News Broadcasting
Vijay TV slots comedies for primetime
MUMBAI: Star’s Tamil entertainment channel Vijay TV has targeted the ‘fun-loving’ segment for its primetime. The channel has announced the launch of a string of comedy weeklies for its 9:00 pm slot.
The comedy weeklies are scheduled to launch from 19 July. The shows that will air from Monday – Thursday will have 45 minutes duration. Vijay has roped in some of the biggest names in the Tamil entertainment industry to anchor the shows.
Tollywood’s versatile comedian Kovai Sarala will make her TV debut as a hostess for the show Sakkalakala Sarala. This is a mono-act comedy to get a bag of laughs, interlaced with some the most popular comedy scenes. The show will air from 22 July 22 every Thursday at 9:00 pm.
Idhu Eppadi Irukku which is a standup comedy that ridicules the histrionics & the so-called filmi “ishtylesis hosted by Bosskey, a popular television comedian amd stand up artist. The show will air every Monday at 9:00 pm from 19 July.
Kadavul Pathee Mirugam Pathee is an innovative film review hosted by Nandoo, a popular television host & theatre personality and will air every Tuesday at 9:00 pm. Lollu Sabha is the re-enactment of some of the popular scenes from films and will air on Wednesdays at 9:00 pm.
Reasoning the decision to go for the comedy genre Vijay TV head of programming Suresh Iyer said, “Comedies appeal to a wide section of the audience. Further, our approach has been very refreshing, instead of treading the beaten track, we have created formats that have a signature in terms of faces, characters and treatment.”
“This is an on-going process and as always we are aiming to raise the bar in terms of innovative programming,” he added.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 rolls out Battle for the States ahead of key polls
Multi-format election coverage tracks voter mood across five battleground states
NEW DELHI: CNN-News18 has launched a special election programming initiative titled Battle for the States, as India gears up for high-stakes Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
Built around the theme ‘Road to Power’, the multi-format coverage aims to follow the entire electoral journey, from campaigning and polling to results and government formation. The network is leaning into on-ground reportage and data-backed storytelling to decode voter sentiment across regions where local issues often shape the narrative.
The programming line-up includes ‘Vote Tracker’, a three-part series developed in collaboration with survey agency Vote Vibe. The show blends survey insights with expert commentary and field reporting, using augmented reality graphics to present complex electoral data such as vote share, seat projections and leadership preferences in a more accessible format. It will air every Monday evening until April 6.
Adding a cultural lens to political reporting is ‘So Saree!’, a ground-driven segment where women anchors travel across constituencies dressed in traditional handwoven sarees from each state. The format uses attire as a storytelling device, highlighting regional identity while capturing grassroots voices.
Meanwhile, ‘Unfiltered Kaapi’ and ‘Chai-Niti’ bring a more conversational tone, drawing inspiration from everyday political discussions in tea stalls and coffee corners. These segments aim to break down key issues through candid, fast-paced exchanges between anchors and reporters, tailored to regional sensibilities.
For viewers seeking deeper insights, the weekend docuseries ‘Reporters Project’ takes a longer view, with correspondents travelling across constituencies to map voter concerns and political shifts on the ground.
“Elections are about people, their aspirations, identities and the issues that matter to them, and every state tells a different story,” said CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar. He added that the initiative focuses on understanding “the sentiment on the ground and what’s driving voter choices”.
Echoing the emphasis on credibility, Network18 CEO – English and business news Smriti Mehra said the network aims to combine on-ground reporting with data-led insights to deliver clear and timely coverage as the elections unfold.
With a mix of data, culture and grassroots reporting, CNN-News18 is positioning Battle for the States as a comprehensive window into one of India’s most closely watched electoral cycles, where every vote carries a story waiting to be told.
