News Broadcasting
WION launch now formal; lists marquee shows
MUMBAI: After its soft launch in August this year, Zee Media Corporation Limited (ZMCL) English News Network, WION – World is One News has now been formally launched. Its formal launch with is followed by rolling out of a major marketing campaign aptly titled WION – Be One With the World.
The editorial team consists of experienced journalists, researchers and analysts with global exposure. With bureaus in 37 global locations, WION has international reach and multi-cultural staff adding local perspective to every global news story. WION is the first India based network to have its presence in regions like UK, USA, China, Russia and Africa making it South Asia’s first truly convergent, multi-media English News Network.
“A revolutionary product from the Zee Media stable, WION represents a sophisticated transition from the usual ‘Breaking News’ phenomenon. WION brings exclusive and insightful content that often escapes popular media. Targeting upscale viewers in India as well as the Indian diaspora, our endeavour is to showcase content that truly represents the spirit of South Asia with focus on India. Embracing our philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – The World is My Family’, through WION we believe that news will be the common thread that binds us all together,” said ZMCL executive director and COO Rajiv Singh.
The multi-city campaign will take off across various platforms including television, print, Rradio, OOH, DTH and digital. Leveraging the network strength, WION will further amplify its launch through a roadblock on more than 40 channels of ZEEL and ZMCL on 9 December. Phase I of the marketing campaign will focus on the India market, and it will gradually extend to other markets across the world in Phase II.
WION is a global news network that brings news from around the world but with a South Asian view. The goal of the channel is to engage and empower viewers through balanced and extraordinary storytelling. The channel aims to explore and understand the stake of South Asian region in world affairs by pushing the boundaries of innovation on digital, mobile and television platforms.
WION editor-in-chief Rohit Gandhi added, “In an increasingly divided and violent world, the content at WION is carefully curated keeping in mind the sensitivities of all regional identities. While the news genre already has different filters – American, British and Middle-East, there is no South Asian lens that helps the world understand the South Asian perspective on world affairs; WION aims to bridge this gap. WION targets a generation that is global, social, value-oriented, visual and technologically savvy. We tell stories relevant to a wider global audience and to the millennial generation that consumes news on the go. The news at WION is easy to consume without sacrificing in-depth analysis of issues.”
Gandhi further added: “While neutrality is journalism’s prime directive, and nothing comes between that, our TV and web platforms do have separate places set aside to foster positivity and inspiration culled from real life. WION Edge and Konversation are online series for sharing positive stories of people from India and around the world. On TV, whether it’s the on-location reporter, our anchors or guests, the conversation is always calm and orderly, with everyone given a chance to speak.”
WION offers an experience that is beyond news. It has a variety of content appealing to both younger and mature audience. WION will not only offer news, but also general entertainment content covering genres like lifestyle, human stories, animals, food, environment and fashion among others.
The presentation of content is innovative with use of visuals, timelines, graphics, on-ground live coverages, 360-degree interactive videos, flying drones and story app. The channel has interactive content to encourage participation from the viewer’s end. A big focus of the platform is on user generated content through its Citizen-Journalism App.
WION’s programming consists of a diverse line-up of shows from all genres. The shows on the channel comprise:
|
Name of the Show |
Description |
Anchors |
Timeslot |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Democracy & Dictatorship |
Strategy and political show |
Rohit Gandhi, Editor-in-Chief |
Every Saturday at 9 pm |
|
Tech it Out |
Technology & Lifestyle show |
Sahil Maniktala and Sejal Pandey |
Every Friday at 10 pm |
|
Unscripted |
Entertainment show |
Francesca Mascarenhas and Aaron Ian Lyngdoh |
Every Friday at 9 pm |
|
Gravitas |
Prime time News Bulletin |
News bulletins with invited guests |
Weekdays at 9 pm |
|
WION Wallet |
Business show |
Chaiti Narula |
Weekdays at 9.30 am & 5.30 pm |
|
WION Breakfast |
Morning Bulletin show |
Charu Sharma and Satyashree Gandham |
Weekdays at 8 am |
|
WION Sports |
Sports show |
Ayesha Sindhu |
Weekdays at 7.30 pm |
The channel is available across all DTH providers like Dish TV (#605), Tata Sky (#628), Airtel (#386), Videocon d2h (#367), Reliance BIG TV (#459) and all other leading cable networks.
News Broadcasting
DNPA names Puneet Gupt chairperson; Anant Goenka steps in as vice chairperson
Leadership reset comes as digital news grapples with AI-led disruption and policy battles
NEW DELHI: India’s digital news lobby has a new pilot at the helm just as the industry stares down its next big disruption. The Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) has named Puneet Gupt, chief operating officer at Times Internet, as chairperson, succeeding Mariam Mammen Mathew at the end of her two-year term.
Gupt, who previously served as vice chairperson, steps into the top role with deep familiarity of the body’s agenda, ensuring a smooth transition at a time when publishers are recalibrating for an AI-shaped future. Anant Goenka, executive director at The Indian Express Group, has been appointed vice chairperson, while Dhruba Mukherjee continues as treasurer.
“Digital news publishers are navigating one of the most consequential shifts the industry has ever seen, from how content is discovered to how it is valued in an AI-driven world. DNPA’s role as a unified industry voice has never mattered more. My focus will be on ensuring that our members are not just responding to these changes, but actively contributing to the policy and industry frameworks around them,” said Puneet Gupt.
Goenka underscored the need for collective action as the sector evolves. “This is an important moment for DNPA and for the digital news publishing industry in India. There is real value in publishers coming together, sharing perspectives, and building a common understanding of the opportunities and challenges ahead. I look forward to contributing to that effort with DNPA members,” he said.
Outgoing chairperson Mariam Mammen Mathew called it a timely transition. “It has been a privilege to lead DNPA at such a pivotal time for the industry. I am confident that under Puneet’s leadership, DNPA will continue to grow in influence and impact. I wish the new team every success,” she said.
Sujata Gupta, secretary general and chief executive officer at DNPA, framed the shift as a springboard for the next phase. “This transition marks an exciting new chapter for DNPA. We have spent the last few years building the credibility, relationships, and frameworks that allow us to engage meaningfully on the issues that matter most to our members. With Puneet and Anant at the helm, we are well-positioned to translate that foundation into tangible outcomes, on policy, on fair commercial frameworks, and on ensuring that digital news publishing remains a sustainable and vital part of India’s information ecosystem,” she said.
The leadership rejig lands at a moment when digital publishers are battling shifting discovery patterns, platform power and the economics of AI. For DNPA, the message is clear: the next phase will be less about reacting and more about shaping the rules of the game.
