News Broadcasting
Assembly Elections: Waiting for the Verdict
MUMBAI: After months of campaigning and hectic election activity, people of Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram have spoken. The assembly elections witnessed people coming out to vote in large numbers. Now, it’s up to the Counting Day on December 8 to decide the fate of these states.
On the day of the results, CNN-IBN & IBN7 will bring to its viewers a special day-long programming. ‘Battle for the States’ & ‘Mera Vote Meri Sarkar – Counting Day’ will provide the most precise and comprehensive coverage leading up to the final results.
The shows, featuring exclusive updates and in-depth analyses, will have the most formidable political analysts and commentators of the country: Swapan Dasgupta, Dr. Ramchandra Guha, Manini Chatterjee, K S Sachidananda Murthy, Dr. Sandeep Shastri, Dr. Suhas Palshikar, Kumar Ketkar, Dipankar Gupta and Prof. Rajeeva Karadikar on CNN-IBN; and Harivansh, Sanjay Kumar, Rakesh Sinha, Vivek Kumar and Purushottam Agrawal on IBN7.
Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, CNN-IBN, IBN7 and IBN-Lokmat, said, “Our counting day special programming aims at givingour viewers the most decisive verdict and the credible reporting on the poll. Our exhaustive and insightful analysis on the counting day will provide the most comprehensive coverage leading up to the final verdict in the five states.”
Ashutosh, Managing Editor, IBN7 said, “IBN network has always been upfront in covering elections. With our day-long counting day special programming we intend to bring to our viewers the most precise and comprehensive coverage as the winners names come in.”
Don’t miss the day-long counting day drama catch the special counting day programming on CNN–IBN & IBN7 on December 8, all 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. AICC’s Praveen Chakravarty weighs ‘Power Sharing vs Principles’, while former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan joins the fray. 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.
