CNN-IBN

CNN-IBN is a former Indian English-language news television channel launched by Rajdeep Sardesai and Sameer Manchanda in partnership with Global Broadcast News and Turner International India, a subsidiary of Time Warner and TV18. The channel was headquartered in Noida and had bureaus in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. It was also available in several countries, including United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Singapore, through partnerships with Dish Network, Sky, and Rogers Communications. The channel's programming included a mix of BBC News-style coverage and Al Jazeera-style in-depth analysis, with a focus on Indian politics, business, and entertainment.

● History

The channel was launched on December 17, 2005, with Rajdeep Sardesai as its founding editor and Sameer Manchanda as its chairman. It was initially available in India, Pakistan, and several countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The channel's early success was driven by its coverage of major events, including the Mumbai train bombings and the Indian general election, 2009. The channel also partnered with CNN International to provide global coverage of events such as the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup. Over time, the channel expanded its reach to several countries, including South Africa, China, and Japan, through partnerships with Multichoice, China Central Television, and NHK. The channel's growth was also driven by its association with other Network18 channels, including CNBC-TV18, CNBC Awaaz, and IBN7.

● Programming

The channel's programming included a range of shows, such as The Week That Wasn't, Devil's Advocate, and Face the Nation, which featured interviews with prominent personalities, including Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi, and Amitabh Bachchan. The channel also aired several documentaries, including The Citizen Journalist Show and Real Heroes, which highlighted the work of social entrepreneurs and human rights activists. The channel's news coverage was led by anchors such as Rajdeep Sardesai, Sagarika Ghose, and Bhupendra Chaubey, who reported on major events, including the Commonwealth Games, the Indian Premier League, and the Bollywood film industry. The channel also partnered with The New York Times and The Washington Post to provide in-depth analysis of global events, including the Arab Spring and the European sovereign-debt crisis.

● Awards_and_recognition

The channel won several awards, including the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award, the Indian Television Academy Award, and the News Television Award. The channel's journalists, including Rajdeep Sardesai and Sagarika Ghose, also won individual awards, such as the Padma Shri and the Ramon Magsaysay Award. The channel was also recognized for its coverage of major events, including the Mumbai terror attacks and the Uttarakhand floods, by organizations such as the International Press Institute and the Committee to Protect Journalists. The channel's programming was also praised by Indian politicians, including Manmohan Singh and L.K. Advani, who appeared on the channel's shows, including The Devil's Advocate and Face the Nation.

● Controversies

The channel was involved in several controversies, including a defamation case filed by Narendra Modi and a broadcasting ban imposed by the Indian government for its coverage of the Gujarat riots. The channel was also criticized for its coverage of the Indian general election, 2014, with some accusing it of bias towards the Bharatiya Janata Party. The channel's journalists, including Rajdeep Sardesai and Sagarika Ghose, were also targeted by trolls on social media platforms, including Twitter and Facebook. The channel's response to these controversies was led by its editor, Rajdeep Sardesai, who defended the channel's coverage and accused its critics of intolerance and censorship.

● Closure

The channel ceased operations on December 18, 2015, and was replaced by CNN-News18, a new channel launched by Network18 in partnership with WarnerMedia. The closure of the channel was attributed to a decline in viewership and revenue, as well as increased competition from other news channels, including NDTV 24x7 and Times Now. The channel's closure was also seen as a result of the Indian media landscape becoming increasingly polarized and sensationalized, with many channels prioritizing ratings over journalistic integrity. The channel's legacy continues to be felt, however, with many of its journalists and anchors going on to work for other prominent news organizations, including BBC News, Al Jazeera, and The New York Times.