News Broadcasting
IBF to form sub-panel for presentations to Govt
NEW DELHI: The Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) today decided, in principle, to form a sub-committee that would be responsible for presentation and submissions before the government and sector regulator on all issues related to broadcasting.
IBF, which is an apex body of broadcasting companies operating in India, decided that this sub-panel should deal with contentious issues like continued price freeze on cable prices and also foreign investment in various segments of the broadcast sector.
The sub-committee would be headed by IBF president and Prasar Bharati CEO KS Sarma and will comprise representatives from Star India, Zee Telefilms and Sony Entertainment TV India, amongst few others. Though no official word was forthcoming on an IBF board meet held here today, sources indicated that one of the members also brought up the issue of FDI. It is also not clear whether this proposed panel would have representation from free-to-air channels, some of which are also members of the IBF.
The matter relating to the continued price freeze of cable prices, which has now started bothering the pay broadcasters, was also discussed towards the end of the meeting. With the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) showing no signs of coming out with its recommendations on the broadcast industry, the price freeze was debated and whether a legal recourse could be/should be taken or not.
The service tax issue also came up for discussions.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Kolkata Town Hall on Hooghly River
‘Bhalobasa Bengal Inspiring Bharat’ event on April 20 brings cultural icons, trailblazing women and leaders aboard a cruise to celebrate Bengal’s enduring influence.
MUMBAI: Bengal is about to make fresh waves on the Hooghly and this time the current is pure conversation. CNN-News18 is taking its iconic Town Hall format to the waters of the iconic Hooghly River on 20 April 2026 with a special edition titled ‘Bhalobasa Bengal – Inspiring Bharat’. The floating event will celebrate the state’s rich cultural legacy and how its ideas, creativity and spirit continue to shape the rest of the country.
The unique riverside setting draws on Bengal’s history as a cradle of reform, art and intellectual thought. The speaker line-up mirrors that diversity: cultural heavyweights Mithun Chakraborty and Sreenanda Shankar will share the stage with trailblazing “Devis” such as Tanya Sanyal (India’s first woman firefighter in aviation), Ipsita Chakraborty (Kolkata’s first woman bartender) and Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi (Nari Shakti awardee and marine pilot). Music will flow through the celebrated pianist-vocalist duo Sourendro and Soumyojit, while public life and governance will be represented by Smriti Irani, Leander Paes, Saira Shah Halim, Keya Ghosh, Rekha Patra, Roopa Ganguly and Babul Supriyo.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director, Rahul Shivshankar, said the event honours voices that carry Bengal’s legacy forward. Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News, Network18, added that Bengal’s stories resonate far beyond its borders, especially as the state heads into polls.
From the first woman to battle flames in the skies to legendary actors who shaped Indian cinema, the gathering promises a rich mix of inspiration, courage and candid dialogue. In a city where culture has always flowed as freely as the river itself, CNN-News18 is turning the Hooghly into a floating forum for ideas that matter.
Tune in on 20 April on CNN-News18, CTV and YouTube to catch Bengal’s heartbeat in full flow.
