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Wednesday, May 8, 2024
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Tele-scope

TV news is 90% politicians, 5% experts, 5% anchors. UP coverage is finally changing that

‘First to report’ — TV channels love self-praise. But when it comes to UP elections, they are doing something actually praise-worthy.

It’s the season of Kaun Banega Imaandaar as TV channels interview Yogi, Akhilesh Yadav

Anjana Om Kashyap of Aaj Tak was incensed at Akhilesh calling her an ‘imandaar’ journalist. Yogi Adityanath doesn't need to as anchors listen to him almost respectfully.

Lesson from 2021 is that TV news sees a lot ‘ulta’ — Covid, Bengal election, farmers’ protest

In 2021, we watched events through a distorted lens on TV news channels. Like living in the Truman Show.

Doctors are back on TV for Omicron, but channels distracted with Aishwarya, Jaya

‘Don’t drop your mask’ is the news channels' verdict and it was business as usual in parliament. But Aishwarya's ED case & Jaya's meltdown went prime time.

‘Har Har Modi’ in Kashi – TV channels gave Modi a mythical status & aura none can challenge

PM Narendra Modi has achieved virtual canonisation – on TV news – in his lifetime, a feat unparalleled for the political leader of a democracy.

Covering CDS Gen Bipin Rawat’s death, TV news turned sober—in a long time

The reporting was so circumspect that only Republic TV and India TV were willing to go even so far as to reveal that CDS Rawat was in hospital, at around 3pm.

Thank god for Netflix and Vir Das. India’s craving comedy and satire, but TVs are a no-go

Clearly, producers and channels know something we don’t — that Indians don’t watch TV to be amused or elevated.

Kejriwal TV ads disappear in Delhi smog, but Modi gets quality air time with UP expressway

For India's Hindi and English news channels, following Modi wherever he goes is a win-win strategy: they earn PM and BJP's goodwill at a very low cost to themselves.

Move over Big Boss. It’s time to look at The Big Picture—juvenile, but has Ranveer’s energy

Of course, you could watch both, as they are on the same channel—one after the other— but what fun would that be?

Daisy Dee bra ad a hoorah for Indian TV commercials. Just hope a minister isn’t offended

If offended, minister Narottam Mishra only needs to look at the ads for male undergarments that adorn our TV screens. Or just ask Akshay Kumar, Vicky Kaushal, or Varun Dhawan.

On Camera

Met Gala is the new aspirational red carpet for Indian celebrities. Move over, Cannes

This year, at the Met, Isha Ambani wore one of Rahul Mishra’s creations, which is a sari in name only. It marked his label’s debut at what is fashion’s biggest stage.

Air India reduces baggage allowance by 5-15 kg, bringing it in line with rest of industry

Air India’s new policy, effective from 2 May, introduces new weight limits for tickets in each of the different 'fare families' — Comfort, Comfort Plus, and Flex.

Three Indian Navy ships deployed to South China Sea

Deployment comes at a time when Yuan Wang 03, a Chinese missile and satellite tracking vessel, has entered Indian Ocean Region.

Frontrunner is letting the challenger define this poll campaign. Modi still hasn’t found a big theme

A theme has not yet emerged for BJP & people see lack of a contest, which makes it unexciting. For all these reasons, 2024 is turning out to be an unexpectedly theme-less election.