News Broadcasting
SaharaOne initiates prime time revamp; 8 shows on the anvil
MUMBAI: SaharaOne Television is about to make a big splash in the Hindi General Entertainment Channel (GEC) space by introducing not less than eight new programmes. The channel, having set an ambitious 2006-end target of achieving the third position in the market, hopes a near complete revamp of the sensitive 8 pm to 11 pm prime time band would drive the turnaround.
“By the end of 2006, we want to become the third most successful general entertainment channel in the Hindi space. We will be unleashing a series of programming activities in the coming weeks. Two new soaps Kuch Apne Kuch Paraye and Solhah Singaarr will start the proceedings and four more soaps will be launched in the prime time band. The picture will be complete with the introduction of two big ticket format shows,” Sahara One Media and Entertainment Limited CEO Shantonu Aditya tells indiantelevision.com.
The channel’s most successful soap Woh Rehne Waali Mehlon Ki will however escape the revamp exercise. Another prime time soap Hare Kkaanch Ki Choodiyan is giving way for Solhah Singaarr. SaharaOne is yet to decide the slot for Kuch Apne Kuch Paraye, according to Aditya.
Speaking on the reality shows in the pipeline, Aditya said the channel was yet to finalise certain details and would be sharing information on the initiatives at a later period. However he hinted that one of the reality shows planned would be celebrity-based.
“We had been planning to launch a celeb-based reality dance show Superstars. But, looking at the way the existing celeb dance shows are faring in the rating charts, we have decided to take a re-look at Superstars,” Aditya says.
When the sliding market share of SahraOne (based on July to September CS4+ HSM Tam ratings) is brought to his attention, Aditya counters by saying that the channel has already been showing signs of a good comeback.
“Last week, we have improved our GRPs to 87 from 60 of the previous week. The reach has been improved to 51 per cent. Our belief is that the latest programming efforts, backed by the strong movie properties we have, will strengthen the channel’s position tremendously,” he says.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Kolkata Town Hall on Hooghly River
‘Bhalobasa Bengal Inspiring Bharat’ event on April 20 brings cultural icons, trailblazing women and leaders aboard a cruise to celebrate Bengal’s enduring influence.
MUMBAI: Bengal is about to make fresh waves on the Hooghly and this time the current is pure conversation. CNN-News18 is taking its iconic Town Hall format to the waters of the iconic Hooghly River on 20 April 2026 with a special edition titled ‘Bhalobasa Bengal – Inspiring Bharat’. The floating event will celebrate the state’s rich cultural legacy and how its ideas, creativity and spirit continue to shape the rest of the country.
The unique riverside setting draws on Bengal’s history as a cradle of reform, art and intellectual thought. The speaker line-up mirrors that diversity: cultural heavyweights Mithun Chakraborty and Sreenanda Shankar will share the stage with trailblazing “Devis” such as Tanya Sanyal (India’s first woman firefighter in aviation), Ipsita Chakraborty (Kolkata’s first woman bartender) and Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi (Nari Shakti awardee and marine pilot). Music will flow through the celebrated pianist-vocalist duo Sourendro and Soumyojit, while public life and governance will be represented by Smriti Irani, Leander Paes, Saira Shah Halim, Keya Ghosh, Rekha Patra, Roopa Ganguly and Babul Supriyo.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director, Rahul Shivshankar, said the event honours voices that carry Bengal’s legacy forward. Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News, Network18, added that Bengal’s stories resonate far beyond its borders, especially as the state heads into polls.
From the first woman to battle flames in the skies to legendary actors who shaped Indian cinema, the gathering promises a rich mix of inspiration, courage and candid dialogue. In a city where culture has always flowed as freely as the river itself, CNN-News18 is turning the Hooghly into a floating forum for ideas that matter.
Tune in on 20 April on CNN-News18, CTV and YouTube to catch Bengal’s heartbeat in full flow.
