News Broadcasting
International Radio Festival moves to EXPO City Milan, Italy
MUMBAI:The IRF will join up with Radio City Milan and together present Europe’s largest public on-air radio festival at the fabulous Piazza Gae Aulenti midst Milan’s city centre, 7-10 April 2016.
Taking place in and around the UniCredit pavilion, the IRF Milan Radio City festival will welcome over 20 international and 50 Italian radio stations who will broadcast their radio shows live-on-air to millions of their listeners back in their home cities.
“We are proud to host the most important international festival dedicated to radio here in Milan. Once again our city proves to be a great European capital, back in the spotlight with an event that will bring thousands of people to Milan, and carry Milan to millions of listeners on-air around the world”, said Milan’s Mayor Giuliano Pisapia.
“I am inspired to be working with such a future thinking and experienced team who have embraced the unique aspect of the IRF, and look forward to broadcasting the city of Milan to the world, as much as I am excited in welcoming some of the finest radio makers to the IRF conference at the beautiful UniCredit Pavilion”, says IRF festival director Darryl von Däniken.
Likewise, the initiator of the successful Radio City Milan festival, Filippo Solibello, says “After our participation at the IRF this year, we just knew we had to bring this festival to the city of Milan and join forces with our own radio festival and develop the full potential of bringing radio close to the public whilst also having the unique opportunity of carrying on telling people around the world about our great EXPO city”.
In addition to the new annual Milan edition, the IRF is midst in planning an Americas edition in Music City Nashville, a Middle East Edition in Dubai, and a South East Asia edition in Shanghai. “Developments are well under way to produce IRF editions in these world class cities and we are looking forward to releasing more news and dates during 2016.” says festival director von Däniken.
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.
