News Broadcasting
FCC clears Comcast buyout of AT&T Broadband
MUMBAI: In a 3-1 vote (the dissenting vote coming from the lone Democrat on the panel, Michael Copps), the US Federal Communications Commission today cleared the way for the $30.2 billion buyout of AT&T Broadband by rival Comcast Corp.
The merger reportedly creates a pay TV giant with over 27 million subscribers.
The US Justice Department has also approved the deal that will create a new company called AT&T Comcast Corp.
The approval for the merger has not been without its critics though. Consumer groups have lambasted the seeming double standards shown by the FCC in approving the Comcast deal after rejecting EchoStar Communications Corp.’s proposed acquisition of DirecTV. Many consumer advocates had backed the satellite-television merger, which they said would create a strong national competitor to the cable monopolies.
The FCC’s only major condition for approval has been the stipulation that the new company AT&T Comcast Corp divest entirely its 25 per cent stake in Time Warner Entertainment. Earlier this year, AOL Time Warner said it would effectively buy AT&T’s stake in the partnership for around $9 billion in cash and securities. That deal will give AOL Time Warner full ownership of the Warner Bros. film studio and Home Box Office, along with most of Time Warner Cable.
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.
