News Broadcasting
TV Today’s print plans
MUMBAI: TV Today Network will hold a strategic investment of 13 per cent in Mail Today Newspapers and plans to also directly pursue print expansion in the languages segment.
The company, which owns and operates a clutch of news channels including Aaj Tak and Headlines Today, has already paid Rs 370 million out of the deal amount of Rs 455 million.
“The investment in Mail Today is strategic. The print expansion plan will be outside this,” a source close to the company said.
Mail Today, a daily newspaper in compact format, is a joint venture between the India Today Group and Daily Mail of London.
TV Today is researching into how it can expand into print. It plans to get into regional language newspapers, the source added.
TV Today chief executive officer G Krishnan was not available for comment.
The company had earlier acquired the radio business of Radio Today Broadcasting, a promoter group company, for a valuation of Rs 1.2 billion.
Some media analysts feel cracking the newspaper language markets will be very difficult as there are existing players strongly entrenched in them.
”We are unhappy with the radio acquisition, especially due to the high valuation. It is better if TV Today launches regional news channels rather than entering print (a high gestation period business) or the radio space (a highly competitive and extremely small revenue potential media vertical). The entry into radio and print could be value destructive,” an analyst at a broking firm said.
A media observer, however, said the revenue and valuation potential would be much higher in case of print. “They will expand into regional news channels as well. They are waiting for the right time.”
TV Today’s consolidated second-quarter Ebitda turned negative for the first time in 24 quarters as revenue dipped 6.6 per cent while expenses climbed. Net loss for the three-month period ended September 2010 stood at Rs 76 million. The company, however, is expected to post a strong revenue growth in the third quarter and be profitable.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 launches weekend show Health Matters to decode health trends
New show aims to cut through viral wellness fads with expert-backed advice
MUMBAI: In an age where viral reels often double up as lifestyle advice, CNN-News18 is launching a weekend show aimed at separating health facts from fashionable myths.
Titled News18 Health Matters, the half-hour programme will premiere on 14 March 2026 and position itself as a reliable guide through the maze of wellness trends, internet remedies and quick-fix health advice that increasingly shape everyday decisions.
India is in the midst of a major health transition. Lifestyle diseases are striking earlier, stress and sleep deprivation have become routine, and health choices are often influenced by trending content rather than medical evidence. The new show leans into this reality with a simple premise: trending does not always mean true.
Anchored by Hem Kaur Saroya and Himani Chandna, the programme will air every Saturday at 8:30 am and 5:30 pm and on Sundays at 10:30 am. Episodes will also be available on the channel’s YouTube platform.
Each instalment will tackle everyday health concerns that are increasingly entering mainstream conversations. Topics range from the rise of heart attacks among people under 40 and the growing reliance on protein supplements, to the rush toward weight-loss drugs and the widespread overuse of painkillers. The show will also examine issues such as screen addiction, chronic sleep loss, stress-related disorders and the rising prevalence of thyroid conditions, diabetes and hypertension.
Speaking about the launch, Rahul Shivshankar said the show aims to bring clarity to a space crowded with misinformation.
“With Health Matters, CNN-News18 aims to cut through the noise and empower viewers with clear, expert-led conversations grounded in science and medical evidence. At a time when viral trends increasingly influence lifestyle choices, it is important to distinguish between what is trending and what is truly beneficial for long-term health,” he said.
Echoing the sentiment, Smriti Mehra said the programme reflects the channel’s commitment to responsible and relevant programming.
“With growing public interest in wellness and preventive health, Health Matters strengthens CNN-News18’s focus on issues that affect everyday life. In an increasingly crowded information space, credible and verified health conversations have never been more important,” she said.
With Health Matters, CNN-News18 is betting that viewers want more than bite-sized advice and viral fixes. The show promises something rarer in the age of algorithm-driven wellness tips: calm, credible conversations that help people make better health choices.
