People
News18 Kannada strengthens its core team with new appointments
News18 Kannada, the most trusted news channel in Karnataka, announced the appointment of Siddu Kaloji and Swaroop Murgod. Siddu joins the channel as Editor (News and Programming) and Swaroop as Head of Production. The channel also announced the elevation of Vijayalakshmi Shibarur and Lakshmana Hoogar to the core leadership team.
Commenting on the appointments, Karthik Subbaraman, Executive Editor (Special Projects), Network 18, said, “Siddu and Swaroop are among the finest talents in journalism in Karnataka. They bring innovation, creativity and speed, attributes which will help take what is the state’s most credible news channel to a wider audience. Vijayalakhsmi Shibarur, who ranks among the best investigative journalists in the country, is also moving into a frontline role as part of the core leadership team of News18 Kannada. And so is Lakshmana Hoogar, a fearless anchor who heads political coverage. I wish all of them the best for their new roles and upcoming challenges.”
All input, output and programming functions at the channel will now report to Siddu. He has over two decades of experience in news television. He has worked for News18 Kannada in its former avatar as ETV News Kannada and Zee News.
Swaroop is a Network18 veteran, having had a stint at what CNN News18 in Delhi. In a career of 22 years so far, he has worked at Aaj Tak, Star News, News9, ESPN Cricinfo, NDTV and Asianet.
People
BBC appoints Matt Brittin as 18th Director-General
Former Google EMEA president to lead broadcaster from May amid global change
LONDON: The BBC has named Matt Brittin as its 18th Director-General, placing a seasoned technology and media leader at the helm of one of the world’s most influential public broadcasters. He will formally assume the role on 18 May.
Brittin steps into the position after a brief “gap year”, as he described it, returning to the spotlight with a job that, in his own words, was “probably not one either you or I were expecting”. The appointment signals a strategic tilt towards digital expertise at a time when traditional broadcasting continues to evolve at pace.
The new Director-General brings more than 18 years of experience from Google, where he held several senior roles, including President for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. During his tenure, he played a central role in expanding the company’s footprint across Europe and shaping its regional strategy.
More recently, Brittin served as Senior Independent Director at The Guardian, adding boardroom insight from one of Britain’s leading news organisations. His career also spans roles at McKinsey, Trinity Mirror and Sainsbury’s, giving him a broad perspective across media, retail and strategy.
The Director-General position carries dual responsibility as chief executive officer and editor-in-chief, overseeing the BBC’s creative, editorial and operational direction both in the UK and globally. It is a role that demands not just leadership, but a steady editorial compass in an increasingly complex media landscape.
“Now, more than ever, we need a thriving BBC that works for everyone in a complex, uncertain and fast changing world,” Brittin said. He added that the broadcaster remains “an extraordinary, uniquely British asset” with a legacy of innovation in storytelling and technology.
His appointment comes at a moment when public service broadcasters are under pressure to balance tradition with transformation, navigating shifting audience habits, digital disruption and funding debates. Brittin’s blend of Silicon Valley scale and British media sensibility may prove timely.
With “big challenges and big opportunities” ahead, Brittin appears ready to get started. The real test begins in May, when he moves from anticipation to action at Broadcasting House.
