News Broadcasting
News18 reigns supreme as rivals trail in English and Hindi news battle
MUMBAI: When it comes to the news game, the 18s are playing in a league of their own. CNN-News18 and News18 India have once again flexed their dominance, leaving competitors scrambling to catch up in both English and Hindi news television.
According to the latest BARC data, CNN-News18 continues to tower over the English news space with a hefty 38.8 per cent market share, while NDTV 24×7 trails at 23.8 per cent and Times Now at a modest 17.0 per cent. (BARC India | Mkt: India | TG: 15 plus | Wk30’25 – 33’25 | 8 Channels considered | Market Share per cent Basis AMA’000). Ever since BARC ratings resumed in March 2022, CNN-News18 has kept its crown, week after week, making its supremacy look almost effortless.
The Hindi turf tells a similar story. News18 India clocked 77,918 AMA’000, comfortably ahead of Aaj Tak at 74,546 AMA’000 (BARC | Metric: Avg. Weekly AMA’s | TG: NCCS All 15 plus | Period: Wk 30’25-Wk 33’25, 24 Hrs, All Days | Market: HSM). With anchors like Kishore Ajwani, Amish Devgan, Rubika Liyaquat, Prateek Trivedi, and Aman Chopra fronting its power-packed programming, News18 India continues to be the nation’s preferred pitstop for Hindi news.
Part of the larger News18 Network, which boasts the country’s biggest omni-channel news presence, both CNN-News18 and News18 India have invested heavily in editorial firepower and technology. The strategy is paying off handsomely, with the network cementing its place as India’s most-watched and trusted news giant proving that in the battle for eyeballs, the house of 18 is still the boss.
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
