News Broadcasting
Esha Media Research to go overseas
KOLKATA: After monitoring over 140 channels in regional languages broadcast across the country, Esha Media Research, a media monitoring and research company, is gearing up to track the overseas television channels.
The wish to monitor TV channels in the foreign countries like Singapore, Malaysia among others comes at a time when the corporate clients of research firm have expanded their work base in those countries.
“Most of our corporate clients do not have access to local TV channels in the other countries. With information being the critical aspect for the clients, we will start monitoring overseas television channel,” said Esha Media Research managing director RS Iyer.
It is learnt that the company is evaluating both the options of either having its own base or tie-up with the agencies in those countries.
When being asked about the revenue model the company is looking at, the company believes that it will see that it gets an opportunity to monitor at least 15-20 minutes of clipping per week. “We will see the RoI (return of investment) should be good at Singapore and Malaysia,” he adds.
indiantelevision.com has already reported that the media company plans to increase the monitoring to 200 channels in the country, in the near future.
“The monitoring is done using state of- the-art equipment that allows it to record, retrieve, transcribe, translate, and deliver reports in formats ranging from CD and DVD to immediate uploads via FTP or a customized web page. This enables the client to log in, access and also news of their interest, anytime, anywhere,” he adds further.
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.
