News Broadcasting
News18 India launches in the US
MUMBAI: Three months after the distribution JV between TV18 and Viacom18 called IndiaCast announced that its news brand called News 18 is going to be distributed internationally very soon, TV18 has now entered the US market with the launch of News18 India. The 24 hours television news channel is designed to give global audiences a window into India. The channel went live on 30 July on Dishworld and Dish Network Channel 711.
It can be noted that News18 India is already present in key south Asian diaspora markets that include the UK, Singapore and the Middle East (the latter two were added only recently).
News18 India will be available to all viewers on the international base pack, English News pack and Hindi Mega pack, making this one of the most widely distributed Indian News channels in the US.
News 18 provides all types of news from India including political and business as well as weather reports. The same team that produces news for the existing news channels in the IndiaCast portfolio such as CNN-IBN, CNBC TV-18, IBN7 produce news for News 18.
News18 India is a unique news channel offering a dynamic and customised blend of business and general news programming at times that suit the US audience ensuring greater relevance for the viewers in the region.
In addition to News18 India, IndiaCast distributes the flagship general entertainment channel Colors, other channels such as Rishtey, MTV India International and 6 ETV branded services in overseas markets.
IBN News Networks CEO Avinash Kaul said, “It gives me immense pleasure to expand our global footprint and to take the best of Indian News to every household outside of India. News18 India is a destination for definitive news for the Indian diaspora, a community of high achievers seeking Indian news and for ethnic conglomerates with business interests in India. At a time when the world is watching India, News18 India will serve as the world’s window into India.”
“After UK, Singapore and the Middle East, News18 India now launches in the US. We are confident that News18 India, with a customised offering for the US market, will fill the void of a comprehensive business and general news service from India. This would be our seventh channel on the Dish network and with them we found a perfect partner to bring this channel to all viewers who want a window into India,” added India Cast group COO Gaurav Gandhi.
News Broadcasting
UDF poised to return to power in Kerala, says Manorama-CVoter survey
Massive opinion poll projects shift in Kerala politics ahead of 2026 Assembly elections.
MUMBAI: The winds of change appear to be blowing through Kerala’s political landscape and this time, they seem to favour the United Democratic Front. A comprehensive mega opinion survey conducted by Manorama News in partnership with CVoter projects a potential comeback for the UDF in the upcoming Kerala Legislative Assembly Elections 2026. The survey, covering all 140 constituencies with a massive sample size of nearly 90,000 respondents, predicts the UDF could win between 69 and 81 seats.
The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is expected to secure 57 to 69 seats, a significant drop from the 99 seats it won in the 2021 elections. This would mean the LDF losing 30 to 42 of its sitting seats. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which drew a blank in 2021, is projected to open its account with 1 to 5 seats.
Region-wise, the UDF is expected to make strong gains in Malabar, winning 25 to 34 out of 48 seats, and in Central Kerala, where it could bag 29 to 33 out of 53 seats. In South Kerala, the LDF is likely to retain an edge with 21 to 25 seats, while the UDF may improve to 12 to 16 seats. The NDA could pick up 1 to 3 seats in the southern region.
The survey was conducted between 14 and 26 March 2026, with additional tracker and snap polls carried out from December 2025 to March 2026. A total of 89,693 respondents participated, ensuring representation across all demographics and social segments.
Manorama News has a strong track record of accuracy, with its previous projections closely matching the actual results of the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections as well as the 2021 Kerala Assembly polls.
In Kerala’s famously fierce political battles, this survey suggests the pendulum may be swinging back. Whether the final verdict matches these numbers or throws up another surprise, one thing is clear, the 2026 Assembly elections are shaping up to be one of the most keenly watched contests in the state’s history.
