News Broadcasting
Zee News’ ‘Madam Sir’ goes on air; aims to elevate women’s stories to prime time prominence
Mumbai: In a momentous stride to amplify women’s voices and achievements, Zee News announced the launch of its latest prime-time show, ‘Madam Sir.’ Premiered from 8 March 2024, at 7 PM, this prime time show marks a significant step towards empowering women and promoting gender equality in media representation.
By dedicating prime time to ‘Madam Sir,’ a meticulously crafted program designed to spotlight women’s voices and triumphs, Zee News is bridging a crucial gap in media representation. The show not only celebrates women’s successes but also challenges stereotypes and biases, presenting a more inclusive portrayal of their contributions. Rather than confining women to conventional roles, ‘Madam Sir’ celebrates their resilience, and diversity by showcasing their talents and achievements from diverse backgrounds. This concerted effort offers an authentic and empowering depiction of women in society.
By prioritising ‘appointment viewership’, Zee News also showcases its commitment to reaching a wide audience and driving substantial impact. This strategic move sets a precedent for inclusivity, women’s empowerment, and a more diverse media ecosystem.
Moreover, the show’s emphasis on valuing and recognizing women’s voices underscores its dedication to fostering a media landscape that resonates with all viewers, contributing significantly to broader societal representation and empowerment.
Emphasizing the core purpose of the show, Zee Media Corporation Ltd, CEO Abhay Ojha stated, “As a media organization, we recognize the power of storytelling in shaping perceptions and driving societal change.’Madam Sir’ is more than just a show; it’s a platform dedicated to amplifying the voices and achievements of women, challenging stereotypes, and fostering a more equitable and representative media landscape. Through this initiative, we aim to inspire audiences, spark meaningful conversations, and pave the way for greater gender equality.”
‘Madam Sir’ not only reshapes prime time programming but also redefines the narrative of women’s representation, signaling a transformative shift towards inclusivity and empowerment in media.
News Broadcasting
Rajesh Sundaram joins NDTV Profit as senior editor, assignment
The 32-year newsroom veteran has launched channels on three continents and covered everything from 9/11 to South African television
MUMBAI: NDTV Profit has bolstered its newsroom with a hire who has done rather more than most. Rajesh Sundaram, a journalist with over three decades of editorial, managerial and consultative experience across India and international markets, joins as senior editor, assignment, tasked with sharpening the network’s newsgathering and real-time response.
Sundaram’s career reads like a tour of Indian media’s most formative moments. He began at Businessworld in 1994, moved to Zee News as bureau chief across Mumbai and Chennai, then joined NDTV in 2002 as part of its political bureau during a particularly febrile period in Indian politics. A stint as India correspondent for Al Jazeera International followed, where he covered key geopolitical developments and got his first serious taste of the global newsroom.
What sets Sundaram apart, however, is his serial channel-launching habit. At NewsX, he helped get the operation off the ground. At Headlines Today, part of the India Today Group, he served as editor. At News Nation, he helped launch the Hindi news channel and its digital ecosystem. He then crossed continents to lead the launch of ANN7 in South Africa as editor-in-chief, overseeing both television and digital. Back in India, he launched Tamil news channels News7 Tamil and Cauvery News, and later served as principal consultant for the launch of Marathi channel Lokshahi. Most recently, he helped build and lead the Press Trust of India’s video service and content studio, before stints consulting for Business Today and The Himalayan Times.
Rahul Kanwal, chief executive and editor-in-chief of NDTV, left little doubt about what Sundaram is expected to deliver. “The assignment desk is where a newsroom’s intent becomes action,” he said. “Rajesh brings a rare combination of field experience and leadership in building news operations at scale.”
Sundaram has reported from across India and the world, covering elections, civil conflicts, the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks and the 2008 US presidential election.
At NDTV Profit, he will lead the assignment desk, driving editorial coordination and real-time response across markets and breaking developments. For a business news network sharpening its focus on speed and multi-platform delivery, it has hired a man who has built newsrooms from scratch on three continents. The assignment desk is in good hands.
