News Broadcasting
Listed media stocks rise prior to budget
MUMBAI: Media scrips rebounded today and beat the downturn which they have been witnessing recently. In Budget 2003-4, the positive impetus for the media sector is likely to come from the drop in the duties of set top boxes, say analysts. The marginal tax rate change will not impact the listed entertainment companies are already paying taxes at this rate.
On the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), the Zee Telefilms scrip opened the day at Rs 81; climbed to Rs 83.25 – up 2.78 per cent. A total of 595,571 shares were traded. The P/E ratio is 24.77 and the EPS at Rs 3.35. The scrip bucked a five-day losing trend today and is expected to benefit from the budget related announcements and post conditional access system implementation.
On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the scrip opened at Rs 80.65; rose 2.71 per cent to end the day at Rs 83.40. The total volume traded was 1,315,739.
On the BSE, the Balaji Telefilms scrip opened the day at Rs 81; climbed to Rs 73.95 – up 2.57 per cent. A total of 13,529 shares were traded. On NSE, the scrip opened at Rs 72.20; rose 2.56 per cent to end the day at Rs 74. The total volume traded was 54,073.
In its report dated 18 February 2003, Investment bank Merrill Lynch had maintained its `buy` rating on media major Balaji Telefilms due to its share of programmes in the Top 100 list.
DSP Merrill Lynch’s report says that the conditional access scenario (CAS) would lead to premium pricing for Balaji`s channel-driver branded content. The main growth drivers would be high value weekend programming and continued strong ratings of existing on-air shows
On the BSE, the Mukta Arts scrip opened the day at Rs 61; climbed to Rs 61.40 – up 0.66 per cent. A total of 23,308 shares were traded. On the NSE, the scrip opened at Rs 60.25; rose 0.49 per cent to end the day at Rs 60.30. The total volume traded was 39,654.
On the BSE, the Television Eighteen scrip opened the day at Rs 60.45; climbed to Rs 60.95 – up 0.83 per cent. A total of 6,067 shares were traded. On the NSE, the scrip opened at Rs 60.90; rose 1.75 per cent to end the day at Rs 61.20. The total volume traded was 15,832.
On the BSE, the Cinevista scrip opened the day at Rs 26.65; climbed to Rs 26.80 – up 0.56 per cent. A total of 2,200 shares were traded. On the NSE, the scrip opened at Rs 27.20; fell to Rs 26.00. The total volume traded was 2,105.
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.
