News Broadcasting
TV18, Jagran TV in joint venture deal to manage Channel7
MUMBAI: It was 19 January that Indiantelevision.com first broke the news that Global Broadcast Network (GBN), owners of English news channel CNN-IBN, were in talks with Jagran TV, parent company of Channel7, aimed at making the Hindi news channel a part of the GBN stable through a joint venture.
The deal is done! TV18 and Jargan TV have agreed for an equal joint venture. According to industry sources close to the development, the operations of Channel7 will integrate with TV18 Group.
The sources also added that the valuation of Jagran TV is pegged at between Rs 1.2 billion and Rs 1.3 billion. One issue that still needs to be sorted out though is that of foreign holding. It is expected, however, that some solution will be reached soon.
The issue of the Channel7 brand name is still being discussed. But the sources pointed out that as of now the Hindi news channel will have the two brand names together — IBN-Channel7. At present, the foreign holding component is being hammered out and after all the necessary clearances come through, GBN will ponder over the brand name for the channel.
The sources added that the final deal will be done through GBN.
The news was confirmed later in the day by TV18 Ltd, which issued a notice to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) stating: “GBN has announced its intention to make a strategic investment in “Channel7”, the 24-hour Hindi language general news channel, owned and operated by Jagran TV Pvt Ltd (JTL). After the investment is completed, GBN and JTL shall have an equal ‘inter se’ ownership interest in Channel 7. It is also intended that JTL chairman Mahendra Gupta shall continue to lead the board of the JV, while the editorial, production, distribution and other operations of Channel7 shall be integrated with all the news channels of the TV18 Group.
“This strategic investment is expected to be completed over the next 60 days, subject to a satisfactory due diligence followed by the receipt of necessary board, shareholder and regulatory approvals.”
TV18 MD Raghav Bahl added: “The experience and respect that the Dainik Jagran Group commands will be an invaluable asset for this partnership. With such a powerful 4-channel bouquet of market leaders (Channel 7, CNN-IBN, CNBC-TV18, Awaaz), straddling the entire spectrum of general and business news in English and Hindi languages, the TV 18 Group shall become the indisputable leader among India’s news broadcasters.”
GBN is promoted by a clutch of professionals like Rajdeep Sardesai, Sameer Manchanda and Haresh Chawla along with Television Eighteen promoted by Raghav Bahl.
TV18 scrips opened today at Rs 500 and touched a high of Rs 518. The scrips last traded at Rs 514.50.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Kolkata Town Hall on Hooghly River
‘Bhalobasa Bengal Inspiring Bharat’ event on April 20 brings cultural icons, trailblazing women and leaders aboard a cruise to celebrate Bengal’s enduring influence.
MUMBAI: Bengal is about to make fresh waves on the Hooghly and this time the current is pure conversation. CNN-News18 is taking its iconic Town Hall format to the waters of the iconic Hooghly River on 20 April 2026 with a special edition titled ‘Bhalobasa Bengal – Inspiring Bharat’. The floating event will celebrate the state’s rich cultural legacy and how its ideas, creativity and spirit continue to shape the rest of the country.
The unique riverside setting draws on Bengal’s history as a cradle of reform, art and intellectual thought. The speaker line-up mirrors that diversity: cultural heavyweights Mithun Chakraborty and Sreenanda Shankar will share the stage with trailblazing “Devis” such as Tanya Sanyal (India’s first woman firefighter in aviation), Ipsita Chakraborty (Kolkata’s first woman bartender) and Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi (Nari Shakti awardee and marine pilot). Music will flow through the celebrated pianist-vocalist duo Sourendro and Soumyojit, while public life and governance will be represented by Smriti Irani, Leander Paes, Saira Shah Halim, Keya Ghosh, Rekha Patra, Roopa Ganguly and Babul Supriyo.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director, Rahul Shivshankar, said the event honours voices that carry Bengal’s legacy forward. Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News, Network18, added that Bengal’s stories resonate far beyond its borders, especially as the state heads into polls.
From the first woman to battle flames in the skies to legendary actors who shaped Indian cinema, the gathering promises a rich mix of inspiration, courage and candid dialogue. In a city where culture has always flowed as freely as the river itself, CNN-News18 is turning the Hooghly into a floating forum for ideas that matter.
Tune in on 20 April on CNN-News18, CTV and YouTube to catch Bengal’s heartbeat in full flow.
