TV18 confirms CNN-IBN renewed deal

TV18 and CNN have surprisingly renewed a deal, just weeks after it was announced the two companies would be parting ways at the end of this year.

In an announcement by TV18, the two sides have signed a ten-year deal to strive to take the partnership to another level, enabling CNN-IBN viewers to stay ahead on news from around the world and across multiplatform.

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 to global 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 delivering it to our viewers by informing and enlightening.”

Speaking on the occasion, Rani Raad, Chief Commercial Officer, CNN International, said, “We are delighted to have entered into another long term partnership with TV18 that builds on the success we have achieved already for CNN-IBN. We embark on this next chapter with a new management team and a renewed determination to double down on our investments to refresh the brand and support TV18 in ramping up their digital initiatives in 2016 so as to further enhance relevance for the global-minded Indian audience. I’m delighted CNN-IBN is staying in our family of CNN-branded channels around the world that includes CNN Turk, CNN Chile, CNN Philippines, CNN Indonesia and CNN Greece.”

The new deal will benefit CNN-IBN on an international level with synergy not just in television and digital medium but also 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

CNN-IBN is available in the UK and USA as News18 India.