As India heads into a major electoral battle in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Keralam, Assam and Puducherry, CNN-News18 has unveiled ‘Battle for the States’, a comprehensive multi-format special programming initiative ahead of the polls.
Under the theme Road to Power, the programming tracks the entire election journey, from polling to results to government formation. It brings viewers closer to the action, capturing key narratives and voter sentiment across key battleground states.
The political battleground is heating up with debates around identity and regional politics triggered by the S.I.R. controversy in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, while Kerala is witnessing political churn despite being India’s most educated state. In Assam, development promises face questions around migration, while Puducherry’s elections revolve around governance and economic challenges.
With issues that are deeply local and nuanced, the elections demand a hyperlocal lens, something CNN-News18 aims to bring through its on-ground, state-by-state coverage.
A Dynamic Line-Up of Election Specials
CNN-News18 has introduced ‘Vote Tracker’, a three-part election series produced in collaboration with survey agency ‘Vote Vibe’. The series combines survey data, expert analysis and ground reportage.
Tracking key indicators such as seat share, vote share, leadership preference and voter priorities, the segment uses augmented reality graphics and in-studio analysis to simplify complex electoral data. The episodes will run from 6pm to 10pm every Monday, till 6th April.
The programming slate includes a special segment ‘So Saree!’, a ground-report-driven show spanning all five poll-bound regions. The format features women anchors and reporters travelling across constituencies dressed in handwoven sarees native to each state, using the attire as a cultural lens to tell hyperlocal stories.
The saree acts as a metaphor for India’s diversity, each weave representing a unique regional narrative, while the reporters weave together a broader picture of the electorate’s mood.
Additionally, special segments, ‘Unfiltered Kaapi and Chai-Niti’, adopt a fast-paced, high-impact format inspired by everyday raw and unfiltered political discussions at chai stalls and filter coffee counters. Tailored regionally in both name and flavour, the segments feature candid anchor-reporter conversations that break down ground realities with strong local context.
The above three special segments air at 6:30 PM on weekdays.
Complementing the daily coverage is the ‘Reporters Project’, a weekend docuseries that takes a deeper, ground-up approach. CNN-News18 reporters travel across key constituencies to take the pulse of the state and voice voters’ opinions.
Rahul Shivshankar, Editorial Affairs Director, CNN-News18, “Elections are about people, their aspirations, identities and the issues that matter to them, and every state tells a different story. With ‘Battle for the States’, we’re not just tracking who’s ahead, but understanding the sentiment on the ground, the shifts underway and what’s driving voter choices. Our focus is on keeping the coverage comprehensive, clear, credible and rooted in on-ground reporting.”
Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News, Network18, said, “At CNN-News18, our election coverage is built on credibility, depth and the trust our viewers place in us. ‘Battle for the States’ is an extension of that promise, bringing together on-ground reporting, data-backed insights and clear storytelling. Over the years, audiences have consistently turned to us for reliable coverage, and our teams remain committed to delivering information that is relevant, sharp and timely as these crucial Assembly elections unfold.”
CNN-News18 continues to lead from the front with its dedicated election programming, innovative formats and technology-led storytelling, giving viewers a comprehensive view of one of India’s most closely watched electoral cycles with speed, accuracy and depth.
Tune in to CNN-News18 as we bring you the Battle for the States, with the most extensive and on-ground election coverage on TV, CTV and YouTube.