News Broadcasting
Star, ABP to pool inputs to boost Star News
MUMBAI: After a recent visit of News Corp chairman Rupert Murdoch to India, Star is looking at sharing more with its Indian partner global experiences relating to news. In this regard, Star India COO Sameer Nair may play an important role.
Sources in Star India confirmed to Indiantelevision.com that after Murdoch’s visit to India and subsequent deliberations, this development was given final shape, which, however, doesn’t upset the management control of Kolkata-based ABP group over Star News.
Star News is managed by a 74:26 joint venture (Media Content & Communications Services India Pvt Ltd) between ABP group and Star Group. When contacted both Nair and ABP owner-cum-MCCS chairman Aveek Sarkar refused comment on the developments.
At present, it is not clear how Nair would play an increased role in Star News’ operations. Star is currently represented on the Indian board through Star India CEO Peter Mukerjea and CFO G Subramanium, while the company’s president, corporate affairs, Nitin Atroley, is a special invitee. For practical purpose, Atroley attends most MCCS board meetings.
Star News ad sales, being done by Star India till last year, is now a responsibility of MCCS, while the distribution continues to be with Star India.
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.
