News Broadcasting
Viacom consolidates CBS, Paramount operations
MUMBAI: Media conglomerate Viacom has announced the promotion of key executives to new roles at CBS and Paramount Network Television. This will create a new management structure that will transform CBS’ programming operations.
In the reorganisation, CBS Productions, which has been instrumental in the production of virtually every hit programme on CBS, will be merged into Paramount Network Television. The new entity will be based at the Paramount Studios and will keep the Paramount name. However, the CBS Productions brand will still be utilised for certain programmes.
Making the announcement, Viacom co-president and co-COO Leslie Moonves who also serves as CBS chairman said, “We have got the greatest group of assets ever assembled to serve television viewers across all platforms. This reorganisation helps us make the most of that portfolio of properties. The good news is that we’ve got the best people in the business to lead us into the future.”
Nancy Tellem, who has served as CBS Entertainment president has been promoted to the newly-created post of CBS Paramount Network Television Entertainment Group president. She will oversee operations at CBS Entertainment and Paramount Network Television. This includes development, programming, production, legal and business affairs.
In the past she oversaw the development of shows like CSI, Survivor and the comedy Two And A Half Men. Nina Tassler will succeed Tellem as CBS Entertainment president. Tassler was heading drama development for the Network.
In her new post, Tassler will oversee Network programming for prime time, late night and daytime, as well as program development for all genres, including comedy, drama, reality, specials, movies and mini-series.
David Stapf is the president of the new, combined Paramount Network Television unit. Stapf has served as head of current programming at CBS since July 1999,
Moonves added, “Nancy Tellem is one of the very best strategic, business and programming minds in our industry. She is also a peerless manager of people, and one of the most-respected and well-liked executives in this business.
“She has an intuitive understanding of how the creative and business process work together to create success, and has been one of the main factors that has made our turnaround at CBS a reality.”
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.
