News Broadcasting
India Today Group breaks language barriers with PM’s interview in six languages
Mumbai: India Today Group pioneered the concept of an AI Anchor Sana, creating a revolution in the media industry. Sana’s lifelike presence captivated audiences. Taking the next big step in utilising AI for news, the India Today Group has utilised AI to translate PM Narendra Modi’s interview to the network into six diverse languages – Marathi, Punjabi, Bangla, Bhojpuri, English and Odia, instantly breaking multiple languages barriers and ensuring access across regional audiences. This groundbreaking move showcased AI’s potential in democratising information and bridging linguistic barriers, solidifying the group’s commitment to innovation and inclusivity.
The AI step comes in a week when the PM gave three separate interviews to the network — not seen so far in his tenure, and a major affirmation to the country’s only democratic newsroom.
The interview hashtag #SabseSolidModiInterview surged to the top spot on X’s (Formerly Twitter) trending list, reflecting widespread interest and discussion surrounding the PM’s interaction (Source: X| Trending Hashtags| Political– Trending| #SabseSolidModiInterview). The interview attracted a staggering 1.16 lakh peak concurrent viewers on YouTube Live, underscoring the immense viewership it commanded during the broadcast on May 16th, 2024 (Source: YT Live | All Feeds | 16 May’24 | 7 PM to 8.40 PM).
The PM’s interview’s reach extended beyond real-time viewership, generating over 1 million actions on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter from 16th May to 19th May (Source: Comscore Social). The hashtags #SabseSolidPMInterview and #SabseSolidModiInterview was pivotal in this engagement. Additionally, the interview accumulated more than 30 million video views and reel plays across YouTube, Facebook, X, and Instagram within the same period, showcasing its extensive impact and popularity (Source: Comscore Social and Instagram). Additionally, translated interviews broke records and got an immense interaction with the regional audience, interviews were shared by official party channels and many prominent political leaders. These impressive statistics underscore the interview’s far-reaching impact and its ability to connect with viewers on a massive scale.
In an exclusive interview with a distinguished panel of star network anchors and editors Rahul Kanwal, Sudhir Chaudhary, Sweta Singh, and Anjana Om Kashyap, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his profound readiness to lead the country for another term, then went on the answer every big question that’s been on the national mind.
The Prime Minister shed light on his perspectives regarding the absence of a global news channel originating from India. He remarked, “If more global TV channels like AajTak are created, I would be the first one to applaud. It’s surprising that even after 75 years of independence, not one global news channel from our country has emerged.”
Making a special mention of the India Today group, the Prime Minister said, “I expect that AajTak and its editors can study and showcase the real extent of elections.” The group is known for its in-depth interviews with senior politicians, celebrities, and influential figures. The Group’s celebrated channels, India Today TV and AajTak, dominate the Indian elections news coverage with robust analysis by experts, pre and post-elections.
As the elections draw to a close, the PM revealed his favourite moment in the current cycle — record voting in the Kashmir Valley, a trend he sees as springing from the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
In a political season where the PM has given an array of interviews, the India Today Group’s interaction stands out, as not only the most discussed and shared interview but also, with the potential to reach out to the largest audience.
News Broadcasting
DNPA names Puneet Gupt chairperson; Anant Goenka steps in as vice chairperson
Leadership reset comes as digital news grapples with AI-led disruption and policy battles
NEW DELHI: India’s digital news lobby has a new pilot at the helm just as the industry stares down its next big disruption. The Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) has named Puneet Gupt, chief operating officer at Times Internet, as chairperson, succeeding Mariam Mammen Mathew at the end of her two-year term.
Gupt, who previously served as vice chairperson, steps into the top role with deep familiarity of the body’s agenda, ensuring a smooth transition at a time when publishers are recalibrating for an AI-shaped future. Anant Goenka, executive director at The Indian Express Group, has been appointed vice chairperson, while Dhruba Mukherjee continues as treasurer.
“Digital news publishers are navigating one of the most consequential shifts the industry has ever seen, from how content is discovered to how it is valued in an AI-driven world. DNPA’s role as a unified industry voice has never mattered more. My focus will be on ensuring that our members are not just responding to these changes, but actively contributing to the policy and industry frameworks around them,” said Puneet Gupt.
Goenka underscored the need for collective action as the sector evolves. “This is an important moment for DNPA and for the digital news publishing industry in India. There is real value in publishers coming together, sharing perspectives, and building a common understanding of the opportunities and challenges ahead. I look forward to contributing to that effort with DNPA members,” he said.
Outgoing chairperson Mariam Mammen Mathew called it a timely transition. “It has been a privilege to lead DNPA at such a pivotal time for the industry. I am confident that under Puneet’s leadership, DNPA will continue to grow in influence and impact. I wish the new team every success,” she said.
Sujata Gupta, secretary general and chief executive officer at DNPA, framed the shift as a springboard for the next phase. “This transition marks an exciting new chapter for DNPA. We have spent the last few years building the credibility, relationships, and frameworks that allow us to engage meaningfully on the issues that matter most to our members. With Puneet and Anant at the helm, we are well-positioned to translate that foundation into tangible outcomes, on policy, on fair commercial frameworks, and on ensuring that digital news publishing remains a sustainable and vital part of India’s information ecosystem,” she said.
The leadership rejig lands at a moment when digital publishers are battling shifting discovery patterns, platform power and the economics of AI. For DNPA, the message is clear: the next phase will be less about reacting and more about shaping the rules of the game.
