News Broadcasting
HFCL-Nine not in default to DD, says CEO Ravina Raj Kohli
HFCL-Nine Broadcasting has denied reports that it had defaulted on payments to national broadcaster Doordarshan and said all its dues had been cleared.
The clarification came in the wake of reports yesterday that HFCL-Nine had defaulted on four instalments of payments totalling Rs 240 million over an eight-week period.
As per the contractual agreement, HFCL-Nine has to pay DD Rs 60 million a fortnight for its three-hour slot between 7 pm and 10 pm on DD Metro. HFCL-Nine had last year secured the rights to supply programming for the prime time slot for Rs 1,210 million.
Speaking exclusively to indiantelevision.com (read interview), HFCL-Nine CEO Ravina Raj Kohli said: “The facts are not correct. Technically, there were only three defaults – or rather delays. We had not paid up because we were waiting and watching. We had submitted a proposal and were discussing extension of the current contract with DD. We paid up finally, earlier this week. We had the money.”
HFCL-Nine is a 51:49 per cent joint venture between Himachal Futuristic Communications Ltd promoted by Vinay Malloo and Channel Nine promoted by Australian media magnate Kerry Packer’s Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd.
HFCL-Nine has been under the spotlight in recent times because of its indirect association with cornered bull operator Ketan Parekh who has been accused of massive fraud on the stock markets and is presently in custody. Parekh, Malloo and Packer are partners in KVP Ventures, a venture capital fund set up for investments in the convergence sectors.
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.
