News Broadcasting
Australian broadcaster SBS to produce local version of BBC’s ‘Top Gear’
MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide has concluded a deal with Australian free-to-air network SBS to license the rights to a local version of Top Gear. This is the first such a deal is done globally.
Freehand Productions, BBC Worldwide’s Australasian partner, will produce the local version, which will transmit on SBS next year. Eight episodes are planned.
BBC Worldwide has identified Top Gear as one of its top priority brands across all platforms.
Top Gear MD at BBC Worldwide Adam Waddell said, “This is an incredible step forward for the brand in one of our most important territories. With the UK series viewed in more than 100 countries worldwide, and BBC Top Gear magazine licensed in 19 countries, our focus is very much about expanding the brand through areas such as local production and localised online content.”
SBS has also extended its commitment to the UK version. Top Gear has aired on the network since 2005, and is its highest-rating non-sport show.
BBC Worldwide Australasia’s head of sales Julie Dowding sales, “It is very exciting for us to have done this deal with SBS. We are very proud that the first global deal for a local version of Top Gear has been done here in Australia.”
UK Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson says, “I’m delighted that Top Gear is going to Australia. Maybe the first guest could be Jonny Wilkinson.”
BBC Top Gear magazine is licensed in many countries including India, Italy, Netherlands, Greece, Dubai, Syria, New Zealand and Singapore.
News Broadcasting
Network18 channels lead YouTube news viewership in March 2026
CNN-News18, News18 India and CNBC channels top categories with record views
MUMBAI: When the world hit refresh on breaking news, Network18’s channels were already streaming ahead. As geopolitical tensions and war-driven headlines fuelled a surge in global news consumption, the network’s digital playbook delivered big clocking record Youtube viewership across English, Hindi and business news categories in March 2026.
At the forefront was CNN-News18, which emerged as the clear leader in the English news segment with 130 million live and video-on-demand views. The channel edged past competitors such as Times of India (126.5 million), Times Now (101.1 million), India Today (88.2 million) and NDTV (77.5 million), according to Databeings data for March.
In the Hindi news arena, News18 India delivered a commanding performance, racking up a staggering 3,297 million views on YouTube. The channel comfortably outpaced NDTV India, which recorded 3,119 million views, underlining its deep reach and consistent engagement with mass audiences, as per Playboard data.
The network’s dominance wasn’t confined to general news. In the Hindi business segment, CNBC Awaaz topped the charts with 92 million views, narrowly ahead of Zee Business (90 million) and well ahead of ET Now Swadesh (57 million). Meanwhile, its English counterpart CNBC-TV18 posted a strong 58 million views, reinforcing the network’s cross-category strength.
The spike in viewership reflects a broader shift in audience behaviour, with viewers increasingly turning to digital platforms particularly Youtube for real-time updates and in-depth coverage during high-intensity news cycles. For Network18, the numbers signal more than just scale; they underline the effectiveness of a multi-platform strategy that blends speed, credibility and continuous coverage.
In a month where the news never paused, it seems viewers chose to stay tuned where the stream never stopped.
