News Broadcasting
ABC goes for Verizon wireless to push content
MUMBAI: Mobile is the buzz word for broadcasters looking to connect with viewers in different ways. US broadcaster ABC is the latest to join the chase.
The broadcaster has announced a deal with wireless provider Verizon. As per the deal a variety of shows which air in prime time, daytime and late-night will be available as short content on Verizon’s new V Cast 3G wireless broadband multimedia service.
The deal gives viewers access to a host of ABC video content including the latest sensation Desperate Housewives. The content will include show recaps, sneak peeks and talent interviews. The broadcaster is also looking to use the new service to push its reality show Extreme Makeover. There will be extended short content, contestant audition tapes,
commentary by makeover specialists
It goes without saying that there will also be clips from major events that ABC will air during the year like the Oscar Awards on 27 February.
ABC senior VP business development Bruce Gersh has been quoted as saying, “Verizon Wireless is leading the way in the delivery of high-quality mobile video. We feel that content from our ABC prime time, day time and late- night lineup, combined with Verizon Wireless’ network technology, allows us to work together to maximise the potential of this exciting new distribution medium.”
Verizon claims that V Cast is the first true 3G wireless broadband consumer multimedia service in the US. This allows customers to view crystal clear video clips on demand and graphics for 3D games because it runs on Verizon Wireless’ Evolution Data Optimised (EV-DO) network – the only widely available wide-area wireless broadband network in the US.
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.
