News Broadcasting
NBC keeps ‘The Office’ lights burning with extended finale
MUMBAI: US broadcaster NBC has extended the sitcom The Office through 11 May 2006. The network will add an extra original episode plus other encore broadcasts that will now take the comedy past its previously announced season finale of 30 March.
For the uninitiated The Office takes a look at the interactions of the desk jockeys at Dunder Mifflin paper-supply company in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Golden Globe winner Steve Carell The 40-Year-Old Virgin– whom E! Online said, “might be the funniest man alive,” stars as unctuous regional manager Michael Scott who hosts the documentary crew on a tour of the workplace. Jenna Fischer, John Krasinski , Rainn Wilson and B.J. Novak star as the employees who tolerate Michael’s inappropriate behavior only because he signs their paychecks.
The new comedy Teachers will premiere on 28 March. Justin Bartha stars as Jeff, an irreverent, rule-breaking teacher where the faculty takes center stage. Sarah Alexander joins him as Alice, a fellow teacher, who won’t give up on the students or the school. Jeff’s best friend and resident drama teacher is Calvin while other school denizens include radio comedian Phil Hendrie as Dick, the veteran teacher who is over the system and would rather barbecue behind the gymnasium. Tina is a hot new substitute teacher who joins the faculty, and Mitch is an eager-to-please teacher who worships Principal Emma Wiggins.
Despite not being able to match the success of Friends, Joey returns with original episodes on 7 March.
NBC says that since shifting to Thursday nights on 5 January this year, The Office has averaged a 4.7 rating, 11 share in the 18-49 demographic and 9.1 million viewers overall. That represents a 27 per cent increase over the show’s 18-49 average for Tuesday telecasts earlier this season (3.7/9 in 18-49, 7.7 million viewers overall) and an 88 percent increase over The Office’s average for the 2004-05 season (2.5/6 in 18-49, 5.4 million viewers overall), when it also aired on Tuesday nights.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
