News Broadcasting
Universal, Webtv tune into mobile music
MUMBAI: Universal Music UK has signed a deal with Webtv Europe. This will enable the secure distribution of Universal’s music and video portfolio to mobile phones and hand-held devices.
The deal follows the successful completion of a series of tests by Universal Music UK on the Digital Rights Management software supplied by Webtv Europe. This will protect artistes against copyright infringement and fraud.
Universal Music UK claims to have a 26 per cent share of the UK music sector. Its artistes include the legendary Irish rock group U2, Keane, Scissor Sisters and Daniel Bedingfield. It has over 300,000 digitised tracks. The significance of the deal can be gauged from the fact that there are now over 38 million mobile phones in the UK that are capable of accepting multimedia downloads.
Webtv Europe announced the deal at the telecommunications industry’s trade fair, World Telemedia, which opened in Amsterdam this week. A company release adds that yesterday World Telemedia witnessed the ‘world’s first collective download’ of quality videoclips
Universal Music UK new media group director Rob Wells added, “Establishing a secure and efficient route to market for digital entertainment is vital to the future development of our industry. Webtv Europe has succeeded in putting together a business model that meets our requirements for both security and efficiency. This is great news for both our customers and for our artists.”
Webtv Europe also confirmed that network operators One World Interactive which provides access and billing solutions for interactive content, and Opera Telecom will be the first distributors for the service. The list of other providers will be announced shortly.
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.
