News Broadcasting
ABP Network to shift from FTA to pay
KOLKATA: The news network which recently decided to reposition its brand identity from ABP News Network to ABP Network is also bringing a change to its business model. ABP Network chief executive officer Avinash Pandey said that the network will soon go pay from its current free-to-air (FTA) model.
“We are quite determined we will soon become pay. We are building that kind of content to be acceptable to the people who pay for content. Our regional channels were already on pay model. We only went FTA because of uncertain environment caused by NTO 1.0. From carriage perspective, NTO 2.0 is favourable,” Pandey said in a virtual fireside chat with Indiantelevision.com founder, CEO and editor in chief Anil Wanvari.
Pandey also noted that he is not in favour of the free-to-air model because anything free in this country is taken for granted. “So, in today’s world when you have WhatsApp circulating all the videos you are likely to show in the evening and Twitter already debating views and counter views before you discuss anything on TV it’s already discussed online. In this scenario, how to build a pay channel is the challenge,” he said.
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.
