News Broadcasting
Another webcasting company knocks WWW doors
Mumbai based broadband company Skynet Web TV Ltd is set to tap the Indian bourses with an Initial Public Offering (IPO) of the size of Rs 21 billion. Each equity share of the face value of Rs 10 would be priced at a premium of Rs 30 each. Aryaman Financial will be the lead manager for the issue.
The company headquartered in Mulund, the central suburb of Mumbai plans to offer broadband services through its entertainment portal on the Net and software services. The entertainment portal will be designed to supply rich media content (streaming technology) to netizens utilising both narrow and broadband connections. The site contains free and paid services. The free services consist of chat, e-mail, finance, classifieds, shopping & travel and paid service will consist webcasting movies and television serials.
The company targets the NRI community interested in viewing Indian movies and those who do not have access to cinema houses or other sources to see latest Hindi or other regional Indian language movies. The company will acquire rights for Hindi movies and television serials for webcasting. The streaming content can be viewed through 28.8 kbps and 56.6 kbps dial-up connections, DSL connections and Internet-over-cable TV.
The revenue model of the company comprises of a mix of ad revenues and subscription fees. The company will use the reputed international payment gateway Cyber Cash for clearing online transactions through credit cards. The company plans to charge an average US $ 5.00 per movie.
The Net is being slowly flooded with webcasting portals. How many of them will survive? Where will all the content come from? Skynet Web TV Ltd might face a similar problem of acquiring quality content. But the company seems to be determined to make it big.
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. 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.
