News Broadcasting
The story of three channels
NEW DELHI: Three different channels operating in different markets are trying to work out content that would work and advertising revenues that would make them profitable. Struggling to succeed against their bigger rivals, they have a task cut out for them.
CNEB News, part of the HBN Group, is up against the mightier Hindi news channels such as Aaj Tak, India TV and Star News.
“Distribution is the main problem for us. The government also should be strict in handing out permissions for news channels,” said CNEB COO Anuranjan Jha, while speaking at the 4th News Television Summit.
Maurya TV, operating in Bihar and Jharkhand, has managed to find space for itself. “We became the No. 1 channel in these markets. Bihar is a very political market. We are also expanding to Uttar Pradesh,” said Maurya TV executive editor Kumar Raajesh.
The channel is 74 per cent owned by Prakash Jha and 26 per cent by Manmohan Shetty. Though it may have got ratings, the channel is finding it tough to rope in advertisers. The hope is that a wider footprint would help. Entering into Uttar Pradesh, however, would mean coughing out higher carriage costs as MSO Den Networks dominates that market.
Day & Night News is also finding the going tough. Blocked initially by a leading MSO in Punjab for coverage of political news, the multi-lingual channel (Punjabi, Hindi and English) is fighting back and has sealed distribution deals with the DTH operators.
“We have carved a space for ourselves by being politically neutral. The other channels in the state are politically aligned,” said Day & Night News managing editor Kanwar Sandhu.
The channel is from Chandigarh with primary focus on Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi & NCR.
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.
