News Broadcasting
CBS showcases its social endeavors; reports released
MUMBAI: CBS, in a corporate social responsibility (CSR) endeavor, has catalogued efforts by its television network, programming arms and local television stations has released a 94-page social responsibility report.
This comes as the second edition which spans the previous calendar year, encompassing activities of all divisions of CBS, including CBS Entertainment, CBS News, CBS Sports, the Viacom Television Stations Group and UPN.
Additionally, for the first time, Infinity broadcasting, the owner of 184 market-leading stations, has issued a report highlighting its efforts in community outreach, programming and commitment to local artists.
“We’ve always believed that being a corporate citizen and giving back to the communities we serve is not just good for business, but part of what it means to be a broadcaster,” said CBS chairman and Viacom co-president and co-CEO Leslie Moonves, “These reports highlight the efforts both CBS and Infinity have made in important areas like outreach, programming, dedication and support of local talent, and diversity, and they serve as a guide for us as we continue to make these missions a priority at the highest levels of this company.”
The reports entail Diversity Initiatives, including the recently-formed CBS Diversity Institute, its talent showcases, industry-partners, as well as the programs offered through CBS News and the Viacom Television Stations;
.Local public-interest programming like food and clothing drives, disaster preparedness, tax help and health seminars; on-air programs and events sponsored by Infinity.
.Broadcasting stations highlighting music and performances by local musicians in their markets.
.Accessible Media programs like closed-captioning? and Second Audio Programming, which CBS continues to be a leader in providing.
.National and local broadcast of public service? announcements for causes like responsible drinking, child abuse prevention, HIV awareness, racial tolerance, alcohol and substance abuse, parenting, violence prevention and hunger/ disaster relief.
.Infinity Radio Connect,” a series of national? interviews and call-in specials with government leaders like Sen.
.Hillary Rodham Clinton and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, which were made available to many Infinity stations throughout the year.
.Local broadcasts of community parades, festivals? and fund-raisers, as well as the sponsorship of hundreds of local community events like food and clothing drives and telethons.
.CBS News’ coverage of the war in Iraq, including? its “embedded” soldiers. Also highlighted are many of the hundreds of stories produced by CBS News that have affected – and in many cases benefited – the lives of viewers.
“We’re very proud to issue these two comprehensive reports – they are representative of the contributions our company has made throughout the country, on both a local and national level,” said CBS communications group executive vice president Gil Schwartz, “This is a yearly effort we make to highlight our achievements in these important areas.”
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.
