News Broadcasting
Reality TV goes in for localisation in India
MUMBAI: Reality TV, an entertainment channel that entered India in 2003, depicts stories of real people in real life situations and shows events as they actually happened. Now Reality has taken steps towards localisation of the channel in India by way of introducing fillers.
The fillers — captured thrilling and astonishing true life vignettes — will be aired on the channel starting in the end of this month. These three-minute India-specific creative fillers cover a variety of themes and each one of these would be a stark portrayal of the unconventional Indian.
Four-limbed writer, candle haircutter, electricity man and supernatural woman are among the ones to make a debut on the channel. These fillers have been shot in ten different locations across the country and have been produced in India in collaboration with Zonsta Creation, stated the press release.
Chief programming officer of Reality TV Chris Sharp said, “The encouraging response received from the audience in India has helped us take this step towards localisation of the channel. This further reaffirms our commitment to providing a complete entertainment channel to our viewers. These fillers will carry forth our tradition of providing non-stop real-life entertainment. The production of these fillers is part of several other initiatives, which we will be undertaking to get closer to our audiences in the country.”
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.
