News Broadcasting
DD News flaunts impressive launch statistics
MUMBAI: Relaunched fledgling DD News seems determined to fight its way back into the reckoning. And it’s not made a bad start either, if statistics provided by the pubcaster (Cable & Satellite Viewers 4 yrs + (03/11/03 – 08/11/03) Monday – Saturday) are anything to go by.
In the first week of its new avatar, DD News claims to have grabbed 26 per cent of market share in Delhi, equalling that of market leader Aaj Tak, among Hindi news channels.
In Chennai, the only place where conditional access is up and running, DD News has ensured a 100 per cent reach, just as the satellite news channels are at zero per cent. In Kolkata, DD News’ share is way ahead at 44 per cent, while Aaj Tak, NDTV India, Zee News and Sahara Samay are at 13 per cent each and Star News is further behind at six per cent. Only in Mumbai has DD News been unable to match Aaj Tak’s 29 per cent share, currently having eaten into a 13 per cent share (even Zee News is ahead with a 18 per cent share). The rest of Maharashtra (one million plus towns) however bodes well for DD News as the channel has managed a share of 33 per cent as against Aaj Tak’s 29 per cent.
The rest of Tamil Nadu has taken well to DD News too, with the channel having garnered a 67 per cent share as against a 33 per cent share commanded by Aaj Tak. So has Bangalore, where Aaj Tak has a three per cent channel share as against DD News’ 88 per cent.
Doordarshan’s diktat to cable operators to carry the new news channel too seems to have worked well as the channel’s reach is comparable to the satellite news channels, if not better. Except for Gujarat, where DD News’ reach is lower than that of Aaj Tak, it is more than the reigning news channel in Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata and almost equal to that of Aaj Tak in Mumbai.
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. AICC’s Praveen Chakravarty weighs ‘Power Sharing vs Principles’, while former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan joins the fray. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
