News Broadcasting
Sony’s new line-up ready for rollout
MUMBAI: Sony Entertainment Television’s post -Lagaan offerings are ready and waiting for launch.
Next week the channel launches four new shows which form part of its new signature line Ab Ayega Mazaa. (first reported about in indiantelevision.com on 4 October).
The new serials packaged in the Ab Ayega Mazzaa campaign include Goonj ateet ki , Kali Shakti , Kabhi Biwi Kabhi Jasoos (KBKJ), the new series of Achanak 30 Saal Baad and the sitcom Papa Ban Gaye Hero( PBGH).
“The new shows are designed to strengthen our prime time franchise , which is the (8- 9 pm) band. Our checkerboard programming offers variety, appealing to the entire family across the week and is designed to bring in new audiences,” says SET India executive V-P Sunil Lulla.
“PBGH will be replacing the Madhuri Dixit anchored superflop matchmaker show Kahin na Kahin Koi hai. We are revamping the 8 pm to 9 pm band,” adds SET’s director on-air programming Anupama Mandloi.
PBGH, is a comedy based on an unassuming, henpecked husband played by Vijay Raaz (Mr Dubey of Monsoon Wedding) who becomes a film star. Concentrating on the fact that every individual nurtures a desire to be a hero at some point in his or her life, it brings about humouros situations which the family encompasses while trying to cope with the newly generated lifestyle. The serial’s star cast includes Mandira Bedi who plays Vijay’s wife, Dara Singh, who plays Vijay’s father and Rakesh Bedi playing the role of Vijay’s boss.
“We want to venture away from the saas-bahu shows based on rich families as people are getting over such shows.We are concentraing on shows which people can identify with,” says producer of PBGH , Sanjay Kohli.
“However , the duration of the show depends on the TRP currency it earns. After delivering hits like Family No. 1 which coincidentally had the same team, we are confident of this sitcom following suit,” he added.
PBGH premieres 4 November and will be air on Mondays at 8:30 pm.
Kabhi Biwi Kabhi Jasoos , a comic thriller, is the story of Sushma Jawahar Singh (played by Supriya Pilgaonkar) who, apart from being a housewife, doubles up as a detective. However, her family is not aware of her dual life and this leads to some comic situations as she juggles between her two teen-aged kids, an ultra busy husband and her detective work.
The show premieres 5 November and will air Tuesdays from 8:00 to 9:00 pm.
Goonj Ateet Ki , a weekly soap, is the story of a large joint Nair family in Kerala, which has lived under the spell of a curse for the past 200 years, a spell that afflicts only the male members of the family. A matriarchal society , the story revolves around Amma whose husband has been paralysed for the last twenty years and her four sons and their families.
The show premieres on 6 November 2002 and will air on Wednesdays at 8:30 pm.
Commenting on the new shows slated for the season, SET V-P programming and production , Nachiket Pantvaidya says: “We believe in giving a choice to our audience. We have three other shows which are distinct from what our competitive channels show during that slot. “
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
