News Broadcasting
CNN-IBN & IBN7 launch Open Mike on 10th March
MUMBAI: With the announcement of General Elections 2014, the spotlight is now on the voters who will play an important role in the entire process. In an effort to provide a platform to them on what they think about various socio-political issues and how they want to get them addressed, CNN-IBN & IBN7 are launching a unique initiative called Open Mike on 10th March, 2014. This one-of-its-kind initiative will give the common citizens an opportunity to voice their concerns, grievances, opinions and expectations from the upcoming General Elections at a scale that has never been seen before.
Everyday a question revolving around the key political issues, opinions and policies will be put on–air as well as on the network’s various online and social media properties. ‘Open Mike’ will travel across pre-selected locations in 17 major cities across the country and capture bytes from people on the said question. Selected responses will be aired as special segments in the newswheel throughout the day on both the channels. In addition to this, a special half-hour show will also go on-air Mon-Thu at 10:30pm on CNN-IBN. Viewers would also be able to submit their videos, responses on the channel’s various web and social media interfaces.
Speaking on the launch of this initiative, Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, IBN Network, said, “CNN-IBN and IBN7 have always followed a legacy of inclusive journalism. Taking this legacy forward at a very significant time in India, we have come up with the initiative ‘Open Mike’ to enable our common citizens to fully exercise their right to express their views and expectations from the government and help shape the future of our country.”
Don’t miss this special starting from Monday, March 10th only on CNN-IBN & IBN7.
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.
