News Broadcasting
Zone Vision, Minotaur sign extensive licensing agreement
MUMBAI: Zone Vision Enterprises has signed an extensive licensing agreement with Minotaur International which will bring 10 new series to its Reality TV channels around the world.
Under the terms of the agreement, Zone Vision will gain the rights to the series for three years. Six of the series in the deal will air in the US for the first time beginning February 2005. The announcement was made by Zone Vision chief programming officer and general manager Chris Sharp.
“This is one of our most significant licensing agreements in terms of quantity and quality,” said Reality TV vice president Steve Cole. “We are especially delighted to be able to provide our US feed with so many first-run series from the UK. Minotaur has been a fantastic programming partner and we look forward to working with them in the future.”
Among the premiere series for the US are Jane Goldman Investigates (16 one-hour episodes), Sixth Sense with Colin Fry (40 half hours), Medics of the Glen (15 half hours), Baby ER (20 half hours), Drama School (nine half hours) and Don’t Drop the Coffin (six half hours). These series will also air on Reality TV’s various other feeds around the world. Other series in the deal include: Urban Angels of Medicine (13 half hours), LA Cops (five one-hour episodes), Honolulu PD (six half hours), and Club Reps (30 half hours for EMEA only).
“Our focus moving forward is to aggressively pursue more deals like this one,” said Cole. “For the US and the UK especially, we are continually on the lookout for break-through programming that will help us further distinguish ourselves in the increasingly competitive digital channel environment.”
“Reality TV is the natural home for these shows. Following the success of these series worldwide, we are extremely excited on behalf of our producers to have them premiere in the States, and for Colin Fry and Jane Goldman, among others, to become household names in America,” added Minotaur senior sales executive Dayna Donaldson.
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.
