News Broadcasting
Bihar votes, viewers float to CNN News18 as channel wins the ratings race
MUMBAI: When Bihar counted its ballots, India counted on one channel. As results rolled in on 14 November, CNN-News18 didn’t just cover the political drama, it became the story, sweeping the English news ratings with a margin that left rivals playing catch-up all day.
According to BARC India’s week 45 data, CNN-News18 clinched a commanding 41.9 per cent market share on result day, almost doubling the reach of its two closest competitors, NDTV 24×7 at 23.7 per cent and Times Now at 23.6 per cent.
(Source: BARC India | Mkt: India | TG: 2+ | Period: Wk 45’25 Market Share per cent 14 Nov (24hrs) | 8 channels considered).
But the real landslide came during the high-stakes counting window. Between 08:00 and 12:00, when Bihar’s political fate was being sealed, viewers chose their mandate with even greater clarity:
CNN-News18 surged to a massive 53 per cent share, dwarfing NDTV 24×7 at 18.6 per cent and Times Now at 15.1 per cent.
(Source: BARC India | Mkt: India | TG: 2+ | Period: Wk 45’25 Market Share per cent 14 Nov (08:00–12:00) | 8 channels considered)
For a state known for its nail-biting elections, audiences sought speed, accuracy and on-ground authority and overwhelmingly tuned into the channel they believed delivered all three. From reporters stationed across Bihar’s hotspots to a line-up of political heavyweights decoding every twist, CNN-News18 turned result day into a masterclass in live news.
The numbers underline a deeper truth: in moments when the nation leans in, trust becomes the ballot. And CNN-News18 has been stacking up those votes for a while. For over three consecutive years, the channel has held its position as India’s No. 1 English news network, powered by sharp analysis, fast fact-checking, and prime-time anchors such as Zakka Jacob, Anand Narasimhan, Rahul Shivshankar, and Shivani Gupta, names that have become shorthand for credible reportage.
As Bihar watched its political script unfold, viewers cast their silent mandate for the channel they believed would sift clarity from chaos. And on a day when numbers mattered, CNN-News18’s lead wasn’t just decisive, it was definitive.
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
