News Broadcasting
IBN7’s new programming gamble
MUMBAI: Just after 50 days of joining IBN7 as the consulting editor, Prabal Pratap Singh has high hopes from the channel’s two new shows. The two shows, namely Aar Paar and Super Crime Time, were already in discussion with Network 18 chief executive officer, news, and group editor-in-chief Rahul Joshi and his team before Singh rejoined. “After I stepped in as the consulting editor of the channel, we finalised everything on both these shows,” said Singh.
Disrupting the routine timings of debate shows on news channels, debate show Aar Paar will air every Monday-Friday from 7 to 8 pm. Motive: to utilise the 7 pm time slot for a debates on a news channel. It aims at catering to the Hindi markets at large. Anchored by Amish Devgan, the show will pick topics that have a deeper connect with the common man. It will follow the normal style of debates with multiple guests on-screen discussing the subject and will ask tough questions to those in positions of power and hold them accountable.
The channel has developed different teams for various roles like scripting, production, etc. Telecasted live, the show will not shy away from taking positions on issues that the viewers relate to strongly. Amish will engage directly with viewers through various social platforms to add an element of interactivity to the show.
“Amish’s personality is unique and I would appreciate if he can retain his style. Having him on board is an achievement for us. He will conduct the debates in his own manner. I don’t think an anchor has to shout for attracting viewers,” asserted Singh.
Debate shows on news channel are pretty common these days. But what if news channels not only report crime news but also recreate the crime scene? – asks the channel as it reinvents the category with Super Crime Time.
Crime as a topic has proved to be an important genre for the general entertainment space. Re-constructing crime incidents to spread awareness about the incident flagged off through the news channels with shows like Sansani on ABP News and Vardaat on Aaj Tak. The news channels have dramatic anchors for these shows to boost ratings.
In a move to revive this space, IBN7’s other show called Super Crime Time will be a heady mix of crime, drama, mystery and investigation. The show will not only report crime news from various parts of the country but also feature one major incident of the day by recreating the crime scene, piece by piece, trying to uncover its mystery. Airing 7 days a week between, the first half (10-10:30pm) will reports crime stories while the second half (10:30-11pm) will dramatise the details of crime place. On Saturdays, the programming will showcase some of the most infamous love stories which involve misconduct and bloodshed. The show will also have plenty visual effects.
Digvijay will spread out the message of ‘Apna Khayal Rakhna’ through this show. With 24 scenes already in place, the channel has a huge database of crime stories in bank. “The prime time for Hindi markets has now extended to 11 pm. We will recreate few concepts due to lack of visual support. We hope these shows will boost our viewership,” points out Singh.
The show has been directed by the editor of the channel Manoj Kumar Singh. The channel has associated students, theater artists, etc to enact the various scenes.
IBN7 would keep its eyes strained on its ratings in the couple of weeks to see how the new programming gamble is fairing.
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
