News Broadcasting
John Abraham, Bhaichung in special programming on FIFA on IBN
NEW DELHI: The 19th FIFA World Cup will see special exclusive pre-tournament programming on CNN-IBN and IBN7 to capture the excitement leading up to the greatest sporting extravaganza.
The varied programming includes The Beautiful Game on CNN-IBN which starts on 31 May and GOAL on IBN7 from 1 June. This special series will provide a 360 degree perspective of the key events leading up to the tournament by football expert and the country’s foremost football journalist Novy Kapadia. The programming will also feature an interview with celebrated footballer Bhaichung Bhutia and Bollywood star and football enthusiast John Abraham.
The pre-tournament programming with Novy Kapadia will include a series of half hour specials on CNN-IBN and IBN7 which will have a detailed analysis of the strengths and weakness of different teams, their preparedness for as well as their chances at the World Cup. The show will also take a close look at players to watch out for and team rivalries. The programming on CNN-IBN will be telecast on weekdays from 31 May till 10 June at 10.30 pm and on IBN7 on weekdays from 1 June till 10 June at 6.30 pm.
Additionally CNN-IBN’s award winning sports anchor Meha Bhardwaj in a special show will be seen in conversation with Captain of the Indian football team, Bhaichung Bhutia and actor and football aficionado John Abraham to be telecast on June 5 at 7.30 pm on CNN-IBN. This special will focus on players & teams to look out for at the world cup and the future of Indian football.
Talking about the pre-tournament programming line-up for the FIFA World Cup 2010, Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-In-Chief, IBN18 Network said, “Football has a massive fan following in India and we want our viewers to get the best of the game’s biggest event. We are happy to have on board Novy Kapadia, country’s foremost football journalist, as part of our special pre-tournament programming line-up. The depth of experience which Novy Kapadia brings with him will provide viewers with rare insights into both the game as well as the world’s greatest sporting event, the FIFA World Cup 2010.”
Ashutosh, Managing Editor, IBN7, said, “The extensive pre-event programming will cover all the key aspects that football fans would like to learn about before the actual tournament. From player profiles to the venues and team rivalries, we will provide our viewers with all the information and the behind the scenes action they desire before the FIFA World Cup 2010.”
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.
