CNN-News18 has rolled out a special election programming initiative titled ‘Battle for the States’, as the country gears up for crucial Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry. The multi-format coverage aims to track the political pulse across these key battlegrounds, offering viewers a closer look at the narratives shaping the electoral landscape.

As per a press release, the initiative is built around the theme ‘Road to Power’, following the entire election cycle—from polling and counting to government formation. The programming is designed to capture voter sentiment and ground realities through a mix of reportage, analysis and immersive storytelling formats.

With each state presenting its own political dynamics, the coverage focuses on issues that are deeply local and nuanced. From identity-driven debates in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal to political churn in Kerala, and questions around development and migration in Assam, the network aims to present a hyperlocal perspective. Puducherry’s electoral narrative, centred on governance and economic challenges, also forms a key part of the coverage.

A major highlight of the programming is Vote Tracker, a three-part series developed in collaboration with survey agency Vote Vibe. Combining survey data with expert insights and on-ground reporting, the segment tracks indicators such as seat share, vote share and voter priorities, using augmented reality graphics to simplify complex data. The show airs every Monday between 6 pm and 10 pm until April 6.

The network has also introduced ‘So Saree!’, a ground-report-driven segment where women anchors travel across constituencies wearing handwoven sarees native to each state. The format uses attire as a cultural lens to tell local stories, symbolising India’s diversity while building a broader narrative around voter sentiment.

Adding a more conversational layer to the coverage are segments like ‘Unfiltered Kaapi’ and ‘Chai-Niti’, which draw inspiration from everyday political discussions at tea stalls and coffee counters. These fast-paced formats feature candid anchor-reporter interactions, breaking down complex issues with strong regional context. Both segments, along with So Saree!, air on weekdays at 6.30 pm.

Complementing the weekday programming is the ‘Reporters Project’, a weekend docuseries that takes a deeper look at constituencies through extensive ground reporting. The series focuses on capturing voices from across regions, offering a more detailed understanding of voter concerns and expectations.

Commenting on the initiative, Rahul Shivshankar, Editorial Affairs Director at CNN-News18, said elections are ultimately about people, their aspirations and identities, and that each state brings its own story. He noted that the focus of ‘Battle for the States’ is not just on electoral outcomes, but on understanding the shifts and sentiments driving voter choices.

Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News at Network18, emphasised that the network’s election coverage is rooted in credibility, depth and viewer trust. She added that the initiative combines on-ground reporting with data-backed insights to deliver clear and relevant information as the elections unfold.

With its mix of innovative formats and technology-led storytelling, CNN-News18’s ‘Battle for the States’ aims to offer comprehensive and real-time coverage of one of India’s most closely watched electoral cycles across television, connected TV and digital platforms.