News Broadcasting
Sound Awake edition II set to rock December
MUMBAI: DNA Networks, the pioneers in mega live entertainment in India are back with the Second Edition of their well-received Electronic Music Property- SOUND AWAKE.
The festival will be held in Bangalore, Karnataka on December 1, 2013 and will see many spectacular live performances, including the likes of American Electro House DJ/ Producer Steve Aoki – one of the major headliners at the festival. Italian Electro-House & Dance –Punk Producer Congo Rock (best known for his hit single Babylon) and Jacob Plant
SOUND AWAKE, brings forth a single platform for performances by top national and international artistes and seeks to redefine EDM and change the perception of Electronic Dance Music in India.
Thoughts on Sound Awake, December 2013- Mr. T. Venkat Vardhan, MD, DNA Entertainment Networks on Sound Awake, Edition II:”In order to enhance the festival experience this time around, we have a headline act in Steve Aoki, who is one of the top DJs. He is also known for the signature performance & interaction with the live audience. We will once again have the Flea Markets from Goa which was a great success the first time for the fans.”
The influence of this genre of music on the audience has been tremendous over the last decade. DNA aspires to contribute to it and widen the reach of this thriving genre in India. The festival will feature 4 stages and is being held in collaboration with dance record label giants Ministry of Sound and HedKandi. In tandem with the world’s top dance record labels, DNA with SOUND AWAKE is set to bring the best of the world’s EDM to India.
The festival will be held at Supernova Arena & Convention Centre, Yelahanka, Airport Road, Bangalore-560064- the newest addition to other live entertainment areas in Bangalore.
NOTES TO THE EDITOR
Steve Aoki – Steve Aoki, the DJ/Producer, among many traits also founded his own label, Dim Mak Records, in 1996. The label has released music by other electro house artists such as Datsik, Infected Mushroom, Dada Life, Zeds Dead, his own collaboration with Tiesto, MSTRKRFT, The Bloody Beetroots, Felix Cartal and Mustard Pimp, as well as by Bloc Party, Battles, The Kills, The Gossip, Klaxons, Scanners, Whitey, and Mystery Jets to name a few. The label has released over 250 records so far. Aoki has remixed many artists and bands, including Jackson 5, Drake, Kanye West, Eminem, Lil Wayne, Mike Posner, All American Rejects, Refused, The Killers, Bassnectar, Lenny Kravitz, Bloc Party, Snoop Dogg, Robin Thicke, S.P.A., Kid Cudi, Chester French and Peaches. http://steveaoki.com/blog/bio
Congorock – Rocco Rampino, aka Congorock is an Italian electro-house and dance- punk producer who gained popularity with his track ‘ Babylon’ which was included in the Ministry of Sound Compilation 2010.Said to be the hottest fresh face in the international dance music scene, with his unique style and approach to music which has grabbed him a lot of attention.
Congorock has worked with some biggest names in the industry such as Steve Aoki, Travis Barker, Rihanna, Benny Banassi, Skrillex, Pitbull, Swedish House Mafia. His recent ventures have made his tracks reach new commercial heights.
Jacob Plant – At just 22, Jacob Plant has already become a household name in the dance music scene. Having worked with and remixed for some huge names in the industry such as Rihanna, Calvin Harris and Iggy Azalea, Jacob Plant has already carved a niche for himself as a respected producer.
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.
