News Broadcasting
AXN introduces lifestyle element with Hot ‘n’ Wild initiative
MUMBAI: Action oriented AXN is looking to move beyond mere thrills and spills by introducing lifestyle shows in the late night band.
To this end, the channel will kick off the 11 pm Hot ‘n’ wild initiative from Tuesday at 11 pm. It includes two shows Wild On and Are You Hot? These will premiere on 3 June and 4 June. The shows promise to give the likes of Miss Universe a run for its money .
‘Are You Hot?’ – AXN gets a shade bolder
Are You Hot ? is the brain of makers of reality themed The Bachelor. Co-executive producer Scott Einziger has been quoted in a report as saying that the show came up on account of the US’ obsession with rating the looks of people. Televised in the format of a pageant, the show lines up some of the sexiest men and women in America to compete for the title of the Sexiest man and woman in the US. Judges including former super model Rachel Hunter, actor Lorenzo Lamas, and fashion designer Randolph Duke determine the fate of the hopefuls. Expect to see plenty of attractive faces, bodies to die for. This airs every Wednesday.
The show has apparently had its share of troubles too. In March this year, Howard Stern filed a lawsuit against ABC and Telepictures Productions, claiming that the series was a knock off of his series The Evaluators which airs on his radio show and airs on E! Entertainment Television.
‘Wild On’ host Brooke Burke – can she hook the Indian viewer?
Coming back to AXN, the other show Wild On will be hosted by model Brooke Burke who is known in the US for the popular magazine show E! Rank. Viewers journey around the world in search of some of the most exotic, beautiful and adventure-filled locations. Burke travels to Australia, The Philippines, New York City, Rio and Canada, among other attractive locales.
Viewers can gape not just at Burke but also at her friends as they check out the food, people and the nightlife that gives each destination its unique flair and face experiences along the way. It will air every Tuesday and Thursday.
Explaining the logic behind the programme initiative AXN Asia’s Asst. VP, Sales & Marketing Rohit Bhandari said, “AXN is always looking at ways to keep the channel fresh and exciting for our viewers. In April we introduced the 10 pm Prime Zone, wherein we premiered award-winning dramas like 24 and CSI which required serious viewing.”
He adds, “Now, it’s time for some fun and light-hearted entertainment with lots of glamour thrown in! Are you Hot and Wild On, the first of our shows premiering on the new 11pm Hot N’ Wild time zone are just that and more! Both the series are ‘lifestyle shows’ and viewers are going to love them. The shows have become hugely popular in the United States and we are sure of continuing the trend here especially since we have a huge surprise up our sleeves for our Indian audiences.”
This is not all. The new 11pm Hot ‘n’ Wild effort also includes new episodes of the news based show Rated X every Monday. This keeps the viewer up to speed with the latest events in Hollywood including award ceremonies, new deals signed. On Friday, the film buff can check out films with a twist under the initiative Movie Uncut. This month, films that will air include Wild Things and Sheena.
Keep an eye on this space for further buzz on AXN!
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Kolkata Town Hall on Hooghly River
‘Bhalobasa Bengal Inspiring Bharat’ event on April 20 brings cultural icons, trailblazing women and leaders aboard a cruise to celebrate Bengal’s enduring influence.
MUMBAI: Bengal is about to make fresh waves on the Hooghly and this time the current is pure conversation. CNN-News18 is taking its iconic Town Hall format to the waters of the iconic Hooghly River on 20 April 2026 with a special edition titled ‘Bhalobasa Bengal – Inspiring Bharat’. The floating event will celebrate the state’s rich cultural legacy and how its ideas, creativity and spirit continue to shape the rest of the country.
The unique riverside setting draws on Bengal’s history as a cradle of reform, art and intellectual thought. The speaker line-up mirrors that diversity: cultural heavyweights Mithun Chakraborty and Sreenanda Shankar will share the stage with trailblazing “Devis” such as Tanya Sanyal (India’s first woman firefighter in aviation), Ipsita Chakraborty (Kolkata’s first woman bartender) and Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi (Nari Shakti awardee and marine pilot). Music will flow through the celebrated pianist-vocalist duo Sourendro and Soumyojit, while public life and governance will be represented by Smriti Irani, Leander Paes, Saira Shah Halim, Keya Ghosh, Rekha Patra, Roopa Ganguly and Babul Supriyo.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director, Rahul Shivshankar, said the event honours voices that carry Bengal’s legacy forward. Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News, Network18, added that Bengal’s stories resonate far beyond its borders, especially as the state heads into polls.
From the first woman to battle flames in the skies to legendary actors who shaped Indian cinema, the gathering promises a rich mix of inspiration, courage and candid dialogue. In a city where culture has always flowed as freely as the river itself, CNN-News18 is turning the Hooghly into a floating forum for ideas that matter.
Tune in on 20 April on CNN-News18, CTV and YouTube to catch Bengal’s heartbeat in full flow.
