News Broadcasting
News X strengthening its editorial team
MUMBAI: Well known anchor on Headlines Today, Rahul Shivshankar, is packing his bags back to his favourite news channel – News X – with a mission in mind. From 2 September, he will be seen as managing editor with the channel and will be hosting the primetime show. Diptosh Majumdar, former National affairs editor with DNA, also joins the team in the same capacity. Majumdar will be reporting to Shivshankar while Shivshankar will report to Karthik Sharma, the owner of the channel.
Shivshankar has years of experience. He was associated with News X as editorial director for a year between February 2011 and 2012 and six years with Times Now before that. He was also one of the members of the core team that launched Headlines in 2003. “I am emotionally involved with News X and my plan is to consolidate and give the channel a new direction and focus, which I have successfully done for Headlines Today as well,” says Shivshankar. He will be filling a vacant position.
Majumdar has been political affairs editor with CNN-IBN and editorial director with News X in 2010 after which he left for DNA and now he’s back with News X. Recently, News X was acquired by India News. Financial constraints at the channel had led to Shivshankar leaving for Headlines but now since it seems stable he is back with it. One of the things Shivshankar plans to do is build the weekend news programming. This is one affinity to a channel!
Three months ago, Priya Sehgal joined them as political editor from India Today magazine.
When the whole industry seems to be laying people off, News X seems to be doing the opposite. More people are expected to join the channel in the coming months.
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.
