News Broadcasting
Narsingha Broadcasting to launch Bengali News channel
KOLKATA: Kolkata-based Narsingha Broadcasting, which has re-started publishing of Bengali daily ‘Ekdin’ from 29 June after acquiring the publishing rights from old owners, now aims to foray into the television media business. The company plans to launch a Bengali satellite News channel soon. While the name of the News channel hasn’t yet been revealed, it is likely to include the word ‘Ekdin’.
“We have applied for the uplinking and downlinking licence already. Though it would be a Bengali channel, we have set aside 10 minute slots each for Hindi and English news bulletins, keeping in mind the non-Bengali TV viewers settled in Kolkata and other states,” said Ekdin editor in chief Rhitobrata Bhattacharya to indiantelevision.com.
According to industry sources, the company may take equipments and teleports on lease, at least initially. Narsingha Broadcasting had recently acquired the rights from Siliguri-based Darpan Press to re-start the Bengali daily, which had wound up the broadsheet, leaving close to 120 employees including journalists and technical staff jobless on 15 January, this year.
Founded by veteran journalist Suman Chattopadhyay, who was also the first editor of ‘Ekdin’, the newspaper was sold off to the Chakra Group after Chattopadhyay joined Eyi Shomoy, The Times Group’s Bengali daily. The Chakra Group later sold ‘Ekdin’ to Darpan, which has owned the daily since 1 October, 2013. Without citing any valid reasons to employees, Darpan shut down the publication.
When Darpan Press chief executive officer and director Sandip Choudhary was contacted he confirmed that the rights had been sold to Narsingha Broadcasting which had re-launched the newspaper.
Bhattacharya informed that ‘Ekdin’ would have Kolkata and Durgapur editions and the new management would try to attain a circulation of around one lakh, if not more in the initial months. “We are working to bring out a special supplement on cinema, literary and historical aspects to give something extra to readers apart from hard news,” he revealed.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
