News Broadcasting
Revamp in Star India management team
NEW DELHI: Okay, it’s time for some revamp of the management team at the Rupert Murdoch-controlled Star India Pvt. Ltd., which is largely fuelling the Star Group’s revenues in Asia. And all with a view to bringing about more synergy in various functions of the company as it charts out newer growth plans and business opportunities.
Contacted by indiantelevision.com, Star India CEO Peter Mukerjea admitted that a “management re-organisation has been effected.” The move, which includes bringing in a senior professional from the PR industry to look after corporate communications (something that was being handled by Yash Khanna till recently) was communicated to top company executives earlier this week.
According to Mukherjea, “As our business grows, the challenges, too, increase. A brilliant strategy (or strategies) would mean trying to keep the company’s growth rate ahead of that of the industry. The re-organisation is aimed in that direction.”
Under the new dispensation, all business and strategic planning, including corporate affairs & communication, interaction with the various joint venture partners (like the Tatas and ABP group) and client servicing, would be brought under a team headed by Nitin Atroley, who will be based in Delhi.
Atroley team’s responsibilities would also include business development, corporate and social responsibilities (yes, Star is now attempting to focus slightly more on this aspect), legal and liaisoning with the government and
various industry bodies like Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and regulatory authorities.
Atroley joined Star India from Ernst & Young earlier this year as head of corporate affairs &communications. However, now with newer responsibilities, he may be redesignated. This is an issue that is still being worked upon.
The operations team, which will include divisions like distribution, programming, marketing and ad sales, will be headed by company veteran and Star India COO Sameer Nair, who, along with Atroley, would be reporting Mukerjea.
“The idea is to strategise and then operationalise the plans effectively. We cannot have a situation where the strategy team works in isolation vis-a-vis the operations team,” Mukerjea said.
Meanwhile, indiantelevision.com learns that senior PR professional, IPAN’s Vivek Sengupta, is slated to join the Star team to look after corporate communications. IPAN’s head Rajeev Desai confirmed that Sengupta has put in
his papers.
Once upon a time in the 1990s, IPAN used to handle the public relations of Star, including its then-aborted direct-to-home TV venture.
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.
