News Broadcasting
15 million watch Granada’s Michael documentary
LONDON: The man the pop world now loves to laugh at can still draw viewers like nobody in the business. British broadcaster Granada said its Living with Michael Jackson documentary netted an average of 14 million viewers on Monday, around double the usual UK viewer figures for entertainment programmes.
The 90-minute documentary, consisting of exclusive interviews conducted by British journalist Martin Bashir while he spent eight months with the reclusive star, peaked at 15 million viewers, giving it 54 per cent of the TV audience, Reuters quoted a company spokesman as saying today.
This probably gives the documentary a shot at the top spot in the ratings charts, usually dominated by soap operas like Granada’s Coronation Street and EastEnders, made by the BBC.
In the latest data compiled by Broadcaster magazine, Coronation Street topped the index for the week ending 12 January with 14.8 million viewers, the Reuters report says.
Granada has already sold the rights of the Jackson documentary to US network ABC, which won a bidding war with NBC after forking out a reported $ 4 million to $ 5 million and has scheduled it for prime time on 7 February. ABC will telecast the documentary as a two-hour edition of its news magazine “20/20.”
The Jackson documentary includes footage of the singer with his children and behind-the-scenes glimpses of life at Jackson’s Neverland Ranch in California.
British journalist Martin Bashir spent eight months with Jackson and was with him when Jackson horrified onlookers by dangling his baby from a hotel balcony in Berlin, ABC has said.
Granada is in negotiations with a number of TV companies in other countries, and had already sold the Australian rights to Channel 7.
Jackson may no longer be the king of pop, but he has a proven track record as a television draw.
Some 25.7 million viewers tuned into “Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special” on CBS in November 2001; viewership increased every half-hour for the program, culled from tapes of a Madison Square Garden tribute concert appearance, the Associated Press has reported.
Meanwhile, NBC has lined up its own Jackson special for “Dateline NBC” titled “Michael Jackson Unmasked,” which is scheduled to air on 17 February. And for those who may be thinking that NBC is doing a copycat routine its not the case. NBC had announced it’s Jackson special before ABC bagged its prize.
Bashir interviewed Princess Diana for the BBC in 1995 which may explain how he managed to get the reclusive pop star to open up to him.
An ABC News spokesman has been quoted by AP as saying the interview includes Jackson responding to questions about his plastic surgeries and past allegations of child molestation.
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.
