News Broadcasting
CNN launches ‘The Screening Room’
MUMBAI: CNN will launch a new show The Screening Room. This is a monthly half-hour film show, hosted by British television personality Myleene Klass. The first edition of the show airs on 31 March at 1 pm and at 7 pm.
On the set, on the carpet and on location, The Screening Room takes the audience through the stages of film-making from production to premiere. A cast of the world’s best actors, directors, cinematographers, writers, composers and animators demonstrate each month what goes into making a masterpiece.
Opening the series, Klass explores the age-old question – major movie house or independent film? On the one hand, a multi-million dollar budget with directorial handcuffs; on the other, creative freedom limited only by concerns over cash. ‘The Screening Room’ tested the water at this year’s first major film festivals, Sundance and Berlin, and found the boundaries are becoming blurred.
Also in this opening show, CNN’s Femi Oke reports from Africa, the focus of much recent Oscar attention and glory, thanks to ‘Blood Diamond’ and ‘The Last King of Scotland’ which shone the spotlight on the continent. After the last Oscar is handed out and the Versace and Valentino returned to the closets of Hollywood’s elite, what remains for Africa beyond Forrest Whitakers’ arresting acceptance speech?
The Screening Room concludes in March by turning the clock back by two and a half thousand years. The rich history of the ancient Greeks has provided Hollywood studios with an even richer box office bonanza through their blockbusters ‘Alexander’ and ‘Troy’. Now they’re at it again with ‘300′, a story of Spartan soldiers who battled a large Persian army, and which is already on track to being the most successful March movie release at the box office in history. Myleene meets the finest of the ‘300′ at the film’s sparkling London premiere.
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.
