News Broadcasting
NDTV moots fourth channel as NDTV Nation
MUMBAI: It appears that as a natural progression for the Prannoy Roy-promoted NDTV Ltd, the network is moving forward to have a bouquet of channels, on the lines of Star India and Zee Telefilms. NDTV has applied for uplinking permission for a fourth channel.
The name of the proposed channel, as mentioned in the uplink application, is likely to be ‘NDTV Nation’.
Quoting from relevant papers, government sources said the name, NDTV Nation is mentioned by NDTV in its uplink application, but added it could be a working name for the proposed channel that could undergo a change at a later stage.
Contacted by Indiantelevision.com, a source in NDTV did not confirm or deny the development on NDTV Nation, but added, “No final decision (on the name) has been taken yet.”
Though details of the proposed channel are still hazy, it is expected that NDTV Nation would be a news channel focusing on news of various regions of India.
PERMISSION FOR A 5TH CHANNEL SOUGHT?
Interestingly, government sources in the know of the developments, say NDTV has sought permission for a fifth channel as well, which is likely to have niche sports programming as its dominant content offering.
When queried about uplink permission sought for a fifth channel, the NDTV source denied it outright, categorically stating there is no fifth channel in the pipeline as of now.
It is worth noting here that NDTV has already made a play in the sporting property rights arena – recently submitting financial bids for telecast rights for the All India Football Federation. The other contenders in the fray are ESPN Star Sports, Zee Sports, Nimbus and Leisure Sports Management.
According to information available, the attempt to bid for the football rights is just a step towards realising a bigger dream of NDTV — that of having a bouquet of channels of its own straddling most of the traditional genres of programming.
According to a market analyst, in the $ 4.5 billion Indian entertainment industry, the advertising industry is expected to grow strongly by around 12 per cent in FY 2006-2008. TV will increase its share of ad pie from 47 per cent to 50 per cent in the next three years to cross Rs 50 billion, the analyst states. Not surprisingly, within the TV segment, news broadcasting is the fastest growing one.
NDTV scrip opened on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on Monday at Rs 208 after closing on 17 June, Friday at Rs 206.
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.
