News Broadcasting
Prasar Bharati chalks plans to push revenue
NEW DELHI: There is a big gap between running expenses of India’s pubcasters Doordarshan and All India Radio and the revenue being generated by the organisation, according to information and broadcasting minister Sushma Swaraj.
After the Indian Parliament reconvened for the Winter session on 18 November, the minister informed Parliament that the running cost of Prasar Bharati, which oversees the functioning of DD and AIR, during 2001-2002 was Rs 10508.3 million, while the revenue earned was pegged at Rs 7118.8 million.
In recent times, the Planning Commission, which plans government expenditure on a five-year basis, in a report has indicated that Prasar Bharati should seriously look at tapping various other ways of generating additional revenue. Reason: the annual grants -in- aid which it gets from the government is likely to be reduced next financial year beginning 1 April 2003.
Meanwhile, Swaraj also told Members of Parliament that Prasar Bharati has initiated a number of steps, within the mandate of public service broadcasting, to give a fillip to its revenue generation.
According to Swaraj, the strategy , inter alia, adopted by Prasar Bharati, which is an autonomous body but still functions as a quasi-governmental organisation, in this regard are as follows:
-to optimally utilise its infrastructure facilities;
-to improve its marketing mechanism;
-to make sustained efforts to obtain funds from various government departments for making in-house programmes.
In the same vein, she also informed Parliament that 71 companies owed DD Rs 1648.2 million as of 31 October, 2002. In case of AIR, the outstanding dues amounted to Rs 66.9 million.
Some critics of Prasar Bharati have pointed out that if the pubcaster made serious effort to recover the outstanding dues from the defaulting organisations, some of which are still doing business with DD and AIR, Prasar Bharati’s annual revenue would go up substantially.
Giving a break-up of the revenue earned, Swaraj told fellow MPs that during 1999-2000, DD’s revenues stood at Rs 5971.9 million, while those of AIR were Rs 808.4 million. During 2000-2001, DD’s revenue was pegged at Rs 6375.1 million (an improvement from the previous year), while AIR’s dipped to Rs 739 million. During 2001-2002, DD earned Rs 6152 million ( indicating a dip in earnings), while AIR’s revenues increased from the previous year to Rs 966.8 million.
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.
