News Broadcasting
C’AS and when it happens
MUMBAI:Ultimately, it was independent media auditor Meenakshi Madhvani from the audience who stole the show with her well timed quip at the CNBC TV18 organised panel discussions on ‘That’s Entertainment’ at the J W Marriott last evening.
While panelists including I&B secretary Pawan Chopra, Star India COO Sameer Nair and SET Discovery president Shantonu Aditya debated the benefits of and choices available to the consumer thanks to CAS, DTH and broadband, Madhvani crisply pointed out that while all the vacillating policies on conditional access thus far had been initiated in the name of the consumer, it was the consumer who would ultimately have the say in accepting either technology. “Remember, the remote is finally in the hands of the consumer, for whose eyeballs the entire fight is about,” she reminded the panelists, to applause from an audience comprising television and advertising professionals.
In an otherwise bland discussion, in which incisive anchor Anuradha Sengupta could get only optimistic and stoic responses from Aditya and Nair on the return of conditional access, Hathway Cable and Datacom CEO K Jayaraman provided the only vociferous note. “With CAS in indefinite abeyance and DTH already rolled out, we are facing a stiff competition, particularly in SEC A and B homes,” he pointed out. “With CAS continuing to be in limbo, all we will be left with will be SEC C and lower down,” he complained.
While the broadcasters (Zee Turner president Sunil Khanna along with Aditya and Nair) sounded unanimous that while the need for addressability continues, CAS was not packaged the way it should have been, Aditya said he was more bullish on broadband, hinting that this lternative platform was probably set to take off in the next couple of weeks.
Chopra himself, despite being cornered by questions probing the sagacity of first announcing and then withdrawing CAS, said that eventually multiple distribution platforms would become available in the country and that, the postponement was CAS was no loss of image for the ministry. “CAS is an integral part of the DTH model,” he said, citing examples of other countries, and maintaining that Prasar Bharati’s free to air DTH would also be a part of the spectrum.
Aditya foresaw at least 30 to 40 special interest channels entering the country, once CAS comes in, as also the entry of more multinational companies into the ground distribution business with addressability getting implemented in India..
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 launches weekend show Health Matters to decode health trends
New show aims to cut through viral wellness fads with expert-backed advice
MUMBAI: In an age where viral reels often double up as lifestyle advice, CNN-News18 is launching a weekend show aimed at separating health facts from fashionable myths.
Titled News18 Health Matters, the half-hour programme will premiere on 14 March 2026 and position itself as a reliable guide through the maze of wellness trends, internet remedies and quick-fix health advice that increasingly shape everyday decisions.
India is in the midst of a major health transition. Lifestyle diseases are striking earlier, stress and sleep deprivation have become routine, and health choices are often influenced by trending content rather than medical evidence. The new show leans into this reality with a simple premise: trending does not always mean true.
Anchored by Hem Kaur Saroya and Himani Chandna, the programme will air every Saturday at 8:30 am and 5:30 pm and on Sundays at 10:30 am. Episodes will also be available on the channel’s YouTube platform.
Each instalment will tackle everyday health concerns that are increasingly entering mainstream conversations. Topics range from the rise of heart attacks among people under 40 and the growing reliance on protein supplements, to the rush toward weight-loss drugs and the widespread overuse of painkillers. The show will also examine issues such as screen addiction, chronic sleep loss, stress-related disorders and the rising prevalence of thyroid conditions, diabetes and hypertension.
Speaking about the launch, Rahul Shivshankar said the show aims to bring clarity to a space crowded with misinformation.
“With Health Matters, CNN-News18 aims to cut through the noise and empower viewers with clear, expert-led conversations grounded in science and medical evidence. At a time when viral trends increasingly influence lifestyle choices, it is important to distinguish between what is trending and what is truly beneficial for long-term health,” he said.
Echoing the sentiment, Smriti Mehra said the programme reflects the channel’s commitment to responsible and relevant programming.
“With growing public interest in wellness and preventive health, Health Matters strengthens CNN-News18’s focus on issues that affect everyday life. In an increasingly crowded information space, credible and verified health conversations have never been more important,” she said.
With Health Matters, CNN-News18 is betting that viewers want more than bite-sized advice and viral fixes. The show promises something rarer in the age of algorithm-driven wellness tips: calm, credible conversations that help people make better health choices.
