News Broadcasting
Raghav Bahl to experiment with personalised news on hand held devices
MUMBAI: The media industry had received a jolt when veteran and founder of one of the largest and most successful media companies in India, Raghav Bahl announced that petrochemical giant Reliance Industries would be taking over Network 18.
Bahl who is now the non executive director on the board of Network 18 decided to sell off his business after building it with an investment of only Rs 50,000. However, Bahl who is now in his 50s told Mint that ‘50s is the new 30s’. Indeed, his two decade long journey with News is set to continue even now.
While the world moves to digital, he won’t be far behind. Bahl has made public his intention to venture into the digital space with news. Although he hasn’t officially announced his exact venture, his tweets give some clue.
“It shall be a venture in the exciting new world of hand held digital content,” he tweeted in reply to someone’s query. This new venture will also be in the field of his most beloved News genre.
Currently, Bahl and his wife Ritu Kapur are touring the US for ‘digital news discovery through Big Apply and Silicon Valley’ as his tweet says.
‘Eight weeks after Network 18, I have met more exciting, creative, ambitious digital savvy young professionals than over all of last decade! Eight weeks of start-up nitty gritty, hunting offices and fresh talent, learning digital products – like early 90s TV18!’ he tweets enthusiastically from the US.
‘The printing press of the 21st century is the publishing algorithm of a mobile news app! Lessons from America,’ he tweeted.
It seems like Bahl is out to create the next Twitter-like news channel to provide personalised news on phones and tabs.
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.
