MAM
CNN stretches reach among the affluent Asians
HONG KONG: CNN is continuing to build cachet among the well heeled Asians. Its audiences earned US$79.9 billion in the past year according to the latest Pan Asia Cross Media Survey (PAX 2002/03).
The results of the full-year survey also show CNN’s continued leadership of the news genre for the seventh consecutive year. More viewers tuned in than all other international news and business channels combined.
PAX 2002/03, conducted by Synovate from July 2002 to June 2003, reveals that CNN is the leading channel for the top management group and business decision makers. It attracted 39 per cent more top management in Asia than the next most targeted channel for this elite group. An official release adds that PAX also showed that CNN excels in the broader PAX demographic groups, with no channel reaching more viewers in total than CNN.
Turner International Asia Pacific senior VP ad sales Nick Morgan said, “For the seventh year running, CNN leads the field in reaching this region’s most affluent consumers. Synovate’s 2003 PAX results underline yet again, that CNN is essential viewing. Busy, successful people who don’t have time for television, make time for CNN, in order to stay informed.”
Turner International Asia Pacfic’s Research VP Duncan Morris added, “Based on the PAX survey findings for the top 10 Asia Pacific markets in income terms, it’s clear that CNN remains the most targeted means of reaching a high proportion of the region’s more affluent, mobile and successful people. We continue to rely on Synovate’s PAX survey for it is thorough and continuous coverage of these difficult-to-reach demographic groups. This is something that other measurement methods are not equipped to do.”
CNN also continues to be the channel of choice for frequent business travelers. PAX 2002/03 reveals that CNN is the most effective channel in attracting these hard-to-reach viewers. The new results from PAX show that CNN viewers accounted for 28 per cent more business hotel nights than the next most watched channel.
The survey sample universe consisted of business decision-makers, top management and affluent adults aged between 25 and 64 in the surveyed markets. PAX 2002/03 is the first full year of continuous tracking, providing an annual database updated quarterly to show the trends over time.
Brands
Nykaa eyes majority stake in Deepika Padukone’s 82°E brand
Deal could help scale premium label as Nykaa sharpens its beauty play
MUMBAI: Nykaa is in advanced discussions to acquire a majority stake in 82°E, the premium skincare label founded by Deepika Padukone, according to media reports.
The proposed deal signals Nykaa’s intent to deepen its House of Nykaa portfolio while giving 82°E the scale it has struggled to achieve independently. Padukone is expected to retain a minority stake if the transaction goes through.
For Nykaa, the play is both strategic and timely. With a customer base of over 42 million, the company is betting on its strong distribution, logistics, and repeat purchase ecosystem to revive the brand’s momentum. The two sides already share a working relationship, with Padukone serving as Nykaa’s global brand ambassador since September 2025.
Launched in late 2022, 82°E entered the market with a premium positioning but has faced headwinds. The brand reported revenue of Rs 14.7 crore in FY25, down 30 per cent year on year, alongside losses of Rs 12.26 crore. Industry observers have pointed to steep pricing, a somewhat diffused brand identity, and intense competition from digital-first labels as key challenges.
The potential acquisition also reflects a broader shift in India’s beauty and lifestyle space, where celebrity-led brands are increasingly partnering with larger corporates to unlock scale. Alia Bhatt’s Ed-a-Mamma, for instance, sold a majority stake to Reliance Retail, while Katrina Kaif’s Kay Beauty has emerged as a standout success within Nykaa’s portfolio, clocking Rs 132.4 crore in FY25 revenue.
Nykaa itself has been on a strong growth trajectory. Its parent, FSN E-Commerce Ventures, reported a 156 per cent jump in net profit to Rs 68 crore in the December 2025 quarter, with revenue reaching Rs 2,873 crore.
Nykaa has been steadily building its portfolio through acquisitions such as Dot & Key, Earth Rhythm and Nudge Wellness, signalling a clear push to own and scale homegrown brands.
If the 82°E deal materialises, it could mark a fresh chapter for the label, blending celebrity appeal with corporate muscle. For Nykaa, it is another calculated step in staying ahead in an increasingly crowded beauty aisle.
