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Eastern Media rebrands Odia infotainment channel Kanak TV
MUMBAI: In a bid to stay head to head with competition, Odisha based Eastern Media has revamped its Odia language infotainment channel Kanak TV as Kanak News. With the re-branding exercise, the channel is also eyeing a larger chunk of ratings.
The channel started operations in 2009 and airs 24/7 news, current affairs and entertainment content. Post the revamp, Kanak News will sport a new tagline of ‘Paribartanara Swara,’ and will aim at being the voice of change for the people of Odisha across the horizon.
Eastern Media executive director Tanaya Patnaik says, “A complete revamp had been on the cards for a long time now. With almost a dozen players in the market, it was important for us to change the way we look at news. We wanted to redefine the concept of prime time news. For us, every hour is prime time. We have been implementing these changes for the last couple of months and the response and ratings have been highly encouraging. Kanak News has a very young and energetic team and it has been working for us.”
Providing an insight into the rebranding, Patnaik tells Indiantelevision.com, “It has been six years since we started operations and seeing other players, we thought it was time for us to undergo a revamp. As a part of the revamp, we will change our editorial strategies also. We will shift away from the bulletin formula to a more breaking news and debates situation. Previously, we had 60 – 65 per cent of news with the rest as current affairs. Now it will be a 80 – 20 proposition.”
The channel will continue to be a free to air and hence relying on advertising revenue. “It will take time for pay channel phenomenon to work in Odisha. There are only two local pay channels in the state now. There are huge number of viewers in the state but 10 channels are a little too much at times,” she adds.
Elections are the biggest source of revenue for both national and regional news channels. The national election and the state elections are held at the same time in Odisha, which impacts the business of news channels hugely. The ad rates normally fluctuates between Rs 500 – 600 but during elections it goes up to almost Rs 1500.
Eastern Media also owns the largest circulated Odia daily broadsheet, ‘Sambad’ and radio channel Choklate 104 FM. Kanak News will use the resources of its sister companies.
Speaking about how TAM ratings still decide the ad rates in the region, Patnaik says, “BARC is yet to give us data so clients are referring to TAM analysis. All the news channels are bragging about the ratings on air and promoting it aggressively and clients are going by that. Generating higher ratings is the other important reason behind us going through a revamp.”
There are 140 to 200 TAM peoplemeters in Odisha and the number is innocuous when compared to the television households in the state. Nowadays, it is claimed that news is consumed most through internet, while television and newspapers are no longer the primary sources of information. However Patnaik begs to differ. “Unlike other states, newspaper circulations is still going up in Odisha. Additionally, there are many first time television buyers, so the primary sources of audio visual content consumption or news consumption are the traditional print and broadcast media and it will continue to be the same for the next six years at least. Internet is growing but at snail’s speed.”
When it comes to penetration, cable remains the clear dominator in Odisha as 70 – 80 per cent of the population are cable TV subscribers, whereas areas uncovered by cable have DTH penetrations.
Kanak News is available on Ortel Communication, Variety, Hathw@y and D2H platforms — Tata Sky, Dish TV and Jain Hits.
Eastern Media chairman Soumya Ranjan Patnaik will continue to be the editor-in-chief and senior journalist Manoranjan Mishra will also be a part of the channel.
Talking about the philosophy of the channel, chairman Soumya Ranjan Patnaik says, “Our stand is clear. We are not a neutral news channel. We have taken sides. We have taken sides for Odisha and every Odia and will be uncompromising while pursuing the State’s interest.”
With its rebranding, the channel has also incorporated a few new programmes to its bouquet like Jatra Chalichi, Jeebana Ra Canvas, Business Leaders, Crime Reporter and Page 3 amongst others.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
