News Broadcasting
Orange, Endemol bring ringtone chart to UK telly
MUMBAI: Orange and Endemol are teaming up to produce a network ITV series called Orange Playlist, according to reports appearing in a section of the European media.
Orange has struck a deal with ITV1 and the production company behind Big Brother, Endemol, to screen the music chart of mobile ringtones. The weekly show – Orange Playlist – will be paid for in part by the France Telecom-parented mobile operator and would be coming to UK TV screens from the end of next month.
The show will air in a late-night slot from 23 September and is scheduled to run for six months. Each episode will feature an interview with a celebrity on five songs they have chosen in five predefined categories: the past, the present, the future, a dedication and the celebrity’s all-time favourite track.
The relevant music videos will be played around their choices and the format will also include a run-down of the top fives in the singles, download and ringtones charts.
The show aims at a younger audience and viewers will be encouraged to send texts and picture messages to the programme with the best appearing on screen.
The Orange Playlist isn’t the first attempt to capitalise on music’s success – ringtone sales now beat CD single sales – in new media formats. Virgin and Napster announced last week they would be offering an online music chart, to hit the market just days before the Beeb’s own download offering.
The emergence of new ringtone and music download charts confirms the rising importance of these media, which are growing rapidly at the expense of CD sales.
News Broadcasting
Parikshit Luthra exits CNBC-TV18 after 20-year run
Former bureau chief to take brief pause before next role
NEW DELHI: Senior journalist Parikshit Luthra has signed off from CNBC-TV18, marking 28 February 2026 as his final day and closing nearly two decades with Network18 Media & Investments Limited, including eight years at the business news channel.
During his tenure, Luthra interviewed prominent business leaders and Union ministers, reporting on economic policy, corporate strategy, the automobile sector and financial markets. His coverage spanned key inflection points in India’s economic narrative.
He also led new programming formats such as Newscentre, Global Eye and Global Lens, shows that examined politics and foreign policy through an economic prism, reflecting the channel’s push towards globally linked business reporting.
In a LinkedIn post, Luthra said his final weeks were spent covering the Union Budget, the India AI Summit, India’s trade agreements with the US and EU, and the group’s flagship Rising Bharat Summit 2026. He added that he continued anchoring until his last day and briefly met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his closing assignments.
Luthra joined CNBC-TV18 in June 2018 as assistant editor, later rising to senior editor and chief of bureau, a position he held for over two years. Before that, he worked with Republic TV and CNN-News18.
He said he plans to take a short break before embarking on his next professional chapter.
