News Broadcasting
ABC in mobile content deal with Proteus
MUMBAI: US broadcaster ABC has entered into an agreement with mobile content provider Proteus. The deal will allow viewers to personalise their mobile phones with premium content.
Content on offer will be the action packed Alias the soaps One Life to Live, All My Children and General Hospital and the late night show Jimmy Kimmel Live.
ABC senior VP business development Bruce Gersh was quoted by media reports as saying, “We are very excited to offer our viewers the ability to customise their mobile phones with assets from their favourite ABC shows. The new suite of ABC mobile products that we are developing with Proteus will provide innovative ways to deliver show-related mobile content.”The content offering initially includes ringtones, graphics and premium text messaging applications.
Viewers will be able to browse, preview and order content that goes directly to their mobile phone via a web based storefront promoted directly on ABC.com.
Moving forward, ABC and Proteus will work together to provide advanced downloadable content, including trivia games, chat applications and video clips.
The mobile content is presently available online at abc.com/mobile for the widest possible selection of devices across the leading U.S. mobile carriers, and will also be available for ordering via ABC’s text messaging short code, 22288 (ABCTV), creating the potential for on-air, print and other promotional methods.
Proteus CEO Ken Krushel said, “Through our partnership, ABC is able to quickly deliver a broad range of content directly to fans of ABC shows, creating a new revenue opportunity and furthering audience loyalty. More and more consumers are downloading content using their mobile phones, and we are thrilled that ABC has partnered with Proteus on this ambitious and innovative mobile content initiative.”
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.
