News Broadcasting
Bharat Express appoints Nishant Mishra as marketing head ahead of its official launch
Mumbai: Before its official launch, Upendrra Rai’s upcoming national Hindi news channel Bharat Express has appointed Nishant Mishra as its marketing head. In his new role, he will be closely working with the management for the launch of the channel to create a successful brand strategy, curate content-led events and IPs, form strategic alliances, and create customised brand solutions for the channel.
Prior to joining Bharat Express, Mishra played a crucial role in the successful launch of Bharat24 and the channel’s other marketing initiatives in his national role. In his career spanning over 15 years, Mishra has worked with leading media brands like TV Today, TV18, Zee and iTV Network.
Commenting on his appointment, Mishra said, “Launch is the most exciting and thrilling phase of a media brand. I am privileged to have this opportunity and look forward to working with the incredible and seasoned team of professionals already at Bharat Express.”
Bharat Express CMD & editor-in-chief Upendrra Rai said, “As the channel is gearing up for its official launch on 1 February 2023, we have made a slew of senior-level appointments in critical roles. Mishra’s appointment will add more heft to our remarkable team at the channel and I am confident that Bharat Express will benefit from Mishra’s rich experience.”
Commenting on the appointment, Bharat Express CEO Varun Kohli said, “Having worked with Mishra before, I have witnessed Mishra’s growth as a marketing professional. I have always admired his solution-based and result-oriented approach, which will further bolster our growth plans for Bharat Express.”
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.
