News Broadcasting
Radio City extends ‘Suno Aurr…’ first run
MUMBAI: While rival radio channels have decided to take a breather from the game shows that flooded the airwaves over a month back, Radio City that staked claim to being the first to have conceived of the idea, is persevering.
Although the initial six week run of Suno Aurr Lakhpati Bano was expected to end this week, the station has decided to run it for at least three more weeks, till end November. This follows an enthusiastic response from listeners and advertisers alike, says Radio City COO Sumantra Dutta.
An estimated 3,50,000 people have been calling in every day to answer questions posed hourly in superstar Amitabh Bachchan’s voice, he claims. The figure has shot up after Diwali, persuading the radio station to carry the programme till the end of November, although Dutta had, during the launch, said that budgetary constraints would permit only an initial six week run. Since the programme started on 7 October, over 10 million have called in, says Dutta.
The initiative has brought in the much needed advertising from the retail sector as well. Although unwilling to divulge details, Dutta says that retail advertising on Radio City, next to nil five months ago, has taken at least a 30 per cent jump.
While Radio Mirchi has wound up its ‘lakhpati’ contest pending its forthcoming Tambola game, and Win has also stopped its game show after an initial run, Radio City seems gung ho about Suno Aurr…. While the last entrant, RED FM has promised a fresh lineup of sports and movie based programming apart from the usual mix of songs, Radio City too has a few aces up its sleeve – including sports programming to herald the cricket World Cup early next year and radio versions of hit soaps run on sibling Star Plus. Dutta however has his lips sealed for the time being.
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.
