News Broadcasting
Barc Wk 5′ 23: Star Plus tops in all India market
Mumbai : Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc) India has released currency data for the fifth week, i.e., 28 January to 3 February 2023 . As per data for the all India 2+ target group, Star Plus is the most watched channel in India with an average minute audience (AMA) of 2439.41 (000) AMA. It was followed by Sun TV at 2331.01 (000) AMA, Goldmines at 2048.55 (000) AMA , Dangal at 1994.68 (000) AMA and Star Maa at 1980.7 (000) AMA
The average minute audience (AMA) is defined as the number of individuals within a target audience who viewed a televised “event,” averaged across minutes. In the Hindi speaking market (HSM), Star Plus emerged as the most watched channel at 2354.6 (000) AMA, followed by Goldmines at 2022.69(000) AMA, Dangal at 1985.92 (000) AMA,, Colors at 1745.66 (000) AMA and Star Pravah at 1627.73 (000) AMA.
In the South market, Sun TV was the most watched channel at 2314.97 (000) AMA, followed by Star Maa at 1930.3 (000) AMA, Zee Kannada at 1552.68 (000) AMA , Zee Telugu at 1499.91(000) AMA and Star Vijay at 1317.28 (000) AMA.
In the Maharashtra/Goa market, Star Pravah was the most watched channel at 1612.77 (000) AMA , followed by Colors Marathi at 430.05 (000) AMA, Zee Marathi at 420.19 (000) AMA, Sony Sab at 374.62 (000) AMA and Colors at 350.85 (000) AMA.
In the West Bengal market, Star Jalsha was the most watched channel with 1032.42 (000) AMA, followed by Zee Bangla at 822.88 (000) AMA, Jalsha Movies at 168.91 (000) AMA, Colors Bangla at 139.66 (000) AMA and Enterr 10 Bangla at 126.9 (000) AMA.
In the megacities market, including Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Chennai, Colors was the most watched channel at 475.71(000) AMA followed by Sun TV at 410.59 (000) AMA, Star Plus at 388.61 (000) AMA, Star Pravah at 303.49 (000) AMA and Star Vijay at 257.5 (000) AMA.
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.
