News Broadcasting
Desi Sesame Street on the anvil
MUMBAI: Popular kids’ show Sesame Street could soon appear in an Indian avatar, if the producers manage to find a local production partner.
The top rated American children’s infotainment show that has won the maximum Emmys thus far, is looking for an Indian partner who can choose relevant subjects to be tackled on the show, as well as possible broadcasting alliances, local characters and other feasibility details. A delegation of the New York based Sesame Workshop which produces Sesame Street, is currently in India to tap local partnerships.
Sesame Workshop is a non-profit organisation that has conceptualised and produced Sesame Street, on air since 1969 in the US. A Sesame Workshop group had probed the possibility of a similar tie up here seven years ago, but the response has been encouraging only this time round.
According to media reports quoting Sesame Workshop business development manager Sean Love, it could be another 18 months till a model specific to Indian requirements is developed. The team is yet to finalise which channel will telecast the Indian version of the monster muppets, which have imparted education and entertainment to generations of kids. Finer details like the language to be used, number of episodes and duration of episodes too have to be worked out.
Sesame Street currently runs as an afternoon block on Hallmark channel in India, using the TV to teach pre schoolers skills that make for a smooth transition from home to school. Sesame Street has received the most Emmys in TV history. Studies have revealed that teens who watched the show excelled in many ways and expressed less aggressive attitudes than those who did not watch the show, says a report in Mid-day.
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.
