News Broadcasting
CNN to capitalise on renewed interest in Christ with documentary
MUMBAI: Right now Christ is in the news thanks to the debate over Mel Gibson’s film The Passion of the Christ. The film’s dialogues are in Latin and Arabic.
CNN has announced a documentary The Mystery of Jesus. This will try to unravel many of the questions and myths surround Christ. The show airs on 13 March at 9 pm with a repeat on 14 March at 8 pm, 10 April at 9 pm and on 11 April at 8 pm.
Was Jesus a preacher, a healer? A teacher? What did he do during his adolescence? What may he have looked like? And, what were the reasons for his death? This special offers factual evidence and current theories about the life of this renowned religious figure. Narrated by actor, Liam Neeson Schindlers List the documentary explores the historical aspects of the life of Jesus and delves into why so many mysteries exist about his life.
Through interviews with numerous scholars, scientists and doctors the show will offer explanations into the earthly aspects of Jesus. Religious scholars including Dr. A.J. Levine from Vanderbilt University in Tennessee and Dr. Claire Pfann from University of the Holy Land in Jerusalem, discuss the personal details of Jesus life, which are supported both by history and religious texts. They shed light on the early years of Jesus and provide insight into matters such as the existence of Jesus brothers and sisters.
Another scholar, Dr. Bruce Chilton, even claims that the actual birthplace of Jesus may be in another area, not Bethlehem of Judea. And, Astronomer Michael Molnar discusses his unique findings regarding the birth date of Jesus, which he calculated using technology and old astrological maps.
The show will air under the programme block CNN Presents. Unveiled in April 2001, the series provides engaging, single-topic stories from network correspondents and producers worldwide.
News Broadcasting
GenNext takes charge as Network18 reshuffles leadership
With Avinash Kaul bowing out, Network18 hands reins to younger leaders, streamlines operations, and pushes data-driven growth across TV, digital and regional markets
MUMBAI: Network18 is redrawing its leadership map just as a long-time lieutenant bows out. Avinash Kaul, a central figure in the broadcaster’s rise since 2014, is leaving after 12 years to pursue “professional and personal goals”, triggering a broad-based reshuffle that puts a younger cohort directly under the top brass.
Kaul joined at a pivotal moment during the company’s transition and went on to scale the television business, combining strategic nous with data-led decision-making and a sharp read of the news landscape. “Avinash has been an integral part of the Network18 story,” the company said, thanking him for his leadership of the broadcast business and wishing him the best for the future.
In his wake, Network18 is betting on what it calls a “young and restless” leadership bench. “The team has taken charge and proved its mettle in quite adverse circumstances,” the note said, adding that “GenNext has seamlessly stepped in as we continue to outperform our peers.”
Operationally, the structure is being flattened. Smriti Mehra, S Shivakumar and Mitul Sangani will work directly with the top leadership, as they did in the fourth quarter. Ganesh Iyer and Abhinay Chauhan continue in their existing roles, while younger executives are being handed wider mandates across social, digital, connected TV and linear.
The reporting lines are being tightened to drive revenue and product momentum. Prabhat Chatterjee, business head–Forbes, and Arun Thapar, president–content and communication for AETN-18, will report to Smriti Mehra, alongside Mallika Nath Handa, who will lead special projects spanning new shows and non-linear properties. Jayesh Gokalgandhi, CFO for AETN-18, will report to Ramesh Damani.
Mitul Sangani will oversee expansion in Hindi and regional markets, with Sidharth Newatia, CRO–ILC, focusing on reach and revenue growth, particularly in tier-II and III markets. Pankaj Soni, head of marketing–ILC, will also report to Sangani while working functionally with Ganesh Iyer.
The group is also consolidating its branded content play. Moneycontrol’s branded content business will be folded into News18 Studio, with Don Zarrar moving to work with Shivakumar while continuing to lead existing studio and Focus teams.
International and platform growth are being bundled together. Pranav Bakshi takes on additional charge of the international business alongside connected TV and social platforms, with Naveen Mathur, who leads revenue management for the international unit, reporting to him. Bakshi continues to report to Puneet Singhvi.
On the technology and operations side, Rajesh Sharma, head of broadcast technology and IT; Rahul Singh, head of events and technical operations; and Bhupender Bhardwaj, head of IT security, will now report to Singhvi. Darshil Parekh, head of sales strategy, planning and operations, will work directly with Ramesh Damani and the top leadership, with Stanley Cyril, who manages digital sales operations, reporting to him.
Data is being pushed to the centre of decision-making. Jitamitra Mohanty, who leads research and analytics, will now work with Santosh Menon to turn audience data into “actionable insights that drive content strategy, product innovation and sustainable viewership growth”.
The message is clear: fewer layers, faster calls, sharper bets. With Kaul’s exit closing one chapter, Network18 is handing the wheel to a younger crew and doubling down on scale across screens. The race, it signals, will be run at full tilt.
