News Broadcasting
Aaj Tak lines up mega programming fare for year end
MUMBAI: As the year draws to a close, special programming has been lined up by Aaj Tak, which will capture the essence of the year that was, and look into what the future has in store. Spanning over 30 and 31 December, the programming will have a mix of information, insight and entertainment.
Some of the he major segments comprising a mix of the serious, the satirical and humorous are as follows:
Sabse Tez – This 30-minutes programme would focus on the personalities from the fields of politics, sports, entertainment and business, who were in the limelight for all the right reasons. Using the quintessential by-line of the channel, the “sabse tez” personalities would be nominated on the basis of their intelligence as well as their ability to have done quickly the right thing at the right time. This will be aired on 30 December at 10:30 pm with a repeat telecast on 31 December at 9:30 am and 2:30 pm.
Kismat Aapki Cards Hamare – The two-hour live program would be Aaj Tak’s way of looking at the future and what all 2005 has in store for big personalities as well as our viewers. Astrologer Meenakshi, will be in the studios to present an in-depth and engrossing chat as to what the stars have to say about the future. The future of famous people like Sonia Gandhi, Shahrukh Khan, Anil Ambani, Sushmita Sen would be discussed as also the future of all the star signs. This will be aired on 31 December from 6 pm to 8 pm.
Socha Na Tha – The program would encapsulate some major events and controversies that happened in 2004 that no one had anticipated. The program would be done in a tongue-in-cheek manner with the right mix of humour, sarcasm and responsible news analysis. This will be aired on 31 December from 10 pm to 11 pm.
Agar Aisa Hota – This will be a half hour program hosted by comedian Jaspal Bhatti. As the name suggests, the program will try to vision how things would have been in case certain things would have worked out a certain way. For example actress Mallika Sherawat once said during the year that she should be made the Censor board chief. Also there are examples like, had Ambani been poor, how would they have fought, what would happen had Sonia been the prime minister? This will be aired on 31 December at 9:30 pm with a repeat telecast on 1 January at 9:30 am and 2:30 pm.
Khabar Matlab Aaj Tak – This show will highlight some of Aaj Tak’s major news breaking stories that had political or social fallouts. This show will run through the day. For example Miss India Laxmi’s crown was taken back after it was first reported on Aaj Tak that she is married; 30 Delhi Police officials were suspended after Aaj Tak caught these officials on camera taking bribes, Uma Bharati first lashed out against Pramod Mahajan in an exclusive interview to Aaj tak thereby leading to political fallouts that ultimately resulted in her ouster from the BJP. This will aired on 31 December throughout the day.
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
