News Broadcasting
Comcast may reduce stake in Time Warner Cable
MUMBAI: Time Warner and Comcast have announced an agreement. This provides Comcast with an option to reduce its effective overall interest in Time Warner Cable from approximately 21 per cent to 17 per cent in exchange for stock of a subsidiary that will hold cable systems and cash.
Comcast claims to be the largest provider of cable and broadband services in the US. It serves more than 21 million cable television customers and more than six million high-speed Internet customers.
The agreement grants Comcast the option, which can be exercised between 1 December 2004 and 1 April 2005. It will require Time Warner Cable to redeem a portion of the Time Warner Cable common stock held by the Comcast trust in exchange for 100 per cent of the common stock of a Time Warner Cable subsidiary. At the time of exchange, the subsidiary will own cable systems serving about 90,000 basic subscribers and approximately $750 million in cash.
Time Warner chairman and CEO Dick Parsons said; “This announcement is another example of our working closely with Comcast to reach a mutually beneficial outcome to the business matters facing our companies. For our part, if Comcast chooses to exercise its option, we’ll have the opportunity to increase ownership of our cable company based on a mutually attractive valuation.
“In addition, the trust that holds Comcast’s interest in Time Warner Cable has agreed not to ask us to begin the process to register its Time Warner Cable ownership for at least the next six months. This provides the two of us with time to explore alternative approaches to facilitating Comcast’s exit from its ownership position in Time Warner Cable. I look forward to continuing this productive relationship with Comcast.”
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. AICC’s Praveen Chakravarty weighs ‘Power Sharing vs Principles’, while former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan joins the fray. 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.
