News Broadcasting
The Beeb says Yes Mantriji!!!
BBC Worldwide is driving hard into the Indian market. It started outwith coverage of local events and followed it with the creation of a local programming block on its India service.
It has since been trying to hawk its programming library to Indian programmers and has struck deals with Tara, DD, among other broadcasters. Driving the programme syndication, licensing and sales initiative has been senior executive Monisha Shah, who once worked with production house Plus Channel in India.
The latest arrangement the Beeb it has got into is with the Prannoy Roy-owned New Delhi Television (NDTV) to produce 38 episodes of the Indian version of the famous Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister. Called Ji Mantriji and Ji Pradhan Mantriji the shows will air on Star Plus in Hindi. The stars of the show stars Farooq Sheikh ( Suryaprakash Singh) as Jim Hacker Jayant Kriplani (Rajnath Mathur) as Sir Humphrey with the scripts being adapted to Hindi by Alok Tomar (Ji Mantraji) and Purshottam Agarwal (Ji Pradhan Mantriji). The adaptation has resulted in references to football becoming cricket and the European Community becoming the Commonwealth. Eminent Indian cartoonist RK Laxman has penned the caricatures for the show. “The program has the same story line and characters, with a different structure,” says BBC Worldwide’s MD, Mark Young. The Beeb selected NDTV based on its long association with the content provider, and its “superior production quality” for the series Question Time India. BBC Worldwide refused to put a finger on the budget for the show, though it is reported to be in the region of $ 1 million. The pilot has been tested in different parts of the country, and has received a positive response, say BBC sources. The half hour series is expected to air at 8 pm Thursdays from early next year. BBC Worldwide, which expects to generate revenues of US$15 million from India in the current year, hopes to double them in the next three to four years. So expect many more such initiatives
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.
