News Broadcasting
IBN 7, Loksatta partner for BMC election coverage
MUMBAI: IBN 7 will partner with Marathi publication Loksatta to air special programming in the days leading up to the Bombay Municipal Corporation Elections.
The IBN 7 coverage of the BMC elections started on 22 January and will continue till the final vote count on 2 February.
The special programming is based on a comprehensive survey by AC Nielsen which tests and reveals the true mood of the Mumbaikars on the state of their city.
The weekly series will have half-hour episodes culminating in a prime-time special on 2 February from Gateway of India in Mumbai featuring a panel of political representatives.
“Unlike in Delhi, there exists one municipal board across Mumbai city and its suburbs. This makes BMC a very important body and the process of electing its leaders even more so. IBN 7 is therefore dedicated to bringing its viewers the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding the elections including the sentiments of the Mumbaikars,” says, IBN 7 managing editor Ashutosh.
Loksatta group brand head Shankar Rao Shinde added “We at Loksatta are proud to be in partnership with IBN 7 to bring to our readers and viewers an in-depth look at the upcoming BMC polls. We intend to highlight the mood of the Mumbaikars on the state of their city and who they feel is most competent to bring about much-needed infrastructural and civic changes. I am confident that this initiative with IBN 7 will pave the way for a long standing association.”
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. AICC’s Praveen Chakravarty weighs ‘Power Sharing vs Principles’, while former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan joins the fray. 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.
