News Broadcasting
Showtime shifts broadcasting centre to Dubai Media City
MUMBAI: Showtime, the Middle East DTH pay TV platform recently opened the region’s largest broadcasting center in Dubai.
The centre can handle over 200 channels. Showtime was set up in 1996 between Kuwait Projects and US media conglomerate Viacom.
The move consolidated the network’s broadcast operations which had earlier been split between a purpose built facility at the MTV/Viacom studios in London, and a complementary uplink centre in Cairo.
Showtime broadcasts 50 channels of predominantly Western entertainment to the Middle East and North Africa from the NileSat position at 7 degrees West. The network also has customer contact centres located in Dubai, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan.
Three months ago Showtime launched a new movie channel Movietime. That took the number of film channels available on the network to 17.
The new 50,000 square feet Dubai facility also houses the network’s headquarters operations including sales and marketing activities and advanced call centre and online customer service functions.
Reports further indicate that Showtime’s new building is next to the Bukhatir owned Taj Television’s Ten Sports office. On an adjacent corner is MBC, the Saudi-owned mainstream network that also owns news satcaster Al-Arabiya. Alongside MBC is CNN’s Middle East operation.
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.
