News Broadcasting
BBC Magazines to sell Origin Publishing
MUMBAI: BBC Magazines in the UK has announced that it has sold Origin Publishing and all of the non-BBC related titles published by it to a management buy-out team led by its current MD, Andy Marshall.
BBC Magazines will retain the BBC-branded titles previously produced by Origin in a new subsidiary to be called Bristol Magazines which will be chaired by BBC Magazines MD Peter Phippen.
BBC Magazines conducted a tender process involving a number of companies and accepted Origin’s MBO proposal as the highest bid put forward. BBC Magazines will retain a minority stake in Origin Publishing for a period of time in a staged exit and Origin will continue to provide management services to certain BBC titles during this period. Andy Marshall will also act as Bristol Magazines MD.
Phippen says, “It is sad to have to sell Origin, and to be saying farewell to some very talented people but this is in line with the new remit for BBC Magazines. Origin is an excellent company and I’m sure the MBO team will ensure the business continues to prosper. For our part, we remain committed to Bristol as a publishing centre. Indeed, we are moving Homes & Antiques there and have recently announced our next launch, BBC Mind Games. I’m very excited about our new venture.”
Marshall says, “I am delighted that we have the chance to take Origin forward as part of an MBO. We have a fantastic team here with great vision and passion and I know that the business will continue to grow and develop under their leadership. I am also delighted to have been asked to manage the development of the BBC’s new venture here in Bristol.”
BBC Worldwide’s advisers in managing the sale process and in evaluating the bids were Ernst & Young. The non-BBC titles being sold include Blonde Hair, Hair Ideas, Your Hair, Beautiful Cards, Koi and 220 Triathlon.
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.
