News Broadcasting
TVTN lists on BSE, hits a high of Rs 225 in first min of trading
MUMBAI: The big ticket issue of TV Today that had garnered overwhelming response from retail investors and was over subscribed 35 times listed today on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
TV Today Network (TVTN) chairman Aroon Purie put the proceedings on track with a short inaugural address. The podium was also shared by TVTN executive director and CEO G Krishnan who called Purie the ‘architect’ who built the network ‘brick by brick.’ The BSE executive director and CEO Dr Manoj Vaish welcomed the TV Today debut on the Stock Exchange.
ELAAN-E-DEBUT: TVTN chairman Aroon Purie sounds the gong on Friday, 16 January 2004 to mark TVTN’s debut on the BSE. ED & CEO G Krishnan (right) cheers him on.
Aroon Purie sounded off the gong at 9:55 am to flag off the trading at the BSE. Later, Purie couldn’t keep himself from sounding off the gong a number of times (!) – perhaps he was mentally recording the resonance of the gong to cull it back from memory later.
The TV Today scrip listed on the BSE at Rs 220 at a premium of 132 per cent over its issue price of Rs 95, the scrip hit a high of Rs 225 within the first one minute of commencing trade. However, the stock toned down to Rs 179 in a depressed market before recovering in later trades to close its first session on D Street at Rs 181.35. The scrip generated high interest amongst investors with over 64.61 lakh TVTN shares changing hands on the BSE alone.
On the NSE, the stock listed at Rs 190 paced up to touch a high of Rs 310 but pared down to close at Rs 182.70. A massive 1.12 crore shares were traded on the NSE.
This, however, does not come as a surprise for a big ticket issue like TV Today. The scrip had been expected to start off well given the strong fundamentals of the group and the popularity of the flagship television news channel Aaj Tak.
Apart from Purie and Krishnan, present in good numbers at the listing ceremony were reporters and presenters of Aaj Tak and top brass suits from the Network’s management including India Today director Anil Mehra. Basking in the glory of the moment were also seen senior officials of lead managers to the issue – JM Morgan Stanley and the co-lead managers Kotak Securities and ICICI Securities Ltd.
Replying to whether he was thinking of going the IPO way for Thomson Press as well – the India Today publishing company owned by him, Purie said there were no such plans in the pipeline at present. He confirmed that the funds raised through the maiden issue would be channeled into the existing network while he had no plans of diversifying into other television channels or entertainment properties.
The listing of the TV Today scrip kickstarts a new phase for the media sector as a number of major television players are expected to follow suit. The big daddies of television that are considering a foray into the capital markets this year include NDTV that according to market sources has a Rs 6000 million issue up its sleeve, B4U with a planned issue of Rs 1000 million, Sony Entertainment and possibly Star India as well. Others to walk that way are expected to be Nimbus Communications and Big B’s AB Corp.
So far, Zee has been the front runner in the media sector, being the only media scrip to figure in the benchmark 30-scrip BSE Sensex.
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.
