the opportunity to receive the PBS library as a supplement to united streaming. As with all content delivered through united streaming, the PBS programs will be correlated to state curriculum standards, chaptered into content-specific video clips and offered for teachers to stream or download for instructional use.
“This expansion of Discovery Education’s relationship with PBS underscores the alignments of our values and missions. We’re delighted that this arrangement will give teachers and students the opportunity to access these high-quality titles — on-demand — through our award-winning platform,” said Discovery Education president Steve Sidel.
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.
