News Broadcasting
Intelsat’s ORBIT act amendment becomes law
MUMBAI: Intelsat has announced that, as on 25 October 2004, an amendment to the open-market reorganisation for the betterment of International telecommunications act (ORBIT act) became law.
The act had previously required Intelsat to dilute the ownership interests of its former signatories through an initial public offering (IPO).
According to a company release, the amendment permits Intelsat to comply with the dilution objectives of the ORBIT Act by means other than an IPO.
Speaking on the development, Intelsat CEO Conny Kullman said, “This change in the law was a wise decision by Congress, ensuring that a stated purpose of the ORBIT act is achieved while at the same time allowing us the flexibility to determine the form of transaction that is most appropriate for our company. Intelsat’s acquisition by the private equity consortium backing Zeus Holdings Limited is expected to be complete within a few months, after which we believe our company will have fully satisfied the requirements of the ORBIT act.”
“If the FCC determines that we have met the criteria set forth in the amended ORBIT Act, we will no longer expect to face ORBIT-related licensing restrictions, allowing us the freedom to sell and develop our services, including DTH. This will put Intelsat on a more level playing field with our competitors while offering customers more high-quality choices when procuring DTH platforms, ” he added in the released.
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.
