News Broadcasting
Zee stock soars on rumours
It is happening again. Beleagured media major Zee Telefilms (ZTL) which has been under pressure for the last few months, is suddening gaining support – at least, on the bourse.
This time the rumour doing the rounds is that Zee’s promoters have privately placed shares at Rs 185 with a foreign media major as against Thursday’s closing price of Rs 118.40 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). The Zee stock had almost hit the upper circuit filter yesterday at Rs 125.40, before closing at Rs 118.
The company that is being quoted as the buyer is none other than AOL Time Warner, whom Zee is reportedly trying to rope in as a strategic partner. Talk within the company surfaced around a month and a half ago that AOL Time Warner was warming up to getting under the sheets with the network. At that time the ZTL share was trading at around Rs 71. Since then, the ZTL share has been steadily on the rise.
A ZTL press release earlier this week, however, denied the rumour of any such placement but reiterated that the promoters’ decision announced in May 2001 to rope in a global media player as a strategic ally, is still on. ZTL has appointed investment bankers UBS Warburg as advisor in its search for a partner.
Media analysts, when contacted, say they did not believe any private placement had taken place as yet (at the time of writing), but suspect that someone is playing in the scrip.
The stock had earlier been on the decline, going down from Rs 270 at the beginning of the year, to Rs 86 on the day of its AGM in late September. The post AGM period saw the scrip hammered down to Rs 71 (9 October). The average volume, which was 10 million, came down to 4 million. But the scrip has turned around since. Today, the scrip had climbed by 4 per cent and was trading at Rs 121.
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.
