News Broadcasting
11 new proposals for uplink permission under process: Jaipal Reddy
NEW DELHI: As of date, 11 new proposals for unlinking from India are under process, the government informed Rajya Sabha on 19 July.
Information and broadcasting minister Jaipal Reddy informed Rajya Sabha that as per the applications, all the proposals involve 100 per cent India equity and that no time frame can be indicated as to when the cases would be finally disposed off by the government.
Interestingly, the updated list of channels seeking uplink permission do not include those from Zee Telefilms (for ZeeBiz, a proposed business news channel) and SAB TV, which has said in the recent past that it would launch a news channel around the last quarter this year.
This can mean two things: either the clearance has been obtained or the plans have been put in the backburner for the time being.
The ones which are seeking government clearance, according to information laid in Rajya Sabha, include Falak TV Ltd’s Falak and Al Hind TV, Twenty First Century News Room Productions Ltd’s CAT TV, Ekonkar TV Pvt. Ltd’s Ekonkar TV, Enter 10 TV Pvt. Ltd’s Enter 10 channel, Shalom Communication Pvt. Ltd’s Shalom TV, Senior Media Ltd’s Senior 1 TV and Telugu Cinema Entertainment Pvt. Ltd’s Telugu Cinema.
Meanwhile, in reply to another question, Reddy also told Rajya Sabha that Prasar Bharati (that manages Doordarshan and AIR) has no proposal to change the format and look of DD News.
“Prasar Bharati has informed that there is no such proposal to convert DD News into an entertainment channel as before,” Reddy informed parliament.
Incidentally, Prasar Bharati board also got a part-time member in RN Bisaria. A selection committee headed by the vice-president of India did the selection of Bisaria.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
