News Broadcasting
Voom HD Networks & UK’s Electric Sky to create niche programming
MUMBAI: Voom HD Networks has announced that two co-productions with UK production company Electric Sky to create original niche programming for its high definition channels – Gallery HD with Art of the Heist and Ultra HD with season three of Fashion Avenue.
Dedicated to imagery and stories from the front line of the art world, Gallery HD will premiere a six part documentary series Art of the Heist uncovering the world’s biggest art thefts in recent history. The show will follow the trail of police, FBI agents and their dubious informants, and provides insights into just how this world operates, from sting to recovery, informs an official release.
Ultra HD, devoted to the worlds of fashion, beauty and style, will premiere season three of Fashion Avenue. The six half hour episodes will feature supermodel Jodie Kidd shopping at boutiques on the most stylish streets of the world. Currently in production, the show is slated to premiere in first quarter of 2007. Each week, Kidd is joined by a local fashion expert and each sets a shopping mission for themselves within a set budget. They visit shops, boutiques, hot restaurants hotels and nightclubs. Avenues visited in past include Barcelona, Rome, Cape Town, Sydney and Prague.
Voom HD Networks first worked with Electric Sky in August of 2004, co-producing season one of Fashion Avenue, adds the release.
“Voom HD Networks is creating original niche programming that is truly maximising the medium of HD. With both of these series we are afforded the opportunity to work again with Electric Sky, a company that has a strong reputation within the international broadcast industry,” said Voom HD Networks GM Greg Moyer. “Art of the Heist and Fashion Avenue contribute to our vast library of compelling HD content while fulfilling a void in a marketplace that is in need of quality high definition original programming.”
Both series continue Voom HD Networks’ commitment to investing in original niche programming, working with top production companies both domestically and internationally. Gallery HD and Ultra HD are part of the Voom HD Networks, currently available on Dish Network.
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.
