News Broadcasting
Would DD News oust private producers ?
NEW DELHI: Is Doordarshan News looking at axing privately produced programmes on the channel? If a certain section of the organization is to be believed, then such a move is afoot, though it may turn out to be a hot potato to handle.
Which are the top programmes on Doordarshan News, re-launched last November with a promise to make garbage of other channels? The Headlines, Rozana and
Aankhon Dekhi (the latter two being privately produced programmes).
This fact is worrying the managers of Prasar Bharati, which manages Doordarshan and All India Radio. According to sources in the organisation, some Prasar Bharati board members feel that if DD News is to gain popularity via outside producers, then it would be difficult to market the channel in-house, despite consulting editor Deepak Chaurasia and gang doing a good job on the channel within certain limitations.
A Prasar Bharati source admitted that though it may not be easy, the Corporation is contemplating pulling the plug on private producers who make current affairs programmes on DD News on sponsored slots (that means they pay DD News a pre-designated amount for 30 minutes and are free to peddle the free commercial time for the slot, which amounts to about 220 seconds), from next month when their present 26-week agreements come to an end.
One such programme on rural India and agriculture has already been denied an extension, sending signals amongst private producers that this may set a precedent, sources said.
Though Prasar Bharati has introduced a revised rate card for DD News, with approximately a 20 per cent hike for packages and a whopping 66 per cent increase in spot buy rates from 1 April, market sources do admit that because deals are being signed in bulk and the whole channel is being marketed, the effective buying rate for DD news at times hovers around Rs 1,500-Rs1,700 per 10 seconds for bulk buyers.
This is in sharp contrast to sponsored programmes, which are privately produced. For example, one of the top programmes for DD News, Rozana, sells a 10 seconds spot for a sum ranging between Rs 6,500-Rs.7,000.
The private producers are quite clear. Their contention is that unlike DD, which has to market the whole news channel and is giving heavy bonuses to bulk buyers, they only have to market their individual programmes and can afford to charge slightly higher rates.
Even as there are talks of doing away with — or lessening the number — of private producers on DD News, Prasar Bharati has gone in for a 50 per cent increase in the rates for sponsored programmes — from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 for prime time and from Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,500 for non prime time.
Though some big advertisers like State Bank of India and Kodak have already signed up Rs 7.5 million and Rs 2.5 million, respectively for three months on DD News, most such clients are also demanding top programmes on DD News and DD doesn’t have control over some top rated programmes like Rozana and Bollywood News as they are produced by outsiders.
At present, about half a dozen private producers are on DD News. Would Prasar Bharati bite the bullet? Difficult to say at this moment because the issue has political overtones.
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.
