News Broadcasting
Mumbai is on NGC’S ‘Megacities’ next year
MUMBAI: Continuing its mission of making its viewers Think Again, National Geographic Channel (NGC) will be airing a slew of shows next year that are certain to make viewers think about their world.
Speaking to Indiantelevision.com this evening NGC vice president marketing Rajesh Sheshadri says,One show that we are quite keen about is Megacities. This insightful series takes a look at the modern metropolis.Each episode of the series identifies and examines, one aspect of the infrastructure of a particular megacity that is crucial to its survival. From transportation systems in Mumbai and London, to the recycling system in Sao Paulo, to the power systems that ensure that the bright light of Vegas never dim, Megacities takes a detailed look at the infrastructures that keep these modern megaliths ticking.
The first episode looks at Indias financial capital Mumbai. It examines the Mumbai Traffic Improvement project, which is said to be one of the largest public works project in the history of the world. The initiative is implementing integrated railroad and water transport systems into the citys infrastructure in order to support its increasing population. The 50 Flyovers project is using the latest technology to reconfigure traffic flow in and around the city, the Golden Quadrilateral project is connecting Mumbai to other major cities of India and spectacular bridges will soon span previously inaccessible waterways, creating an entire transportation transformation in India.
Another episode looks at the gambing city – Las Vegas. What the show reveals is the fact that the secret behind Las Vegas is not the gambling. It’s not connections. It’s not even sex. This MegaCity’s power is electricity and without it, Las Vegas would simply shrivel and die. This is the Vegas no one sees. Power lines are its arteries. Electricity is its blood. This episode examines the importance of this process and what happens when it fails. It goes inside Las Vegas generation and distribution systems and examines current transformations that are occurring in order to prevent a possible black out.
Hong Kong meanwhile is said to be the most densely populated urban region on the planet, and in the recent past it has been rocked by economic and financial upheaval. Yet it has come through with some of the most high-tech, counterfeit-proof currency in the world, as well as some of the most complex bank building structures. This episode shows how such a small city accomplished such immense technological feats. This city is based on the power of money. If it stops flowing Hong Kong will loose its privileged place as financial center of this quickly evolving region.
Those interested in biology can check out Microkillers which kicks off in February 2006. It takes a look at various bacteria and viruses to examine how a pathogen 1/2500th width of a human hair causes the deaths of thousands of people. The series explores the evolution of old foes like malaria and plague, the Black Death that killed millions in the Middle Ages, into new drug resistant strains. It also examines the emergence of new killers like AIDS and Ebola, recent escapees from nature bio- weapons lab and the frightening implications for the world at large.
Sheshadri adds that in March 2006, NGC will premiere National Geographic’s Most Amazing Moments – a two-hour special that counts down dramatic events captured on film through the National Geographic lens. Five segments feature spectacular imagery and firsthand accounts from the scientists, journalists and filmmakers on the scene that let viewers experience moments of discovery, adventure and rarely seen animal behaviour. From moments of danger, to extreme behaviour that pushes the limits of human endurance, from face to face encounters with dangerous predators, to close encounters with death, that provide an adrenaline rush, the National Geographic cameras capture it all.
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.
