ITV

Category: News Broadcasting

  • Live Times turns one: a year of truth-telling in a noisy news era

    Live Times turns one: a year of truth-telling in a noisy news era

    MUMBAI:  India’s first global multicast news hub has just blown out its first birthday candle, celebrating 12 months of fearless journalism, bold scoops, and a no-nonsense approach to facts in an era where sensationalism often grabs the mic.

    Launched on 23 August 2024 with the unapologetic motto “Complete Truth, Whatever It Takes,” the channel has spent the past year prying open stories others left untouched. From exposing the bone-chilling horrors of Operation Murda to on-ground exclusives during the Delhi Assembly elections, Live Times has made a habit of rattling cages and raising questions.

    Healthcare too came under its lens: reports on Bihar’s crumbling hospitals, Chhattisgarh’s fragile medical system, and mass migration in Madhya Pradesh revealed the gaps between policy and reality. One expose on patients denied treatment despite holding Ayushman health cards made it all the way to the state Assembly, proving that journalism still has teeth.

    With exclusive drone visuals, Live Times captured India’s evolving counter-terror strategy, setting fresh benchmarks in both technology and reporting grit.

    But it hasn’t stopped at newsbreaks. To mark its anniversary, Live Times launched “Voices of Experience: Advice for Future Journalists” , a campaign that tapped India’s veteran reporters for wisdom nuggets. The advice? Double down on fact-checking, stay fearless, work hard, and always keep credibility intact. In other words: journalism has no shortcuts.

    One year on, Live Times isn’t just patting itself on the back; it’s holding up a mirror to the profession. Its message is clear: truth is timeless, and in the race for eyeballs, integrity still wins the day.

     

  • Tourism heavyweights gather in Delhi for Iconic Summit 2025

    Tourism heavyweights gather in Delhi for Iconic Summit 2025

    NEW DELHI: The Iconic Tourism Summit 2025, staged by Redhat Communications in collaboration with TV9 Network, drew policymakers, diplomats, industry bosses and cultural figures to ITC Maurya for a day of discussion and recognition of excellence in tourism.

    The morning sessions, under the banner “Innovation, Transformation and Impact”, tackled themes from content-driven travel to building “iconic experiences”. Speakers included Niharika Rai, tourism secretary, Delhi; Rajesh Magow, co-founder and group chief executive of MakeMyTrip; Mugdha Sinha, managing director of ITDC; Shriji Huzur Dr Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur; Sandeep Dwivedi of Amadeus; Anshul Sethi of Indigo; and Yummi Talwar of VFS Global.

    The evening climaxed with the Iconic Awards, presented by culture minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who shared the stage with Amitabh Kant, Jyotsna Suri, Ishika Taneja, Manoj Adlakha, Suman Billa and Sandeep Marwah. Ambassadors from Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, Greece, Serbia, Seychelles and Malta lent an international sheen.

    Awards spanned aviation, hospitality, travel tech and cultural achievement. Indigo, Emirates, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, ITC Hotels, Accor, Amadeus and VFS Global were among the corporate winners. Individual honours went to hoteliers, innovators and cultural figures—from Rajesh Magow, named Iconic Technology Innovator, to Dr Ruby Makhija for sustainability and Kavita Bhartia for fashion. Jyotsna Suri was hailed as the Iconic Beacon of Brilliance 2025, while Suman Billa was named Changemaker of Indian Tourism.

    The jury boasted luminaries such as former governor Vinod Kumar Duggal, BJP spokesperson Shazia Ilmi, former ITC director Nakul Anand, craft revivalist Madhu Jain and PR veteran Dilip Cherian.

    With its mix of policy talk and high-profile awards, the summit underscored India’s ambition to position tourism as both a growth engine and a soft-power asset.

  • Bappa Majha brings Maharashtra together for Ganeshotsav on ABP Majha

    Bappa Majha brings Maharashtra together for Ganeshotsav on ABP Majha

    MUMBAI: When Bappa arrives, even differences take a holiday. This Ganesh Chaturthi, ABP Majha is once again turning television screens into pandals with its flagship festive programming Bappa Majha, celebrating Maharashtra’s favourite season of devotion, spectacle, and unity.

    Carrying the theme “Bappa Ale, Bhed Nimale” (As Bappa arrives, differences disappear), Bappa Majha is more than just programming, it’s a 10-day cultural immersion. From the grandeur of Mumbai’s iconic pandals to the intimacy of household traditions, the channel promises to capture every beat of Ganeshotsav.

    The line-up is as elaborate as a traditional sadhya:

    .  Live Aartis from Maharashtra’s most renowned temples and pandals at 6:30 am and 6:30 pm daily ( 27 Aug – 5 Sept).

    . Ganesh Pujan at ABP Majha’s office on Aug 27 at 9:30 am, giving viewers a peek into the channel’s own festive rituals.

    . Kaladhipati at 2:30 pm, where celebrities bring personal stories of devotion and celebration.

    . Daily festival bulletins, Bappa Majha, at 5:30 pm (repeat at 11:30 am), offering updates and stories from every corner of Maharashtra.

    . Maha Ganesh Mandal Contest (7 – 16 Sept), spotlighting the three most spectacular pandals from each of the state’s eight regions.

    . Anant Chaturdashi Special (Sept 6 from 7 am onwards), capturing the emotional farewell as Bappa is immersed with pomp and tears.

    With Ganeshotsav being Maharashtra’s most widely celebrated festival, the numbers tell their own story: over 10 days of immersive coverage, across 8 regions, spotlighting thousands of pandals and lakhs of devotees, all brought home by ABP Majha.

    ABP Majha’s Bappa Majha is co-presented by Gowardhan, Punit Balan group and Nirma Advance; powered by Hint, Royal Enfield and Kayam Churna; with Mahindra Tractor and Porter as supporting partners, and ABP Live as digital partner.

    In a state where Ganeshotsav is less a festival and more a way of life, ABP Majha has once again positioned itself as not just a broadcaster, but a cultural companion telling the stories, sharing the chants, and ensuring that when Maharashtra says “Ganpati Bappa Morya”, the whole state says it together.

  • NDTV launches ‘The Buck Stops Here’ with Padmaja Joshi

    NDTV launches ‘The Buck Stops Here’ with Padmaja Joshi

    MUMBAI: When it comes to primetime chatter, NDTV is putting its money where its mouth is. With The Buck Stops Here, fronted by Padmaja Joshi, the network is betting on a simple promise: end the noise, get to the point, and deliver answers that matter.

    Airing weeknights at 9 pm on NDTV 24×7, the show is pitched as the “end of every argument”, a space where governance, economy, society and India’s role in the world are not just debated but distilled into clarity.

    Joshi, NDTV’s managing editor and primetime anchor, brings her trademark directness to the role. “No evasion and no prevarication” she insists, setting the tone for debates that aim to close with conclusions rather than cliff-hangers.

    CEO and editor-in-chief, Rahul Kanwal, framed the launch as a statement of intent and said, “The Buck Stops Here is primetime as India deserves it – rigorous, and uncompromisingly focused on what matters most to the nation. Padmaja Joshi brings an editorial depth and clarity of vision that will ensure this is not just another show, but the end of every argument – a definitive moment in the national conversation.”

    For NDTV, the programme signals more than a new slot, it marks the channel’s renewed ambition to mirror a confident India with sharper, bolder coverage. For viewers weary of endless shouting matches, it could well be the place where the buck really does stop.

  • Kalli Purie urges RSS to boost women’s role in leadership at book launch

    Kalli Purie urges RSS to boost women’s role in leadership at book launch

    MUMBAI: When Kalli Purie took the mic, she made sure the Sangh heard more than just polite applause. Speaking in the presence of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at the launch of Tan Samarpit, Man Samarpit, a biography of swayamsevak Ramesh Prakash India Today group vice chairperson called for women to find stronger footing in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s leadership structures.

    Purie praised the Sangh’s famed simplicity, discipline, and its unusual ability for century-long planning, referencing its centennial blueprint and Panch Parivartan vision. But she also pushed the envelope, noting that corruption must not be normalised as “a way of life”. She spotlighted India Today’s experiment with Gross Domestic Behaviour (GDB), a metric designed to gauge civic discipline, inclusivity, gender balance, and attitudes towards corruption.

    Her candour drew a direct response from the Sarsanghchalak himself. Bhagwat stressed that true social transformation cannot come from ideas alone: “Knowledge is not enough. Change comes only when it reflects in the swayamsevak’s life through discipline, example, and practice.”

    On the question of women’s representation, he pointed to the Rashtra Sevika Samiti, the women’s wing founded in 1936, which he described as running in parallel to the RSS. “Wherever there are swayamsevaks, women are alongside,” he said, adding that in many regions, women are invited into core meetings, their proposals are included, and their role in decision-making is expanding. “Fifty per cent of society cannot be kept outside,” he underlined, while noting that processes differ across states, which he framed as a mark of the Sangh’s evolving nature.

    Yet Bhagwat also added a note of balance: “Rashtra seva should never come at the cost of family duties. The two are complementary, not contradictory.”

    Between Purie’s call for parity and Bhagwat’s emphasis on gradual adaptation, the evening turned into more than just a book launch, it became a mirror to the Sangh’s ongoing conversation about gender, governance, and the path to social change.

  • Vedika Sud joins NDTV 24×7 as consulting editor

    Vedika Sud joins NDTV 24×7 as consulting editor

    NEW DELHI:  NDTV 24×7 has roped in veteran journalist Vedika Sud as consulting editor, marking the return of one of south Asia’s most recognised broadcast reporters to the Indian news landscape. Sud, who most recently served as CNN International’s bureau chief for India and South Asia, brings nearly two decades of frontline reporting experience spanning crises, conflicts and political transitions across the region.

    At CNN, Sud was the network’s editorial lead across India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, working closely with global desks and appearing on flagship programmes with anchors including Jake Tapper, Wolf Blitzer and Erin Burnett. She covered the India–Pakistan conflict following the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, the G20 climate and geopolitical negotiations, the India–Myanmar refugee crisis, the farmers’ protests, and Delhi’s landfill investigations exposing the intersection of environment and public health. Her on-the-ground reportage during the 2021 Delta wave of Covid, from overwhelmed hospitals to the desperate hunt for oxygen, earned international recognition for its clarity and compassion.

    Before CNN, Sud anchored prime bulletins at the India Today group, oversaw fast-paced editorial operations at NewsX and built her early career at Times Now, where she transitioned from producing political segments to fronting live broadcasts on elections, terror attacks and civic issues.

    Her work has won accolades including an honourable mention at the 2024 Society of Publishers in Asia Awards for reporting on women’s issues and a finalist slot at the South Asian Journalists Association Awards in 2021. An alumna of Sophia College, Mumbai, she also holds a diploma in social communications media and a graduate certificate in public policy from the Takshashila Institution.

    NDTV’s chief executive and editor-in-chief Rahul Kanwal called Sud “an interpreter of meaning, not just a witness to events,” saying her global perspective would sharpen NDTV’s mission to deliver rigorous, contextual journalism in a crowded and noisy news environment.

    Sud said she was drawn to NDTV’s legacy of explanatory reporting. “The most powerful stories don’t simply tell you what happened — they explain why it matters and who it matters to. In an age of endless headlines, our responsibility is to cut through the noise and connect the dots for the public,” she said.

    Her appointment comes as NDTV, one of India’s oldest English news broadcasters, seeks to reinforce its editorial heft under new ownership. With Sud joining its leadership ranks, the channel is signalling a renewed commitment to fact-based reporting and nuanced analysis at a time when credibility in Indian television journalism is under sharper scrutiny than ever.

  • Power play Delhi hosts grand finale of News18 Sheshakti 2025

    Power play Delhi hosts grand finale of News18 Sheshakti 2025

    MUMBAI: When women take the wheel, the road to Bharat’s future looks smoother and far more inclusive. After a dazzling debut in Mumbai, News18 Sheshakti 2025, presented by Lions International, is set for its grand finale in New Delhi on August 21 under the theme “From Breaking Barriers to Building Bharat”.

    What began as a regional showcase has quickly grown into one of India’s most anticipated forums for female leadership. The third national edition will see over 30 trailblazers from policymakers and entrepreneurs to actors, athletes, and activists sharing how they’re not just breaking ceilings but laying down the foundation for a stronger, self-reliant India.

    The power-packed speaker line-up reads like a roll call of influence: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, former union minister Smriti Irani, British high commissioner Lindy Cameron, JNU vice-chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, Supreme Court justice Hima Kohli, actors Kriti Sanon and Sanya Malhotra, playback legend Kavita Krishnamurti, racing driver Mira Erda, and Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, among others. From boardrooms to battlefields, campuses to concert halls, the conversations promise to span every frontier.

    The scale matches the ambition. The initiative has already clocked two impactful national editions, with the 2025 Mumbai showcase marking the start of its 25th anniversary celebrations. Now, the capital takes centre stage as women from across industries share stories of innovation, grit, and transformation whether it’s shaping policy, building businesses, enabling grassroots change, or disrupting global sectors like AI, defence and healthcare.

    “News18 Sheshakti has always been a platform to celebrate, empower and elevate dynamic women,” said Network18 (broadcast) CEO Avinash Kaul. His colleague Network18 Group chief strategy officer Puneet Singhvi added that women today are “leading in business, sports, education and beyond shaping New Bharat with inclusivity, compassion, and courage.”

    From 11 AM on 21 August, the stage will be buzzing with bold voices and big visions. If Mumbai was the warm-up act, Delhi promises the full crescendo, an ode to the women scripting Bharat’s next chapter, one breakthrough at a time.

  • Brake it to make it Times Now hits the brakes on India’s reckless driving

    Brake it to make it Times Now hits the brakes on India’s reckless driving

    MUMBAI: On India’s 79th Independence Day, Times Now chose to free the roads from a different kind of tyranny, the chaos of reckless driving. Through its auto vertical, Times Drive, the channel flagged off ‘Brake The Habit’, a nationwide road safety initiative that’s turning bus shelters and billboards into stern speed-breakers for public conscience.

    The campaign was officially unveiled by union minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, who praised the effort as a timely nudge against habits that kill. The statistics are chilling   according to the MORTH 2022 report, India sees over 4.61 lakh accidents annually, most linked to over-speeding, drunk driving, red-light jumping, and increasingly, the deadly distraction of mobile phones behind the wheel.

    Planned as a six-month drive culminating in Road Safety Week in January 2026, the campaign goes beyond finger-wagging. It blends print, outdoor, digital, and Times Network’s broadcast platforms to hammer home the message. Billboards across metros bark warnings against overspeeding, while digital activations invite citizens to vote, opine, and even share stories of lifesaving interventions that prove responsible driving is cool, not boring.

    Young drivers are firmly in the crosshairs. With colleges and universities as key partners, the campaign is designed to catch drivers before bad habits harden into deadly reflexes. Early phases focus on online and on-air pushes, building towards a big on-ground crescendo during Road Safety Week.

    But this isn’t just about scare tactics. ‘Brake The Habit’ also celebrates empathy spotlighting acts of road courtesy, timely rescues, and human kindness that too often go unrecognised. It reframes road safety not as a chore but as a shared responsibility and even a source of pride.

    As Gadkari reminded, and as Times Now underlines: safety starts with the driver, not the car. With one reckless swipe or a single overshoot of the speedometer, lives can change forever. By hitting the brakes on bad habits, the campaign hopes India’s drivers can accelerate towards something far more liberating roads that are safe for all.

     

  • Travel tales get luxe twist as Iconic 2025 returns to Delhi in August

    Travel tales get luxe twist as Iconic 2025 returns to Delhi in August

    MUMBAI: Fasten your seatbelts, India’s tourism calendar just got its most glamorous pit stop. Red Hat Communications, in association with TV9 Network, is bringing back Iconic 2025, the country’s leading travel, tourism, and luxury conclave, set to unfold on 25 August 2025 at ITC Maurya, New Delhi. Now in its seventh edition, the summit builds on a successful legacy of six past editions, 150 plus influencers, and widespread media buzz. This year, under the theme “Innovation, Transformation, and Impact”, the conclave promises a heady mix of policy, luxury, and lifestyle with a packed line-up of panel discussions, pitch sessions, and candid conversations.

    From “Influencing Itineraries: Content Engine Behind Modern Tourism” to “Dekho Apna Desh: Exploring India’s Uncharted Territories” and “Creating Iconic Tourism Experiences: Redefining Luxury and Hospitality”, the agenda blends wanderlust with strategy.

    The event will feature senior government officials, international tourism boards, luxury brand CXOs, aviation leaders, and travel-tech innovators, all decoding what lies ahead for Indian and global tourism. With India’s inbound and domestic tourism market expected to cross Rs 16 trillion by 2030, the timing could not be better.

    “Iconic 2025 is more than an event; it’s a movement that celebrates leadership, vision, and disruptive ideas shaping the future of tourism and lifestyle in India,” said Red Hat Communications CEO and Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council chairperson Jyoti Mayal.

    TV9 Network Chief Growth Officer Raktim Das added: “As India’s largest news network, we are committed to amplifying conversations that shape industries. Iconic 2025 offers the perfect platform to highlight the growth and potential of tourism and luxury on a global stage.”

    With TV9 as its media partner, the conclave is poised to capture a pan-India audience, cementing India’s reputation not just as a top travel destination but also as a global hub for luxury and lifestyle conversations.

  • iTV Network shuffles its pack with two chief executive appointments

    iTV Network shuffles its pack with two chief executive appointments

    NEW DELHI: India’s iTV Network has announced a significant management reshuffle that sees two of its executives elevated to chief executive roles, effective 13 August 13. The appointments signal the network’s determination to capitalise on India’s booming digital media market whilst reinforcing its traditional broadcasting strengths.

    Akshansh Yadav has been appointed chief executive of digital operations, taking charge of what the network describes as its “most dynamic digital properties.” Yadav, who brings over a decade of experience from heavyweight media organisations including ABP News, Zee News and the India Today group, will oversee an eclectic portfolio spanning NewsX, India News, The Daily Guardian, The Sunday Guardian and Inkhabar.

    His credentials extend beyond traditional media. A computer science engineering graduate from Rajasthan Technical University with an MBA from MICA and a machine learning qualification from Harvard University, Yadav has also cut his teeth in fintech and direct-to-consumer sectors at Canara HSBC Insurance, Insurance Dekho and CarDekho. This blend of media savvy and tech expertise positions him well for iTV’s digital ambitions.

    Meanwhile, Rishabh Gulati becomes chief executive of NewsX, NewsX World, NXT and—rather unexpectedly—the Indian Arena Polo League. A journalist with more than two decades in electronic media, Gulati has been instrumental in building NewsX’s credibility and will now oversee the network’s push into international markets through NewsX World, whilst nurturing NXT as what the company calls a “trendsetter focused on future affairs.”

    The polo league addition reflects iTV’s appetite for diversification beyond news into premium sports content—a strategy that mirrors other Indian media conglomerates seeking new revenue streams.

    “High-quality content is at the core of our work at iTV Network,” said iTV Foundation  chairperson Aishwarya Pandit Sharma. The restructuring, she explained, would enable “swifter decision-making and better cross-platform collaboration” whilst better equipping the network to tackle “the challenges of the rapidly changing media environment.”

    The appointments come at a pivotal moment for Indian media. Traditional broadcasters face mounting pressure from streaming platforms and digital-first news operations, whilst advertisers increasingly shift budgets towards digital channels. India’s digital advertising market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 20 per cent, making the battle for digital dominance increasingly fierce.

    For iTV Network, owned by entrepreneur Kartikeya Sharma, these leadership changes represent a bet that specialised management can unlock growth across its diverse properties. The network’s portfolio spans serious news through The Daily Guardian to entertainment-focused content, requiring different strategies and audience approaches.

    The challenge for both executives will be maintaining editorial credibility whilst driving commercial growth in an increasingly crowded and competitive market. With regional players expanding nationally and global platforms localising content, iTV’s success will depend on how effectively it can leverage its established brand whilst innovating for digital-native audiences.