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  • Point Blank gears up for hard-hitting episode with R.K. Singh interview

    Point Blank gears up for hard-hitting episode with R.K. Singh interview

    MUMBAI: When politics turns into prime-time theatre, few shows pack the punch of Point Blank. Live Times’ flagship programme, helmed by veteran anchor Deepak Chaurasia, is set to air another explosive episode on Sunday, 28 September at 8 pm, with senior BJP leader and former union minister R.K. Singh in the hot seat.

    In a no-holds-barred exchange, Singh tears into the BJP-led Bihar government, alleging corruption has seeped into even the prime minister’s flagship PM Awas Yojana. According to him, commissions are the price of approvals, and the Nitish Kumar administration has “no control” over the rot. Singh directly challenges party leaders Dilip Jaiswal and Ashok Choudhary to answer his allegations.

    But he doesn’t stop there. The former minister drops another political bombshell: Prashant Kishor invited him to join his party. While Singh insists he has no immediate plans to quit the BJP, he boldly declares he would form his own political party if expelled. “Ideas are good, but they must translate into action,” he says, hinting that Kishor’s promises may need proof in practice.

    The episode also revisits Singh’s much-debated association with the phrase “saffron terror”. He clarifies that the term was coined by others including former home minister and Congress veteran Digvijay Singh while his own comments were restricted to presenting facts. Singh underlines that the NDA’s path to electoral victory lies in restoring honesty and integrity, not in rhetoric.

    The interview captures the political crossroads facing Singh, who blends candour with calculation. It’s a conversation that could shake up the NDA narrative in Bihar, where anti-corruption credibility has often made or broken governments.

    Reflecting on the larger mission of Point Blank, Live Times founder Dilip Kumar Singh says: “At Live Times, truth is not negotiable. Point Blank embodies our mission to confront power with courage and clarity. This interview with R.K. Singh proves why journalism must go beyond headlines, it delivers the unfiltered reality citizens deserve.”

    With fearless questioning, fact-driven debate, and a refusal to let power escape scrutiny, Point Blank has cemented itself as the channel’s beating heart. Tomorrow’s episode is expected to be one of its most hard-hitting yet, a must-watch for anyone tracking the future of Bihar politics and the NDA’s credibility crisis.

    Audiences can tune in on DD Free Dish – Channel 100, Tata Play – 539, Airtel Digital TV – 385, Dish TV – 665, Sikka Cable – 519, and Jio TV – 3069, as well as streaming platforms including Tata Play Mobile, Airtel Xstream, Dish TV Watcho, and DD Waves. The full broadcast will also be available at www.livetimes.news.

    Live Times Complete Truth, Whatever It Takes.

  • Swastik lights up a new storytelling journey

    Swastik lights up a new storytelling journey

    MUMBAI: Talk about a plot twist. After 18 years of scripting some of India’s most iconic mythological and historical dramas, Swastik Productions has turned the page to become Swastik Stories, unveiling what it calls the nation’s first cultural storytelling ecosystem.

    The rebrand, marked with the lighting of an Akhand diya in Mumbai by former Sony Pictures Networks India chief NP Singh, signals not just a new name but a fresh era. “This is not a rebrand, it’s a new diya,” said founder Siddharth Kumar Tewary, framing the move as the spark of a hundred-year storytelling journey.

    The curtain rises this Diwali with a FAST (Free ad-supported streaming TV) channel that plays Swastik’s much-loved shows round the clock, alongside a lineup of Swastik Originals, premium series designed for today’s digital-first audience.

    But the vision stretches far beyond screens. From films and grand stage musicals to immersive dome experiences and even a Bharatverse in the metaverse, Swastik Stories aims to carry India’s epics, legends and folk tales into every possible medium.

    Rooted in the symbolism of the eternal flame, Swastik Stories isn’t just revisiting the past. It’s kindling a cultural ecosystem built to make Bharat’s tales shine brighter for generations to come.

  • Madison Avenue moment as Havas closes in on Sam Balsara’s empire

    Madison Avenue moment as Havas closes in on Sam Balsara’s empire

    MUMBAI: The curtain is about to rise on one of Indian advertising’s most dramatic acts. After months of speculation, the Havas–Madison deal has now reached the signing stage, with top industry sources confirming that the Rs 700-crore acquisition for a 70 per cent stake is nearly sealed. For Sam Balsara, the man who has kept Madison fiercely independent for over three decades, this could be the turning point of a storied career.

    Industry insiders said that while it is “not right to discuss valuations at this stage,” both sides have agreed on the major terms. “The banker involved has finalised all formalities and the deal is on the verge of completion. Most likely, by early 2026 after regulatory approvals, it will be announced,” one veteran leader said.

    If the deal closes, it will peg Madison’s valuation close to Rs 1,000 crore, nearly double the Rs 500 crore price Balsara once discussed with WPP in 2015 though far short of the lofty numbers once floated.

    The move is no surprise given Havas’s acquisitive streak in India. Led globally by Yannick Bolloré, the network has snapped up five to six agencies in the past eight years and continues to see consolidation as its playbook for India. Bolloré had said earlier this year that cultural unification and strategic partnerships would remain core to Havas’s growth.

    Securing Madison, one of India’s last great independents, would not only give Havas scale but also cement its presence in a fiercely competitive market.

    For Madison, the timing is crucial. Over the past year, it has lost marquee clients including Godrej Consumer Products, McDonald’s, Atomberg, and Raymond, while Marico currently reviews its business. The losses have shaken confidence and intensified pressure on Balsara to secure a future-proof partner with technology, scale, and multinational backing.

    The agency has tried to respond. In August 2025, Madison brought back Ajit Varghese as partner and group CEO of Media and OOH with an equity stake marking his return after senior stints at JioHotstar and WPP. Earlier in the year, Vivek Das, ex-Google India and Southeast Asia executive, joined as chief marketing officer. Madison also completed its 100 per cent acquisition of Hiveminds, the performance marketing specialist it first invested in back in 2017.

    These moves underscored an effort to rebuild digital muscle and shore up bargaining power ahead of negotiations.

    For Balsara, long hailed as Indian advertising’s last independent mogul, the Havas deal may feel bittersweet. But it also signals realism: independence has limits in a world where scale, data, and global platforms dictate the pace.

    As one industry insider put it: “This is not just a deal, it’s an inevitability. Madison’s survival now depends on becoming part of something bigger.”

    If signed, the Havas–Madison marriage would go down as one of Indian advertising’s most significant consolidations marking the end of an era for independents and the dawn of a new one where even icons like Madison must reinvent themselves to stay in the game.

    Because in today’s ad world, survival isn’t about who shouts the loudest, it’s about who scales the fastest.
     

  • BSNL dials up pride with India’s first homegrown 4G telecom stack

    BSNL dials up pride with India’s first homegrown 4G telecom stack

    MUMBAI: India has just made a call that will echo worldwide and it’s a truly Swadeshi one. BSNL, in collaboration with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), C-DOT, and Tejas Networks, has unveiled the Bharat Telecom Stack, a fully indigenous solution powering 4G and beyond, marking a historic stride towards a digitally self-reliant nation.

    With this rollout, India joins an elite club of just five countries globally to have built a homegrown telecom technology stack. What makes it remarkable is the scale and speed the entire project, spanning 100,000 sites, was completed in just two years, making it one of the fastest 4G deployments worldwide.

    Executed under a “mission mode” governance model, the project saw TCS establish data centres, integrate C-DOT’s EPC Core Application, and deploy Tejas Networks’ base stations and radio infrastructure, all stitched together with TCS CNOPS, a cognitive platform for 24/7 real-time network management. The rollout integrates seamlessly into BSNL’s existing 2G/3G systems, ensuring connectivity continuity while boosting capacity for the digital era.

    For BSNL CMD A Robert J Ravi, the launch was more than technology, it was symbolism: “The nationwide rollout of our indigenous 4G network, built with TCS, Tejas, and C-DOT, is a resounding declaration of an Atmanirbhar Bharat. This ‘Made in Bharat’ stack secures our digital future and bridges the divide like never before.”

    The technology isn’t just about speed or spectrum; it’s about sovereignty. By delivering ultra-secure, standards-compliant connectivity, the stack safeguards national security while democratising access enabling online education, telemedicine, e-governance, and citizen services for rural and urban India alike.

    BSNL’s director (Consumer Mobility) Sandeep Govil highlighted its transformative potential: “This Swadeshi 4G technology, the result of innovation by C-DOT, Tejas, TCS, and BSNL’s workforce, is engineered for scalability. It is a cornerstone for a digitally inclusive society, ready to evolve to 5G and beyond.”

    For TCS and Tejas Networks chairman N Ganapathy Subramaniam, the achievement reinforces India’s tech legacy: “We have put India on the map of only a handful of countries with a comprehensive, trusted, and software-upgradable telecom technology stack. The successful deployment at BSNL is historic, laying the foundation for India’s further contribution to global standards.”

    The launch also reflects TCS’s longstanding role in shaping India’s digital infrastructure from modernising stock exchanges and passport services to healthcare and pensions for defence personnel touching millions of lives across decades.

    With ultra-high bandwidth, energy efficiency (0.1 W/Gbit, 65 per cent lower than average), and intelligence boosting O&M efficiency by 40 per cent, the Bharat Telecom Stack is more than a national achievement. It is a signal loud and clear that India is ready to lead in telecom innovation, connecting every citizen while setting global benchmarks.

    In short: India just built its own dial tone for the future and it’s calling the world to listen.

  • Sportel Monaco flexes its muscles as sports media titans prepare to gather

    Sportel Monaco flexes its muscles as sports media titans prepare to gather

    MONACO: The sports media industry’s glitterati are preparing to descend on Monaco’s Grimaldi Forum next month, as Sportel Monaco returns for its flagship annual gathering from 20-22 October. The event, which has become the de facto marketplace for international sports media deals, is already showing signs of its strongest edition in years.

    Exhibition space is nearly sold out, with more than 70 exhibitors confirmed including heavyweight American networks ESPN and NFL, alongside European football powerhouses LaLiga and Bundesliga. Tech disruptors such as Sportradar, WSC Sports and Wurl will rub shoulders with traditional broadcasters in what promises to be a fascinating collision of old and new media.

    The 2025 programme reflects an industry in flux. Conference sessions will dissect how generative artificial intelligence is revolutionising production and fan engagement, while panels explore the streaming wars and new monetisation models that are upending traditional broadcasting. Private equity’s growing appetite for sports assets will also come under the microscope.

    Hollywood’s creeping influence on sports storytelling gets star billing with a panel titled Hollywood hits the paddock: F1 taking storytelling to the next level. The session reflects Formula 1’s remarkable transformation from niche motorsport to global entertainment phenomenon, aided by Netflix’s Drive to Survive series.

    LaLiga president Javier Tebas will deliver the event’s keynote address, while executives from Amazon Web Services, Liverpool FC, World Rugby and the Professional Fighters League are among those offering insights into their strategies.

    Networking remains central to Sportel’s appeal. A new Sports Bar will provide a relaxed environment for deal-making, while the Women’s Lunch returns after its successful debut last year, highlighting female leadership across the industry.

    “This year is already shaping up to be a great success,” said Sportel Monaco executive director Loris Menoni. “The programme is designed to reflect the very latest industry trends.”

    The Monaco gathering’s strength has convinced organisers to expand eastwards once again. Sportel Singapore will return on 24-25 March 2026, following strong Asian demand for the format.

    As traditional media companies grapple with cord-cutting and tech giants muscle into sports rights, Sportel’s marketplace function has never been more crucial. The Monaco edition will reveal whether the industry’s transformation is accelerating—or whether some old certainties still hold.

  • India’s tourism ministry strikes deal with Netflix to showcase destinations through film

    India’s tourism ministry strikes deal with Netflix to showcase destinations through film

    NEW DELHI: India’s ministry of tourism has signed a memorandum of understanding with Netflix to promote the country’s destinations through cinematic storytelling, marking a bold digital pivot in the government’s tourism strategy.

    The partnership, announced at a World Tourism Day celebration in New Delhi, will use curated trailers and global outreach to showcase Indian locations to Netflix’s worldwide audience. The streaming giant’s involvement signals India’s recognition that modern tourism marketing requires Hollywood-scale production values and global distribution networks.

    The ministry also signed agreements with the Atithi Foundation and online travel agencies to boost strategic research, innovation and capacity building. These deals aim to collect post-travel visitor feedback, enabling data-driven policy decisions across states and union territories.

    Niti Aayog vice-chairperson Suman Bery told the gathering that tourism was “not just about leisure” but “a powerful instrument for economic transformation, environmental stewardship, and social inclusion.” Speaking as chief guest at the event, presided over by minister of state for tourism Suresh Gopi, Bery emphasised that India must “embed sustainability at the core of our strategy, not at the margins.”

    The celebration launched a Project Management Information System providing real-time monitoring of tourism infrastructure projects. The ministry also released its 66th India Tourism Data Compendium, highlighting record international and domestic arrivals. India now ranks 20th globally for international tourist arrivals.

    A new guidebook for Mudra loans for homestays was unveiled, offering step-by-step instructions for online applications through the Jan Samarth portal—part of efforts to democratise tourism entrepreneurship.

    High-level panels featuring officials from road, aviation, railways and shipping ministries stressed seamless multimodal connectivity as essential for sustainable growth. Thematic sessions examined case studies including Mahakumbh 2025 and the Statue of Unity, alongside discussions on using artificial intelligence, augmented reality and virtual reality to enhance visitor experiences.

    The Netflix deal represents a savvy acknowledgment that in an attention economy, even ancient temples and pristine beaches need cinematic treatment to cut through the noise. Whether Hindi movie and series creativity meets Silicon Valley can deliver the tourists remains to be seen.

  • Aaj Tak’s Health summit tackles India’s silent crisis

    Aaj Tak’s Health summit tackles India’s silent crisis

    MUMBAI: India’s health is under the weather, and Aaj Tak is putting it back in the spotlight. The news channel will host the first edition of Health summit 2025 on 29 September, aligning with World heart day, to address the nation’s growing silent health emergency.

    With more than 100 million people battling diabetes, obesity and fatty liver cases on the rise, and mental health concerns mounting, the summit promises to be a wake-up call. Policymakers, doctors, nutritionists and mental health experts will gather for a day of hard-hitting discussions on everything from cardiovascular health and childhood lifestyle diseases to nutrition myths and mental well-being.

    Union health minister J P Nadda, yoga guru Swami Ramdev, and eminent specialists including Fortis Escorts’s Ashok Seth and AIIMS’s Rakesh Yadav will join the dialogue. Senior ministers from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh will also bring a policymaker’s perspective.

    Anchored by Aaj Tak’s most trusted voices, the event aims not just to raise awareness but to inspire action: building pathways for a fitter, stronger, and healthier India.

  • AI strikes a divine chord with Rupam Dehi release

    AI strikes a divine chord with Rupam Dehi release

    MUMBAI: Call it byte-sized bhakti, India’s first AI band, Trilok, has dropped its latest track ‘Rupam Dehi’, a devotional tribute to Goddess Durga. Drawing its name from the Argalastotra, the chant blends prayer with poetry while reimagining tradition for the digital age.

    The music video stars Radhika Subramaniam, AI travel influencer from Collective Artists Network, and has been created entirely using AI. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Kolkata’s Durga Puja, the video captures the city’s dazzling pandals, rituals, and festive pulse, a heady mix of devotion and community spirit.

    By weaving ancient verse into a contemporary soundscape, Trilok brings India’s biggest festival alive in a way that feels both timeless and cutting-edge.

    ‘Rupam Dehi’ is now streaming across major audio and social platforms, just in time to soundtrack the season of celebrations.

  • Cushioning the future: Centuary unveils sofa line

    Cushioning the future: Centuary unveils sofa line

    MUMBAI: From snooze to sit-back, Centuary Mattresses is stretching its comfort credentials beyond the bedroom. India’s “Sleep Specialist” has now stepped into the living room with the launch of Centuary Sofas, unveiled in Hyderabad by brand ambassador and badminton ace PV Sindhu.

    After three decades of perfecting mattresses and pillows, the company is re-engineering its foam science for seating. The new range spans loungers, singles, doubles, and three-seaters, promising what the brand calls “Smart inside, soft outside” durability and ergonomics wrapped in plush style.

    “For over 30 years, we’ve been India’s trusted name in sleep comfort. Expanding into sofas is a natural progression,” said Centuary Sofas executive director Uttam Malani. “Sofas are central to family life, and we’re proud to bring the same trust and comfort into living rooms.”

    Sindhu, who champions rest as much as performance, echoed the sentiment: “Just as Centuary mattresses have been about better sleep, these sofas will now be about better living.”

    Crafted in India with certified foams, pine wood frames, and ergonomic designs, the sofas are available across Centuary’s retail network, exclusive stores, online platforms, and leading e-commerce sites.

    Looks like Centuary isn’t just making India sleep better, it’s making the country sit prettier too.

  • Delhi HC orders X user to pay Rs 5 lakh to TV Today over defamatory posts

    Delhi HC orders X user to pay Rs 5 lakh to TV Today over defamatory posts

    MUMBAI: The Delhi High Court has directed X user Anurag Srivastava to pay Rs 5 lakh in damages to TV Today for defamatory posts on X targeting the channel and its journalist Rajdeep Sardesai. The posts were made in reaction to an interview with actor Rhea Chakraborty that aired in 2020.

    Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav held that the posts were “highly defamatory” and had not been backed by evidence, despite the defendant being given enough opportunity to do so.

    “The Court finds that the objectionable tweets were highly defamatory and remain unsubstantiated by the defendant, despite having been afforded sufficient opportunity to do so. Such an irresponsible act of the defendant has to be deprecated.

    “Having considered the overall circumstances, this Court deems it just and proper to award Rs 5,00,000 as general compensatory damages to the plaintiff, to redress the reputational harm, emotional hardship, and loss of professional credibility caused by the conduct of the defendant,” the order read.

    The case was filed in 2020 by TV Today against Srivastava, who operated the handles @theanuragkts and @theanuragoffice on X (formerly Twitter).

    Soon after the interview went live, Srivastava posted derogatory comments about Sardesai, including calling him a “dalla,” (a derogatory Hindi term implying ‘pimp’), and comparing him to controversial preacher Zakir Naik. He also alleged that Chakraborty had bribed both Sardesai and the channel to secure the interview.

    TV Today told the court that these remarks were part of a “systematic attack” on the anchor and the network’s reputation. It added that the damage extended to its business as well, pointing out that annual income fell from Rs 899.57 crore in 2019–20 to Rs 819.92 crore in 2020–21.

    Srivastava later deleted the posts and assured the court that he would not repost them. Interim orders had already restrained him from uploading similar content.

    The High Court has now directed him to pay Rs 5 lakh to TV Today as compensation for reputational harm and loss of credibility.