News Broadcasting
Big screens, bigger numbers as Network18 switches news to CTV
MUMBAI: The news has officially moved from the palm to the sofa. Network18 has delivered a landmark digital performance in 2025, riding a sharp surge across Connected TV (CTV), Youtube and social platforms to cement its leadership in India’s fast-evolving digital news ecosystem.
At the heart of this growth was CTV, which emerged as the new living-room screen, reviving multi-generational co-viewing and blending the authority of television with the freedom of digital choice. Network18 recorded 2.5 billion CTV views in 2025, a 26 percent year-on-year jump, driven by longer watch times and deeper engagement. The gains were powered by a deliberate cross-screen strategy that followed viewers seamlessly from mobile to large screens, across languages and formats.
As smart TV penetration and broadband access accelerate, CTV is rapidly becoming a performance-ready platform for both audiences and advertisers. Network18’s scale places it at the forefront of this shift, positioning news as a shared, large-screen experience once again.
Commenting on the milestone Network18 Connected chief growth officer Pranav Bakshi said the performance underlined CTV’s potential as an anchor screen for news consumption in India, while reinforcing the group’s focus on innovation and storytelling at scale.
Looking ahead, Network18 is sharpening its focus on CTV-led growth in 2026, with plans to invest in large-screen-first content curation and work more closely with advertisers on targeting and measurement-led solutions. The group is also building a global-grade CTV infrastructure and solutions stack, with presence across major OEM and OTT ecosystems including JioHotstar, JioTV, Samsung, Xiaomi and LG. A CTV-first Network18 app is slated for launch in 2026 to deliver a more curated big-screen experience.
Beyond CTV, the network’s digital dominance continued across platforms. In 2025, Network18 logged 56 billion total views, the highest for any news publisher globally in a single calendar year. Watch hours surged 87 percent, rising from 1.4 billion to 3 billion, signalling sustained audience attention rather than fleeting clicks.
On Youtube, 12 Network18 channels ranked number one in their respective categories in December 2025, as the group crossed 6 billion views, nearly three times that of its closest competitors. The network now commands a 200-million-strong Youtube audience, publishing content in English, Hindi and over 13 regional languages, while its social footprint has expanded to 386 million followers.
Taken together, the numbers underline a clear shift, as screens grow bigger, so does Network18’s digital influence, reinforcing its position as India’s most powerful news and information network in the age of platform-first consumption.
News Broadcasting
News18 India launches Command Centre war explainer with Arya
New show shifts from debates to decoding global conflicts and impacts
MUMBAI: News18 India has rolled out a new war-focused programme, Command Centre, featuring Gaurav Arya, as it looks to offer viewers a sharper, more grounded take on global conflicts amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Positioned as an “insider war room”, the show moves away from conventional panel debates and instead focuses on explaining military developments, decoding strategy and connecting global events to their everyday impact, from fuel prices to economic shifts.
The format leans heavily on visuals and data. The studio has been designed like a command hub, complete with large LED war maps, real-time graphics and an alert system to track developments as they unfold.
At the centre of it all is Arya, who brings his military background to simplify complex war strategies for viewers. His signature line, “Seedhi baat samjhiye”, anchors the show’s promise of clarity over noise.
News18 India managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “Command Centre, featuring Major Gaurav Arya is designed to deliver accurate insights and a clear perspective on how evolving conflicts impact everyday life, from household budgets to national security. With expert voices analysing every development in real time, the show goes beyond headlines to decode what’s happening now, what it means, and what could come next.”
Echoing the intent, Gaurav Arya added, “In times of war, confusion is the biggest threat. With News18 India’s Command Centre, we are bringing viewers inside the war room, decoding strategies, tracking every escalation, and explaining, in the simplest terms, what it means for India and for every household. Seedhi baat samjhiye, this is where you understand not just what is happening, but what happens next.”
The weekday show will air in the afternoon slot and will also feature Gaurav Shukla, adding to its editorial depth.
With its mix of analysis, visuals and a clear focus on impact, the show reflects a broader shift in news consumption. Viewers are no longer just watching events unfold, they are looking to understand what those events mean for them.
