News Broadcasting
Without skipping a beat, ‘Dhadkan’ set for fade-out
MUMBAI: Hospital series Dhadkan, along with twin dilemma Hubahu are making way for the Madhuri matchmaking show Kahin Na Kahin Koi Hai that commences telecast on 29 July.
KNKKH has been slotted in the 8:30 to 9 pm band that was earlier occupied by Dhadkan (Monday through to Wednesday) and Hubahu (Thursday). While Hubahu is being wound up after a 40-episode run this Thursday, Dhadkan, which launched earlier with much fanfare, is being pushed to a later time slot from the coming week.
A gritty well made serial, the big-budget Dhadkan nevertheless was never able to garner ratings higher than 2 TVRs, say sources. The consistent lack of ratings is now responsible for the show being shifted to the 10:30 pm slot till the third week of August, when it will end after bringing the tale to its logical conclusion in a total of 87 episodes.
For the show, producer Aqua Pictures had put up a state-of-the-art set in western Mumbai’s Kandivli suburb using authentic hospital equipment. At the end of the day though, India’s answer to ER failed to strike a chord with audiences here. And that is what ultimately forced Sony to turn off Dhadkan’s life support system.
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.
