News Broadcasting
AP expands internationally; names Ian Ritchie MD of new division
LONDON: Associated Press (AP) has announced its expansion, with the establishment of its newly named division AP International. The new division is charged with expanding AP’s revenue opportunities outside the US.
AP has named CEO of its international video service Ian Ritchie to be vice-president of global business and managing director of AP International.
Ritchie who presently heads Associated Press Television News (APTN) in London, will report to John Keitt, senior vice president for global business.
A company release quotes Keitt as saying, “This is an exciting opportunity for all of us at AP. Ritchie brings a wealth of experience and expertise to help direct AP’s new growth abroad.”
In addition to pursuing growth and revenue opportunities, AP International will coordinate with regional and New York news executives to add depth and breadth to AP’s global coverage. AP International will also include AP’s London-based video news operation, which was launched in 1994 and now serves hundreds of broadcasters around the globe, the release specifies.
Ritchie became APTN’s CEO in 2000. He came to AP from Middle East Broadcasting Limited (MBC) where he was responsible for television, radio, and transmission of digital and cable operations in the Middle East.
Prior to that, Ritchie was the CEO of Channel 5 Broadcasting Limited. He also served as an executive at Granada Television, Yorkshire-Tyne Tees Television, Central Television’s Nottingham Studios and London News Network.
AP has more than 240 bureaus world over, providing news content in text, audio, video, graphics and photos to more than 15,000 news outlets with a daily reach of 1 billion people worldwide.
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.
