News Broadcasting
Zee News rolls out poll programming
MUMBAI: Jaspal Bhatti could well be Zee News’ answer to the Aaj Tak ploy of roping in Javed Jaaferi for a satirical spin on the forthcoming elections.
Along with other news channels that are pulling up their socks in the run up to the Lok Sabha elections, Zee News has lined up a slew of shows, some peppy and some serious, to train the spotlight on the biggest newsy event of the season.
Kicking off proceedings will be packages related with all aspects of electioneering called Singhasan Ka Final. It could be anything from Mumbai’s own Govinda joining politics to Laloo’s family’s political rhetoric. The highlight however is funnyman Bhatti’s three-minute sarcasm packed skits Khabar Tadka–Chunav Ki Bhatti Se which will run right through the election period.
In Janata Mange Hisaab, key constituencies will be featured and the sitting MP will be confronted with a report card prepared by reporters. In a similar vein, Chunav Chaupal will bring the people and elected representatives face-to-face with a host of issues on the agenda. The half-hour programme reminiscent of courtyard discussions in the countryside will be televised via high technology outstation broadcast vans across the length and breadth of the country, says an official release.
Each step towards power would be closely followed by Zee News in its eight-minute campaign trail called Daurey Par Netaji. Correspondents will spend the entire day with select leaders to capture their style of canvassing and to find out what makes them tick.
A similar trailblazer with stars from the fields of cinema, television, sport and art, aptly titled Daurey Par Abhinetaji will also shortly go on air, as will weekly opinion polls called Kaun Kitne Paani Main. These would relate to party performances and issues affecting the common man. There will also be informal chats in Chunavi Gupshup at random venues, where people would be casually asked about what elections mean to them and about their political preferences.
Shatranj Ke Khilari will be a half-hour programme featuring studio discussions with leaders of different parties pitted against each other. There will also be some fillers about trivia on elections called Chunavi Chatpat. These spicy bits of information would pop in and pop out through the day.
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.
