News Broadcasting
News18 India launches original web series ‘FIR No. 208’
Mumbai: In a first for an Indian news channel, News18 India has announced the launch of its original web series, FIR No. 208, which premieres on 3 February.
Conceptualised and hosted by News18 India’s managing editor Kishore Ajwani, FIR No. 208 showcases the web of deceit spun by Sukesh Chandrashekhar and his crimes that were not exposed in the public domain till now. News18 India will reveal the inside story of Chandrashekhar, who duped his victims out of tens of crores of rupees until his arrest in 2022.
News18 India has produced this five-episode web series in a tell-all narrative, which features real people and actual locations. The narrators featured in the show are investigators from the Delhi Police and Enforcement Directorate, journalists who reported Chandrashekhar’s cases, his victims, employees of his companies and other individuals who had real encounters with the conman. The show delves into the mind of Chandrashekhar, who enticed Bollywood stars and looted crores of rupees, among other things.
Speaking about News18 India’s foray into web series, Kishore Ajwani said, “This is the first ever web series produced by an Indian news channel. Being a news media company, we know inside details of Chandrashekhar’s escapades with the common man, Bollywood stars and prominent industrialists and their wives. This helps us explore the murky depths of this conman’s mind and show our viewers the true story. This has been a project I have been associated with from the drawing board to hosting, through production and I am sure that our viewers will love the format in which my team and I are delivering this story.”
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.
