News Broadcasting
News18 Tamil Nadu brings Comprehensive Programming for Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections
March 18, 2021, With less than two months to go for the Tamil Nadu elections, the state prepares to see who would be the next occupant of St. George Fort. News18 Tamil Nadu has lined-up extensive programming to capture upcoming state elections Titled ‘Festival of Democracy’ , the programming will showcase the campaigns and rallies of the political parties to questioning the politicians on substantive policy issues that affect the common man to with high-decibel debates to keep the Tamil viewers apprised of major developments in the Tamil Nadu Politics.
New shows include Therthal Kathaiyalla varalaru (History of elections) at 02:30 pm , showcasing analysis on how the elections were conducted earlier in terms of parties, constitutions, star candidates, Election Commission etc . Kalathin Kural (Voice at the right time) at 7 pm , an interactive show with election experts led by a News18 political editor .
18 on 18, an interactive show with college students, First time voters, on how young generation sees the upcoming election which will be an on-ground show telecasted for an hour. Therthal sadukudu (Election punch-up with Audience), where rival candidates are brought face to face amidst the voters, shot as an interactive show in the constituency itself, an hour show on week days.
PECHU…PAETTI…ARIKKAI (SPEECH…INTERVIEW..STATEMENT) at 9 pm on week days , where the Political campaigns of the day will be summed up in half an hour, a fast-paced train of speeches, soundbites and statements by top leaders packaged with Graphics. Podungamma votu (Cast your vote) at 10.30 pm, an info- political entertainment On Screen to Showcase comics & critics of political leaders during their political campaigns.
Oru Naal Oru Natchathram (A day with a star), bringing special Interview with political leaders during their on-ground campaigns. There are also interesting packages which offers news about constituency, Voters and snippets which explains the turning points of Tamil Nadu elections. Ungal thoguthi Arinthathum, Ariyathathum (Your constituency, the known and unknown facts), Muthal Kural (Voice of the first time voter), Nam Vakku Nam uyrimai (My Vote, My Right) and Thiruppu munai (Turning point).
The special programs on the channel will be led by experienced anchors and journalists offering viewers superior coverage of the Tamil Nadu elections. The formidable editorial team will be supported by on-ground reporters and eminent experts, News18 Network will offer viewers unmatched coverage of this crucial state elections.
News Broadcasting
News TV viewership jumps 33 per cent as West Asia war draws audiences
BARC Week 8 data shows news share rising to 8 per cent despite T20 World Cup
NEW DELHI:Â Even as individual television news channel ratings remain under a temporary pause, the genre itself is seeing a clear surge in audience attention.
According to the latest data from Broadcast Audience Research Council India, television news recorded a 33 per cent jump in genre share in Week 8 of 2026, covering February 28 to March 6.
The news genre accounted for 8 per cent of total television viewership during the week, up from 6 per cent the previous week. The spike in attention coincided with escalating geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which have kept global headlines firmly fixed on West Asia.
The rise is notable because it came at a time when cricket was dominating television screens. The high-stakes stages of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, including the Super 8 fixtures and semi-finals, were being broadcast during the same period.
Despite the cricket frenzy, viewers appeared to be toggling between sport and global affairs, boosting the overall share of news programming.
The surge in genre share comes even as the government has enforced a one-month pause on publishing ratings for individual news channels. The move followed regulatory scrutiny of the television ratings ecosystem.
While channel-level rankings remain temporarily out of sight, the genre-level data suggests that when global tensions escalate, audiences continue to turn to television news for real-time updates.
