News Broadcasting
Viacom to launch VHI Australia
MUMBAI: MTV Networks Asia has announced that it will launch VH1 Australia next month. This marks MTV Networks’ first fully owned and operated service in Australia. VH1 Australia will be available via Foxtel Digital and Austar Digital.
MTV Asia president Frank Brown was quoted in an official release saying, “VH1 is the premium music entertainment brand that explores and celebrates the power of the music, artists and pop culture that matter most to the 25-44 year old viewer. More importantly, it is a channel that complements the music programming currently available and will serve to provide greater choice for the Australian viewers.
“With an estimated one in four households in Australia already embracing subscription-TV and access to digital technology set to make it even more attractive to consumers, the timing is ideal for MTV Networks to extend its presence in the marketplace with a fully owned and operated service”.
Through a mix of original series, documentaries, live events and music videos, VH1 Australia will put the spotlight on pop icons. Special events such as Divas Live and the VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards will compliment a line-up of never-before-seen original series including The Fabulous Life, All Access, Driven.
Meanwhile MTV Asia also announced the appointment of Nigel Robbins as VH1 Australia’s GM and Andrew Hoppe as the network’s director of programming and operations. Both of them will focus on strategic growth and development of VH1 Australia operations. Robbins will report directly to Brown.
Robbins is directly responsible for the strategic development and day-to-day management of VH1 Australia. His responsibilities involve overseeing the channels programming, production, advertising sales, marketing, finance, business affairs, research, communications and artist relations.
Robbins added, “There couldnt be a better time to be launching VH1 in Australia, with the digital landscape offering viewers an even more dynamic mix of programming. VH1 very much compliments that mix by providing a fresh music television alternative that focuses its attention on music, celebrity, and pop culture for the savvy 25-plus audience.”
VH1 claims to be currently available in almost 100 million television households worldwide.
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
