News Broadcasting
India TV emerges as the No 1 Hindi news channel during recent counting day
Mumbai : Over the years, the media industry has been in a state of constant flux. From the perspective of the user, news consumption and delivery patterns have shifted. As a result, news outlets have expanded across multiple platforms. According to Comscore’s January 2023 report, India’s Total News Internet Audience is 440 million.
India TV has seized this opportunity to become the undisputed leader (number one) in providing Hindi news in the country.
According to the most recent Barc, India TV had the highest viewership during the Northeast elections (Counting hour between 7am – 1pm).
Speaking about this feat, India TV chairman Rajat Sharma said, “There needs to be a realization that it is the user who is now shaping the demand for content. They have the freedom to decide how, when, and where to consume the content. Hence, news channels must focus on creating fluid strategies that focus on personalization and content customisation.”
In comparison to its competitors, India TV had a gross average minute audience (AMA 000s) of 3,117. News 18 India came in second with a gross AMA 000 of 2,990, followed by Aaj Tak with an AMA 000 of 2,645 and TV9 Bharatvarsh and Republic Bharat among 15+ HSM viewers between 7am and 1pm.
Furthermore, India’s first RPD data from Airtel Xstream confirms that India TV is the most popular Hindi news channel. According to RPD data, among the top 5 SD Hindi News Channels, India TV led with 29.7 per cent relative share on the most recent counting day, followed by Aaj Tak with 24.7 per cent, R Bharat with 16.0 per cent, ABP News with 15.6 per cent, and Zee News with 14.0 per cent.
Regarding numbers, Sharma said, “This is a validation of our strategy. Over the years, we have made a huge effort to redefine our content strategies i.e., take a data driven approach towards analyzing viewership. My belief is that the only constant in the media industry, moving forward, will be change. Hence, as a response, news channels need to constantly reinvent themselves to stay relevant.”
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 rolls out Battle for the States ahead of key polls
Multi-format election coverage tracks voter mood across five battleground states
NEW DELHI: CNN-News18 has launched a special election programming initiative titled Battle for the States, as India gears up for high-stakes Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
Built around the theme ‘Road to Power’, the multi-format coverage aims to follow the entire electoral journey, from campaigning and polling to results and government formation. The network is leaning into on-ground reportage and data-backed storytelling to decode voter sentiment across regions where local issues often shape the narrative.
The programming line-up includes ‘Vote Tracker’, a three-part series developed in collaboration with survey agency Vote Vibe. The show blends survey insights with expert commentary and field reporting, using augmented reality graphics to present complex electoral data such as vote share, seat projections and leadership preferences in a more accessible format. It will air every Monday evening until April 6.
Adding a cultural lens to political reporting is ‘So Saree!’, a ground-driven segment where women anchors travel across constituencies dressed in traditional handwoven sarees from each state. The format uses attire as a storytelling device, highlighting regional identity while capturing grassroots voices.
Meanwhile, ‘Unfiltered Kaapi’ and ‘Chai-Niti’ bring a more conversational tone, drawing inspiration from everyday political discussions in tea stalls and coffee corners. These segments aim to break down key issues through candid, fast-paced exchanges between anchors and reporters, tailored to regional sensibilities.
For viewers seeking deeper insights, the weekend docuseries ‘Reporters Project’ takes a longer view, with correspondents travelling across constituencies to map voter concerns and political shifts on the ground.
“Elections are about people, their aspirations, identities and the issues that matter to them, and every state tells a different story,” said CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar. He added that the initiative focuses on understanding “the sentiment on the ground and what’s driving voter choices”.
Echoing the emphasis on credibility, Network18 CEO – English and business news Smriti Mehra said the network aims to combine on-ground reporting with data-led insights to deliver clear and timely coverage as the elections unfold.
With a mix of data, culture and grassroots reporting, CNN-News18 is positioning Battle for the States as a comprehensive window into one of India’s most closely watched electoral cycles, where every vote carries a story waiting to be told.
