News Broadcasting
Network18 and CNN renew news alliance for another 10 years
New Delhi: Some partnerships age quietly. Others gather momentum. Network18 and CNN International clearly belong to the latter camp. India’s largest news network has renewed its long-running association with CNN International, extending the licensing and brand partnership for CNN-News18 by another decade, until 31 December 2035. It marks the third chapter of a relationship that began in 2005 and was first renewed in 2015.
But this is not a routine extension. The refreshed agreement sharpens the focus on digital growth, global reach and connected viewing, reflecting how audiences now consume news far beyond traditional television.
Under the new phase, CNN-News18 will significantly expand its international digital presence, including YouTube and Connected TV platforms. The aim is simple but ambitious: to take an Indian news brand to viewers across the world, on every screen that matters.
Network18 group managing director and editor-in-chief Rahul Joshi, called the renewal a rare milestone in global news collaboration. He said the partnership, which has already thrived for two decades on television, is now opening new growth avenues across digital and connected TV platforms.
The timing is apt. News today is unmistakably glocal, where a tremor in one geography can ripple across economies, politics and daily life elsewhere. CNN’s global reporting muscle, paired with Network18’s reach and credibility in India, positions CNN-News18 as a window to the world with a local lens.
The renewed partnership further strengthens CNN-News18’s claim as a go-to destination for English news. The channel is known for breaking stories swiftly, securing first access to key newsmakers and ensuring audiences can follow events wherever they are, and on whatever device they choose. Its long-standing promise, On Your Side, has been reaffirmed.
From CNN’s perspective, the alliance reinforces the value of strong affiliates. CNN International commercial executive vice president Phil Nelson, said the company is pleased to extend one of its most prominent global partnerships, continuing the licensing of the CNN brand while scaling one of its largest affiliates worldwide.
CNN-News18 continues to lead India’s English news space, particularly during major news cycles. A recent on-air refresh has given the channel a sleeker, more contemporary look, while behind the scenes, content is now produced to be equally at home on television, digital platforms and connected TVs.
The channel has also stepped up its presence on large-screen digital devices, tapping into the growing audience that prefers consuming news beyond the traditional TV set.
Looking ahead, Network18 plans further investments in digital innovation, technology and editorial depth to expand CNN-News18’s footprint both within India and internationally.
Broadcast from a state-of-the-art facility near New Delhi, and supported by bureaus across the country, CNN-News18 combines global perspective with local insight. With this renewal, the partnership is not just continuing. It is clearly thinking bigger, broader and beyond borders.
MUMBAI: Sunetra Pawar, wife of the late Ajit Pawar, will take oath as Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister on Saturday, media reports say, two days after his death in a plane crash.
According to reports, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has summoned a legislature party meeting at 2pm on Saturday, where Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha member, is expected to be elected as leader. She is then likely to be sworn in as deputy chief minister at around 5pm at Raj Bhavan, as preparations are underway at the governor’s residence.
Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister and a veteran NCP leader, died when a chartered Learjet 45 carrying him and four others crashed near Baramati on 28 January. The aviation regulator confirmed that all on board were killed when the aircraft burst into flames during a second landing attempt.
The sudden loss of one of Maharashtra’s most experienced politicians has prompted swift consultation among NCP leaders. Party figures, including working president Praful Patel, have been involved in talks on succession and organisational continuity. Reports suggest that several senior leaders support Sunetra Pawar’s elevation, viewing it as a unifying choice at a fraught moment.
According to party allies, Sunetra Pawar may also be considered for additional responsibilities within the state government. Some sources indicate that she would oversee portfolios such as excise and sports, while the finance brief could move to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. Observers see this as a pragmatic division of duties intended to balance governance and political stability.
The transition unfolds against the backdrop of wider speculation over the future of the NCP, including talks about reconciling rival factions that split in recent years. Close aides of Ajit Pawar had been exploring avenues to bring the party’s different strands back together before his death, and that conversation may now gain fresh impetus.
Ajit Pawar’s demise has left a notable vacuum in Maharashtra politics. As a long-serving deputy chief minister, he had overseen key portfolios, including finance and planning, and played a central role in the state’s coalition government. His unexpected death has triggered intense reflection among allies and critics alike on both his legacy and the path ahead.
As Maharashtra prepares for Sunetra Pawar’s swearing-in, the NCP faces its most urgent test in years: turning tragedy into cohesion and navigating a new chapter in state leadership.
NEW DELHI: According to media reports, Firstpost has appointed senior journalist Binoy Prabhakar as its new chief content officer, bringing seasoned editorial expertise on board as the digital news platform embarks on its next phase of growth.
Prabhakar joins from Hindustan Times, where he spent nearly three years as chief content officer, shaping editorial strategy and guiding content for a rapidly evolving digital audience.
Earlier, he served as editor at Moneycontrol and CNBCTV18.com, and spent over a decade at The Economic Times in senior editorial roles. His career also includes leadership positions at Network18, The Indian Express and The Times of India.
A fellow of the Tow Knight Center for Entrepreneurial Journalism in New York, Prabhakar combines newsroom experience with a keen understanding of digital storytelling.
At Firstpost, he is expected to strengthen editorial depth, sharpen the platform’s voice, and drive content innovation as readers increasingly look for clarity in a crowded news landscape.
NEW DELHI: According to media reports, senior journalist Palki Sharma has stepped down from her role as managing editor of Firstpost and is set to launch her own independent venture.
During her impactful tenure at Network18, Sharma was the primary architect behind Firstpost’s transformation into a global video news powerhouse. Her most notable achievement was the launch of the flagship show, Vantage with Palki Sharma, which became a digital phenomenon, driving the platform to reach 9.2 million YouTube subscribers by early 2026.
Under her leadership, the platform achieved a historic milestone of over 2 billion views in 2025, successfully repositioning the brand to offer a “uniquely Indian lens” on international affairs for a massive global audience.
According to the same reports, Firstpost has also appointed Binoy Prabhakar as its chief content officer. Prabhakar brings over 25 years of editorial experience, having previously worked with media organisations such as Hindustan Times, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, Moneycontrol, and CNBCTV18.com. He will be responsible for guiding Firstpost’s editorial direction as the brand moves into its next phase of growth.
As Firstpost turns the page, the moves signal transition, not disruption. While Palki Sharma charts an independent path after reshaping the platform’s global voice, Binoy Prabhakar steps in to steer its next chapter with seasoned editorial leadership.
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