News Broadcasting
Sahara Samay to get a makeover
MUMBAI: Subroto Roy promoted Sahara Group’s news channels that operate under the brand name Sahara Samay are getting ready for a makeover.
The brand name ‘Sahara’ is likely to be dropped from all its news channels later this month, says an industry source.
Each channel will possibly carry the tag of the region it is targeting without the brand name Sahara, adds the source. The channels are currently called Sahara Samay Mumbai, Sahara Samay Bihar & Jharkhand, etc.
“Such proposals are being seriously considered and a decision is to be taken soon. The Samay title is likely to stay,” the source said.
Sahara Samay editor-in-chief Punya Prasun Bajpai declined to comment on the likelihood of dropping the brand name by the Group for its news channels.
Bajpai, however, confirmed that the news channels would don a new look and the studio sets would also get a makeover.
When Sahara launched a movie channel, it decided to have Filmy as the brand name; it did not engage ‘Sahara’ preceding the name of the channel.
Sahara Samay has recently refurbished its editorial team with former Aaj Tak executive editor Punya Prasun Bajpai joining the network; several others particularly from Aaj Tak have also been taken in.
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.
