Movies
MIB minister Anurag Thakur inaugurates 24X7 service of Doordarshan Himachal
Mumbai : Information and broadcasting minister Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurated Doordarshan Kendra’s 24-hour telecast service in Shimla.
As a result, the Himachal Doordarshan Kendra Shimla will now provide services to the people of Himachal Pradesh 24 hours a day, seven days a week,.
The chief minister of himachal pradesh Sukhwinder Singh, was the guest of honour, and Shimla member of parliament Mukesh Agnihotri, the deputy chief minister of himachal pradesh Suresh Kashyap and Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi were also present.
In his address to the gathering, Anurag Thakur stated that, in response to the people’s long-standing demand, Doordarshan Kendra, Shimla’s telecast has been dedicated to the people round-the-clock beginning. He stated that with the start of the 24-hour telecast from DD Himachal, not only the state’s news, but also its culture and traditions, would gain national and international recognition.
While speaking about Himachal Pradesh’s rich cultural heritage, Singh stated that the state will have the opportunity to take Himachal Pradesh’s art, culture, and literature to every nook and cranny of the world through the medium of Doordarshan. The 24×7 Channel will broadcast information about important tourist destinations, religious sites, sports, adventure, local handicraft, artisans, and stories about our brave soldiers’ lives. It will also address issues affecting the people of the state. This will be available throughout India with free DTH Dish so that Himachalis living in other parts of the country can stay in touch with their roots and culture, he added.
The Minister stated that this is the start of a golden era for Doordarshan Himachal, which is regarded as an important link in the development of communication in the country initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and that with his inspiration, we are launching 24×7 service of Himachal Doordarshan.
Appreciating Himachalis’ sacrifices in Indian defence forces for the country, he stated that their sacrifices have made this Dev Bhumi a land of Veer Bhumi as well.
Thakur, who grew up watching Doordarshan’s Chitterhaar, proposed that a programme similar to the popular DD show ‘Chitrahaar,’ which features Hindi film songs, be launched on the newly launched channel to promote Himachali folk music.
Thakur concluded his speech by praising All India Radio and Doordarshan for their efforts in raising awareness during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh praised Thakur’s efforts and stated that the State administration is committed to ensuring that all citizens benefit from State and Central government schemes. The chief minister stated that schemes of the Central and State Governments will also be telecast through DD Himachal for maximum public awareness.
Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi stated that the channel will hire news anchors and camera operators in addition to providing employment opportunities for residents of the state. He expressed his hope that DD Himachal would live up to the expectations of the Himachal people.
The event concluded with enchanting folk dances showcasing Himachal’s rich culture, which captivated the audience.
Hollywood
Paramount Skydance secures financing for Warner Bros Discovery deal
Debt syndication and new loans push $111 billion merger closer to close
WASHINGTON: Paramount Skydance has taken a major step towards its planned acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, securing fresh financing and completing the syndication of its bridge loan facility.
In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company confirmed that the bridge facility has now been distributed among a group of 18 banks, reducing total commitments to $49 billion from an earlier $54 billion. The move spreads risk across lenders and signals growing confidence in one of the year’s largest media deals.
Alongside this, the company has finalised permanent financing arrangements, including $5 billion in senior term loans and a $5 billion revolving credit facility. A previously planned $3.5 billion credit line has been dropped as part of the restructuring.
The loans are secured against key assets, including Paramount Global, Skydance Media and Warner Bros post-merger, underlining the scale and complexity of the transaction.
The financing push follows a competitive bidding process earlier this year, which saw interest from players such as Netflix before Paramount Skydance emerged as the frontrunner. The deal, valued at $111 billion, is expected to close in the third quarter, subject to regulatory approvals.
Adding to the momentum, the company has also secured significant equity backing, including investments from Middle Eastern funds, with support from billionaire Larry Ellison, who has guaranteed the equity portion of the transaction.
Commenting on the development, Paramount Skydance chief strategy officer Andy Gordon said, “Our successful debt syndication and new debt facilities represent another important milestone towards the completion of our acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery.”
Once completed, the combined entity is expected to carry net debt of just under $80 billion, reflecting the sheer scale of the merger.
As Hollywood continues to consolidate in the streaming era, this deal could reshape the competitive landscape, with Paramount Skydance betting big on scale, content and financial muscle to take on global rivals.
