News Broadcasting
GoM set to discuss FDI in DTH Thursday
NEW DELHI: A group of ministers (GoM) is slated to discuss tomorrow foreign direct investment (FDI) in various sectors, including direct to-home television broadcasting venture, and examine whether the existing FDI cap can be reviewed.
According to government sources, the GoM that was supposed to have met in the recent past, but could not because of the absence from town of some key ministers, would have a look at the FDI in various sectors, including whether it makes sense to raise the 20 per cent FDI cap in DTH sector to 49 per cent.
The sources also indicated that though it does not fall technically within the ambit of the GoM, but the group, comprising some of the powerful ministers in the Indian government, may also discuss in the passing the issue of FDI in news channels desirous of uplinking from India — an issue that will be taken up in entirety by the full Cabinet.
In a related development, the sources also said that the full Cabinet is unlikely to meet before the presentation of the Budget on 28 February to discuss any issues. The Cabinet would meet on Friday morning, but it is highly unlikely that it would take up the uplinking issue for discussion that day.
The GoM comprises ministers of home affairs (who also happen to the deputy Prime Minister), finance, commerce and industry, IT & telecom, amongst others.
The GoMs agenda is to take up the NK Singh panel report that has made various suggestions, including increasing FDI cap in sectors like insurance, civil aviation and DTH. The panel had been constituted last year, at the behest of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, to look at ways to increase the FDI inflow into the country.
But the Union Cabinet has been divided over the Singh panel report. For example, former information and broadcasting minister Sushma Swaraj was staunchly opposed to any review of the existing DTH policy guideline and, during an interaction with journalists late last year, had categorically said her ministry had “rejected” the Singh panel suggestion on DTH.
But with a new I&B minister Ravi Shankar Prasad still trying to find his feet in the ministry and understand the issues related to his ministry, it is yet to be seen the stand his ministry takes on the FDI cap in DTH that is cited as one of the reasons by interested players in delaying business plans.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 rolls out Battle for the States ahead of key polls
Multi-format election coverage tracks voter mood across five battleground states
NEW DELHI: CNN-News18 has launched a special election programming initiative titled Battle for the States, as India gears up for high-stakes Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
Built around the theme ‘Road to Power’, the multi-format coverage aims to follow the entire electoral journey, from campaigning and polling to results and government formation. The network is leaning into on-ground reportage and data-backed storytelling to decode voter sentiment across regions where local issues often shape the narrative.
The programming line-up includes ‘Vote Tracker’, a three-part series developed in collaboration with survey agency Vote Vibe. The show blends survey insights with expert commentary and field reporting, using augmented reality graphics to present complex electoral data such as vote share, seat projections and leadership preferences in a more accessible format. It will air every Monday evening until April 6.
Adding a cultural lens to political reporting is ‘So Saree!’, a ground-driven segment where women anchors travel across constituencies dressed in traditional handwoven sarees from each state. The format uses attire as a storytelling device, highlighting regional identity while capturing grassroots voices.
Meanwhile, ‘Unfiltered Kaapi’ and ‘Chai-Niti’ bring a more conversational tone, drawing inspiration from everyday political discussions in tea stalls and coffee corners. These segments aim to break down key issues through candid, fast-paced exchanges between anchors and reporters, tailored to regional sensibilities.
For viewers seeking deeper insights, the weekend docuseries ‘Reporters Project’ takes a longer view, with correspondents travelling across constituencies to map voter concerns and political shifts on the ground.
“Elections are about people, their aspirations, identities and the issues that matter to them, and every state tells a different story,” said CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar. He added that the initiative focuses on understanding “the sentiment on the ground and what’s driving voter choices”.
Echoing the emphasis on credibility, Network18 CEO – English and business news Smriti Mehra said the network aims to combine on-ground reporting with data-led insights to deliver clear and timely coverage as the elections unfold.
With a mix of data, culture and grassroots reporting, CNN-News18 is positioning Battle for the States as a comprehensive window into one of India’s most closely watched electoral cycles, where every vote carries a story waiting to be told.
