News Broadcasting
Indian contingent chases animation
SAINT TROPEZ: A small Indian contingent consisting of Delhi French embassy representative Reghu Devraj, Delhi-based New Image Entertainment promoter HS Bedi, Mumbai-based CEO Star Entertainment Pvt Ltd promoters Jiten and Shabnam Hemdev, Indiantelevision.com promoter & CEO Anil Wanvari and The Economic Times Bangalore deputy resident editor Asha Rai marked their presence at Rendez-Vous 2002 organised by Television France International in Saint Tropez in south France (9-13 September).
The flavour of the market for the Indians was French animation. AB International, Teleimages International, Antefilms, Carrere group, Dargaud Marina, France Animation, M6, Marathon International, were among the programme sellers booths that the Indians frequented.
Hemdev believes that the TVFI market’s small size (vis-a-vis Mipcom and MipTV) is a positive for television buyers. “You can interact closely with the best of French programme makers, watch their shows at the screenings and then take a decision back in India.”
Says New Image Entertainment’s Bedi: “Some of the French animation products appear to be good for India. And some of the meetings I had appear to be promising. I have not bought any of the programmes as yet, but once the tapes come in and I take a look I will be in a position to take a decision.”
Hemdev believes that the TVFI market’s small size (vis-a-vis Mipcom and MipTV) is a positive for television buyers. “You can interact closely with the best of French programme makers, watch their shows at the screenings and then take a decision back in India.”
According to Wanvari, price is going to be key for French animation to work in India. “India is a complicated market and pricing licensing fees for programmes as per what European buyers are willing to pay is a sure route to disaster. French programmers have to understand this and partner with genuine Indian companies the promoters of which have a keen interest to develop the Indian market for them. A long term view on the market is needed,” he says.
If the French programme sellers understand this, we may well have many dubbed/subtitled French shows/movies debuting on television this year.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 rolls out Battle for the States ahead of key polls
Multi-format election coverage tracks voter mood across five battleground states
NEW DELHI: CNN-News18 has launched a special election programming initiative titled Battle for the States, as India gears up for high-stakes Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
Built around the theme ‘Road to Power’, the multi-format coverage aims to follow the entire electoral journey, from campaigning and polling to results and government formation. The network is leaning into on-ground reportage and data-backed storytelling to decode voter sentiment across regions where local issues often shape the narrative.
The programming line-up includes ‘Vote Tracker’, a three-part series developed in collaboration with survey agency Vote Vibe. The show blends survey insights with expert commentary and field reporting, using augmented reality graphics to present complex electoral data such as vote share, seat projections and leadership preferences in a more accessible format. It will air every Monday evening until April 6.
Adding a cultural lens to political reporting is ‘So Saree!’, a ground-driven segment where women anchors travel across constituencies dressed in traditional handwoven sarees from each state. The format uses attire as a storytelling device, highlighting regional identity while capturing grassroots voices.
Meanwhile, ‘Unfiltered Kaapi’ and ‘Chai-Niti’ bring a more conversational tone, drawing inspiration from everyday political discussions in tea stalls and coffee corners. These segments aim to break down key issues through candid, fast-paced exchanges between anchors and reporters, tailored to regional sensibilities.
For viewers seeking deeper insights, the weekend docuseries ‘Reporters Project’ takes a longer view, with correspondents travelling across constituencies to map voter concerns and political shifts on the ground.
“Elections are about people, their aspirations, identities and the issues that matter to them, and every state tells a different story,” said CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar. He added that the initiative focuses on understanding “the sentiment on the ground and what’s driving voter choices”.
Echoing the emphasis on credibility, Network18 CEO – English and business news Smriti Mehra said the network aims to combine on-ground reporting with data-led insights to deliver clear and timely coverage as the elections unfold.
With a mix of data, culture and grassroots reporting, CNN-News18 is positioning Battle for the States as a comprehensive window into one of India’s most closely watched electoral cycles, where every vote carries a story waiting to be told.
