News Broadcasting
News18 India continues its dominance for four consecutive weeks
Mumbai: News18 India has cemented its position as the No.1 Hindi channel in the country. The channel has widened its lead over Aaj Tak and India TV.
According to the Barc ratings released, News18 has secured a 13.1 per cent market share in weeks 29–32, HSM-urban+rural, ahead of Aaj Tak, which stands at 12.0 per cent and India TV at 11.9 per cent.
In the last few months, News18 India has spruced up its content and programming strategy, coupled with new marketing initiatives.
Even in primetime hours (1800-2400 hours, TG: 15+, HSM), News18 India has 1.7 per cent more market share than Aaj Tak. News18 India enjoys a 14 per cent market share, as compared to 12.3 per cent for Aaj Tak.
Network18 Hindi cluster CEO Karan Abhishek Singh said, “It is extremely heartening to note that the viewers continue to place their trust in News18 India. With the channel further strengthening its leadership at the top, the hard work of our teams has been validated.”
The channel has not only performed well on TV, but its digital audience base has also seen steep growth.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Kolkata Town Hall on Hooghly River
‘Bhalobasa Bengal Inspiring Bharat’ event on April 20 brings cultural icons, trailblazing women and leaders aboard a cruise to celebrate Bengal’s enduring influence.
MUMBAI: Bengal is about to make fresh waves on the Hooghly and this time the current is pure conversation. CNN-News18 is taking its iconic Town Hall format to the waters of the iconic Hooghly River on 20 April 2026 with a special edition titled ‘Bhalobasa Bengal – Inspiring Bharat’. The floating event will celebrate the state’s rich cultural legacy and how its ideas, creativity and spirit continue to shape the rest of the country.
The unique riverside setting draws on Bengal’s history as a cradle of reform, art and intellectual thought. The speaker line-up mirrors that diversity: cultural heavyweights Mithun Chakraborty and Sreenanda Shankar will share the stage with trailblazing “Devis” such as Tanya Sanyal (India’s first woman firefighter in aviation), Ipsita Chakraborty (Kolkata’s first woman bartender) and Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi (Nari Shakti awardee and marine pilot). Music will flow through the celebrated pianist-vocalist duo Sourendro and Soumyojit, while public life and governance will be represented by Smriti Irani, Leander Paes, Saira Shah Halim, Keya Ghosh, Rekha Patra, Roopa Ganguly and Babul Supriyo.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director, Rahul Shivshankar, said the event honours voices that carry Bengal’s legacy forward. Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News, Network18, added that Bengal’s stories resonate far beyond its borders, especially as the state heads into polls.
From the first woman to battle flames in the skies to legendary actors who shaped Indian cinema, the gathering promises a rich mix of inspiration, courage and candid dialogue. In a city where culture has always flowed as freely as the river itself, CNN-News18 is turning the Hooghly into a floating forum for ideas that matter.
Tune in on 20 April on CNN-News18, CTV and YouTube to catch Bengal’s heartbeat in full flow.
