News Broadcasting
Times Now to launch by mid-January; test run on
MUMABI: Times Now, the news channel from the Times of India Group, is all set for launch, laying the ground for competition in the English news space so far dominated by NDTV 24X7. Just a fortnight back saw the launch of CNN-IBN whose shareholders include the Television Eighteen Group, Rajdeep Sardesai and Sameer Manchanda.
A test run of the channel is on after the uplinking permission was obtained in December-end. Confirming this, Times Global Broadcasting VP and business head Partho Das Gupta said, “We kicked off the show reel yesterday. We expect to launch the channel very soon.”
Sources say Times Now will launch by mid-January. The company has already tied-up with major cable networks such as Hathway Cable & Datacom and Incablenet for carriage of the channel across the country.
The pay channel will target urban audiences, Gupta added. Apart from hardcore general and business news, the channel will have lifestyle programmes. The channel has also firmed up its weekend line-up – Brand Equity, All About Her, Life’s Like That, Entertainment Now, By Invitation Only (to be hosted by Lillete Dubey) and The Foodie, among others.
The channel has roped in the popular model Kelly Dorji for a sports show – Sports Unplugged. Editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami will anchor several shows including Frankly Speaking and The Newshour – News in Context. Among the other programmes the channel has lined up are Reuters World Report ( global news), Line Of Duty, Upfront, Snapshots, Nine to Noon and Terminal Cap (business news) and 16 Minutes — Morning News.
Times Global Broadcasting Company Ltd is a joint venture between Times of India Group and Reuters which holds 26 per cent stake.
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.
