News Broadcasting
Ravi Gupta joins Mukta Arts as CEO and Whistling Woods’ executive director
MUMBAI: Mukta Arts limited has announced the appointment of Ravi Gupta as CEO of Mukta Arts with effect from 15 April 2004.
Beside being Mukta Arts’ CEO, Gupta will also take up the responsibilities at Mukta Arts and Film City joint venture Whistling Woods as an executive director.
A postgraduate from IIT Bombay and an MBA from JBI, Gupta has moved back recently from London.
Prior to him joining Mukta arts, he has held board positions in companies in the UK, the USA, and Middle East. He has been the founder CEO of B4U and was earlier NFDC’s managing director. He was one of the key players for the launch of the Metro Channel and the B4U channels, says a company release
Armed with extensive knowledge of the film production and distribution business globally, besides wide experience of the television business, the release gushes that Gupta will add significant value to the Mukta Arts dynamic team.
Founder member of SRFTII, Gupta has been on the governing board of FTII Pune. According to the release, his valuable insight in the area of knowledge and skill transfer industry and global contacts will help Whistling Woods achieve the status of an internationally reputed learning institution.
Gupta has been closely associated with productions of well-known directors including Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen, Shyam Benegal and Mira Nair and has represented India on the Board of Paris based FIAPF and has been on the Board of Los Angeles based IATAS that awards the iEmmy. He has also been the founding managing editor of Cinema in India.
Speaking about his appointment Mukta Arts ltd CMD Subhash Ghai said, “The appointment of Ravi Gupta as CEO- Mukta Arts and ED, WWI, reflects our continued commitment to add professionalism and bring managerial excellence to our businesses. With Ravi’s experience in the entertainment and education industry, I am sure Mukta Arts can look forward to accelerating its development into a diversified world-class media company”.
“Nobody builds a company by just working for it. When you work with a passion for a vision you believe in, you build a lasting brand. We have a great vision for Mukta Arts and Whistling Woods and I share Subhash Ghai’s passion to achieve this vision,” says Gupta.
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.
