News Broadcasting
THUMS UP and Being Human campaign ‘VEER’
MUMBAI: Thums-Up Being Human VEER in association with CNN-IBN and American India Foundation (AIF), have started VEER, an awareness and fundraising campaign to unleash the potential of persons with disabilities (PwD) and make them employable. At the gala grand finale of this unique initiative held in Mumbai recently, we celebrated the rise of some of India’s most well known PwDs and took up the need for enabling PwDs by recognising their inner abilities.
Led by campaign ambassador Salman Khan, the panellists stressed the need to change social mindsets towards disability. The expert panel included: Sudha Chandran, Bharatanatyam dancer and actor; lyricist and poet Prasoon Joshi; Hemanth Paul, Country Director, AIF; Debabrata Mukerjee, Vice President, Marketing and Commercial at Coca-Cola India; Neelam Jolly, Founder, Vishwas; Prasana Karmakar, Arjuna awardee para swimmer; Mithu Alur, Founder, ADAPT; actor Anupam Kher; and Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi, Founder, War Wounded Foundation.
During the event, the stage was taken over by breathtaking performances by PwDs. The performers included students of VMS School who performed malkhamb, visually impaired signer Diwakar, and partially blind standup comedian Sundeep Rao among others. Various celebrities such as Anup Soni, Gulshan Grover, Rahul Roy, Vishakha Singh, Sushant Singh, Swara Bhaskar, and Urvashi Dholakia also attended the event and lent their support to the campaign.
Catch the Grand Finale of Veer on Saturday, March 29, at 9:30 PM on CNN-IBN & at 10:00 PM on IBN7; and on Sunday, March 30 at 10:00 PM on CNN-IBN & at 12:00 PM on IBN7.
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.
