News Broadcasting
Zee de-links DD cricket channels from Dish TV
NEW DELHI: Dish TV, Zee Group’s direct-to-home service, has discontinued two of Doordarshan’s channels on its platform.
This “arrangement” will be in force for the duration of the ongoing India-Australia cricket series to begin with involving four Test matches. And unless the Supreme Court rules otherwise, it is also likely to include the upcoming India-Pakistan One-Day International (part of the Indian cricket board’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations) and a two-Test India South Africa fixture in November.
Yesterday, Prasar Bharati had written a letter asking Dish TV to take off the DTH platform DD National and DD Sports.
Essel Group, the umbrella entity for Zee Telefilms and ASC Enterprise Ltd (the licence holder for the DTH service), however, made its protests known to Prasar Bharati.
In a letter to Prasar Bharati, Essel Group additional vice-chairman Jawahar Goel wrote : “As per the direction received from CEO Prasar Bharati’s office, we are making arrangement to stop carriage of DD National and DD Sports on Dish TV platform.” He, however, pointed out that Prasar Bharati’s demands were against the broadcast and cable TV regulator’s recommendations on the `must-provide’clause.
Trai, in its recent recommendations on “Issues Relating to Broadcasting and Distribution of TV channels,” had suggested that “every broadcaster shall provide on request signals of its TV channels on a non-discriminatory basis to all distributors of TV channels including cable network, DTH, and head-ends-in-the-sky.”
Though the regulator’s recommendations are yet to be accepted by the government, Dish TV has made it clear indirectly that Prasar Bharati might become the first defaulter of the must-provide clause.
Dish TV has started running a scroll to educate its consumers on how they could access DD National and DD Sports for watching the cricket telecast. Dish TV has claimed that a major portion of its subscriber base is located in far-flung areas of the country where cable or terrestrial TV is difficult to access.
“This issue has also been brought to the knowledge of Trai,” Goel wrote, while confirming his support to the national broadcaster.
Prasar Bharati CEO KS Sarma expressed satisfaction that the matter has been resolved with Dish TV. A response from Trai, however, could not be elicited.
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.
