News Broadcasting
Ravi Shankar Prasad, Randi Zuckerberg, NG Subramaniam, Debjani Ghosh, Anant Maheshwari amongst others headline the 6th Edition of Times Network’s Digital India Summit 2020
Mumbai, December 02, 2020: India’s premium broadcast network, Times Network that’s been championing India’s digital transformation agenda with its flagship property, today announced the 6th Edition of Digital India Summit 2020 (DIS). Taking cognizance of the new reality of the world disrupted by COVID-19, the summit in its latest edition will drive the theme ‘Enabling the New Normal’ and sets the agenda to define a sustainable and superlative ecosystem to accelerate and shape India’s digital future. A foundation for driving India’s evolution into globally recognised digital economy, DIS enables conversations and discourses in the search for digitally empowered solutions for present and future challenges. The summit hosted virtually this year is scheduled to telecast from December 05, 2020, every Saturday and Sunday at 7:30pm on TIMES NOW, TIMES NOW WORLD, ET NOW and on the Network’s digital news destination, Timenownews.com.
Envisioned with the purpose to accelerate India’s digital transformation by defining an action plan for progress, Digital India Summit 2020, a seminal leadership platform will witness insightful sessions, fireside chats, panel discussions with key policy makers, thought-leaders and tech pioneers, who are at the forefront of India’s digital transformation. Addressing a diverse spectrum of topics including how technology has enabled Government to fight COVID-19, impact of the virus on the digital world, digital transformation across sectors and living with the new normal, the 6-week long virtual summit will see leading voices including Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Law and Justice, Electronics and Information Technology and Communications, NG Subramaniam, COO – TCS, Randi Zuckerberg, Founder and CEO – Zuckerberg Media, Anant Maheshwari, President – Microsoft India, Randeep Guleria, Director – AIIMS, Debjani Ghosh, President – NASSCOM, Amit Agarwal, Global Senior Vice President and Country Head – Amazon India and S.K Gupta, Secretary – TRAI amongst others.
The summit will launch with an exclusive chat between Randi Zuckerberg, Founder and CEO, Zuckerberg Media and Mihir Bhatt, Chief Editor – IPs, Times Network and the engaging conversation will bring forth interesting insights on topics like new ways of working, ecommerce, changing supply chain dynamics, education, entrepreneurship, role of social media, the digital divide and the importance of digital detox.
MK Anand, MD & CEO, Times Network said, “While COVID-19 pandemic has presented an unprecedented challenge worldwide, it has undoubtedly been an agent of radical change, to rethink and reimagine businesses and lives. One of the consequential implications have been an accelerated adoption of digital technology and solutions across businesses and services that has paved way for quicker digital transformation. Digital India Summit 2020 takes centre stage at an opportune time where Covid-19 has reemphasized the importance of building a robust digital ecosystem to support the nation’s growth. I am confident that collaborative discussions between eminent technology leaders and policy makers will shape decisive strategies in crystalizing the nation’s digital future and support the transformation shift, an imperative in the post Covid-19 future."
Digital India Summit 2020 is Co-Presented by Tata Consultancy Services, Associate Partners – Amazon, Builder.ai, SAP and Infrasoft Technologies and Tech Partner – One Plus.
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.
