News Broadcasting
Fifa, TWI working on television programmes
MUMBAI: As part of their 2004 Centennial celebrations, Fifa is working in conjunction with TWI on the production and distribution of a series of television programmes and special features. These highlight the work and development of football’s governing body over the last 100 years.
Two programmes have been produced. One is a four part half hour documentary. It uses four themes to trace the development of the game worldwide: The other comprises of 30 one-minute vignettes called Fifa: 100 years of Timeless Moments. These are available for worldwide distribution on all television platforms. In addition, a further 52 one-minute vignettes will be featured in a regular weekly slot on Futbol Mundial throughout Fifa’s 2004 Centenary year.
In India Futbol Mundial airs on ESPN Star Sports. The first of these features is dedicated to the German goalkeeping legend Sepp Maier.
A company release informs that each part of the documentary series fuses rarely seen footage from the Fifa archive with specialist footage from TWI’s archive. The first of these programmes, The Beautiful Century: 100 Years of Fifa celebrates the growth of football from a popular but fragmented pastime to the sport we know today.
Fifa president Joseph S Blatter added, ” The two products highlight the passion that players and fans have for the game. It gives us immense satisfaction to learn that these programmes have already proved to be highly successful, with television stations on every continent having already signed up to broadcast and distribute both products.”
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.
