News Broadcasting
Media stocks big gainers
MUMBAI: Sparked by a buoyant stock market, media stocks stood as big gainers on Monday. While the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex scaled a new high to end the day 56.10 points up at 13,186.89, strong activity was seen in media scrips like Balaji Telefilms, TV18 and Zee Telefilms.
“There is a strong sentiment in favour of media stocks. Major action is happening in this sector and financial performances are improving,” said a market analyst.
Balaji Telefilms gained 10.4 per cent in today’s trade, moving up from the previous close of Rs 158.55 to end the day at Rs 175. TV18 rose 10.18 per cent to close at Rs 898.55 while UTV went up by 9.26 per cent to Rs 221.75.
Most of the other media stocks also firmed up with Zee Telefilms seeing a 3.62 per cent rise to close the trading session at Rs 337.65. Among the other gainers were TV Today (5.79 per cent to Rs 75.85), Sun TV (1.81 per cent to Rs 1264), Adlabs (1.88 per cent to Rs 365.55), K Sera Sera (1.43 per cent to Rs 31.95) and Bag Films (3 per cent to Rs 9.27). NDTV saw a marginal rise of 0.38 per cent with the scrip closing at Rs 236.30. Hinduja TMT, however, dipped by 1.48 per cent to Rs 519.15.
“There is investment interest in media companies from private equity and non media players,” said an analyst in a brokering firm.
A recent indication of this is the buyout of 51 per cent stake in Asianet by former chairman and BPL Mobile CEO Rajeev Chandrasekhar. Several media companies have also recently raised money through public offerings. Raj Television Network Ltd has just filed documents with the market regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), for its initial public offering (IPO).
“The media sector is set for further growth as digitalisation sets in. There is bound to be a rub-off effect in such stocks,” the analyst said.
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.
