Latest news with #GlobalMedia
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
BBC rolls out paid subscriptions for US users
LONDON (Reuters) -The BBC is rolling out paid subscriptions in the United States, it said on Thursday, as the publicly-funded broadcaster explores new revenue streams amid negotiations with the British government over its funding. The BBC has in recent years seen a fall in the number of people paying the licence fee, a charge of 174.50 pounds ($239.76) a year levied on all households who watch live TV, as viewers have turned to more content online. From Thursday, frequent U.S. visitors to the BBC's news website will have to pay $49.99 per year or $8.99 per month for unlimited access to news articles, feature stories, and a 24-hour livestream of its news programmes. While its services will remain free to British users as part of its public service remit, its news website operates commercially and reaches 139 million users worldwide, including nearly 60 million in the U.S. The new pay model uses an engagement-based system, the corporation said in a statement, allowing casual readers to access free content. "Over the next few months, as we test and learn more about audience needs and habits, additional long-form factual content will be added to the offer for paying users," said Rebecca Glashow, CEO of BBC Global Media & Streaming. The British government said last November it would review the BBC's Royal Charter, which sets out the broadcaster's terms and funding model, with the aim of ensuring a sustainable and fair system beyond 2027. To give the corporation financial certainty up to then, the government said it was committed to keeping the licence in its current form and would lift the fee in line with inflation. ($1 = 0.7278 pounds)
New York Times
14 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Trump Urges Congress to ‘Kill' Voice of America as Its Leader Defends Gutting It
Kari Lake, the close Trump ally and senior adviser to the U.S. Agency for Global Media, urged Congress on Wednesday to gut the Voice of America and other federally funded news organizations she oversees, as lawmakers of both parties expressed concern about the move. In a hearing on Capitol Hill that grew testy at times, Ms. Lake defended proposed cuts to the global news organizations, while Democrats and some Republicans warned that they could make it impossible for the United States to disseminate information to countries with limited press freedoms, such as Iran, China and Russia. 'What is going out on V.O.A. airwaves — it's outrageous, and it has to stop,' she told the House Foreign Affairs Committee. She called independent reporting from international news agencies funded by the government 'corrupt' and 'biased,' and made clear that President Trump's goal was not to overhaul but to shut down the global media agency, which she called 'a rotten piece of fish.' Mr. Trump himself chimed in on Wednesday with a social media post, urging Congress to 'kill' the Voice of America. 'Why would a Republican want Democrat 'mouthpiece,' Voice of America (VOA), to continue?' he wrote. 'It's a TOTAL, LEFTWING DISASTER — No Republican should vote for its survival. KILL IT!' Mr. Trump has accused the news group of spreading 'anti-American' and partisan 'propaganda,' calling it 'the voice of radical America.' In March, he signed an executive order that effectively called for the dismantling of the news agency, and put nearly all Voice of America reporters on paid leave, ceasing its operations for the first time since its founding in 1942. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
The upcoming Bengali film Daater Lorai, produced by 7 Horses Production and Global Media, recently released its teaser
The teaser of the upcoming Bengali film Daater Lorai , produced by 7 Horses Production and Global Media, has been officially released, offering a glimpse into a heart-touching rural narrative centered around a child protagonist. Producer Sonali Bhattacharya shared her thoughts on the film, saying: ' Daater Lorai has been created with a special purpose—to bring attention to the everyday lives and struggles of impoverished rural families. At its heart is a child character, whose innocence and strength drive the story. While the film is made for children, it carries powerful messages for adults and society as a whole. I am especially proud of writer-director Biplab Kayal , whose vision and hard work have given this film the form we had hoped for. We've also paid close attention to the music, as it reflects the emotional journey of the story. Our three debut music composers—Parijat Chakraborty, Arijit Kishore Roy, and Subir Chatterjee—have done a wonderful job. I truly believe Daater Lorai will connect with audiences across all age groups.' Biplab Kayal Shonali Bhattacharya The film's cinematography is handled by Bidyut Halder, with Dipankar Ghosh serving as creative director and lyricist. The music, woven into the narrative, enhances the film's emotional depth and storytelling. Director Biplab Kayal, known for his previous works like AK47 and Kanta Tarer Bera , brings a new perspective in Daater Lorai. He explained: 'My last film was an action drama, and before that, I explored the lives of homeless children in urban slums. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo This time, we've taken the story to the rural heartland of Bishnupur in Bankura district. The film portrays the reality of a poor village family, and we travelled extensively across rural Bengal to capture its true essence. Special thanks go to Bidyut Halder for his dedication as both cinematographer and editor, and to Dipankar Ghosh, who has been deeply involved from day one, curating the music and overall creative direction. ' The cast includes Abhilash Chakraborty, Swastika Das, and Akhangsha, who breathe life into this emotional tale. Daater Lorai is set for a theatrical release in the coming days. The team is hopeful that the film will resonate with Bengali audiences, encouraging families—especially parents and children—to experience it together. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
The Guardian
16-05-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Trump administration fires more than 600 contractors at Voice of America news network
The administration of Donald Trump has terminated nearly 600 contractors at Voice of America (VOA), the US-funded international news network known for delivering independent journalism to countries with restricted press freedom. The firings, announced on Thursday, appeared to defy a recent court order requiring the government to preserve strong news operations at VOA. The US president has criticized the news network and accused it of spreading 'radical' content. The cuts, announced on Thursday, affected mostly journalists along with some administrative staff and represented more than one-third of VOA's workforce. Among those dismissed are journalists from authoritarian countries who now face deportation, as their visas are linked to their jobs at VOA. The administration cited 'the government's convenience' as the justification for the layoffs, taking advantage of the workers' status as contractors rather than full federal employees. Michael Abramowitz, the director of VOA, called the move 'inexplicable' and said he was 'heartbroken' in an email to staff obtained by the New York Times. Abramowitz has filed a lawsuit to stop the Trump administration from closing VOA. The notification to employees told terminated staffers that they will be let go as of 30 May and instructed them to return their press credentials, badges and other VOA property by that time, according to the Hill. Kari Lake, a Trump ally and senior adviser at the US Agency for Global Media, which oversees VOA, defended the decision as legally permissible. Lake had previously denounced the agency as 'unsalvageable' and accused it of corruption without presenting evidence. Sign up to This Week in Trumpland A deep dive into the policies, controversies and oddities surrounding the Trump administration after newsletter promotion The federal building that houses the VOA news outlet in Washington DC was also listed for sale on Thursday. The firings are the latest in a string of moves by the Trump administration targeting independent news organizations. The Federal Communications Commission, led by Trump appointee and Project 2025 author Brendan Carr, has ordered investigations into NPR and PBS. Trump is also in an ongoing legal battle with 60 Minutes and CBS, and his administration previously barred the Associated Press from the Oval Office.
