News Broadcasting
Broadcasting sector boom in Korea
NEW DELHI: The broadcasting sector in Korea accounted for over 40 per cent of the total turnover of the culture industry in 2004, an industry that covers diverse fields like films, games and animation.
In India currently to push Korean TV software at the two-day TV Korea Showcase in Delhi, the major Korean broadcasters, represented by giants KBS, MBC and SBS, are upbeat about their products being lapped up by both government-owned Doordarshan and satellite channels.
Korean television has been seeing an upswing in homegrown software as against US imports since the late 1990s, registering an annual growth rate of 21 per cent.
Terrestrial television continues to enjoy the lion’s share with a 49.7 per cent viewing share, with cable TV following with a 48.2 per cent share, and the growing satellite TV with just a 2.1 per cent share.
16.5 million of a total 48 million population of Korea are hooked to television, with a single platform operator Skylife that has just launched on satellite. Skylife, started in 2000 by a consortium of broadcasters and newspaper companies, currently has over 1.3 million subscribing households.
In-house production by broadcasters though has shrunk, says Korean Broadcasting Institute’s senior researcher Ik Hee Kang from $ 926 million to $ 805 million from 2003 to 2004. Production of TV software by the independent sector has increased in the last two years from $ 182 million to $ 229 million.
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.
