News Broadcasting
Tech-driven TV piracy rampant: report
MUMBAI: Guess whom the huge US television networks are most at risk from? None other than their fans.
As fans increasingly turn towards downloaded video content from the file sharing peer-to-peer networks it’s the huge TV networks that are taking a beating.
A report released by the US-based media services company Mangla Global reveals that consumers’ use of peer-to-peer has recently increased over a period of time.
And those who are most affected by this trend are US TV networks. As the US shows are aired in countries like UK after months of their original telecast, fans bypass the delay by watching the pirated versions downloaded through peer-to-peer networks like BitTorrent.
A three-fold rise in the downloads of the popular TV show 24 on BitTorrent networks bears out the findings of the report. The downloads showed an increase from an average of 35,000 per episode in the 2003-2004 season to 95,000 for the 2004-2005 season.
Quoting a February survey by the UK-based peer-to-peer traffic monitoring company Envisional, the report lists out the 10 most popular pirated TV downloads worldwide as — 24, Stargate Atlantis, The Simpsons, Enterprise, Stargate SG-1, The O.C., Smallville, Desperate Housewives, Battlestar Galactica, and Lost.
BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer protocol designed to transfer files. Users connect directly to send and receive portions of a file, while a central tracker coordinates the action of all peers and manages connections without knowledge of the contents of the files being distributed.
With the new technology-driven trend gaining popularity, marketers happen to be one worried lot. This is because TV shows available on peer-to-peer networks are commercial-free. But Magna Global vice-president, director of industry analysis Brian Wieser still feels that advertisers will be able to turnaround things by reaching consumers who use file-sharing networks.
One suggestion is to spread branded entertainment, virally, throughout the networks. Marketers can also take up distribution of individual songs or videos through a website.
The report criticises the entertainment industry’s defence-oriented stance in taking on the technology. It points out that tactics like placing decoy copies of programmes and lawsuits can only delay the inevitable.
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. AICC’s Praveen Chakravarty weighs ‘Power Sharing vs Principles’, while former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan joins the fray. 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.
