News Broadcasting
ZEE5 commissions the second season of BBC Drama – The Broken News in partnership with BBC Studios India
Mumbai: ZEE5, India’s home-grown video streaming platform and multilingual storyteller for multiple entertainment seekers, in collaboration with BBC Studios India, is back with the second season of the successful and critically acclaimed series, The Broken News.
The upcoming season will continue to capture the lives, lies, loves and struggles of journalists and their battle between truth and sensationalism. With a stellar lead cast returning to their roles, the upcoming chapter marks the homecoming of characters that struck a chord with viewers. Unfolding the inner workings of journalism, this newsroom drama will continue the reality behind our daily news – the business and the politics of it and the behind-the-scenes action as these journalists try to balance work, ambition and integrity, amid the never-ending pressure to deliver ‘Breaking News’.
On the announcement of the second season, Manish Kalra, chief business officer, ZEE5 India said, “The Broken News is a series which authentically showcases the complications in the world of media. The first season of the show received enormous love from the audience. We hope to further fortify the creative ecosystem by presenting a gripping second chapter that sheds light on news narratives. Being a consumer-first brand, we have a strong pulse on consumer preferences, and we are sure that this show will yet again deliver to the expectation consumers have from The Broken News.”
ZEE5 chief content officer, Hindi originals Nimisha Pandey said, “We look forward to canvassing a fresh chapter of The Broken News in partnership with BBC Studios India. In the second season, we capture the evolving arcs of the characters of the show and the new conflicts that arise between two competing news channels. The Broken News season two reaffirms our commitment of presenting engaging and gripping dramas on ZEE5 and is a perfect addition to our content slate. The upcoming season will continue to offer an exciting insight into the world of journalism and compel the viewers to think about the news they consume.”
Commenting on the announcement of the second season, BBC Studios general manager India Sameer Gogate shared, “We are excited to announce the second season of The Broken News after the tremendous love for its first season and we’re delighted to see the return of this show helmed by Vinay Waikul and the brilliant lead cast Sonali Bendre, Jaideep Ahlawat and Shriya Pilgaonkar. The first season is best remembered for the wonderful performances of the actors, who enlivened the newsroom drama, and its success is a testimony to the strength of our formats that resonate across cultures. We hope the audience will welcome the upcoming season and immerse themselves in the captivating cycle of TV news journalism.”
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.
