News Broadcasting
Pix looks to grow further through original content
MUMBAI: It has been a little over four months since Sony’s English movie channel Pix went on air. The channel positions itself as being different from the competition by airing films which tell a good story, regardless of when they were made.
In July, to add variety the channel launched the interview based show Inside The Actors Studio. Now it is looking at putting out original content.
Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Pix business head Sunder Aaron says, “We are looking to have two, perhaps three shows of our own on air some time after the Diwali festival. We are looking at talk shows and other concepts. It could be Bollywood stars talking about their favourite Hollywood films. We are also looking at a show that examines current trends in film, both in India and abroad.
“We are also looking to do reviews of current films. In the future we will acquire films from independent and medium sized studios. Our main focus is on whether a film tells a strong story. After all, a big budget, big name stars, costly visual effects do not necessarily make for a great film.”
Aaron also claims that in terms of GRPs and reach Pix is ahead of Zee Studio. “There is still room for improvement here though. We have received an encouraging response from cities like Bangalore and Chennai.” Not surprisingly, information available with Indiantelevision.com indicates that Pix had to pay carriage fee to cable operators so as to ensure that the channel had adequate visbility among viewers.
Says Aaron, “We will now go out to the market and target media agencies to advertise on Pix. We waited to establish our distribution as well as viewership. Our audience is not the teenager who likes flashy blockbusters.
“It focusses on the discerning viewer. While our TG is 15-44, time will tell whether our channel attracts an older set of viewers (25+) compared to the competition.”
Pix has also rolled out a marketing campaign which is in the form of among other aspect hoardings. It is being done in the six metros. The message is that the channel watches many movies before handpicking a few for the viewer. The aim is to convey the message that a lot of thought goes into choosing films for that select audience that wants and expects only the best. There are also radio spots. Pix also has a presence in multiplexes in the form of slides and a radio programme. Pix also has an on-air competition. Viewers can answer simple questions by sending an SMS to 2525.
When asked whether Pix is becoming associated with nostalgia, Aaron said that while that may partly be the case, people watch it and stay with it for the stories. “When we brought actor Will Smith down for the launch of the channel, he said that it was Pix’s commitment to storytelling that attracted him to it. He felt that there was a need on the part of Hollywood to get back to the basics of solid storytelling. Perosnally, I am happy to see that this is the case. The films that were nominated for the best picture Oscar this year all had strong stories.”
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
