News Broadcasting
Times Global Broadcasting sets up distribution team
MUMBAI: With the launch date drawing nearer, Times Global Broadcasting Co Ltd, the joint venture news broadcasting company of The Times of India Group and Reuters, has inducted key executives to manage the distribution of its English news channel.
Times Global Broadcasting V-P and business head Partho Das Gupta confirmed the following appointments to indiantelevision.com:
Deepak Agarwal has joined Times Global Broadcasting as DGM affiliate network, west zone. He will be based in Mumbai. Agarwal had a long association with MTV Networks and Times of India Group. Agarwal was instrumental in launching channels such as religious channel Sanskar and the southern-music channel SS Music.
Managing the north and east is Tapas Roy who has joined as DGM affiliate network, North. Roy is an import from Sahara India Media & Entertainment’s (SIME). He was previously associated with SitiCable and has also had stints with BBC World and Star India.
Ramesh N, yet another distribution professional from MTV Networks, would be based out of Bangalore, to take charge of the distribution business of the south market as group manager affiliate network. Ramesh has worked with the Zee Turner Group and MEN-ESPN.
The company is likely to inducted few more in due course of time.
Earlier this quarter, Reuters acquired 26 per cent equity stake in The Times Global Broadcasting Co Ltd. The industry media observers signify that the promoters wish to have a global presence with the proposed news channel.
To begin with, industry sources indicated, the yet-to-be named news channel would first spread its wings to South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries before embarking on further international expansion. Das Gupta would, however, offer no comment in this regard.
Meanwhile, in a bid to capitalize on the equity of the Times brand, one of the names being toyed with for the channel is Times Global, informed sources aver. According to sources, Times has received the green-signal for its uplinking licence and is eyeing a mid-September launch for the channel.
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.
