News Broadcasting
Ted turner: The Maverick man
MUMBAI: CNN founder, Ted Turner, is the subject of a 60-minute profile encompassing his remarkable life and achievements. Reported by CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer, TED TURNER: THE MAVERICK MAN explores his difficult early years, his extraordinary career, his legendary America’s Cup win, Turner’s historic humanitarian and cable television legacies – and everything in between. The documentary will air on Sunday, November 24 at 4.30pm IST.
Blitzer traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, and outside of Bozeman, Montana – to Turner’s Flying D Ranch – where Turner works to preserve bison and land and water reserves for future generations – for the exclusive profile as Turner approaches his 75th birthday in 2013. During revealing interviews with Blitzer, Turner opens up about his successes and failures, both personal and in business. Intimate interviews with Turner’s five children and key figures in his life, including ex-wife Jane Fonda, President Jimmy Carter, broadcaster Larry King, MLB players Phil Niekro and Dale Murphy, and former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn, add additional layers to the complex portrait.
“Ted Turner has done for the broadcast media industry what Steve Jobs and Bill Gates have done for technology and personal communications,” Blitzer said. “From this in-depth look behind Ted’s hard won achievements and biographical challenges, viewers will come to understand the man we know today.”
The film features first-hand accounts from Turner on founding his first “Super Station” and rapidly transforming that venture into a global media company. Of CNN’s ground-breaking, enterprising broadcast coverage of the 1991 Iraq War, Turner reflected it as still the “greatest scoop in the history of journalism.”
In the film, Fonda describes her first meeting – and being wooed by – her former husband and describes their enduring friendship and love for one another. Carter describes how Turner hatched the idea to pursue Fonda – during a fly-fishing trip at Turner’s Flying D ranch.
In addition, Nunn and Turner’s children describe Turner’s environmental passions and the motivation for his historic United Nations Foundation gift and other philanthropies. Murphy and Niekro share memories of Turner’s purchase of the Atlanta Braves Major League Baseball team – and the team’s triumphant march from last to first place in the League. Exclusive family videos and photos are also included in the hour.
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. AICC’s Praveen Chakravarty weighs ‘Power Sharing vs Principles’, while former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan joins the fray. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
