News Broadcasting
Network18 announces elevations and appointments within the group
MUMBAI: The media conglomerate Network18 announced important elevations and appointments within the group. The changes, which come into effect immediately, are also a consequence of the dynamics of integration which is the future of the news.
The group in its press statement said that the organisational changes are a move towards the new way in which the two arms of the news organisation—TV and digital—will work in collaboration.
Smriti Mehra is being elevated as chief operating officer-business news cluster, and will be responsible for the P&L of this cluster. She will also be responsible for the P&L of CNBC digital as well as display and focus revenue for the same.
Sohan Singh will be responsible for the display business of the business news cluster as well as English news and will report to Mehra. Preeti Sahni has been elevated as chief operating officer-Forbes India, with the responsibility of its P&L.
To drive TV-digital integration further, the group has mandated Azim Lalani, chief operating officer – brand solutions & convergence. He will also take additional charge of branded content for CNN-News18.
The group is bolstering its government business team, which has been led by Amit Tripathi. Amit will continue to be responsible for Hindi-regional and national channels.
To give a fillip to digital and vernacular, Abhinay Chauhan has joined the network recently and will be responsible for government revenues for language channels, digital, Forbes and AETN18.
For the non-sales part of the focus business, Siddharth Saini will be responsible for the English news, business news, and Forbes verticals as well as international business.
The group has appointed Sujeet Mishra to give additional thrust to the Hindi and regional languages focus business. Mishra. who has joined from the Zee group, will be responsible for non-sales backend of focus for the Hindi and language verticals, notably News18 India.
The above will report to Avinash Kaul for television news with a direct line to Puneet Singhvi for the digital business of the group.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 launches weekend show Health Matters to decode health trends
New show aims to cut through viral wellness fads with expert-backed advice
MUMBAI: In an age where viral reels often double up as lifestyle advice, CNN-News18 is launching a weekend show aimed at separating health facts from fashionable myths.
Titled News18 Health Matters, the half-hour programme will premiere on 14 March 2026 and position itself as a reliable guide through the maze of wellness trends, internet remedies and quick-fix health advice that increasingly shape everyday decisions.
India is in the midst of a major health transition. Lifestyle diseases are striking earlier, stress and sleep deprivation have become routine, and health choices are often influenced by trending content rather than medical evidence. The new show leans into this reality with a simple premise: trending does not always mean true.
Anchored by Hem Kaur Saroya and Himani Chandna, the programme will air every Saturday at 8:30 am and 5:30 pm and on Sundays at 10:30 am. Episodes will also be available on the channel’s YouTube platform.
Each instalment will tackle everyday health concerns that are increasingly entering mainstream conversations. Topics range from the rise of heart attacks among people under 40 and the growing reliance on protein supplements, to the rush toward weight-loss drugs and the widespread overuse of painkillers. The show will also examine issues such as screen addiction, chronic sleep loss, stress-related disorders and the rising prevalence of thyroid conditions, diabetes and hypertension.
Speaking about the launch, Rahul Shivshankar said the show aims to bring clarity to a space crowded with misinformation.
“With Health Matters, CNN-News18 aims to cut through the noise and empower viewers with clear, expert-led conversations grounded in science and medical evidence. At a time when viral trends increasingly influence lifestyle choices, it is important to distinguish between what is trending and what is truly beneficial for long-term health,” he said.
Echoing the sentiment, Smriti Mehra said the programme reflects the channel’s commitment to responsible and relevant programming.
“With growing public interest in wellness and preventive health, Health Matters strengthens CNN-News18’s focus on issues that affect everyday life. In an increasingly crowded information space, credible and verified health conversations have never been more important,” she said.
With Health Matters, CNN-News18 is betting that viewers want more than bite-sized advice and viral fixes. The show promises something rarer in the age of algorithm-driven wellness tips: calm, credible conversations that help people make better health choices.
