India’s private FM radio sector expanded from 385 channels in 113 cities to 390 channels in 120 cities during January-March 2026, driven by seven new stations launched by DB Corp, according to TRAI. However, ad revenue declined from Rs 419.29 crore to Rs 414.03 crore during the quarter, indicating growing monetisation challenges despite wider reach. The data comes amid major industry restructuring, including HT Media’s closure of five FM stations in June due to financial unviability. Entertainment Network remained the largest private FM operator with 73 channels, while community radio stations increased from 557 to 564. The figures highlight a sector balancing expansion with revenue pressures and rising competition from digital audio platforms, Bestmediainfo reported.  

Bengali news channel Kolkata TV has suspended its broadcasting operations indefinitely, creating uncertainty over its television business, employees, distribution network, and advertiser commitments. The channel’s broadcast feed reportedly went off‑air on June 25, leading to a complete blackout of its linear television operations. At the time of reporting, no official statement had been issued explaining the shutdown. Kolkata TV has been a prominent regional news channel in West Bengal, known for its critical stance towards the BJP and perceived proximity to the Trinamool Congress. Over the years, it has frequently been at the centre of political and regulatory controversies. According to BestMediaInfo, the suspension comes amid a history of regulatory and financial scrutiny. In 2021, the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued a show‑cause notice linked to security clearance concerns. Earlier, in 2018, channel chairman Kaustuv Ray was arrested by the CBI

When veteran journalist Kumar Kadam began travelling across Maharashtra in 2005, he was racing against time. Many of the activists, journalists and ordinary citizens who had participated in the Samyukta Maharashtra movement were growing old, and Kadam feared their memories would disappear with them if no one recorded their stories. Two decades later, that effort has received official recognition. On Wednesday, Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar informed the Assembly that the state government would acquire Kadam's archive comprising 150 rare photographs, 35 interviews and several historical documents related to the Samyukta Maharashtra movement. The collection was examined by a government-appointed committee before the decision was taken, The Print reported. Describing the movement as one of post-Independence India's most significant mass movements, Shelar said the archive would help preserve the history of the struggle that culminated in the formation of Maharash

In front of police personnel, with cameras rolling, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Dina Patil turned on the reporters questioning him. "Why are you asking again and again?" he said. "If you come for a reaction again, I will beat you. I am saying this in front of the police and camera." The outburst, captured on Thursday, set off protests by journalists' associations across Mumbai and Thane and, by the end of the day, a press boycott of Patil himself. Patil, the Mumbai North-East MP, was among the six Lok Sabha members who recently crossed from the Shiv Sena (UBT) to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. He had been answering questions calmly about his defection until reporters asked about his daughter, corporator Rajul Patil, who has publicly chosen to stay with the Uddhav Thackeray faction. That is when he lost his temper, hurled expletives and issued the threat on camera. Ganesh Thorat, a reporter with TV9, who was part of the group outside Patil's residence, told Influencing, "He was calmly

  Friday, 26 June 2026 The Times of India #1  ·  Times City  ·  Breaking news Digital arrest scam: CBI teams raid 80 locations in 16 states, arrest key agents By Vibha Sharma   ·   The Times of India  ·  Page 2 CBI launched Operation Chakra-VI after scammers created a fraudulent web portal mirroring the Supreme Court of India's official site, with 60 special teams executing coordinated searches across more than 80 locations in 16 states. Two key operatives who laundered nearly Rs 2 crore through shell companies and mule bank accounts have been arrested, and investigators found evidence the network victimised foreigners, prompting alerts to international law enforcement. The targeted syndicate is allegedly linked to over 200 digital arrest scam cases nationwide. The story distinguishes itself by explaining the technical and psychological architecture of the scam in granular detail — AI-generated

Karl Stefanovic has officially departed Nine and the Today Show following the controversy over his interview with far-right British activist Tommy Robinson. A statement released by Nine this morning said: “Nine Entertainment and Karl Stefanovic have agreed that it is no longer possible for him to continue hosting Today at the same time as his independent podcast”. “While Karl and Nine had previously agreed he would leave Today at the end of this year, they have subsequently decided he will leave the Network immediately.”  Meanwhile, the Sydney Morning Herald’s Bevan Shields revealed that an email sent to staff on Friday by Nine chief executive Matt Stanton said it was “the right time for Karl to move on from the Today show and Nine”. “Karl has been a fixture on our screens for over two decades, so we know this is a significant change for our viewers and all of us here at Nine, however it’s the right time to make it,&rdqu

Labor ditches ‘widow tax’ as budget backflips blow a $1b hole The Albanese government has reversed course on the so-called “widow tax”, signalling further budget changes as it negotiates a difficult parliamentary path for its broader tax agenda. The AFR warns the cumulative backdowns leave a $1 billion gap and could compound fiscal pressure if major NDIS reforms slip, underscoring how political compromise is reshaping the budget’s credibility and priorities. Covered by: Australian Financial Review, Australian Financial Review, The West Australian. Indigenous Voice push reignites as unions break with PM The ACTU is urging Labor to “try again” on an Indigenous Voice-style body, reopening a politically fraught debate after the referendum defeat and highlighting pressure on the government from within its broader progressive base. The union movement is also pushing for an Australia Day date change, sharpening the culture-war edge and raising questions about Labor’s appeti