News Broadcasting
ABP News hosts Ayodhya Utsav prior to Ram Mandir inauguration
Mumbai: Ahead of the highly anticipated inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on 22 January 2023, by PM Narendra Modi, ABP News has unveiled the Ayodhya Utsav. Scheduled for broadcast on ABP News from 27 to 31 December 2023, this celebratory event stands as a poignant tribute to the profound cultural and religious significance of the impending inauguration of the Ram Mandir.
Set against the serene backdrop of the sacred Sarayu River, the Ayodhya Utsav serves as a momentous platform to explore the religious, cultural, and socio-economic reverberations. This celebration embodies a deep reverence for Ayodhya’s historical legacy and cultural heritage, emphasising the symbolic importance of this sacred land.
The schedule for Ayodhya Utsav boasts a diverse array of cultural performances, thought-provoking discussions, and poignant reflections. Esteemed personalities from various spheres including music, politics, poetry, and religious leadership will converge to commemorate this historic milestone. The event will provide a platform for engaging discussions and expressive cultural presentations, fostering an atmosphere of celebration and introspection around this significant occasion.
Among the distinguished guests, Swati Mishra, known for her rendition of “Ram Aayenge,” joins the event alongside Champat Rai, the general secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra. Krishna Gopal, serving as Sah Sarkaryawah of RSS, and Raju Das, the Mahant of Hanuman Gadhi in Ayodhya, will share their insights and contributions during this momentous occasion. Additionally, the esteemed gathering includes Satyendra Das, Shishya of Ramvilas Vedyanti and Kalpatri Maharaj Sant. Mahant Dharam Das, recognised for his involvement in the Babri Masjid case, is also slated to participate, alongside renowned figures such as Anup Jalota, a distinguished singer, and Anamika Amber and Sunil Jogi, eminent poets. Ravi Kishan, Member of Parliament from BJP, will offer his perspectives, while Purnima Kothari, the sister of the Kothari Brothers who lost their lives during Kar Seva will represent the enduring sacrifices made during this historic journey. The event will also see the presence of Pradeep Kumar Gupta, and The Sadho Band which will add their musical tribute to this significant celebration.
The Ayodhya Utsav brought to audiences by ABP News, extends a cordial invitation for all to partake in this grand celebration. The channel endeavours to create a nurturing space for dialogue, cultural expression, and a profound appreciation for the transformative journey culminating in the inauguration of the Ram Mandir.
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.
