News Broadcasting
Sony BBC Earth concludes a successful run of photography contest and IP ‘Earth in Focus’
Sony BBC Earth, India’s most loved factual entertainment channel, recently concluded another edition of its photography based digital IP ‘Earth in Focus’ but this time, it was bigger and better. While the channel is home to spectacular visuals, moments and stories captured by the world’s foremost filmmakers, with ‘Earth in Focus’, Sony BBC Earth decided to celebrate the beauty of the world through the eyes of its audience. The initiative is a great platform for every photography enthusiast who has the passion and a keen eye to capture moments in time, with or without professional skills or equipment.
The channel roped in Amoghavarsha JS – an award-winning photographer and natural history filmmaker with over 15 years of experience and global accolades to his credit – as the expert judge and announced the contest on World Photography Day (19th August). With a relatable theme of ‘Freedom in Focus’, the month-long contest kickstarted on 30th August where the channel invited photography enthusiasts to capture their take on freedom considering the subcategories of Nature, People and Hobbies.
The contest, which was promoted extensively on the channel and on digital platforms, received approx. 2500 splendid entries which were then open to a round of public voting. After a phenomenal response of over 1,35,000 votes, the top 15 most voted entries from each category – 45 in all – went for the judge’s review and Amoghavarsha in turn handpicked 3 final winners – 1 from each category. This was a moment of great pride for the winners since they not only received a swanky Sony ILCE 6000L camera and recognition from Sony BBC Earth but also witnessed an exclusive and insightful masterclass with Amoghavarsha himself, on the topic of ‘The art of storytelling through photography’.
From unique people and expressions to awe-inspiring beauty and moments in nature, these breath-taking and powerful images will be successful in transporting viewers to an unseen world and in making them feel alive. With over 8 lakh views already, the website is open to all who want to view the winning and the most rated entries.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Kolkata Town Hall on Hooghly River
‘Bhalobasa Bengal Inspiring Bharat’ event on April 20 brings cultural icons, trailblazing women and leaders aboard a cruise to celebrate Bengal’s enduring influence.
MUMBAI: Bengal is about to make fresh waves on the Hooghly and this time the current is pure conversation. CNN-News18 is taking its iconic Town Hall format to the waters of the iconic Hooghly River on 20 April 2026 with a special edition titled ‘Bhalobasa Bengal – Inspiring Bharat’. The floating event will celebrate the state’s rich cultural legacy and how its ideas, creativity and spirit continue to shape the rest of the country.
The unique riverside setting draws on Bengal’s history as a cradle of reform, art and intellectual thought. The speaker line-up mirrors that diversity: cultural heavyweights Mithun Chakraborty and Sreenanda Shankar will share the stage with trailblazing “Devis” such as Tanya Sanyal (India’s first woman firefighter in aviation), Ipsita Chakraborty (Kolkata’s first woman bartender) and Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi (Nari Shakti awardee and marine pilot). Music will flow through the celebrated pianist-vocalist duo Sourendro and Soumyojit, while public life and governance will be represented by Smriti Irani, Leander Paes, Saira Shah Halim, Keya Ghosh, Rekha Patra, Roopa Ganguly and Babul Supriyo.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director, Rahul Shivshankar, said the event honours voices that carry Bengal’s legacy forward. Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News, Network18, added that Bengal’s stories resonate far beyond its borders, especially as the state heads into polls.
From the first woman to battle flames in the skies to legendary actors who shaped Indian cinema, the gathering promises a rich mix of inspiration, courage and candid dialogue. In a city where culture has always flowed as freely as the river itself, CNN-News18 is turning the Hooghly into a floating forum for ideas that matter.
Tune in on 20 April on CNN-News18, CTV and YouTube to catch Bengal’s heartbeat in full flow.
