News Broadcasting
Hungama TV aims for August-September launch
MUMBAI: Hungama TV, the bilingual (Hindi and Tamil) kids’ channel floated by UTV, is now looking at an August-September launch. UTV CEO Ronnie Screwvala had earlier stated that the channel would begin airing by ‘a Sunday in August 2004’.
Hungama TV Captain Hunt to select the 20 kids who will eventually run the channel will culminate with a gala event in Mumbai on 14 August. Post-production work for the 21 shows selected by kids from the 60 projects, which had been commissioned for pilots, is underway. The channel will air shows on the 6 am – 12 midnight cycle with the remaining six hours having repeat telecasts.
At the venue of the channel’s TV Captain Hunt, Hungama TV COO Purnendu Bose spoke to Indiantelevision.com explaining the ideation and execution of the upcoming channel:
Programming strategy:
There will be adventure shows, puppet shows, movies, science fiction, comedy, and fantasy shows – all kinds of shows that appeal to our kids. The 60 pilot projects we had made was shown to around 7,000 kids across the country and they short listed 21 programmes. I won’t be able to give you the exact number of episodes completed, but I can say two or three episodes of each show have been canned till now. It is an ongoing process. There will be 18 hours of new programming and the remaining six hours will have these shows repeated.
Progress on the production front:
Post-production work of the episodes completed are going on now. Balaji Telefilms, Cinevistaa, Contiloe and UTV are some of the production houses involved.
Why have you decided to outsource some of your production?
We wanted to make use of a variety of sources. This gives us an opportunity to tap different domain expertise.
What is the remuneration you are offering to the 20 selected kids who will take charge as Hungama TV captains?
There won’t be any remuneration in terms of money. The whole exercise will give kids exposure and that much-needed confidence to face life. This will help them to be decisive, empowering them to build an overall character. This will be like an extra-curricular activity that makes them celebrities. This won’t distract them from their studies because we have latest technologies to communicate with them. Sitting in his house, the kid will decide what to go on Hungama TV.
About the recent exits UTV/Hungama witnessed. Who is replacing Shalini Rawla who quit as Hungama TV programming head?
At present, I am handling the additional responsibility. We have a 55 member-strong team and we are looking forward to more appointments. Irrespective of these resignations, we are very much on track.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 launches weekend show Health Matters to decode health trends
New show aims to cut through viral wellness fads with expert-backed advice
MUMBAI: In an age where viral reels often double up as lifestyle advice, CNN-News18 is launching a weekend show aimed at separating health facts from fashionable myths.
Titled News18 Health Matters, the half-hour programme will premiere on 14 March 2026 and position itself as a reliable guide through the maze of wellness trends, internet remedies and quick-fix health advice that increasingly shape everyday decisions.
India is in the midst of a major health transition. Lifestyle diseases are striking earlier, stress and sleep deprivation have become routine, and health choices are often influenced by trending content rather than medical evidence. The new show leans into this reality with a simple premise: trending does not always mean true.
Anchored by Hem Kaur Saroya and Himani Chandna, the programme will air every Saturday at 8:30 am and 5:30 pm and on Sundays at 10:30 am. Episodes will also be available on the channel’s YouTube platform.
Each instalment will tackle everyday health concerns that are increasingly entering mainstream conversations. Topics range from the rise of heart attacks among people under 40 and the growing reliance on protein supplements, to the rush toward weight-loss drugs and the widespread overuse of painkillers. The show will also examine issues such as screen addiction, chronic sleep loss, stress-related disorders and the rising prevalence of thyroid conditions, diabetes and hypertension.
Speaking about the launch, Rahul Shivshankar said the show aims to bring clarity to a space crowded with misinformation.
“With Health Matters, CNN-News18 aims to cut through the noise and empower viewers with clear, expert-led conversations grounded in science and medical evidence. At a time when viral trends increasingly influence lifestyle choices, it is important to distinguish between what is trending and what is truly beneficial for long-term health,” he said.
Echoing the sentiment, Smriti Mehra said the programme reflects the channel’s commitment to responsible and relevant programming.
“With growing public interest in wellness and preventive health, Health Matters strengthens CNN-News18’s focus on issues that affect everyday life. In an increasingly crowded information space, credible and verified health conversations have never been more important,” she said.
With Health Matters, CNN-News18 is betting that viewers want more than bite-sized advice and viral fixes. The show promises something rarer in the age of algorithm-driven wellness tips: calm, credible conversations that help people make better health choices.
