TV18 & CNN renew partnership – plans for refreshed CNN-IBN

In this second term of the collaboration, both the parties aim to present a brand new CNN-IBN that will bring news with even greater speed, accuracy, clarity and credibility

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Mumbai | December 1, 2015

TV18 and CNN International today announced the extension of their collaboration on CNN-IBN. Both parties have entered into a licensing agreement for use of the “CNN” brand and CNN news content by TV18 with effect from January 1, 2016. CNN entered India by partnering with IBN, an English-language news channel launched by Network18, in 2005.

The announcement comes now after the report of termination of partnership in July this year, as earlier the parties didn't agree on a prolongation of the contract. In the new relationship, there will be no change in editorial control of the partnership and the editorial control will remain, as before, with the editorial team at CNN-IBN headed by CEO-News and group editor-in-chief, Rahul Joshi.

Announcing the extension, Adil Zainulbhai, Chairman, network18, said, “We are delighted to announce the renewal of this extremely cherished partnership between two most respected brands in journalism. In this second term of our collaboration, we aim to present a brand new CNN IBN that will bring news with even greater speed, accuracy, clarity and credibility and keep the viewers tuned in to the latest news and developments much ahead of others. We also intend to cut through the noise and clutter that is currently present in the Indian television news space and offer best practices of journalism that will lead to better understanding of issues. The channel will organize meaningful debates and raise issues that touch the lives of our viewers. With this renewed partnership, we will enhance the process of newsgathering and delivery to our viewers in an informative and enlightening manner.”

Speaking on the occasion, Rani Raad, Chief Commercial Officer, CNN International, said, “We are really excited about the future of CNN IBN and together with the new management at TV18, are going to build upon the success we have already achieved. I look forward to the brand continuing its lead in the dynamic Indian news industry and am delighted that CNN IBN is staying in our family of CNN-branded channels around the world that include CNN Turk, CNN Chile, CNN Philippines, CNN Indonesia and CNN Greece.”

The renewed collaboration will see CNN-IBN benefit from its global partner in many ways. Not only will there be synergy in television, the IBN network promises to raise its knowledge bar and stay ahead of the news curve with the following initiatives:

- Access to CNN's reporters and senior editors around the world to provide international perspective

- Access to some of CNN's best global shows, esteemed guests and analysts

- During breaking news, the channel will be the first to get live reports and discussions in real time from CNN studios around the world

- CNN will provide the technical knowhow and training to CNN-IBN anchors and editors

- Revamp of systems and processes to make them more efficient and in line with global standards

In the past ten years, CNN and CNN-IBN have broken several big stories and covered hundreds of big events together. Be it the dastardly 26/11 Mumbai attack, visit of Presidents George Bush and Barack Obama, several terror attacks in India and abroad, dozens of International summits, US Presidential elections, 2009 & 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the global economy meltdown of 2008, cyclones, floods, biggest entertainment stories from across the globe, citizen journalist stories and much more.

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