News Broadcasting
Pak may beam Indian channels again
MUMBAI: Two weeks after I&B minister RS Prasad exhorted Pakistan to allow the return of Indian satellite channels into its airwaves, come reports that the country is poised to lift the ban on Indian TV channels.
Citing the improving diplomatic relations between the two nations as the driving force for the change of heart, Pakistan’s Daily Times quotes the Cable Operators Association of Pakistan as saying that a formal announcement was awaited shortly. “However, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has still not told us when it was going to lift the ban,” the report quotes association vice president Tahir Khan as saying. Indian satellite channels have been officially banned in Pakistan since December 2001, after the attack on the Indian Parliament prompted both countries to suspend pleasantries.
While the demand for these channels, particularly general entertainment channels like Star Plus, Sony and Zee, is huge, the Pakistan government’s strictures had prevented the cable ops from openly airing them, prompting cable ops to say that they had been incurring huge losses. The Daily Times now indicates that Islamabad has no objection to lifting the ban on channels dedicated to family entertainment. News channels would also be allowed in, in a phased manner, the report indicates.
“Indian entertainment channels are popular with Pakistanis and can help the cable operators continue their business,” the newspaper quotes Khan as saying, pointing out that subscriptions to cable TV were falling rapidly for lack of Indian channels. In 2003, many cable ops in Pakistan switched off five news channels – CNN, BBC, ARY, Geo and Indus News – in protest against the government’s continuing ban on Indian channels.
At at the 10th international conference of the Broadcast Engineering Society in New Delhi this month, Prasad had hinted that the Pakistani government should lift the ban on Indian TV channels and help in the free flow of information, helping the confidence building process between the two countries.
Incidentally, Sardar Irfan Ashraf and Shahzad Munawar Khan, general manager and assistant general manager, respectively, of Pemra, are scheduled to be in Kolkata this week for the annual cable TV show, being organised by the Cable Television Equipment Traders & Manufacturers Association (Cetma).
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
