News Broadcasting
NBA urges BARC not to release Republic TV viewership data until LCN issue is resolved
MUMBAI: L’affaire Republic TV continues to throw up new nuances by the day. After writing to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) about the new channel’s presence on multiple LCNs/genres on several DPOs, distributors and MSOs, the News Broadcasters Association (NBA), on 17 May, written to Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) CEO Partho Dasgupta urging him not to release Republic TV’s viewership data until it completely stops the alleged malpractice.
NBA secretary-general Annie Joseph has informed BARC that Republic TV is not its member, and has warned it that the release of Republic TV’s data would be tantamount to “aiding and abetting such malpractices which will have serious consequences on the news broadcasting industry in India.”
Referring to market researcher Chrome Data & Analytics dual frequency report, the NBA has cautioned that “Republic TV’s dual LCN malpractice is rampant and widespread in over 15 major MSO headends pan-India which could have an over reaching influence of over 50 per cent spurious bias on English news viewership. This will completely distort the viewership ratings.”
The news association had earlier on 15 May written to BARC cautioning it about Republic TV’s distribution ploy and urged it to follow the action it had agreed upon with the NBA in the past in case anyone violates the protocol and places a channel in several LCNs and genres.
BARC had in a statement two days ago informed indiantelevision.com that it would go ahead and release viewership data – even for Republic TV; the new set of numbers are slated to be released on 18 May.
Also Read :
Being a ‘cry baby’ won’t help Times Group, says Republic TV’s Arnab Goswami
Republic TV claims ‘stunning’ debut on Hotstar
Republic TV buzzing with pre-launch teasers featuring ‘soft’ targets, issues
Of Arnab’s Republic, nationalism, need for opinionated media & ‘outdated’ BBC
Times Now leadership continues, new launches notwithstanding, says MK Anand
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
