News Broadcasting
Rajdeep, NDTV CFO to take up new assignment next week
MUMBAI: NDTV today confirmed that managing editor Rajdeep Sardesai and CFO Sameer Manchanda have put in their papers.
Both Sardesai and Manchanda, who had been given counter offers from NDTV that were politely turned down, will be taking up their new assignments from early next week.
While a senior NDTV executive confirmed that “Rajdeep and Sameer have decided to try out newer opportunities in which we wish them well,” Sardesai told Indiantelevision.com today evening, “I have put in my papers today and my last day is Monday. There’s no turning back for the moment.”
Sardesai added that he’s still very emotional about NDTV where he has worked over 10 years now.
It has also been confirmed that in a new start-up, where Sardesai will be the editor-in-chief, apart from holding part equity, the Raghav Bahl-promoted Television Eighteen Ltd will be the main strategic investor.
This start-up, as reported by Indiantelevision.com yesterday, will manage new TV news and infotainment channels to be put on air.
The markets seem to have reacted positively to this development for one of the companies concerned. TV18 scrip opened on the Bombay Stock Exchange at Rs. 230 to finish the day at Rs. 245.65. NDTV shares opened at Rs. 184.95 and closed at Rs. 164.60.
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.
