News Broadcasting
TV Today Network elevates Aroon and Kalli Purie
MUMBAI: TV Today Network has elevated Kalli Purie from her current designation of Vice Chairperson. She has been given additional responsibility of Managing Director and Chairperson for the company for a period of five years starting from the next financial year, i.e., 1 April. The board has also re-designated Aroon Purie as the new Chairman and Whole Time Director for the same term.
Kalli Purie will be taking the seat of Aroon Purie in the new position shifts. The appointments are board approved and are subject to the approval of shareholders now.
In October, India Today Group Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Aroon Purie had handed over the baton of the media group to Kalli Purie who was serving as the Group Editorial Director (Broadcast & New Media) of the India Today Group and was then made Vice-Chairperson of the group.
TV Today houses the TV broadcasting and FM radio business in addition to Mail Today.
The India Today Group has properties spanning TV, print and digital including news channels Aaj Tak and Headlines Today. Living Media is the parent company of the group and the promoter group in TV Today Network. It has more than 24 magazines including editions of leading international titles. Through its multiple media brands and platforms, the India Today group reaches more than 225 million people every month.
Under the new structure, the Group CFO, Group CEO and all the heads will report to Kalli. However, the Group Editorial Director (Publishing) and Group CFO also have a dotted line reporting to the chairman.
In an internal email to employees, Aroon Purie had said that he wants to spend time on the strategic steering of the group and exploring new opportunities. He has been at the helm of the India Today Group for 42 years and has been involved in its day to day operations.
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.
