News Broadcasting
Funeral held for Kerry Packer
MUMBAI: A funeral service for the late Australian media moghul Kerry Packer was held today on his rural New South Wales property, Ellerston.
A statement sent by the family said that at a brief service, they gave thanks for a life of courage and giving. “Kerry is now at peace.”
A hearse entered Ellerston property with only the immediate family around to bid their final farewell. With the media magnate’s passion for polo and intensely private nature well documented, Ellerston proved a fitting location to close the final chapter on Australia’s richest man, state media reports.
Battling many health ailments over long years, Packer died on Monday at his Sydney home of kidney failure. A public memorial service takes place next year.
Packer was Australia’s richest man – thought to be worth A$6.9billion (or nearly £3billion).- he had made success or lost money in many different businesses from television stations, magazines, films, cattle stations, engineering works, property and building, ski resorts, plantations, mines, chemicals and mineral water.
His empire meant a holding of 30 per cent in Publishing & Broadcasting Ltd.,(PBL) which operates Australia’s Channel Nine television network, publishes a bunch of magazines, and has interests in Australian casinos.
James Packer returned to work just 36 hours after his father’s death, and began the process of taking charge of the media and gaming giant at PBL. He is to face his first challenge with the Seven and Ten networks expected to counter Nine’s rights to broadcast AFL.
Kerry Packer had secured the $780 million deal for the Nine Network just days before his death. The new agreement, starting in 2007, dwarves the current $500 million, five-year agreement involving Nine, Ten and Foxtel.
Seven and Ten have until January 6 to match Nine’s five-year offer.
The PBL board have given their public support behind James and his charge of the company. Chief executive John Alexander said on on behalf of the board, “(James) has a very clear vision for the future development of the company which was enthusiastically supported by the board.”
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.
