News Broadcasting
China issues electronic media-friendly FI regulations
MUMBAI: China has brought out new regulations for foreign investment, technology and expertise to promote the country’s broadcasting and film industry.
Jointly issued by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) and the Ministry of commerce, the new regulations will allow foreign companies to hold not more than 49 per cent stakes in film and TV production joint ventures.
The SARFT spokesperson has been quoted in media reports as saying, “After three years in the World Trade Organization, China is opening up more areas and loosening restrictions.”
Several film and television production companies have been approved by China in the recent past. The latest in this line-up include the Time-Warner – Hengdian Group joint venture (in October 2004) and the Sony Pictures – China Film Group JV (in November 2004).
Some of the foreign satellite channels China has approved since 2001 include China Entertainment TV, Star TV, Phoenix TV and MTV.
News Broadcasting
India Today Group debuts AI anchor ‘Sutra’ at AI Impact Summit 2026
Sutra aims to simplify live policy debates using sovereign AI models
NEW DELHI: India Today Group has unveiled Sutra, an AI-driven news anchor designed to deliver real-time, contextual reporting, marking the group’s latest push to integrate artificial intelligence into mainstream journalism.
The AI anchor was introduced at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi and developed in collaboration with BharatGen, with the initiative showcased by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
India Today Group said Sutra is built to navigate complex policy discussions and fast-moving developments by synthesising information into concise, accessible insights, aimed at narrowing the gap between high-level debates and public understanding. The AI anchor was used to surface live takeaways from key sessions at the summit.
India Today Group chief AI officer Nilanjan Das, said the project was focused on clarity and accessibility without diluting editorial rigour. He added that working with BharatGen aligned the group’s AI ambitions with India’s broader push towards sovereign technology capabilities.
BharatGen CEO Rishi Bal, said the partnership reflected a shift from basic automation towards deeper contextual intelligence in media. He emphasised the importance of indigenous, multimodal AI models capable of understanding Indian languages, regional dialects and cultural nuance, particularly as AI-driven news formats gain traction.
The launch positions India Today Group among the first major Indian media houses to deploy an AI anchor backed by home-grown technology, underscoring a growing convergence between journalism, public policy and sovereign AI infrastructure.
