News Broadcasting
News18 India announces the launch of News 18 India Morning Prime with Pankaj Bhargav
Mumbai: News18 India, a Hindi news channel, has announced the launch of its latest show, “News18 India Morning Prime.” presented by ace anchor Pankaj Bhargav, the show is scheduled to premiere on February 28 and will air on weekdays from 8 AM to 10:30 p.m.
“News18 India Morning Prime” will set a new benchmark in the morning news program space, offering viewers a vibrant blend of breaking news coverage, on-ground reporting, insightful analysis, and engaging discussions. With Pankaj Bhargav leading the show, viewers can expect a stimulating start to their day, packed with the latest news stories, backed by expert insights on the day’s most pressing issues including a segment titled ‘Kamaal ki Baat,’ where the most intriguing aspects of the day’s news will be highlighted., exclusive interviews with key newsmakers and a touch of entertainment in equal measure.
This show is designed to be a must-watch for our viewers, offering them a comprehensive and engaging morning news bulletin.
Speaking on the launch of “News 18 India Morning Prime”, Jyoti Kamal, editor, of News18 India, and hindi digital, said, “With ‘News 18 India Morning Prime,’ we embark on a journey to redefine morning news viewing. This dynamic show is meticulously crafted to offer viewers a comprehensive blend of breaking news and incisive analysis. It’s not just about delivering information; it’s about empowering our audience with the knowledge they need to navigate the day ahead. As we gear up to unveil this groundbreaking program, I am confident it will resonate with viewers, setting a new standard in morning news broadcasting.”
Starting 28 February, ‘News18 India Morning Prime’ will air on weekdays from 8 AM to 10.30 AM on News18 India.
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: 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.
