News Broadcasting
Ten Sports bags rights for Copa America 2004
MUMBAI: ESPN Star Sports does not have all of what is worth watching in soccer after all.
Ten Sports has just bagged what it calls “the most significant soccer acquisition since the 2002 FIFA World Cup” with the rights for the 2004 Copa America Cup, the premiere tournament on the football crazy South American continent.
With teams like five times and current world champions Brazil, two times world champion Argentina, two times world champion Uruguay and popular teams like Columbia, Paraguay and Chile, the tournament features some of the biggest names in world soccer .
Ten Sports vice president – programming Peter Hutton said, “It’s a great acquisition for us with a solid month of great international football featuring the world’s greatest team – Brazil – against their fiercest rivals. It means live coverage of the best players in the world from Ronaldo to Crespo from Roberto Carlos to Veron in the most intense of sporting atmospheres.”
Taj Television India Pvt Ltd MD Sharmista Rijhwani said, “Ten Sports has been very closely monitoring the soccer viewing habits of the Indian viewer over the last two years. We have come to realise that the Indian viewer patronises traditional soccer countries like Brazil, Argentina and England more than professional leagues.”
“Our vision since inception has been to provide content relevant to India,” adds Taj Television CEO Chris Mc Donald. “This is reflected in our choice of soccer acquisitions, where we have handpicked the soccer matches loved by Indians rather than sheer quantity.”
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.
