News Broadcasting
Javed Jaaferi to host new Aaj Tak show
NEW DELHI: Well, the business of news is now taking on an entertainment hue.
Close on the heels of a NDTV show, which is a spoof on politicians, countrys subse tez channel has said that it too would be launching a show on similar lines, albeit with a difference. It would be not hard core news and current affairs show, but a satire on various news channels and news formats, complete with a `channel ID, signature tune and promos.
The new bi-weekly 30-minute variety newsmagazine, called JBC, would debut on 31 January and air on Saturdays and Sundays. And, if there is any doubt on Aaj Taks intentions, the choice of the host , Javeed Jaaferi, makes it all clear.
According to Aaj Tak, hosted, anchored and presented by the multi-faceted and versatile Jaaferi (whose dalliances with TV range from Channel V to emceeing various awards shows telecast on telly), the programme will showcase an array of “funny and original ideas” and it would be ‘news’ in true Jaaferi style.
“Jaaved is an extremely talented and versatile artist with an ability to imitate almost everyone. The viewers will see the politicians, personalities and happenings as portrayed by Jaaved. The USP would be Jaaveds ability to sense, personify, satirize, and to think on his feet. This would provide the programme an altogether new and fresh feel,” commented TV Today Network CEO G Krishnan.
The publicly traded TV Today is the parent company of Aaj Tak and its English sibling, Headlines Today.
Speaking on the strategy behind this programming initiative, Krishnan further added, “JBC is in line with the innovations and uniqueness of programming offered by Aaj Tak and it would certainly attract more viewers. In future, we propose to come up with a line of programming that would touch the lives of our viewers in more ways than one.”
JBC is being touted as a crack team of thorough professionals providing news from round the globe. Its like any other news show, except that Jaaferi and his team transform it into a one-of-its-kind entertainment show with inimitable talents drawn from theatre, television and films from different corners of the country, Aaj Tak explained.
Speaking on his role and the programme at a press conference here today, Jaaferi said, “Its a great feeling to be associated with the market leader Aaj Tak, and touch the lives of millions of viewers.”
JBC will not only spoof the news, news channels (meaning competitors of Aaj Tak) and related formats, but the package would be rounded off by sections like Madvertising, teleshopping out-breaks and public disservice messages.
News Broadcasting
Network18 channels lead YouTube news viewership in March 2026
CNN-News18, News18 India and CNBC channels top categories with record views
MUMBAI: When the world hit refresh on breaking news, Network18’s channels were already streaming ahead. As geopolitical tensions and war-driven headlines fuelled a surge in global news consumption, the network’s digital playbook delivered big clocking record Youtube viewership across English, Hindi and business news categories in March 2026.
At the forefront was CNN-News18, which emerged as the clear leader in the English news segment with 130 million live and video-on-demand views. The channel edged past competitors such as Times of India (126.5 million), Times Now (101.1 million), India Today (88.2 million) and NDTV (77.5 million), according to Databeings data for March.
In the Hindi news arena, News18 India delivered a commanding performance, racking up a staggering 3,297 million views on YouTube. The channel comfortably outpaced NDTV India, which recorded 3,119 million views, underlining its deep reach and consistent engagement with mass audiences, as per Playboard data.
The network’s dominance wasn’t confined to general news. In the Hindi business segment, CNBC Awaaz topped the charts with 92 million views, narrowly ahead of Zee Business (90 million) and well ahead of ET Now Swadesh (57 million). Meanwhile, its English counterpart CNBC-TV18 posted a strong 58 million views, reinforcing the network’s cross-category strength.
The spike in viewership reflects a broader shift in audience behaviour, with viewers increasingly turning to digital platforms particularly Youtube for real-time updates and in-depth coverage during high-intensity news cycles. For Network18, the numbers signal more than just scale; they underline the effectiveness of a multi-platform strategy that blends speed, credibility and continuous coverage.
In a month where the news never paused, it seems viewers chose to stay tuned where the stream never stopped.
