News Broadcasting
Reliance Capital to pick up 18% in Bloomberg UTV
MUMBAI: Reliance Capital, part of billionaire Anil Ambani’s empire, is snapping up an 18 per cent interest in business news channel Bloomberg UTV for an undisclosed amount.
Bloomberg has already applied to the FIPB (Foreign Investment Promotion Board) for a 15 per cent stake in the channel.
Reliance Capital is buying the stake from the promoters of Bloomberg UTV. Founder-promoter Ronnie Screwvala and associates will, thus, hold the remaining 67 per cent stake.
Meanwhile, rumours spread that Ambit would also be picking up a stake. Ambit Group CEO Ashok Wadhwa, however, denied such a move. “We acted as the advisor to the transaction. We are not picking up any stake in Bloomberg UTV. That is not a business we are in,” Wadhwa told Indiantelevision.com.
Reliance Capital has existing investments in Network18 (which operates CNBC TV18, CNN-IBN, IBN7, Colors and Awaaz channels) and TV Today network (which operates Aaj Tak and Headlines Today).
The Reliance Group has 15.49 per cent stake in TV Today, according to data available till 31 March 2010. It also holds 2.09 per cent in Network18 and 4.99 per cent in IBN18.
The investment will form part of Reliance Capital’s exposure to the fast growing and high potential media sector.
Bloomberg UTV is a strategic partnership between Bloomberg L.P., the global leader in business information, and the founders of UTV, one of India’s leading integrated media and entertainment enterprises.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
