News Broadcasting
etc’s ‘Kahani Kismat Ki’ set for 1000th show
MUMBAI: Indian television viewers definitely have a penchant for fortune telling sessions! Billed as the complete show on astrology, etc’s Kahani Kismat Ki is completing a marathon run of 1,000 episodes on 10 December 2002.
Kahani Kismat Ki has earned the distinction of being ‘the most watched’ and ‘the longest running astrological show’ on any satellite channel, an official release says.
Yielding to the viewers’ demand, Kahani Kismat Ki had to be changed its duration from a 15-minute show to a half an hour show within three months of its launch. After almost three years of continuous telecast, the show is still the top-ranking programme amongst all the music channels, the release says.
Quoting TAM data, etc says that Kahani Kismat Ki delivered TVR of 0.4 during the week 10 beginning 11 November, compared to 0.34 for MTV’s Non Stop Hits’, 0.23 for Channel [V]’s Back 2 Back and 0.14 for B4U’s Full Volume.
In an effort to make the programme more interactive, etc also incorporated SMS facility in this show. Viewers can type the code ‘ETCKISMET’ in the message box of a mobile phone; write their answers to the question asked during the show and send it to number ‘303’. This enables them to participate in the show and win prizes.
The channel attributes the popularity of Kahani Kismat Ki to the fact that it is not based on any particular religion. Show presenter Arya Guru Bhagwan Das talks about the importance of spirituality and many festivals of several religions. According to him, astrology is a science and should be treated with the same respect.
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.
