News Broadcasting
BVITV showcases 7 new & 10 returning series at upfront
MUMBAI: Buena Vista International Television (BVITV) will be launching a total of 17 new and returning network series for the ’06-’07 season.
This follows a year in, which BVITV has seen the success of Desperate Housewives, Lost and Grey’s Anatomy.
BVITV’s sixth annual international upfronts event was held on 21 May. The event was hosted by Buena Vista Worldwide Television president Laurie Younger and BVITV EMEA executive vice president and managing director Tom Toumazis.
At the event, BVITV launched four new one-hour series, two new half hour series, and one new reality series/format. The new one-hour series are Betty the Ugly (with Salma Hayek as executive producer), Brothers & Sisters, Day Break, Six Degrees (all in production for ABC), and the two new half-hours are In Case of Emergency and Let’s Rob… Its new reality series/format is How to Get the Guy.
The company’s returning one-hour series are Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy and Lost (all returning for a third season), plus Criminal Minds, Ghost Whisperer and What About Brian (moving into their second season).
The returning half-hour series are Scrubs (sixth season), and According to Jim (sixth season). The three-time Emmy-winning reality series/format The Amazing Race will also return for a ninth season, along with America’s Funniest Home Videos, which will return for a 17th season.
In addition, BVITV will be previewing to clients at LA Screenings the new one-hour series Kyle XY, Lincoln Heights and Three Moons Over Milford, all of which are in production for ABC Family.
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
