News Broadcasting
Sunset+Vine to cover horse racing for BBC
MUMBAI: BBC Sport has announced that it has awarded the contract to produce over 60 hours of horse racing coverage to Sunset+Vine.
The two year contract will see Sunset+Vine producing coverage from Aintree, Ascot, Chepstow, Epsom, Goodwood, Haydock, and Uttoxeter for BBC One and BBC Two. The production of the Grand National, The Derby and Royal Ascot will stay with BBC Sport production.
Sunset+Vine is owned by The Television Corporation. It claims to have a strong track record in live innovative sport production. The company produces Channel 4 Cricket, which has so far won 17 industry awards. It also produces Five’s entire sports coverage. Sunset+Vine also owns Hawk-Eye. The award winning ball-tracking technology now used worldwide for tennis and cricket coverage.
BBC’s general sport head Barbara Slater said, “In the face of fierce competition, Sunset+Vine produced a thoroughly impressive bid. Their commitment to collaborative working, innovation and creativity is second to none and we believe that they are the right partners to work with in continuing the BBC’s high standards of racing coverage.’
The BBC has been reviewing its independent quota as it ensures it meets the statutory obligation to commission at least 25 per cent of its television programmes from independent producers. Putting horse racing out to an independent production company will see BBC Sport substantially increase its contribution to this target. A company release stated that the move will have no impact on the number of hours of horse racing broadcast.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
