News Broadcasting
Radio City extends ‘Suno Aurr…’ first run
MUMBAI: While rival radio channels have decided to take a breather from the game shows that flooded the airwaves over a month back, Radio City that staked claim to being the first to have conceived of the idea, is persevering.
Although the initial six week run of Suno Aurr Lakhpati Bano was expected to end this week, the station has decided to run it for at least three more weeks, till end November. This follows an enthusiastic response from listeners and advertisers alike, says Radio City COO Sumantra Dutta.
An estimated 3,50,000 people have been calling in every day to answer questions posed hourly in superstar Amitabh Bachchan’s voice, he claims. The figure has shot up after Diwali, persuading the radio station to carry the programme till the end of November, although Dutta had, during the launch, said that budgetary constraints would permit only an initial six week run. Since the programme started on 7 October, over 10 million have called in, says Dutta.
The initiative has brought in the much needed advertising from the retail sector as well. Although unwilling to divulge details, Dutta says that retail advertising on Radio City, next to nil five months ago, has taken at least a 30 per cent jump.
While Radio Mirchi has wound up its ‘lakhpati’ contest pending its forthcoming Tambola game, and Win has also stopped its game show after an initial run, Radio City seems gung ho about Suno Aurr…. While the last entrant, RED FM has promised a fresh lineup of sports and movie based programming apart from the usual mix of songs, Radio City too has a few aces up its sleeve – including sports programming to herald the cricket World Cup early next year and radio versions of hit soaps run on sibling Star Plus. Dutta however has his lips sealed for the time being.
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.
