News Broadcasting
Focus Group changes channel packaging for more focus
MUMBAI: Gearing up for a full fledged launch very soon, upcoming Hindi news channel Focus News has undergone a makeover. Dropping its earlier logo and colour combination, the channel has revamped with fresh colours of red and white.
Ideated by JWT and executed by Clayground, the same logo format will be adopted for its other regional channels namely Focus Haryana, Focus Bangla, Focus Odisha, Focus NE and Focus Hi Fi, in the next two weeks. The on air look has also been changed, which has been done by an in house team.
The new logo has the map of the world fitted inside the ‘o’. Speaking on the change, Focus Group CEO Neeraj Sanan says, “Red and white are the colours of news channels. We wanted a unique dimension with an interesting shade.”
While the regional channels have been fully distributed, the national channel is currently available only on Videocon d2h, Tata Sky and from 1 November on DD Freedish. The group is awaiting its last leg of clearance from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for its satellite transfer request.
Focus News is currently situated on Measat which makes it cumbersome while dealing with cable operators as it has to give a dish and IRD box for every operator. It is looking at shifting to Intelsat.
Once the new satellite is confirmed, it will be available on cable platforms as well. Post getting its distribution fixed, the channel will embark on a marketing plan in the Hindi speaking markets. Sanan is aware that the channel so far has kept itself low on distribution with only a limited presence on the DTH platforms. Therefore the logo change will be noticed by most.
“We are creating a brand for the future,” he concludes.
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
