News Broadcasting
SPE Networks Asia introduces structural changes at AXN & Animax
MUMBAI: The two channels from the SPE Networks Asia stable, AXN Asia and Animax Asia have undergone a re-organisation with new hires and promotions of key personnel. A strategic attempt by the organisation to facilitate expansion and boost the channel profiles in the region.
AXN director-programming Wong Yan-Jong, has been promoted to executive director and will oversee the programming of AXN Asia and manage the functions of marketing and creative services. The enlarged portfolio will give her a bird’s eye view of the brand, ensuring consistency in strategy planning right through to the execution of on-air and off-air activities, informs an official release.
Also within the AXN team, Kartik Budhraja has been promoted from senior producer to associate director of creative services at AXN. He leads a team of producers for various feeds including East Asia, Taiwan, Korea and India.
At Animax, vice-president Asia Betty Tsui will similarly oversee the critical functions of programming, marketing and creative services, as well as conquering new markets to expand the channel’s reach.
The Animax brand was given a new look and image in June 2006 and in its effort to ensure a smooth execution of the revamp, two significant additions were made to the Animax team -Judy Chow is the new marketing director; while Garry Hui joins as the associate director for programming. Together, they will have the responsibilty to identify programmes and marketing initiatives that will connect and interact with today’s youths, adds the release.
In addition, Tracy Wong was promoted from senior producer to associate director of creative services, overseeing on-air activities for Animax across all feeds, including the launch of the new on-air branding. Prior to February 2006, Tracy was the senior producer for AXN East Asia feed, where she showcased her creativity through various on-air campaigns that garnered numerous awards, including two Gold awards at Promax Asia 2005.
Also, a new affiliate marketing manager has been hired to take care of affiliate marketing – Shyanne Chao joins SPE Networks Asia from StarHub, and will be dealing with cable partners around the region.
These structural changes come in response to the organization’s attempts to consolidate the programming and brand marketing of their two channel brands during last three months.
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.
