News Broadcasting
Fox moves US programming to Panamsat’s fleet
MUMBAI: Panamsat has announced a multi-year, multi-satellite, multi-transponder agreement with the Fox Entertainment Group. Under the terms of the agreement, Fox will consolidate its entire suite of US programming onto Panamsats global fleet for 15 years and move a significant portion of its international traffic onto the fleet for the next decade.
Fox will now be one of Panamsats largest media customers and one of its top five global customers.
Panamsat’s CEO Joe Wright was quoted in a company release saying, “This agreement with Panamsat will provide Fox with unparalleled global coverage. By consolidating its distribution on our fleet, Fox is utilising our satellites in every region of the world to broadcast its programming. Expansion of our core video market is also key to our growth strategy. This contract strengthens our cable and broadcast neighborhoods worldwide. By providing flexibility, redundancy, connectivity and service, Panamsat continues to attract the worlds top programmers to our global network.”
Shows that Panamsat will be responsible for distributing include 24 which airs in India on AXN. Internationally, Panamsat will carry Foxs news, sports and entertainment channels. Panamsat will support Fox by using 17 transponders located across seven satellites on its global fleet. Specifically, the domestic agreement calls for a 15-year cable contract for 10 transponders and a 15-year broadcast agreement for four transponders. Internationally, Fox has signed a 10-year agreement for three transponders. In addition, Panamsat has become the provider of choice for Foxs domestic and international satellite requirements. .
Foxs cable group currently has six channels on Galaxy 11 at 91 degrees west longitude and will migrate four additional channels to the satellite in the second and third quarter of 2004. The 10-channel programming bouquet includes its regional sports networks, news, movies and general entertainment programming, and will anchor and solidify the cable neighborhood at this prime orbital slot.
Later this year Fox’s international channels will consolidate their programming on the PAS-2 and PAS-8 Pacific Ocean Region satellites and the PAS-3R and PAS-9 Atlantic Ocean Region satellites.
Fox Group engineering president Andrew G. Setos added, “Panamsat has successfully offered us a comprehensive solution for our cable, broadcast and international programme distribution. By concentrating our traffic on one constellation the efficiency of scale enabled Panamsat to deliver a superior restoration plan that is essential to safeguarding our current operations and its future growth.”
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. AICC’s Praveen Chakravarty weighs ‘Power Sharing vs Principles’, while former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan joins the fray. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
