News Broadcasting
Abp Network launches Bae, its live entertainment vertical
MUMBAI: Abp Network has found its new Bae, and it is not what you think. The media powerhouse has launched BAE (Before Anyone Else), an experience-first entertainment vertical that promises to reinvent live events with concerts and large-format experiences built to stay in memory long after the night ends.
The move marks Abp’s entry into India’s fast-growing live entertainment sector, which crossed Rs 10,000 crore in 2024 with a 15 per cent rise, according to the EY media & entertainment report. The industry is expected to touch Rs 16,700 crore by 2027, driven by audiences who value immersive moments over material mementos.
“The event industry in India is experiencing unprecedented growth,” said ABP Network CEO Sumanta Datta. “We are excited to announce Bae, our new entertainment vertical that will curate memorable experiences for audiences.”
Leading this new chapter is Rajat Uppal, who recently Abp Network joined as Bae business head. Uppal recently stepped down from his role at Stage Aaj Tak, the consumer events vertical of the India Today Group launched earlier this year. Before that, he served as national marketing and programming head at India Today Group’s radio network, 104.8 ishq fm.
Uppal added that the brand will focus on crafting events that resonate with the country’s evolving cultural pulse. “Audiences, especially Gen Z, are increasingly spending on experiences. With Bae, our goal is to create diverse and memorable live experiences that truly connect with them,” he said.
News Broadcasting
WITT Summit 2026 concludes in New Delhi
Babar Azam’s comical diving attempt goes viral as league introduces anti-dew measures.
MUMBAI: The WITT Summit just wrapped up with enough big ideas to fill a policy playbook because when India’s leaders, thinkers and icons gather under one roof, even the conversations hit sixes. The eighth edition of TV9 Network’s flagship What India Thinks Today (WITT) Summit 2026 concluded on Saturday after two days of dynamic discussions at its New Delhi venue. India’s largest multi-domain public policy and culture summit brought together political leaders, policymakers, sports icons, artists and technology innovators to examine the forces shaping contemporary India and its global standing.
Prime minister Narendra Modi delivered the keynote address on the theme “India and the World” for the third consecutive year. In a wide-ranging speech, he addressed the ongoing conflict in West Asia, calling for restraint and compassion while highlighting India’s continued development trajectory despite global turmoil.
The summit featured candid conversations with state leaders. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy articulated a people-first governance model and contrasted it with other development approaches. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav declared that Left-wing extremism had been effectively eliminated in his state and highlighted preparations for the upcoming Kumbh Mela. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann defended his government’s record, citing the closure of 19 toll plazas and creation of the Sadak Suraksha Force. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar expressed confidence in Congress prospects in Assam and addressed recent allegations against him.
On geopolitics and national security, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia outlined India’s ambition to become a builder of trusted digital infrastructure for the world, citing the rapid 5G rollout and village-level 4G connectivity.
Cricket received significant attention. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly praised player freedom and trust as hallmarks of great leadership and named MS Dhoni as the greatest captain due to his World Cup successes. India women’s team bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi credited the BCCI and Women’s Premier League for building a pipeline of world-class talent behind the team’s recent ODI World Cup triumph.
The summit also hosted the inaugural AI² Awards 2026, celebrating the convergence of human creativity and machine intelligence in storytelling and content creation. Poet and kathavachak Kumar Vishwas delivered a nuanced take on India’s concept of Dharma and criticised the recent arrest of an 80-year-old Shankaracharya. Veteran lyricist Sameer Anjaan and storyteller Neelesh Misra reflected on changing music trends and artistic responsibility in the wake of a recent controversy involving Nora Fatehi.
In a country where conversations often run as deep as the Ganges, the WITT Summit proved once again that when leaders, thinkers and storytellers come together, the real winner is public discourse lively, layered and refreshingly unafraid to tackle the big questions shaping India’s tomorrow.
