News Broadcasting
Delayed EchoStar VIII satellite to take off on 20 August
MUMBAI: EchoStar Communications Corp’s EchoStar VIII satellite is scheduled for launch on 20 August, two months after the originally scheduled launch date.
The bird, to take off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, will launch aboard a Proton launch vehicle at 1:15 am EDT. The satellite’ s launch was delayed after anomalous readings from a command receiver on the satellite were observed on June 22. A problem identified with the command receiver has since been corrected, says an official release.
The EchoStar VIII satellite will join seven other satellites currently comprising the EchoStar fleet. From its location at 110 degrees West Longitude, EchoStar VIII combined with EchoStar VII at 119 degrees W.L. will provide Ku-band and spot beam services over the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii to enhance the delivery of EchoStar’s DISH Network local-into-local TV channels.
The EchoStar VIII satellite has been built by Space Systems/Loral based in Palo Alto, California while the Proton launch vehicle is provided by the US based International Launch Services. While EchoStar has not procured in-orbit insurance for EchoStar VIII, it has insured its launch for $125 million, protecting against the risk of total launch vehicle failure not attributable to the satellite through separation of the satellite from the launch vehicle.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 rolls out Battle for the States ahead of key polls
Multi-format election coverage tracks voter mood across five battleground states
NEW DELHI: CNN-News18 has launched a special election programming initiative titled Battle for the States, as India gears up for high-stakes Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
Built around the theme ‘Road to Power’, the multi-format coverage aims to follow the entire electoral journey, from campaigning and polling to results and government formation. The network is leaning into on-ground reportage and data-backed storytelling to decode voter sentiment across regions where local issues often shape the narrative.
The programming line-up includes ‘Vote Tracker’, a three-part series developed in collaboration with survey agency Vote Vibe. The show blends survey insights with expert commentary and field reporting, using augmented reality graphics to present complex electoral data such as vote share, seat projections and leadership preferences in a more accessible format. It will air every Monday evening until April 6.
Adding a cultural lens to political reporting is ‘So Saree!’, a ground-driven segment where women anchors travel across constituencies dressed in traditional handwoven sarees from each state. The format uses attire as a storytelling device, highlighting regional identity while capturing grassroots voices.
Meanwhile, ‘Unfiltered Kaapi’ and ‘Chai-Niti’ bring a more conversational tone, drawing inspiration from everyday political discussions in tea stalls and coffee corners. These segments aim to break down key issues through candid, fast-paced exchanges between anchors and reporters, tailored to regional sensibilities.
For viewers seeking deeper insights, the weekend docuseries ‘Reporters Project’ takes a longer view, with correspondents travelling across constituencies to map voter concerns and political shifts on the ground.
“Elections are about people, their aspirations, identities and the issues that matter to them, and every state tells a different story,” said CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar. He added that the initiative focuses on understanding “the sentiment on the ground and what’s driving voter choices”.
Echoing the emphasis on credibility, Network18 CEO – English and business news Smriti Mehra said the network aims to combine on-ground reporting with data-led insights to deliver clear and timely coverage as the elections unfold.
With a mix of data, culture and grassroots reporting, CNN-News18 is positioning Battle for the States as a comprehensive window into one of India’s most closely watched electoral cycles, where every vote carries a story waiting to be told.
