News Broadcasting
Space TV inches closer to climax?
MUMBAI: Ministry of company affairs has rejected most of the contentions of the information and broadcasting ministry relating to Space TV application, while upholding a clause on affirmative rights (to say `yes’ or `no’ to a board decision) of the minority shareholder.
In its comment sent to the I&B ministry (reference: File 3/20/2005/CL-IInd), the company affairs ministry has said that except section 2, dealing with affirmative right of the minority shareholder, other issues raised by I&B don’t cut much ice.
With this, government sources pointed out, the ministry of consumer affairs has submitted its comments on one of the DTH applications, while it grapples with that of Sun TV’s, which too has come under government scanner.
Interestingly, various issues raised by the I&B ministry relating to Space TV and Sun ‘s DTH applications were not brought up when pubcaster Doordarshan started its DTH service.
Technically speaking, some of the DTH guidelines clauses should have brought DD Direct Plus too under a cloud.
Meanwhile, the ministry of company affairs does agree that the clause relating to the affirmative rights of Star Group — having almost a veto power regarding board decisions of Space TV — could be questioned.
According to Indian laws, a shareholder needs to have at least 26 per cent holding in a joint venture to have veto rights on board decisions. The affirmative rights clause in the Space TV shareholders’ agreement is similar to this clause wherein the minority shareholder has the right to accept or refuse board
decision with 20 per cent stake only.
Space TV, envisaging putting up a Rs. 16 billion DTH project in India, is a 80:20 joint venture between the Tatas and the Rupert Murdoch-controlled Star Group.
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.
