News Broadcasting
TV channels announce special programming line-up for Independence Day
Mumbai: Patriotic fervour is at an all-time high as the country is looking forward to celebrating its 75th Independence Day on Sunday. Joining the celebration, TV channels across genres have come up with special programming.
Here is what’s all in store this 15 August:
News18 India’s ‘75 Saal Bemisaal’
In addition to the live coverage of prime minister Narendra Modi’s speech from the historic Red Fort on 15 August, News 18 India has put together a bouquet of special shows (airing 14 and 15 August) to mark the event.
Under the umbrella programming ‘75 Saal Bemisaal’, anchor Prateek Trivedi will host a special episode from Srinagar saluting the spirit of bravery and nationalism of India’s valiant BSF soldiers. The channel will also present a unique journey to the decks of INS Vikrant – the country’s first indigenous aircraft carrier.
Next in line will be a thought-provoking discussion where critically acclaimed actor Ashutosh Rana, lyricist Manoj Muntashir and author-historian Vikram Sampat will share their views about today’s youth and their issues, nationalism in the current context, and unsung heroes of India’s freedom struggle News18 anchor and editor Amish Devgan will host the show. Renowned poets like Pratap Fauzdar, Sudeep Bhola, Gaurav Chauhan and Hemant Pandey will add a flavour of humour to the celebrations in another programme.
ABP News homage to martyrs: ‘Jhanda Uncha Rahe Humara’
ABP News will pay tribute to the martyrs on its Independence Day-special event ‘Jhanda Uncha Rahe Humara’. Renowned actors Ajay Devgn and Sharad Kelkar along with writer and lyricist Majon Muntashir will be present as chief guests on the show
‘Jhanda Uncha Rahe Hamara’ is an initiative by ABP News that captures the true spirit of patriotism. It was launched to reinforce the patriotic fervour of the nation and to uphold the values of bravery, courage, and independence. The event has been running successfully on ABP News since the past seven years, having delivered many memorable editions that have reinforced the pride of being Indian.
This edition of ‘Jhanda Uncha Rahe Hamara’ focused on celebrating the contributions made by the armed forces and paramilitary personnel in the past one year. Soldiers from Indian Army, NDRF, Indian Air Force, CRPF, and DRDO were felicitated at the event. Top brands including Asian Paints, Keo Karpin, Nine, Paras Ghee, and Wonder Cement supported the initiative.
The event will be aired on ABP News at 8 p.m on 14 August. There will be a repeat telecast at 4 p.m on 15 August.
CNN-News18 ‘GLORIUS 74’ commemorates milestone 75th year of freedom
CNN-News18 has lined up special programming ‘GLORIOUS74’ to commemorate the country’s milestone 75th year of freedom. Through it, the channel will celebrate and honour the seven decades of Indian independence and the glorious history of its people, culture and their achievements, every day 8 p.m onwards from 9-15 August.
The array of programming on CNN-News18 will comprise exclusive newsmaker interviews and engaging small formats to keep the patriotism quotient high. Executive editor Anand Narasimhan will host discussions with renowned personalities such as Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev and Kailash Kher who will highlight their idea of India along with the progress and developments the country has seen over the last seven decades. The channel will also share interesting snippets from India’s journey to independence throughout the day providing an informative, interactive and innovative television experience.
On 15 August, CNN-News18 will live telecast the prime minister’s speech from the Red Fort.
AajTak special program ‘Jai Ho’ celebrates India’s Olympic heroes
AajTak is celebrating Independence Day with a day-long special program ‘Jai-Ho’ honouring the 2020 Tokyo Olympics medal winners.
Airing 14 August, ‘Jai Ho’ promises insightful and candid conversations with Neeraj Chopra Bajrang Punia, Ravi Dahiya, PV Sindhu, Mirabai Chanu, Lovlina Borgohain and the Indian men’s hockey team, in their own spaces and sporting arenas.
NAT GEO premieres ‘Buried Seeds’ – the inspiring Indian Chef Vikas Khanna
National Geographic will be celebrating this Independence Day with the premiere of “Buried Seeds” – the life story of Michelin chef Vikas Khanna. Directed and produced by contemporary filmmaker Andrei Severny, the film traces the star chef’s journey from his beginnings as a child with misaligned feet to the man who took Indian cuisine to the world. It is a timeless and true story of human passion and willpower.
Khanna narrates the incredible story of how he learned to walk and won people’s hearts with the magic of his cooking. Along the way, he becomes one of the most influential chefs in the world and a cultural ambassador of India. The film also captures the true essence of Indian culture, heritage, and customs through kaleidoscopic visuals of India, with all the beauty, bonding, and sacrifices made by an Indian family to fulfill the dream of their child.
The film premieres on 15 August at 9 p.m on National Geographic in India.
discovery+ launch of Mission Frontline with Sara Ali Khan
After the success of the first chapter of “Mission Frontline” with Rana Daggubati, discovery+ will be launching the “Mission Frontline” with Sara Ali Khan on the occasion of Independence Day. The special show gives the audiences a glimpse into the lives of the Veerangana force – an all-women commando unit of India set up by the Assam Police in 2012 to tackle grave issues against women – whilst shining light upon their inspiring stories of bravery. Sara Ali Khan will be seen in a unique avatar donning the commando uniform and stepping into the shoes of a Veerangana to perform rigorous drills.
Bolo LIVE launches campaign #Rashtragaan
Joining the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ initiative announced by PM Narendra Modi on 25 July, streaming app and short video content platform Bolo LIVE (formerly Bolo Indya) has launched a campaign #Rashtragaan in partnership with MyGov India. The campaign encourages Bolo LIVE’s seven million users across 14 languages to record their videos while singing the National Anthem and upload it on the app.
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
