News Broadcasting
Coke’s Sunil Gupta joins Dish TV as managing director
MUMBAI: Even as Tata Sky DTH service is set for a mid-2006 launch, Zee’s DTH service Dish TV is ramping up to stay ahead of the competition. The company has roped in former Coke India VP External Affairs, South Asia Sunil Gupta as managing director. Dish TV already has Sunil Khanna as CEO.
While confirming his appointment to indiantelevision.com, Gupta said his initial responsibilities would include increasing Dish TV’s subscriber base and penetration of the service across the country. “We will be launching the movie-on-demand service in December,” he adds.
On being queried about the corporate reporting structure, Gupta said he”will be working along with Khanna.” New Era Entertainment Network Limited (NEENL) manages the affairs of Dish TV. Zee Telefilms holds 20 per cent stake in the company.
Gupta started his career with The Times of India and played a significant role in the launch of the Lucknow edition. He went on to become the CEO of Lucknow Times of India and Navbharat Times. Gupta also launched the Jaipur edition of The Times of India. Then he moved on to Dainik Jagaran and worked in the capacity of MD and managing editor, Delhi.
Gupta also had a stint at Jain TV as COO. At Coke, Gupta started off as director and went on to become VP, Indian operations. He has been with the company since the last four years.
Dish TV had 480,000 subscribers till September-end. But it is signing up around 3,500 customers a day and expects to touch one million subscribers by the end of this financial year. The average revenue per user (ARPU) is reportedly running at Rs 200 per month with services subsidised through the provision of a free annual subscription after a one-time charge of Rs 4,000.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
