News Broadcasting
CNN-IBN and IBN 7 to conduct Indo-Pak poll in ‘State of the Nation’
MUMBAI: To celebrate the 60 years of Independence, IBN 7 and CNN-IBN is re-starting the channels’ flagship public opinion series State of the Nation. The opinion series will involve a two nation simultaneous opinion poll conducted by Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) in India and AC Nielsen in Pakistan.
Beginning on 12 august in CNN-IBN and IBN 7, the three half-an-hour episode series will have a final one-hour show on 15 August.
The bi-nation poll divided into four parts includes the Kashmir question, opinion about India, Pakistan and the World, the political debate — UPA in India, General as dictator in Pakistan and people to people show, Indian and Pakistani citizens on each other.
The bi-nation opinion poll will be based on face-to-face interviews with about 2500 respondents each in India and Pakistan, broadly representing the regional and social diversity of each country.
CNN-IBN and IBN 7 editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai said, “Both India and Pakistan have come a long way since Independence in 1947, despite once being a single entity. While myriad socio-political and economic differences have arisen between the two countries in the past 60 years, our cultural and historical links are nonetheless still the same. Our attempt at such a poll is to understand these very differences and commonalities from both sides of the border and possibly work towards a more affable future.”
IBN 7 managing editor Ashutosh said, “Don’t you ever wonder what our Pakistani counterparts think about us? Do they hate us, like us or are indifferent to our existence? What about the Kashmiris? This particular edition of State of the Nation is one of its kind and will attempt to provide answers to these questions straight from the horse’s mouth.”
CNN-IBN and IBN national sales head Sanjay Dua said,”State of the Nation has always been extremely popular with our viewers. However, this particular version is in a league of its own as it involves the first-ever bi-nation opinion poll of its kind. This property speaks for itself and will prove a lucrative platform for those looking to advertise with us.”
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Kolkata Town Hall on Hooghly River
‘Bhalobasa Bengal Inspiring Bharat’ event on April 20 brings cultural icons, trailblazing women and leaders aboard a cruise to celebrate Bengal’s enduring influence.
MUMBAI: Bengal is about to make fresh waves on the Hooghly and this time the current is pure conversation. CNN-News18 is taking its iconic Town Hall format to the waters of the iconic Hooghly River on 20 April 2026 with a special edition titled ‘Bhalobasa Bengal – Inspiring Bharat’. The floating event will celebrate the state’s rich cultural legacy and how its ideas, creativity and spirit continue to shape the rest of the country.
The unique riverside setting draws on Bengal’s history as a cradle of reform, art and intellectual thought. The speaker line-up mirrors that diversity: cultural heavyweights Mithun Chakraborty and Sreenanda Shankar will share the stage with trailblazing “Devis” such as Tanya Sanyal (India’s first woman firefighter in aviation), Ipsita Chakraborty (Kolkata’s first woman bartender) and Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi (Nari Shakti awardee and marine pilot). Music will flow through the celebrated pianist-vocalist duo Sourendro and Soumyojit, while public life and governance will be represented by Smriti Irani, Leander Paes, Saira Shah Halim, Keya Ghosh, Rekha Patra, Roopa Ganguly and Babul Supriyo.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director, Rahul Shivshankar, said the event honours voices that carry Bengal’s legacy forward. Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News, Network18, added that Bengal’s stories resonate far beyond its borders, especially as the state heads into polls.
From the first woman to battle flames in the skies to legendary actors who shaped Indian cinema, the gathering promises a rich mix of inspiration, courage and candid dialogue. In a city where culture has always flowed as freely as the river itself, CNN-News18 is turning the Hooghly into a floating forum for ideas that matter.
Tune in on 20 April on CNN-News18, CTV and YouTube to catch Bengal’s heartbeat in full flow.
