News Broadcasting
Trai exempts Chennai from CAS denotification list
NEW DELHI: Broadcast and telecom regulator today said that its order, ratified by the government, denotifying conditional access from the four metros would not be valid in Chennai as a court order has stayed the
denotification there.
AIt has also removed any distinction between CAS and non-CAS areas saying that for such erstwhile notified mandatory CAS areas,where CAS was not actually implemented, the ceiling of 26 December, 2003, will
continue.
Trai had frozen cable services rates as of 26 December till further notice. Subsequently, its recommendation to denotify CAS in the four metros for three months was also upheld by the government.
In a clarification note issued today, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai)said, Except Chennai Metropolitan Area, where interim stay has been granted
by Madras (Chennai) high court in writ petition numbers 4863, 4890, 4936 and 4919 of 2004,the Order shall cover tariffs for all Telecommunication (Broadcasting and
Cable)Services throughout the territory of India as also those originating in India or outside India and terminating in India.
Trai has further stated that for those areas where CAS was implemented, like in Chennai, CAS may continue on a voluntary basis.
For erstwhile notified mandatory CAS areas where CAS was implemented, the Authority recognises that CAS may continue on a voluntary basis and in such a case the ceiling would again be the rates prevailing on 26 December, 2003,which the Authority recognises may have been lower than the rates in non-CASareas, the Trai note sates.
TRAI has added that the notification issued today is not applicable for Chennai Metropolitan Area on account of
stay granted by a local high court.
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.
