News Broadcasting
BBC radio service suffers declining listenership
MUMBAI: It is cementing its position as the world’s leading international radio broadcaster. However, in India as in other countries, BBC World Service is grappling with a major decline in its listenership.
In a recent report, it admitted to having suffered major setbacks in India over the past year. It claims a weekly global audience estimate of 146 million.
Besides India, BBC World Service also experienced significant losses in Western Europe, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh and Russia.
Meanwhile, the above mentioned 146 million figure equates to at least 50 per cent more listeners than any comparable international radio broadcaster. The bad news is that the figure represents a four million drop from last year’s figure of 150 million. The figure took into account a significant drop in short wave radio listening year-on-year. This has been partially offset by a big rise in listening through FM.
BBC World Service’s acting director Nigel Chapman noted that short wave listening is in long term decline. “Audiences demand better audibility. It is sometimes difficult to find suitable FM partners in some countries or to overcome regulatory obstacles, like bans on international news broadcasting on local FMs, in others.”
BBC World Service is now available on FM in 139 capital cities. On a bright note it added that independent surveys conducted in top markets also showed that it remained the most trusted and objective international broadcaster when compared to its main radio competitors in each market. The survey was done in 16 markets including the US, Egypt, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia.
In Afghanistan’s capital Kabul, BBC World Service claims to enjoy a 60 per cent weekly reach. In Iraq, the launch of FM broadcasts in Baghdad, Basra and other major cities helped to secure a weekly audience of 1.8 million.
Nearly half of its total audience comes from Africa and the Middle East. Audiences across both regions increased by 6.8 million from last year to 68.5 million.
Online BBC World Service has been able to extend its reach particularly among younger audiences. The website attracted 279 million monthly page impressions in March 2004. This equates to over 16 million unique users a month. This is a rise equivalent to eight million new monthly users of the BBC’s international news sites during the 13 months between February 2003 and March 2004.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 rolls out Battle for the States ahead of key polls
Multi-format election coverage tracks voter mood across five battleground states
NEW DELHI: CNN-News18 has launched a special election programming initiative titled Battle for the States, as India gears up for high-stakes Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
Built around the theme ‘Road to Power’, the multi-format coverage aims to follow the entire electoral journey, from campaigning and polling to results and government formation. The network is leaning into on-ground reportage and data-backed storytelling to decode voter sentiment across regions where local issues often shape the narrative.
The programming line-up includes ‘Vote Tracker’, a three-part series developed in collaboration with survey agency Vote Vibe. The show blends survey insights with expert commentary and field reporting, using augmented reality graphics to present complex electoral data such as vote share, seat projections and leadership preferences in a more accessible format. It will air every Monday evening until April 6.
Adding a cultural lens to political reporting is ‘So Saree!’, a ground-driven segment where women anchors travel across constituencies dressed in traditional handwoven sarees from each state. The format uses attire as a storytelling device, highlighting regional identity while capturing grassroots voices.
Meanwhile, ‘Unfiltered Kaapi’ and ‘Chai-Niti’ bring a more conversational tone, drawing inspiration from everyday political discussions in tea stalls and coffee corners. These segments aim to break down key issues through candid, fast-paced exchanges between anchors and reporters, tailored to regional sensibilities.
For viewers seeking deeper insights, the weekend docuseries ‘Reporters Project’ takes a longer view, with correspondents travelling across constituencies to map voter concerns and political shifts on the ground.
“Elections are about people, their aspirations, identities and the issues that matter to them, and every state tells a different story,” said CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar. He added that the initiative focuses on understanding “the sentiment on the ground and what’s driving voter choices”.
Echoing the emphasis on credibility, Network18 CEO – English and business news Smriti Mehra said the network aims to combine on-ground reporting with data-led insights to deliver clear and timely coverage as the elections unfold.
With a mix of data, culture and grassroots reporting, CNN-News18 is positioning Battle for the States as a comprehensive window into one of India’s most closely watched electoral cycles, where every vote carries a story waiting to be told.
