News Broadcasting
Indo-Pak co-production likely in near future
MUMBAI: In a bid to augment the growing friendship bond between India and Pakistan, the first handshake was exchanged. While panelist Yash Chopra on behalf of himself and producer Yash Johar, volunteered to sign a MoU as assurance that they will be looking at distribution and even a co-production deal with Pakistan for their forthcoming projects. Panelist and Film Producers Guild of India president Amit Khanna seconded the thought.
Just like the relationship between the two nations, even for the trade to be encouraged between the two nations, what is needed is an ability to let go of the past. What was often repeated is the need for the countries to form a common creative pool and make the best of what was available. That was the key focus of the session India and Pakistan: A new era of Co-operation in entertainment industry.
In order to bolster the relationship, both the Pakistani delegate and the Indian counterparts comprising producer and Ficci entertainment committee chairman Yash Chopra, Ficci entertainment committee president Amit Khanna assured of their commitment. Ditto for the Pakistani delegates.
A strong panel comprising Pakistan Film Producers Association chairman Mian Amjid Farzand Ali, Evernew Entertainment CEO Sajjad Gul, Actor Shaan, Pakistan Film Producers Association chairman Riaz Mallik, actor- producer Javeed Sheikh did buttress Pakistan’s dedication.
While the atmosphere was jubilant, what with the ‘India-Pakistan dosti zindabad’ being often repeated, there was an undercurrent felt. No doubt the panelists, from either side of the border, were more than keen to collaborate, but the need reassure that it was a wise step seem to be pivotal.
But what really needs immediate check is the rampant piracy of the Indian movies in Pakistan. While it certainly means loss to Pakistan ($ 20 billion according to Gul), it also translates into loss for India’s revenue. Khanna offered that they would be looking at it keenly.
One thing is for sure that the gates are open and exchange has begun.
News Broadcasting
News TV viewership jumps 33 per cent as West Asia war draws audiences
BARC Week 8 data shows news share rising to 8 per cent despite T20 World Cup
NEW DELHI:Â Even as individual television news channel ratings remain under a temporary pause, the genre itself is seeing a clear surge in audience attention.
According to the latest data from Broadcast Audience Research Council India, television news recorded a 33 per cent jump in genre share in Week 8 of 2026, covering February 28 to March 6.
The news genre accounted for 8 per cent of total television viewership during the week, up from 6 per cent the previous week. The spike in attention coincided with escalating geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which have kept global headlines firmly fixed on West Asia.
The rise is notable because it came at a time when cricket was dominating television screens. The high-stakes stages of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, including the Super 8 fixtures and semi-finals, were being broadcast during the same period.
Despite the cricket frenzy, viewers appeared to be toggling between sport and global affairs, boosting the overall share of news programming.
The surge in genre share comes even as the government has enforced a one-month pause on publishing ratings for individual news channels. The move followed regulatory scrutiny of the television ratings ecosystem.
While channel-level rankings remain temporarily out of sight, the genre-level data suggests that when global tensions escalate, audiences continue to turn to television news for real-time updates.
