News Broadcasting
Barun Das outshines himself on his Duologue show
MUMBAI: The highly anticipated third series of ‘Duologue with Barun Das’ returns to News9 with acclaimed filmmaker Kiran Rao leading the season premiere on 22nd February 2025. The programme, which has established itself as a cornerstone for intellectual discourse, features TV9 Network’s Managing Director and CEO Barun Das in conversation with thought leaders from various spheres.
In this opening episode, Rao, known for her distinctive filmmaking style, offers a penetrating analysis of contemporary Indian cinema and its evolving narrative landscape. She particularly emphasises the transformation of storytelling in the digital age, noting that “we are all storytellers in some way, thanks to social media. It’s an interesting world to be telling stories in.”
The filmmaker presents a candid assessment of Bollywood’s post-pandemic challenges, highlighting the industry’s need to recalibrate its approach. “We were perhaps a little complacent, assuming people would return to theatres regardless of what we made. That’s no longer the case”, she reflects, pointing to the significant impact of streaming platforms on audience expectations and reach.
The conversation takes a compelling turn as Rao addresses profound social issues, particularly focusing on gender dynamics in Indian society. She delivers a pointed critique of institutional biases, highlighting how women’s identities are often legally tethered to their male relatives. “Even today, legal documents link women’s identities to the men in their lives – as someone’s wife or daughter. That needs to change”, she asserts.
Rao also challenges prevailing societal narratives about women’s roles, particularly the glorification of multitasking. She presents a thought-provoking perspective on unpaid domestic labour, questioning the sustainability of current social structures if women were to fully enter the workforce.
Das, reflecting on the episode, praises Rao’s ability to weave complex social themes into accessible discourse. “Her ability to weave profound social themes into storytelling is remarkable”, he notes, emphasising how the conversation embodies the programme’s mission to challenge established perspectives.
The Oscar-nominated director reciprocated the praise, describing the interview as “one of the most engaging and enriching conversations” she’s experienced. She particularly noted Das’s ability to introduce fresh perspectives, teasing viewers with mention of “a formula that I am going to remember for life”, the details of which will be revealed in the broadcast.
The two-part season premiere will air on News9 at 22:00 on consecutive evenings, 22 and 23 February 2025, promising viewers an intellectual feast of ideas spanning cinema, society, and cultural evolution. The programme continues its tradition of fostering nuanced dialogue on pressing contemporary issues, making it a must-watch for audiences seeking thoughtful discourse on the intersection of art, society, and media.
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.
