News Broadcasting
Discovery channel partners Chaupal marathon in sonepat to encourage healthy living
MUMBAI: Discovery Channelin association with Chaupal, a non-government organisation is organising the 3rdChaupal Marathon to be held on Sunday, November 17 at Sonepat, Haryana. Themarathon aims to encourage people to imbibe principles of good health and hygiene, protect the environment for better living and fight against social evils like female foeticide.
Discovery Channel will support the initiative of Chaupal, an internationally recognised non-governmental organisation (NGO) run by health professionals (www.chaupalindia.org) to organise the Chapual Marathon. In its 3rd year, Chaupal Marathon is an effort to raise awareness amongst rural people of Haryana on various issues related to general health, hygiene and to promote wellbeing awareness. The theme of this year’s marathon is “drive carefully to secure families”, aiming to spread consciousness about road traffic accidents which are amongst the major causes of morbidities and mortalities in India, adding financial burden on the families and the health care system. In its previous year, Discovery Channel supported Chaupal Marathon on issues such as the health of the girl child, empowerment of women, and an end to female foeticide.
The race will commence on Sunday, November 17 at 7:30 am from Murthal University (DeenBandhuChotu Ram University) and end at the Chaupal Health Center in village Banyapur, Sonepat, covering a total distance of 12 kms. Approximately ten thousand runners from North India, including national and international athletes are expected to participate in the marathon. Leading personalities like Dr.KiranBedi (IPS);Ms.Jaya Prada, Member Parliament & former actress; and Olympics wrestler Sushil Kumar are expected to participate in the marathon. A cash price of Rs. 41,000 will be awarded to the runner placing first in the open race. Many other cash awards will be given to the winners in different race categories.
Commenting on Discovery Channel’s association with Chaupal, Rahul Johri, Senior Vice President and General Manager – South Asia and Head of Revenue, Pan-Regional Ad Sales and Southeast Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacificsaid, “Discovery Channel is committed to making a difference in the lives of people, be it through its programming or socially relevant events. The channel in collaboration with Chaupalstrives to bring awareness amongst people towards a healthy and better social environment.”
Dr. Rajinder Singh Tonk, Chairperson of Chaupal and eminent physician, said, “Chaupal has been working tirelessly to provide healthy living and medical benefits to people thorough community outreach camps, mobile clinics and health centers. An annual event, the ChaupalMarathon is an initiative to raise awareness on healthy living. We are thankful to Discovery Channel for their continued participation in this initiative.”
News Broadcasting
Mihir Bhatt appointed as chief content officer at News18 Studios
The media veteran brings two decades of experience across television, digital and radio to one of India’s biggest broadcast networks, Disney+ Hotstar, Discovery+
NEW DELHI: Network18 has a new strategist in the building. Mihir Bhatt, one of Indian media’s more versatile operators, has joined News18 Studios as chief content officer, stepping into a role that will see him shape content strategy, build multi-platform properties and drive brand partnerships across the network.
Bhatt brings more than two decades of experience spanning television, digital and radio, with a track record of doing something rare in Indian media: combining editorial ambition with hard commercial results. At Times Network, where he served as managing editor and chief business officer of Times Influence, he built one of the industry’s more respected content studios, launching marquee properties such as the India Economic Conclave, the Times Now Summit and Leaders of Tomorrow. He also pushed the network into premium OTT territory through tie-ups with Disney+ Hotstar and Discovery+.
His resume stretches well beyond the studio. Bhatt has led Global Investor Summits for multiple state governments, worked alongside the World Economic Forum and played a pivotal role in launching the Indian Pickleball League. Earlier, as editor of Zee Business, he pioneered investor education initiatives that are still cited as industry benchmarks.
At News18 Studios, Bhatt will report to chief executive S Shivakumar and will oversee the studios execution vertical alongside revenue verticals covering emerging markets and campaigns. Sidharth Saini, Hemanth Kumar and Nimar Sarkaria will work under him.
Rahul Joshi, managing director and editor-in-chief of Network18 Group, made the announcement in an internal communication. “Mihir’s ability to build enduring brands, foster strategic partnerships and navigate a rapidly evolving media landscape will be instrumental as we continue to strengthen our position and explore new avenues of growth in the Studios business,” Joshi said.
In a media industry lurching between disruption and reinvention, Network18 has bet on a man who has spent two decades thriving in exactly that chaos. Whether he can do it again, at greater scale, is the question worth watching.
