News Broadcasting
Sahara aims at share of lifestyle programming pie
MUMBAI: Sahara Manoranjan has not tried lifestyle programming till now, but is now aiming to go full throttle at it with a fashion magazine show hosted by VJ and actor Malaika Arora Khan.
Slated as part of the channel’s weekend programming, the Malaika show is likely to have one telecast on Sunday mornings. Her presence on the channel is aimed at attracting younger viewers to this entertainment channel. The other show targeted at younger viewers, Saathiya, too goes on air on 19 July, and will run Mondays to Thursdays at 8.30 pm, in place of the outgoing Zindagi Teri Meri Kahani.
While Malaika will add the necessary glamour quotient to the Sahara Manoranjan programming, another mega show, Chandramukhi (directed by Sunil Agnihotri, who earlier created the opus Chandrakanta) has also commenced shooting. Produced by Applause Entertainment, this show is expected to go on air in the coming few months.
Sahara officials also confirm that Malini Iyer, the Sridevi starrer that was expected to create waves but has caused hardly any ripples in television programming, is due for a revamp by September. The programming revamp at Sahara Manoranjan is being phased in gradually, and more changes could be in order as the management contract deal struck with Percept D’Mark takes shape in the following weeks.
Officials also confirm that pre-production work has begun on a Hindi quiz show to be produced by ace quizmaster Sidhartha Basu’s company, Synergy Productions. Basu, however, will this time not be seen in front of the camera, but will restrict himself to wielding the director’s cap.
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.
