News Broadcasting
YouTubes just the beginning for AwesomenessTV
CANNES: “Kids and teens are on YouTube and while adults like to eat meals, kids prefer snacks. And they can snack the whole day,” said AwesomenessTV CEO and founder Brian Robbins in his media keynote, adding, “Deliver what they want, when they want, and also constantly refresh it.”
It was Robbins’ experience of the way his own kids consumed content that led to the launch of AwesomenessTV – a YouTube exclusive channel for kids and teens – last year. It was purchased in May this year by Jeffrey Katzenberg’s DreamWorks Animation.
Robbins said it was important to create videos that were funny, creative and yet relevant to kids and that uploading these videos on YouTube was the best form of engaging kids.
About the online blast, Robbins said: “What’s happening online today is similar to what happened on TV 25 years ago. We want to engage in two-way communication. Every producer should be aware of their target audience. We know who our viewers are and what they’re telling us.”
While AwesomenessTV boasts one million subscribers and 200 million video views, YouTube is just the beginning for Robbins. “We are going to have a presence everywhere. We are currently working on a mobile app and also PlayStation access. We have a big network in UK and also see opportunity in Brazil. We are looking at creating new audiences every time,” he said.
At the same time, Robbins sees great opportunity in starting something on YouTube and building an audience and then taking it to TV. “We are giving Dreamworks another platform to build its audience and also market its movies,” he said.
Comparing AwesomenessTV with say a Nickelodeon, Robbins said while Nick could produce only two pilots to ensure success, they could produce multiple pilots a day. Nickelodeon apart, Robbins argued that most channels today do not create enough fresh content. “One can see only four to five hours of fresh content on the channels. Mobile gives kids options to choose from,” he said.
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.
