News Broadcasting
Bertelsmann triples profit; Eyes purchases
MUMBAI: The German giant is roaring! Bertelsmann is eyeing acquisitions after its music and TV units helped triple half-year profits, more prominent being Bill Clinton’s memoirs and top music acts.
According to media reports, Bertelsmann chief executive Gunter Thielen said that he was ready to use his group’s $ 2bn (?1.36bn) war chest to invest in growth. Although Thielen declined to comment, it is said that Bertelsmann is looking for acquisitions including part of the British Broadcasting Corporation Worldwide.
But the media reports indicate that BBC has talked to the German group and its bigger US rivals Time Warner and Disney about a possible sale of its BBC Worldwide unit, which owns assets such as magazines and stakes in TV channels.
The world’s fourth largest media group, after years of declining sales at the group, saw the revenues at its music unit BMG and television arm RTL Group rise strongly, while cost cuts across the group also helped earnings, says a company statement.
“Bertelsmann is steadily increasing its scope for investments to strengthen our core businesses and expand in new growth markets. We will pursue appropriate opportunities when they become available.” Thielen is reported to have said in a statement.
“The BMG music division’s recorded music triumphs and RTL Group’s excellent business performance made an essential contribution to this rise in earnings,” he added.
Strong sales and earnings growth at television broadcaster RTL and music unit BMG helped Bertelsmann, owned by the founder’s family and a Belgian investor, to post operating earnings of 596m in the six months to June, up from 186m a year ago, the reports inform.
Former United States president Bill Clinton’s My Life and music acts, including rapper Usher and singer Dido, helped sales increase 3.2 per cent to $ 8.1bn after years of decline. Adjusted for currency effects and portfolio changes, they rose 4 per cent. Cost cuts across the group also helped.
It sold a science publishing unit in 2003 and has consolidated TV station M6 since February.
Bertelsmann’s music division BMG, which last month merged with Japanese electronic giant Sony’s Sony Music, had 74 million euros in earnings, up from a loss last year, as sales rose by 10 per cent despite the still weak global music market, say the reports.
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.
