News Broadcasting
Cellcast sets shop in India; appoints Thakar as CEO
MUMBAI: In order to expand its international reach, global interactive digital broadcaster – Cellcast plc – has set shop in Mumbai. The new subsidiary company will be called Cellcast Interactive India Pvt Ltd.
The Indian subsidiary will be headed by Pankaj Thakar, who has over 20 years experience in the computer, telecom and wireless sectors.
Thakar said, “Indias consumers are primed for the kind of innovative participation-TV programming, which Cellcast has developed so successfully in the UK and other markets. With 85 million TV households, over 65 million mobile phone subscribers growing by 2.5 million new users every month, and a sustained rise in consumer spending power, India promises to become a leading world market for convergent entertainment services in a very short time.”
The newly established subsidiary will help Cellcast address the rising demand for interactive entertainment in India. The companys programmes and technology platform will enable broadcast partners to capture new revenue streams that are independent of subscription income and advertising, and build new audiences among the highly sought-after youth demographic.
In March this year, Cellcast launched a 24 hour interactive channel called Play TV on the Zee Network in partnership with the Essel Group. Since Play TVs launch, premium rate SMS traffic has doubled month on month and the channel now broadcasts over 10 hours of live interactive programmes daily.
Commenting on the launch of Cellcast Interactive India, Cellcast plc CEO Andrew Wilson said, “We recognise the huge potential in India, and Cellcast is excited to participate in the growth of this market. The success of Play TV has shown the high demand for our interactive services, and we look forward to launching new programmes and applications to build on this success.”
“Cellcast is one of the few companies with an end-to-end interactive television solution, combining state of the art technology with compelling programming within a proven business model. With experience drawn from several continents, our expertise, programme portfolio, applications and technology platform deliver a distinct advantage to our broadcast and telecom partners in this rapidly expanding sector,” he added.
Cellcast Interactive India will also shortly open a Development and Technical Support Centre in Mumbai. Initially, the production and development facility will support programmes and applications distributed in the India market. Over time, the Centre is expected to play an increasing role in international product development.
Cellcasts proven business model is highly scalable, from small satellite channels to major terrestrial broadcasters, and is generating significant revenues for existing broadcast partners in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
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.
