News Broadcasting
Day Three devoted to China
CANNES: The clouds lifted and the sun peeped out. But the drizzle continued for the first part of the day giving way to a good bright evening. The day labeled as China Day saw a couple of seminars around the worlds most populous nation. The first one was moderated by the dynamic Rowan Simmons, whose company CMM, is behind the huge Chinese presence at MipTV this year gave the audience a view to what the Chinese market is like. The Chinese delegation had some big names: the deputy director general of the foreign affairs department, SARFT Guizhen Zhou, the vice minister of Sarft Zhanfan Hu, and a host of businessman who head broadcasting and acquisition companies from the country.
The second one moderated by Variety China rep Arthur Jones, revealed a nation that is reluctant to allow media access, despite the pronouncements that it is keeping its mind open. MTV China boss LiYiFei, Encore Internationals Michelle Sie Whitten both discussed on how difficult it was. “But there are rewards for those willing to be patient,” said Sie Whitten. ‘There is no set strategy about what will work or not.” The panelists revealed how they have to go and apply for a fresh licence every year, how foreign satellite channels have to go through many clearances before being permitted to get through, how cable TV operators have to be constantly monitored.
Despite these difficulties on the ground, the Chinese put up an incredible display to all attending the market. A common Chinese pavilion had all the broadcasters and producers under one roof. Lunches, Chinese cultural performances – you had it all. China made its mark at MipTV. And the initiative was backed by the Chinese government.
As compared to China, India appears to be a much more advanced and developed television and film market. Yet its presence at MipTV was patchy to say the least. The few companies that took a stand were scattered all over, working like Lone Rangers. Be it a Eros or a Star TV or a Zee TV or a WEG. And the handful of Indian TV professionals and executives who went around did it almost solo.
Star India and Zee TV did at least one thing smart: both went for Indian themes for their booths with Zee TV taking up a much larger stand. The latter had Mehandi applications, a puppet show, Indian draperies and accoutremnets. The Star booth had a girl who made a necklace for visitors with the pendant having their name spelt out.
Many Indian participants insisted that coordinated activity would go a long way in Indian television making its impact on the television world. “But for this to happen, the Indian companies have to be confident about themselves and throw away their insecurities and presented an united front to the western world,” said one of the Indian participants.
The evening belonged to Afdesi the forum for Interactive TV producers. It held its second awards at the Hotel Majestic with the emerging as a big success in the words of Jean Dacie, an Afdesi representative. “More than 500 attendees from all around the world attended,” an Afdesi release said. Supported by MILIA, it received 90 programmes from 17 countries for the competition.
The winners are:
Best Concept: La TV card – l’innovation du marketing direct télévisuel – TV-Card (F)
Best creative ITV programme: Who Wants To Be A Millionaire iDTV quiz game – Sky/Celador (UK)
Best Information service: La Chaîne Météo – La Chaîne Météo (F)
Best Interactive Game or Entertainment service: Playin’Star
Visiware (F)
Best Enhanced TV service: Prise de pari par satellite (en hyperlien de la chaîne) Equidia) – TPS INTERACTIF (F)
Best Interactive Advertising service or campaign: Interactive Quiz Game – DIRECTV Latin America, (Latin America)
Best T-Commerce service: Rai Click / T-commerce – Rai Click (It)
Best Service by a network operator: A La Une – Canal Satellite (F)
Best Developer: Code de la Route – Visiware (F)
Best Publisher: Eurosport Interactive – Eurosport France (F)
Special Jury Award: TV-Card (F)
Selection Committee Special Prize: Spot the fish – Discovery Channel (UK)
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.
