News Broadcasting
AXN, Animax to go mobile
MUMBAI: While the question of whether people will use the mobile to view entire episodes of television shows is still in the air one thing that channels are realising is that the mobile phone is a bloody effective promotional tool especially when targeting the teenage segment.
Keeping this in mind AXN and Animax will both venture into the wireless area to promote shows. First off the blocks is AXN. The channel recently bought the mobile rights for one of its most popular shows CSI.
Speaking to indiantelevision.com this afternoon at the sidelines of a media briefing AXN Asia VP marketing and creative services Gregory Ho said, “We are talking to a mobile content distributor and hope to finalise the deal next month.
“Basically the service will offer downloads like ringtones, wallpaper, screensavers. We will see what the response this and then take a decision as to whether we will do a similar initiative for our other shows like 24.
“The thing is that since we do not own these shows acquiring the rights is expensive. In fact Animax will use the mobile in a greater way next year. That is because we have created our own set of vignettes featuring original characters Quu and Tee. These are two fun loving characters from another universe. They have come to earth looking to have a good time.”
Ho went on to explain that while Tee is nimble and agile. Quu is slower but has magical powers. Right now three 50 second vignettes featuring these two characters are airing. “We will shortly expand this to eight. When the characters grow in popularity we will look at taking them mobile in the form of ringtones, wallpaper etc.
“Our hope is to make a television series out of these two characters. This will give us opportunities in the licensing and merchandising area perhaps a couple of years from now”
Ho was however quick to clarify that the company has no plans of doing the merchandise itself. “We will license the characters for a fee to a third party for products like videos, toys, books. It makes no sense for us to get into the retail business as that would distract us from our core business – television. In fact Disney recently shut down most of its retail storews in America. Retailing is a complex business and it is always better for experts to handle that area.”
While admitting that Animax was a little ahead of its time in India and that it is behind Pogo and Nickelodeon Ho expressed confidence that Japanimation would find favour among viewers. He claimed that it is available in 12 million homes in India.
The channel will be conducting a promotional initiative in 100 schools across the major Metros from 29 November. “The school initiative is a watch and win contest. Apart from prizes the school that sends in the most entries will be paid a special visit by Animax’s brand ambassador Irfan Pathan. Pathan will then give the kids a pep talk.”
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. AICC’s Praveen Chakravarty weighs ‘Power Sharing vs Principles’, while former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan joins the fray. 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.
