News Broadcasting
Research Advisory Council to guide DD, AIR
NEW DELHI: The Indian government has so far earned a total revenue of Rs 1550.12 million from open auctions of FM radio stations, which includes earnest money, but excludes bank guarantees lying with the government. Auctioning for licences for 40 cities has been conducted thus far.
This was stated in Lok Sabha (Indian Parliament’s Lower House) on Thursday by the information and broadcasting minister Sushma Swaraj in a written reply to a query put up by fellow parliamentarian, Dr N Venkataswamy.
The minister also informed Lok Sabha that pubcaster Doordarshan has constituted a Research Advisory Committee consisting of eminent personalities in the field of communication research to advise it on strengthening in-house research and improving quality of programme content.
Quoting facts given by Prasar Bharati, which oversees the functioning of both DD and All India Radio, Swaraj said the rating agencies’ sample does not adequately represent the viewership of Doordarshan as the sample size of the outside rating agency is limited to only 27 cities/towns, whereas the reach of Doordarshan lies in smaller cities and villages also.
According to the minister, Doordarshan’s research unit is being revamped suitably to facilitate proper assessment and to incorporate a feedback mechanism to enable restructuring of content and format of programme, according to viewers’ needs and preferences.
To meet the challenges posed by changes in the market scenario, Doordarshan has taken various steps in order to increase viewership and boost revenue during the coming years. These include improvement in the quality of content and presentation of channels, improvement in the quality of transmission, usage of more flexible rate card to meet challenges of the competitive market environment, introduction of effective system of advertising of Doordarshan’s channels and programmes, Swaraj told Parliament.
Steps have also been taken to exploit full commercial potential of various programmes. Doordarshan has created its own marketing set up and a separate Development Communication Division to look after business of various government ministries/departments and Public Sector Undertakings, the minister added.
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. 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.
