News Broadcasting
From print to AI how news keeps up with times
MUMBAI: Wake up, check your phone, catch a podcast, scroll a story, news never sleeps. At a lively session on “Credibility in the Age of Chaos & Media’s Role in Shaping India’s Identity,” India Today Group vice chairperson and editor-in-chief Kalli Purie joined Business Standard columnist and author Vanita Kohli-Khandekar, to explore how a 50-year-old brand stays relevant in a 24 by 7 media whirlwind.
Purie reflected on longevity and adaptation. “Fifty is the new 25. Men age, magazines don’t,” she said, highlighting how India Today has evolved from a fortnightly publication to producing over 120,000 content pieces every month across print, video, podcasts, social media, and live events.
Kohli-Khandekar added a sharp perspective on the challenge of capturing audience attention in a saturated media environment. “Where does news lie in this era of short stories, micro dramas, and podcasts? How does it stay relevant and profitable?” she asked, emphasising the need for integration across platforms to maintain trust and impact.
The discussion turned to technology and AI, where Purie revealed some pioneering initiatives. From AI anchors covering Bihar elections to AI-assisted translations and folk music storytelling, India Today has been embracing innovation to increase efficiency, reduce monotony, and explore new revenue streams. “AI is like a sandwich,” she quipped. “Human bread with AI in between. The human touch has to remain.”
Purie stressed that technology alone cannot replace credibility. “You are a primary source. People want news from a human perspective, on the ground. AI cannot tell that story… yet,” she said, hinting at a future where robots might cover hazardous assignments while humans oversee the narrative.
The session also highlighted India’s media identity in a global context. Purie noted, “People want sources from their own country. Digital imperialism is real, but Indian media has to assert its relevance.” Kohli-Khandekar added that 24 by 7 connectivity requires news organisations to adapt fast, integrate teams across platforms, and keep audiences engaged with stories that matter locally and globally.
The conversation showcased how a legacy brand like India Today balances tradition and innovation, human insight and artificial intelligence, local identity and global perspective. Purie’s parting thought summed it up perfectly: staying credible, creative, and connected is the ultimate headline.
News Broadcasting
News18 India to air Sabse Bada Dangal on 4 May counting day
Channel promises fastest results, live trends and analysis across five states.
MUMBAI: Ballots will do the talking and screens will do the shouting. As counting day approaches for high-stakes Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry, News18 India is gearing up for an all-day broadcast of its flagship election show, Sabse Bada Dangal, on 4 May from 6 am onwards. The Hindi news channel plans to deliver continuous, real-time updates as votes are tallied, combining live counting data with on-ground reporting and studio analysis. With political fortunes set to shift through the day, the coverage will track every swing, surge and surprise as trends turn into results.
The broadcast will feature a mix of senior political leaders, analysts and experts, offering instant reactions and decoding the evolving electoral picture. Expect heated debates, quick takes and detailed breakdowns as the numbers settle across all five states.
For News18 India, counting day has long been a high-visibility moment. The network is banking on its reporting reach, editorial bandwidth and technology-driven coverage to stay ahead in what is often a fiercely competitive news cycle.
With multiple battlegrounds and shifting narratives, the day promises both drama and data in equal measure. And if all goes to plan, Sabse Bada Dangal will once again turn the counting of votes into prime-time spectacle.
