News Broadcasting
US networks HBO, FX to air sitcoms
MUMBAI: The genre called sitcom is suddenly in demand in the US. Cable networks HBO and FX are looking forward to establish a toehold in the most conventional form of comedy in the coming TV season.
The idea is to capitalise on the reduction in the number of network sitcoms for the coming season, according to the channels.
HBO executive VP original programming Carolyn Strauss discussed the network’s plans to develop its first multi-camera comedy Thursday at the Caucus for Television producers, writers and directors third annual luncheon, where the panelists reviewed the just-concluded TV season.
Strauss is quoted in media reports as saying the network will have to keep some guidelines in mind while choosing sitcoms. “I don’t think every sitcom is right for HBO, but I think there is a whole world of sitcoms that the networks won’t do,” said Strauss.
According to FX prexy-CEO Peter Liguori, broadcasters’ current downplaying of sitcoms will provide FX with an opportunity to enter the comedy realm.
News Broadcasting
Network18 channels lead YouTube news viewership in March 2026
CNN-News18, News18 India and CNBC channels top categories with record views
MUMBAI: When the world hit refresh on breaking news, Network18’s channels were already streaming ahead. As geopolitical tensions and war-driven headlines fuelled a surge in global news consumption, the network’s digital playbook delivered big clocking record Youtube viewership across English, Hindi and business news categories in March 2026.
At the forefront was CNN-News18, which emerged as the clear leader in the English news segment with 130 million live and video-on-demand views. The channel edged past competitors such as Times of India (126.5 million), Times Now (101.1 million), India Today (88.2 million) and NDTV (77.5 million), according to Databeings data for March.
In the Hindi news arena, News18 India delivered a commanding performance, racking up a staggering 3,297 million views on YouTube. The channel comfortably outpaced NDTV India, which recorded 3,119 million views, underlining its deep reach and consistent engagement with mass audiences, as per Playboard data.
The network’s dominance wasn’t confined to general news. In the Hindi business segment, CNBC Awaaz topped the charts with 92 million views, narrowly ahead of Zee Business (90 million) and well ahead of ET Now Swadesh (57 million). Meanwhile, its English counterpart CNBC-TV18 posted a strong 58 million views, reinforcing the network’s cross-category strength.
The spike in viewership reflects a broader shift in audience behaviour, with viewers increasingly turning to digital platforms particularly Youtube for real-time updates and in-depth coverage during high-intensity news cycles. For Network18, the numbers signal more than just scale; they underline the effectiveness of a multi-platform strategy that blends speed, credibility and continuous coverage.
In a month where the news never paused, it seems viewers chose to stay tuned where the stream never stopped.
