News Broadcasting
TV5 appoints Dinesh Akula as editor
MUMBAI: 2016 has seen several key movements in the television news industry. The latest addition to that is Dinesh Akula who has joined Telegu news channel TV5 as its editor. He joins the news channel from Hyderabad based channel Express TV where he was senior VP-editorial and operations. Akula will be responsible for the channel’s overall editorial content that goes on-air for TV5, which is run by Shreya Broadcasting P ltd.
When asked about his new role, Akula said, “At present I am trying to the understand the system and then will work on the new packaging for the channel. There are lot of ideas which the managing director B.Ravindranath has and it will be my main job to implement it smoothly and successfully.”
The move has come after he spent one year in Express TV and close to seven years in TV9 where he was responsible for the on-air content, the look and feel, planning and execution of content strategies for TV9 Telugu and was earlier handling national news desk for all the six TV9 channels.
With 22 years of experience in media, Akula has worked with BBC in Bristol, Sky News in London, Star News (Now ABP News) and Hindustan Times in India among others.
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.
