News Broadcasting
Acquisition of MGM by Sony completed
MUMBAI: MGM has announced that a consortium comprising Sony America, Providence Equity Partners, Texas Pacific Group, Comcast and DLJ Merchant Banking Partners has completed its acquisition of the company.
This transaction establishes MGM as one of the world’s largest privately-held, independent motion picture, TV and home video companies, says a company release.
Last year, Sony scored with its $5 billion-bid for acquiring MGM. MGM and the consortium had announced in September 2004 that they had an agreement related to this acquisition. The agreement was adopted by MGM shareholders in December 2004. According to the agreement, stockholders of MGM will receive $12 in cash, without interest, for each MGM share held.
MGM president Dan Taylor said, “Today we begin an exciting chapter in the life of MGM. With our strong financial and strategic partners, we look forward to building on MGM’s legacy and capitalising on emerging technologies and markets to provide consumers more opportunities to enjoy the world’s largest modern library of films and TV programming.”
MGM has also announced several key senior management appointments. Charles Cohen will serve as executive VP. Cohen had been executive VP of finance and corporate development at MGM since May 1997. Jim Packer will be executive VP television distribution. Packer had been executive VP, television distribution – North America since 2001.
MGM expects to benefit from operating agreements with Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE). SPE will assume certain distribution responsibilities for MGM’s library of 4,000 films and 10,400 TV episodes through SPE’s global distribution network, which currently distributes SPE’s library of 3,500 films and 35,000 TV episodes.
MGM also expects to co-finance new films with SPE and co-produce some of these new projects. These films will be distributed and marketed by SPE. MGM will also develop new original TV programmes and is currently completing production on the ninth season of Stargate SG-1 and the second season of Stargate Atlantis, which will both premiere this summer. Sony Pictures Television will assume production management for certain MGM TV content.
In addition to the operating agreements with SPE, MGM also expects to benefit from distribution agreements with Comcast in the US. MGM content will be available on Comcast’s video on demand platform and on new cable channels operated by Comcast and jointly owned by Comcast, SPE and the members of the consortium.
As far as theatrical releases are concerned The Amityville Horror releases on 15 April. Into the Blue, Romance and Cigarettes, The Woods, The Pink Panther and Art School Confidential will come out later this year.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 rolls out Battle for the States ahead of key polls
Multi-format election coverage tracks voter mood across five battleground states
NEW DELHI: CNN-News18 has launched a special election programming initiative titled Battle for the States, as India gears up for high-stakes Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
Built around the theme ‘Road to Power’, the multi-format coverage aims to follow the entire electoral journey, from campaigning and polling to results and government formation. The network is leaning into on-ground reportage and data-backed storytelling to decode voter sentiment across regions where local issues often shape the narrative.
The programming line-up includes ‘Vote Tracker’, a three-part series developed in collaboration with survey agency Vote Vibe. The show blends survey insights with expert commentary and field reporting, using augmented reality graphics to present complex electoral data such as vote share, seat projections and leadership preferences in a more accessible format. It will air every Monday evening until April 6.
Adding a cultural lens to political reporting is ‘So Saree!’, a ground-driven segment where women anchors travel across constituencies dressed in traditional handwoven sarees from each state. The format uses attire as a storytelling device, highlighting regional identity while capturing grassroots voices.
Meanwhile, ‘Unfiltered Kaapi’ and ‘Chai-Niti’ bring a more conversational tone, drawing inspiration from everyday political discussions in tea stalls and coffee corners. These segments aim to break down key issues through candid, fast-paced exchanges between anchors and reporters, tailored to regional sensibilities.
For viewers seeking deeper insights, the weekend docuseries ‘Reporters Project’ takes a longer view, with correspondents travelling across constituencies to map voter concerns and political shifts on the ground.
“Elections are about people, their aspirations, identities and the issues that matter to them, and every state tells a different story,” said CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar. He added that the initiative focuses on understanding “the sentiment on the ground and what’s driving voter choices”.
Echoing the emphasis on credibility, Network18 CEO – English and business news Smriti Mehra said the network aims to combine on-ground reporting with data-led insights to deliver clear and timely coverage as the elections unfold.
With a mix of data, culture and grassroots reporting, CNN-News18 is positioning Battle for the States as a comprehensive window into one of India’s most closely watched electoral cycles, where every vote carries a story waiting to be told.
