News Broadcasting
Sony announces Katial’s appointment as exec V-P prog & response
MUMBAI: It’s official! Tarun Katial has joined Sony Entertainment Television as the executive vice president – programming & response.
Katial, according to a company release, is to oversee the channel’s creative content, programming and on-air promotions. Interestingly, despite Katial’s being at the same level in terms of designation (as executive V-P), the release makes it clear he will be reporting to Sunil Lulla, executive vice-president and business head of SET.
Sony Entertainment Television Network’s chief executive officer, Kunal Dasgupta offers, “Tarun brings with him valuable experience in programming. As a member of Sunil’s team, he is tasked with driving Sony Entertainment Television’s programming profile and I am sure, he will add enormously to the momentum of the channel.”
Says Lulla, “Tarun’s creative drive will further catalyze the channels process of growth. I do believe we will see significant innovations and breakthrough programming in the year to come.
As for Katial himself, who has been in the denial mode ever since reports first surfaced that he was joining Sony, is quoted as saying, “I am happy to join Sony Entertainment Television and believe it will expand my portfolio of work and creativity. It provides me with a stimulating challenge to create a differentiated product offering and help the brand grow to newer heights.”
Hailing from a media & communications background, Tarun has worked with leading advertising firms of the country including Saatchi & Saatchi, Nexus Lowe and Ogilvy & Mather. He last held the position of senior vice-president – Content & Communications at Star Network.
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
