News Broadcasting
Hindi news channels fall from record viewership
MUMBAI: During the week following the live terror strike coverage in Mumbai, viewership of news channels have seen a dip as audiences have migrated back to Hindi general entertainment channels to watch fresh content of their popular shows. The genre has seen a 7.3 per cent drop in share to end the week ended 6 December at 9.6 per cent (Tam, HSM, 4+, C&S).
The 60-hour coverage of the high voltage drama had pulled the Hindi news genre to a record high of 16.1 per cent in genre share from an average of 6.7 per cent in the prior four weeks (26 October to 22 November).
In the Hindi news genre, Aaj Tak is the top-rated channel with a 20 per cent market share for the week ended 6 December (according to Tam data, C&S, 15+, HSM). Next in the pecking order are Star News and India TV with a share of 16 per cent each. Zee News has a 11 per cent market share, while IBN7 has garnered 10 per cent and NDTV India 8 per cent. News24 and Samay have got 5 per cent each while Tez held a 3 per cent share.
India News and Live India pocketed 2 per cent each.
Among the English news channels, Times Now rules the roost with 33 per cent market share (Tam, C&S, All India, 4+). Following next is CNN-IBN with 30 per cent, while NDTV 24X7 has captured 26 per cent. Headlines Today holds a 10 per cent share.
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. 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.
