News Broadcasting
Times lifestyle channel Zoom launched
MUMBAI: The Times Group’s non-fiction entertainment and lifestyle channel Zoom officially began beaming as of today.
Expectedly, the full weight of the Times Group’s media properties (the print publications in particular) were brought into the action to get the message across. For the outdoors, the message changed from teaser messages to announcing the channel’s arrival. The multimedia marketing blitz” has every media vehicle except television in its ambit.
Throughout the “launch month”, the intensity of the marketing efforts, which has already created quite a buzz among the trade, will be maintained, say channel executives.
While it is unclear as to how far the distribution has kicked in as yet, channel executives say efforts are on to make it available in all key markets over the next few days.
Zoom’s launch marks the first major channel launch in the Hindi entertainment space after Sahara TV in 2000. Zoom is the first of a number of marquee entries on Indian television that is expected to roll out over the next six months of which the most eagerly anticipated is Star India’s premium Hindi entertainment channel StarOne. The “Star World in Hindi” is expected to go on air around the Diwali festive season (October-November). Also in the pipeline, is Discovery’s lifestyle channel, which too is looking at a Diwali entry.
Before that, however, there is UTV’s kids channel Hungama which is launching next Sunday (26 September).
Zoom, which is the first of the four “premium, unique niche channels” that the Times stable expects to launch over the next 12 to 15 months, started its test feed on 10 September. Actual programmes were introduced into the test feed from 16 September.
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.
