News Broadcasting
SC breather for NDTV in tax assessment case; I-T dept issues fresh notice
MUMBAI: The Supreme Court may have ruled in favour of New Delhi Television in tax assessment case; however, the government has sent a fresh notice to the media company in the same regard.
On Friday, the apex court quashed the notice of Income Tax Department seeking to re-assess the income of NDTV during a financial year 2007-2008. The media company is accused of round-tripping over Rs 400 crore unaccounted money through its UK-based subsidiary for its non-news business.
Radhika and Prannoy Roy-promoted company hailing the court’s verdict said: “The Supreme Court has today ruled in favour of NDTV in a tax case which baselessly accused the company of money-laundering while raising funds abroad in 2007 for its non-news businesses.”
In March 2015, the I-T department sought re-assessment of the media company alleging that it has concealed facts and laundered money, which the court refused to allow to do the same.
As the case is related to foreign assets, the court may have refused the tax department’s reassessment request but has allowed it to issue a new notice by invoking the limitation of 16-year period.
According to the media report, the revenue department believes the apex court has not given a breather to the media company; rather it has upheld the government’s view by giving it the freedom to assess the same through another provision relating to foreign assets.
Reassessment of a case means re-opening of an assessment which was already done earlier on fulfilment of certain conditions. Under this, the overall income of the company is rechecked by including the source of income, which it has escaped earlier.
The NDTV case pertains to over Rs 400 crore introduced in 2008-09 assessment year in the books of a UK-based subsidiary of the media company. The tax department is in the belief that this amount is nothing but the company’s own income, which they failed to disclose it during the assessment.
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.
