News Broadcasting
BBC World claims great viewer loyalty post-Iraq war
MUMBAI: BBC World claims that it sustains the greatest audience loyalty post-Iraq war. Quoting the latest results from the Pan Asia Cross Media Survey (PAX), BBC World claims that it’s monthly reach now stands at 15.4 per cent across Asia-Pacific, up 10 per cent from pre-Iraq war levels as measured in the final quarter of 2002. CNN’s monthly reach by contrast has decreased in the same period from 26 per cent to 24.1 per cent.
The changes in viewership to news and business channels experienced during and after the Iraq war were monitored as part of the survey, demonstrating audience loyalty. The results, claims BBC World release, showed that BBC World retained more of these viewers than any of its international competitors.
According to BBC World research manager Rufus Weston, “BBC World has the fastest growth of any of the international news or business channels which were measured during this period. The results mirror the findings from the major European surveys where competitors’ viewers have a tendency to turn off after an initial news announcement, whereas BBC World viewers stay tuned to receive a broader analysis of the situation.”
In addition the survey also shows that BBC World’s overall audience profile has remained upscale. Among the ten largest international channels in Asia-Pacific, BBC World’s audience includes the highest proportion of business decision-makers (32 per cent) and business opinion formers (33 per cent). The latest data also shows an increase in viewing amongst the top management sample of the universe for BBC World, says the release.
The PAX 2004 survey was conducted during the 12-month period from July 2003 to June 2004 among 19,003 respondents in 11 markets in Asia Pacific. The study was based on Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Taipei, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Seoul, Sydney, Tokyo and India and all analysis is based on monthly viewers. Business opinion formers are all respondents that have undertaken at least one business opinion forming activity, says the release.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Kolkata Town Hall on Hooghly River
‘Bhalobasa Bengal Inspiring Bharat’ event on April 20 brings cultural icons, trailblazing women and leaders aboard a cruise to celebrate Bengal’s enduring influence.
MUMBAI: Bengal is about to make fresh waves on the Hooghly and this time the current is pure conversation. CNN-News18 is taking its iconic Town Hall format to the waters of the iconic Hooghly River on 20 April 2026 with a special edition titled ‘Bhalobasa Bengal – Inspiring Bharat’. The floating event will celebrate the state’s rich cultural legacy and how its ideas, creativity and spirit continue to shape the rest of the country.
The unique riverside setting draws on Bengal’s history as a cradle of reform, art and intellectual thought. The speaker line-up mirrors that diversity: cultural heavyweights Mithun Chakraborty and Sreenanda Shankar will share the stage with trailblazing “Devis” such as Tanya Sanyal (India’s first woman firefighter in aviation), Ipsita Chakraborty (Kolkata’s first woman bartender) and Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi (Nari Shakti awardee and marine pilot). Music will flow through the celebrated pianist-vocalist duo Sourendro and Soumyojit, while public life and governance will be represented by Smriti Irani, Leander Paes, Saira Shah Halim, Keya Ghosh, Rekha Patra, Roopa Ganguly and Babul Supriyo.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director, Rahul Shivshankar, said the event honours voices that carry Bengal’s legacy forward. Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News, Network18, added that Bengal’s stories resonate far beyond its borders, especially as the state heads into polls.
From the first woman to battle flames in the skies to legendary actors who shaped Indian cinema, the gathering promises a rich mix of inspiration, courage and candid dialogue. In a city where culture has always flowed as freely as the river itself, CNN-News18 is turning the Hooghly into a floating forum for ideas that matter.
Tune in on 20 April on CNN-News18, CTV and YouTube to catch Bengal’s heartbeat in full flow.
