ITV

Tag: Rajdeep Sardesai

  • CNN-IBN series takes on finance minister’s ‘pre-poll gimmick’

    CNN-IBN series takes on finance minister’s ‘pre-poll gimmick’

    NEW DELHI: CNN-IBN is going to start a politico-economic series to take on the UPA government in general and the finance minister in particular with The Sixty Thousand Crore Loan Waiver, throughout this week.

    In the series, CNN-IBN is going to evaluate “the possible merits, if any, of this so-called panacea to the rising farmer suicides,” a statement from the channel says.

    Throughout the week, CNN-IBN’s flagship news bulletin, India at 9, will bring stories from across the country that look at the state of farmers from some of the worst-affected areas, including how banks are grappling and how political parties are politicising the entire situation in their favour.

    “The series is aimed at unearthing the real impact of the Rs 60,000 crore loan waiver on those it is supposed to help. It sheds light on the plight and state of farmers across the country, for whom nothing really changes,” says CNN-IBN and IBN7 editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai.

    The channel believes that the farm loan waiver is expected to benefit thirty million small and medium farmers, but in fact the figure is nothing like it.

    The channel statement says that the waiver is in fact only applicable to loans taken from established and recognised banks for less than 2.5 hectares of land.

    “However, a majority of the affected farmers either own more than 2.5-hectares of land and/or borrowed money from private moneylenders,” it adds.

    Therefore, this means that they are exempted from the waiver and that in reality it is just a pre-poll political gimmick.

    The series takes viewers through places like Bundelkhand, Vidarbha, Telengana, Haryana and even the finance minster’s constituency of Shivganga in Tamil Nadu to showcase ground realities that have been overlooked by the government’s otherwise impressive grant.

    “Could it be a political carrot dangling before farmers to gain momentum before the upcoming elections? CNN-IBN finds out,” says the statement.

    In addition, the series also lays focus on the growing migration of people from areas like the Azamgarh-Varanasi belt to the big cities in search of urban opportunities. For these former farmers, agriculture is no longer an option and jobs in metropolises seem more alluring.

    The Sixty Thousand Crore Loan Waiver is a series that looks into the reality of the Budget’s most-hyped provision and how everything is not what meets the eye!

  • CNN-IBN to launch ‘Battle for the North-East’

    CNN-IBN to launch ‘Battle for the North-East’

    MUMBAI: CNN-IBN is launching a new series Battle for North-East on the polls of Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya. The week-long series will provide election updates and stories on the three states regularly on the newswheel on CNN-IBN accompanied by special coverage on polling and counting days.

    For this, the news channel has tied-up with The Shillong Times, an English newspaper from Meghalaya, for the local coverage.

    The series will focus on the opinion of the people about their sense of alienation, their desire for mainstreaming, their view of the rest of the country, and a reality-check of the changing social trends of the state.

    CNN-IBN and IBN 7 editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai said, “The upcoming elections in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland will be imperative in deciding the political stability of the region in the time to come. CNN-IBN will closely follow the entire process from the pre-polling to the ballot counting and provide the viewers comprehensive analysis on the same. In other words, ‘Battle for North-East’ will be India’s window into northeast India.”

  • CNN-IBN, Hindustan Times to present ‘Mumbai Makeover’

    CNN-IBN, Hindustan Times to present ‘Mumbai Makeover’

    MUMBAI: CNN-IBN, in association with Hindustan Times, is launching a special series – Mumbai Makeover on 8 March at 8:30 pm. The special series will take a look at the five biggest civic projects presently underway in Mumbai and how they are expected to change the face of the city over the next few years.

    Mumbai Makeover is an extension of the The Mumbai Project, initiated recently by the Hindustan Times. It explores the hurdles, progress and anticipated benefits of five large-scale municipal assignments presently underway across Mumbai.

    CNN-IBN and IBN 7 editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai said, “A rapidly growing population and limitations of space are problems faced by metropolises across the country, especially Mumbai. Mumbai Makeover looks into some of the major development projects planned by the city to ease the encumbrance faced by Mumbaikars on a daily basis. It is a series that will be of interest and relevance to all who consider Mumbai home.”

    Hindustan Times, Mumbai editor Samar Halarnkar said, “We, at HT, believe we live in a time of hope and great change. So it’s time to hope, certainly, that we can transform our city. It’s also time to understand the change that is upon us.”

  • CNN-IBN to air ‘Exam Fever’ series for students

    CNN-IBN to air ‘Exam Fever’ series for students

    MUMBAI: With CBSE annual exams round the corner, Network 18’s English news channel CNN-IBN is all set to air a daily special report “Exam Fever” in its 8 am show Breakfast with India from 25 to 29 February.

    “Exam Fever” will have tips about handling the stress, last-minute revision and guidelines for parents to help their children cope.

    “Each year, students are put under tremendous pressure regarding the board exams. ‘Exam Fever’ is our way of alleviating this load and consequently helping them do better with subject-by-subject advice from those who know best,” said CNN-IBN and IBN 7 editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai.

    For students preparing for the class X exams, each day a subject like maths, science, social studies, etc will be discussed by an expert who will provide tips on how best to go about the last few days of preparations.

    In addition, issues like handling exam and parental pressures, questioning the use of memory pills to exploring the benefits of helplines will be dealt with, and students and parents will have their questions answered.

    Viewers can log on to ibnlive.com to post their questions, which will be answered by the guest experts on the show.

  • CNN-IBN to showcase ‘India’s Incredible Homes’

    CNN-IBN to showcase ‘India’s Incredible Homes’

    MUMBAI: CNN-IBN is launching a special series India’s Incredible Homes on 16 February. The half-hour show at 12:30 pm will showcase homes ranging from an urban dwelling, a nature getaway to an unusual abode or a famous celebrity’s customised residence.

    The new show will consist of a number of segments “Personality Homes,” “Away from the City,” “Funky Homes” and “Back to Basics.” The Personality Homes special will talk about homes that reflect the persona of various well-known personalities. Away from the City segment will highlight the homes that take care of the dweller in the lap of nature – from mountains to beaches. Funky Homes segment will present to its viewers the homes that celebrate the marriage of ideas and design, convergence of traditional design and modern amenities; the Back to Basics section will present homes that embody the integrity of ‘domestic’ life and the simplicity of design.

    CNN-IBN and IBN7 editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai said, “It is widely believed that homes are an expression of one’s ideas and a reflection of their dreams. CNN-IBN’s India’s Incredible Homes will reveal just this as it presents model homes from across the country that are the pride and joy of their owners.”

    “A feature series unlike any other on CNN-IBN, India’s Incredible Homes is bound to appeal to a wide audience and therefore prove an excellent platform for companies choosing to associate their brands with it,” said CNN-IBN and IBN 7 national sales head Sanjay Dua.
     

  • CNN-IBN launches special series ‘Whose City is it Anyway?’

    CNN-IBN launches special series ‘Whose City is it Anyway?’

    MUMBAI: CNN-IBN has launched a weeklong series Whose City is it Anyway? that explores the rising threat of a clash between locals and migrants over space, jobs and other urban opportunities.

    Each day, the series delves into the inside story of the conflict between old and new in the cities that include Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Pune, Guwahati and Ludhiana.

    CNN-IBN editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai said, “What has happened in Mumbai is a manifestation of the growing anger and intolerance that is taking place in all major cities across the country.

    Whose City is it Anyway? takes a city-by-city look at what is plaguing some of India’s most populous urban centres with regard to rising migration.”

  • Padm Shri for Barkha Dutt, Rajdeep Sardesai, Vinod Dua

    MUMBAI: The ‘Padm Shri’ award will be conferred to six media personalities this year.

    Among the winners of the ‘Padma Shri’ are CNN-IBN editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai along with NDTV’s managing editor, Barkha Dutt and Vinod Dua from the news channels.

    Bollywood actor Madhuri Dixit, actor Tom Alter and Hollywood film maker Manoj Night Shyamalan are also on the list.

    Rajdeep Sardesai, who entered television journalism in 1994 as political editor of NDTV, was the host of the award-winning talk show The Big Fight, and was particularly appreciated for his coverage of the Gujarat riots. Sardesai has been bestowed with many prizes for journalism including ‘C H Mohammad Koya Journalism Award’ -2007 and ‘Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards’ for 2006-07.

    Barkha Dutt has won over 20 international and national awards, including the Commonwealth Broadcasters Award 2002, the ‘Global Leader of Tomorrow Award’ from the World Economic Forum in 2001, and the ‘Broadcast Journalist of the Year’ award from the Indian Express, in 2005.

    Vinod Dua has been a prominent face of television for over three decades, known for his distinctive style and informal manner. He has been a producer and anchor for a wide range of programmes, which covered election analysis, political commentaries, documentaries and features. Dua has earlier received the ‘B D Goenka award for excellence in journalism’.

    Madhuri Dixit is one of the biggest stars of the Indian film industry. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, she dominated Hindi cinema as a leading actress, appearing in many hit films like Tezaab in 1988 Ram Lakhan, Parinda and Tridev in 1989, Dil in 1990, Saajan in 1991, Beta in 1992, Khalnayak in 1993, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun in 1994 and Raja in 1995.

    Tom Alter is an Indian actor of American origin. He has worked for Satyajit Ray in Shatranj Ke Khiladi and Ismail Merchant. In Sardar, the 1993 film biography of Sardar Patel, Alter portrayed ‘Lord Mountbatten’. He has also played sadistic mob lord Keshav Kalsi in long running series Junoon on Doordarshan .

    M. Night Shyamalan is best known for his work on the movies The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Signs, and The Village.

    Meanwhile, the government has decided not to confer highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna to any politician this year.

    For the past six years, the award has not being given to anyone.

  • Three-way tussle in the English news channel arena

    Three-way tussle in the English news channel arena

    The English news channel market, unlike the situation existing in the Hindi arena, is not about cutthroat competition and a constant search for new and ever more outrageous attention grabbing news pegs. A three player fight for bragging rights as well as a more broadbased target audience allows for far greater ‘traditional news’ play among the channels.

     

    A detailed analysis of the English news channels using Tam data (All India, C&S 15+, all day parts) during the one-year period beginning January 2007 reveals that there is no clear leader in the genre.

     

    2007 has seen the number one position baton changing hands between the three – NDTV 24×7, CNN IBN and Times Now more than. Still, looking at average annual relative shares it is NDTV 24X7 that is ahead by a nose with 29.75 per cent. In second spot is CNN IBN with 28.5 per cent average annual relative share, just ahead of Times Now which at 27.25 per cent.

     

    Hovering in a range between 28 and 31 per cent, NDTV 24X7 was in the top position in the February to June period. In July-August, with 28 and 30 per cent respectively NDTV 24X7 lost the crowning position to CNN-IBN. Occupying 28 per cent in November, NDTV 24X7 had to give away the top place to Times Now. It rounded off the year sharing 29 per cent each with Times Now to be in the top place.

     

    On the other hand CNN IBN started the year in the top position with 31 per cent but handed over the reins to NDTV 24X7 thereafter. Picking up in the months of July and August with 32 per cent and 30 per cent respectively, the relative share of CNN IBN started falling drastically and hit 25 per cent in November and 28 per cent in December.

     

    CNN IBN editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai said, “I feel that sometimes too much is inspected of the frills, but making the cake is the real challenge. That is my biggest worry: how do you relentlessly make quality news without getting into the ratings war.”

     

    In terms of market share, though Times Now has seen some highs and lows in the year, yet the English news channel has displayed the best progress overall of the three. In its second year since launch, Times Now has been able to break the two-channel shackle in the English news genre.

     

    It started the year with relative share as low as 22 per cent. It gained in February to April period to reach 31 per cent but started slipping down since then dabbling between 25 to 26 per cent. It hit 31 per cent in November and for the first time held the highest position. Even though it fell to 29 per cent in December, yet it retained its top place to end the year on a high note.

     

    Times Now editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami said: “Our idea was to get into the minds of the viewer which we successfully did in 11 months of launch in 2006, the year of our launch. The clear target was to become the default news habit of the country. And we closed 2007 as the unquestionable number 1 news channel in India not just in the English news channel space but even when putting Hindi and English news channels together. It is a good feeling. But what gives me satisfaction as a journalist is that we have set the modus operandi. We have broken 90 per cent some of the biggest stories of 2007.

     

    “Newshour at 9 PM is doing well. We are the clear number 1 in this segment. People watch news channels for news. So instead of having niche shows in an important band time, we have news at 6 pm, 9 pm.

     

    “We have our sports show at 8:30 pm. We do not place a show in a particular slot just to compete with others in the same slot. Only a confident channel can do that. I do not pass off as a sports show where two people sit in a studio and keep blabbering. The game is more dynamic,” he asserts.

     

    For Hindi News channel market leader Aaj Tak’s English sibling Headlines Today though, the story continues to be that of the straggler. With an average annual relative share of 11.6 per cent, it had managed its highest of 14 per cent in November. It gathered 13 per cent each in January, June and August. It has its lowest of 9 per cent in May.

     

    Meanwhile, international news channels BBC World and CNN have an average annual relative market share of 1.3 per cent and 1.5 per cent respectively.

     

    Still, as Sardesai correctly points out, the news channel battle is not just about eyeballs but perception. “The future battle will be of perceptions, of influence, or being thought leaders. In CNN IBN. That’s been our aim, to be thought leaders,” he avers.

  • CNN-IBN, IBN 7 launch Taare Zameen Par contest

    MUMBAI: CNN-IBN, IBN 7, IBNLive.com and Buzz18.com have launched Taare Zameen Par contest to promote the Aamir Khan’s directorial debut.

    The contest will hunt for seven special children, who will get a chance to perform for Aamir Khan. The contest will conclude with a special half-hour show on 20 December.

    During the show, Aamir Khan will walk through a school, where the show is shot. He will talk about his own childhood days, favourite teachers and favourite moments as a student. In the school auditorium the seven chosen finalists will perform.

    CNN-IBN and IBN 7 editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai said, “Every child is unique in his/her own right. The idea behind the contest is to celebrate childhood and all the quirks that come with it. I am sure eager participation by parents wanting to showcase what makes their child special, will make this initiative a huge success. ”

    Said IBN 7 managing editor Ashutosh, “While most contests for children invite entries from exceptionally intelligent or talented candidates, our Taare Zameen Par contest stands apart. This is because it celebrates each child for his/her special ability, no matter how banal or unusual. In addition, the opportunity to meet a mega star like Aamir Khan will add to the attraction of the initiative. “

  • CNN-IBN, IBN 7 launch Aaja Nachle – Madhuri Makeover contest

    MUMBAI : CNN-IBN and IBN 7 in association with Buzz18.com has launched ‘Aaja Nachle – Madhuri Makeover contest’. As part of the contest, the show ‘Main Madhuri Bana Chahati Hoon’ will be on IBN 7 and CNN-IBN on 1 and 3 December respectively.

    Three winners of the contest which is open for only female viewers, will be given a makeover by Manish Malhotra and Subbu, the designer-stylist team of Madhuri Dixit in the film Aaja Nachle.

    The ‘Madhuri Makeover Show’ will showcase the journey of the three contestants and their entire makeover experience. 

    “Madhuri Dixit’s nation-wide popularity combined with the opportunity to be dressed by some of the top stylists is bound to make the ‘Aaja Nachle Contest’ will be liked by all. Through this initiative we hope to give our viewers a chance to experience the glitzy lifestyle of the star herself,” said CNN-IBN and IBN 7 editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai.

    IBN 7 managing editor Ashutosh said, “The year’s next big release – Aaja Nachle has created a buzz around the country as it heralds Madhuri Dixit’s comeback to the silverscreen. Our contest provides her female fan club the chance to realise their dreams of meeting the actress and experiencing what it’s like to be her. “

    “A contest involving one of the biggest names in Bollywood will certainly generate a great deal of interest from the viewers. We are happy to offer our advertisers the opportunity to be associated with this contest and tap into the massie exposure and excitement that it will create,” said CNN-IBN and IBN 7 national sales head Sanjay Dua.