News Broadcasting
Kolkata celebrates Jhiliks wedding beyond the show
MUMBAI: Maa is one of the oldest shows on Star Jalsha which has been running strong for the last 4 years. Telecast at 8pm every Monday to Saturday, it’s a clear and consistent slot leader and has huge amount of loyalty among its viewers. The show delineates the story of Jhilik, a girl who has been orphaned at a very young age. Over time Jhilik has become the most loved character on Bengali TV. Viewers have showered their love and affection on her as would on their own daughters. It is this love and loyalty that helps the show deliver robust viewership with a TSV in the range of 20-22 mins.
So, when the story reached the point where Jhilik is being married off, we decided to do something big and special. We wanted to celebrate Jhilik’s iconic status by taking the marriage celebrations from beyond the show, from reel to real. It was only fair that the whole of Kolkata witnessed and was a part of the wedding of its most favorite daughter.
What we did? We erected the first live hoarding with an ongoing Shehnai performance. The live hoarding was on display at the heart of the city of Kolkata from 15th to 18th of November 2013. We had 6 Shenhai artists performing in rotation atop a hoarding decorated in the fashion of a marriage hall. Apart from the wedding celebration theme that made use of drapes, 50 kgs of flowers and wedding motif designs, the live performance itself served as the buzz creator and became the talk of the town. The buzz it created was palpable with a huge word of mouth spread.
Sweets were distributed to mark the occasion, the crowd was excited about such a novel initiative and showed full support and enthusiasm. They sent lots of blessings for Jhilik and ensured they be part of the wedding, which was reflected in the instant hike in the show ratings.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
