News Broadcasting
Zee News Ltd to shutter Telugu news channel
MUMBAI: Zee News Ltd (ZNL) is retreating the Telugu news market. Zee 24 Gantalu has decided to close down next month as it struggled to become economically viable in a crowded marketplace where there are too many politically-oriented channels.
“24 Gantalu will close down on 20 September. There are 14 Telugu news channels operating in that market and two more are launching. They are politically driven and it does not make sense to continue in that market,” a source familiar with the development said.
The TV Telugu news ad market is pegged at Rs 1.2 billion. The market leader TV9 takes away a major chunk of this amount, according to an industry source. Price wars are rampant, making channels sell to advertisers at miserable rates.
“The entire Telugu TV news business is becoming unviable because of too many players and abnormally low ad rates. Other interests rather than business seems to be the primary motive,” says a senior news channel executive.
ZNL’s decision also comes ahead of its plans to launch an English-language general news channel that will consume heavy capital. The closure of 24 Ghantalu will help cut down ZNL’s losses from new businesses and ease pressure on the company’s operating profit if it goes ahead with the launch of the English channel.
Indiantelevision.com had reported that ZNL is planning to launch an English news channel towards the exit quarter of the fiscal as digitisation settles in the four metros.
The operating loss of 24 Ghantalu in FY’12 stood at approximately Rs 140 million, the source said.
ZNL had reported losses of Rs 227.4 million on a revenue of Rs 131.9 million for the fiscal from its new businesses that include Zee News Uttar Pradesh/Uttarakhand and 24 Gantalu.
“If the English channel launch is on, the shutting down of a loss-making channel will be seen as a positive move. It will soften ZNL’s pressure on Ebitda from the launch of an English news channel that will consume anywhere between Rs 2.5-3 billion over the first three years,” a media analyst said on condition of anonymity.
ZNL had reported Ebitda of Rs 533.5 million in FY’12 on a consolidated operating revenue of Rs 3.07 billion. The company runs a cluster of channels including Zee News, Zee Business, Zee 24 Taas, Zee Punjabi and 24 Ghanta.
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.
