News Broadcasting
Basu to do ‘University Challenge’ for BBC World
MUMBAI: The master of quiz is back with a new one.
Siddhartha Basu may be taking longer to decide on the kind of show he wants to do with Doordarshan, but his plan of action for the next series on BBC World is ready. After the unmitigated success of Mastermind India, a delightful exercise in some serious intellectual sparring, Basu is set to launch University Challenge on the satellite channel in August.
This year, Mastermind India takes a break, according to Synergy, Basu’s production company. The groundwork is ready and Basu’s team is now sending out calls for entries to participate in the contest through leading dailies. The all India inter college TV quiz requires participants to be over 18, top quizzers, part of a four member team nominated to represent their college or university, and need to be bona fide students of colleges affiliated to universities/ deemed universities recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
University Challenge has been running on BBC UK for the last 40 years as the licensed version of the American programme, College Bowl. The series will have its first ever telecast on BBC World in India, starting August 7, 2003, with Indian teams and an added bonus of five special episodes featuring top British University Challenge teams. A total of 32 episodes will be telecast.
University Challenge in India will be planned as a nationwide search for the brightest and best-informed college students in the country in 27 Indian knock out rounds, according to Synergy.
University Challenge is a prime time, elimination quiz show where the best quizzing teams from prime university colleges across India vie for top honours in a head to head challenge with opponent college teams. The four special episodes consisting of winning teams from the British University Challenge will be pitted against the top quizzing teams from Indian colleges. The series will end with a grand final between the Indian University Challenge winning team of this year and the winning team of the UK University Challenge. The British teams will be flown down by British Council India to participate in the recordings in Delhi.
Each episode of University Challenge will feature two teams of four members each.
A typical question answer sequence will comprise of a ‘Starter’ question, which will be open to all eight contestants. Whichever contestant buzzes in the answer to the ‘Starter’ question correctly, his/her team is asked three linked bonus questions, of a specified subject field. This sequence of question answers will be repeated as many number of times as the duration of the episode (i.e. 26 minutes) permits.
The series would cover the gamut of sports, theatre, technology, industries, films, music, dance, science and medicine, television, advertising, art and literature, destinations, cuisine and many more areas.
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.
