News Broadcasting
“Story-telling never change, but technology is making a huge change in it,” says Shekhar Kapur
Mumbai: The ABP Network’s “Ideas of India” Summit 2023 was discussing the topic of “The Future is Here, Building the New Narrative.”The summit has brought together policymakers, cultural ambassadors, industry experts, celebrities, and business leaders to discuss the critical role of India during the global churn and changing dynamics. ABP Network is a multi-language channel with 535 million individuals in India therefore this summit provides one of the biggest platforms for the brightest minds across various sectors to express their views.
“Digital has allowed me to do anything on screen and we do not need to roll the negatives to shoot a movie now. If we embrace the metaverse right then it will be a trillion-dollar business for the Indian film industry. It will not just film, it will be content creation as a whole. There is a tsunami of content coming in, which we need to be prepared for” said Indian filmmaker Shekhar Kapur.
He added, “If I can’t disseminate my product in metaverse in 15 minutes then somebody else will.”
Speaking at the second edition of the “Ideas of India” Summit, Kapur said, “If you believe in something, you believe in it. If I hadn’t believed in my career I may not be here. I have never been scared of losing when I am doing something I believe in. If you lose because somebody has else said something to you then you will never forgive yourself.”
He added, “Panic is fundamental to creativity for me. There is no structure and only chaos, creativity arises out of chaos. Life comes out of chaos. You make sure that you know what you are doing and people should know what you are doing.”
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 rolls out Battle for the States ahead of key polls
Multi-format election coverage tracks voter mood across five battleground states
NEW DELHI: CNN-News18 has launched a special election programming initiative titled Battle for the States, as India gears up for high-stakes Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
Built around the theme ‘Road to Power’, the multi-format coverage aims to follow the entire electoral journey, from campaigning and polling to results and government formation. The network is leaning into on-ground reportage and data-backed storytelling to decode voter sentiment across regions where local issues often shape the narrative.
The programming line-up includes ‘Vote Tracker’, a three-part series developed in collaboration with survey agency Vote Vibe. The show blends survey insights with expert commentary and field reporting, using augmented reality graphics to present complex electoral data such as vote share, seat projections and leadership preferences in a more accessible format. It will air every Monday evening until April 6.
Adding a cultural lens to political reporting is ‘So Saree!’, a ground-driven segment where women anchors travel across constituencies dressed in traditional handwoven sarees from each state. The format uses attire as a storytelling device, highlighting regional identity while capturing grassroots voices.
Meanwhile, ‘Unfiltered Kaapi’ and ‘Chai-Niti’ bring a more conversational tone, drawing inspiration from everyday political discussions in tea stalls and coffee corners. These segments aim to break down key issues through candid, fast-paced exchanges between anchors and reporters, tailored to regional sensibilities.
For viewers seeking deeper insights, the weekend docuseries ‘Reporters Project’ takes a longer view, with correspondents travelling across constituencies to map voter concerns and political shifts on the ground.
“Elections are about people, their aspirations, identities and the issues that matter to them, and every state tells a different story,” said CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar. He added that the initiative focuses on understanding “the sentiment on the ground and what’s driving voter choices”.
Echoing the emphasis on credibility, Network18 CEO – English and business news Smriti Mehra said the network aims to combine on-ground reporting with data-led insights to deliver clear and timely coverage as the elections unfold.
With a mix of data, culture and grassroots reporting, CNN-News18 is positioning Battle for the States as a comprehensive window into one of India’s most closely watched electoral cycles, where every vote carries a story waiting to be told.
