News Broadcasting
Star News encapsulates highs & lows for festive time
Star news claims to have achieved a double whammy on the Masand ki Pasand Diwali special with Lata Mangeshkar and Sushmita Sen being the invitees.
While Lataji would be singing sings her favourite film song on Saturday, 13 November 2004 at 8:30 pm, Sushmita would light up on rumoured affairs, says the release. And an action packed special, Red Alert will feature a half hour special on 'Eunuch Impostors' – boys posing as girls, with civil society counting them amongst the eunuch community, on Saturday, 13 November, 2004 at 11:30 pm.
In the weekend that sees the re-release of K Asif's evergreen epic romance Mughal-e-Azam and Yash Chopra's contemporary cross-border love-story Veer Zaara, Rajeev Masand aims to cash on the topicality by interviewing the voice behind both Madhubala, in Mughal-e-Azam and Preity Zinta in Veer Zaara.
Lata Mangeshkar would be talks about her reputation as a difficult and unapproachable artiste, the Bollywood actresses she feels her voice suits best, and expresses her opinion on the need for cultural exchange between India and Pakistan.
On the other hand no-holds-barred, Masand will have a tete-a-tete with the vivacious Sushmita Sen, who addresses rumours of her alleged affair with a married industrialist and confesses to how she feels about arch rival Aishwarya Rai finding a place at London's Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum.
While Red Alert exposes the agony of these fake eunuchs who lead a double life with ironic physical attributes knows no end, says the release.
This community of 'fake eunuchs' was brought under the limelight when one among them, Hemraj, was brutally murdered by two of his colleagues in South Delhi recently, adds the release.
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.
