News Broadcasting
Three news channels likely to launch in November
MUMBAI: A fleet of news channels are set for launch in November, putting further pressure on an already crowded cable pipeline.
Sources say Times Now, a joint venture between Times Global Broadcasting Pvt Ltd and Reuters, is aiming to beam from 9 November. No official confirmation, however, was forthcoming on the date of launch. Said Times Global Broadcasting VP and business head Partho Das Gupta, “The date has not been finalized yet. But we are targeting to launch in November.”
Next up will be iBN, the Rajdeep Sardesai and Sameer Manchanda joint venture with TV18, which is targeting a 19 November launch. Broadcast News editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai says the launch is on course. “As I have always stated, the launch of the iBN will be somewhere in the last quarter of this calendar year. We are sticking to it.”
If this is going to set up the big stage battle among the biggies, Markand Adhikari is attempting to carve a niche space in the news segment with the launch of a “views” channel titled Janmat. The channel’s test signals are on. Says Sri Adhikari Brothers vice-chairman Markhand Adhikari, “The channel will be launched by the end of October or first week of November.”
Waiting in the wings are also India TV’s Gujarati news channel and NDTV Nation, a metro-centric channel. While the industry buzz indicated November as the launch date of NDTV Nation, a company source says it is put on hold. NDTV was not willing to disclose the exact date of launch. “No firm decision has yet been taken on the launch of NDTV Nation at the moment,” says an official spokesperson.
There is one thing that is dead certain for these new channels: a significant amount will go by way of carriage fees for proper placement of these channels. Industry estimates put the distribution cost for a news channel at somewhere around Rs 100-120 million.
The news channels are still in the process of sewing up deals with most of the cable operators. Admits Das Gupta: “Negotiations are on for channel placement.” Same is the case with iBN which wants to get colour or S-band carriage. Leading multi system operators say iBN’s proposals are under discussion. “We have made earlier commitments with other channels. We will have to see how we can dislodge some of them who do not stick to their terms. Alternately, the commercial terms of some other channels may be ending. We can open up these slots for the new channels. We expect carriage fee rates to go up substantially,” a senior executive of a leading MSO said.
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
