News Broadcasting
News18 India tops BARC ratings in Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha coverage
Mumbai: During the coverage of the historic inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, News18 India continued to be the viewer’s top choice. It garnered the highest viewership in the week of the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha – a testimony to the superlative quality of coverage and content that it brought to the viewers.
During the crucial week of coverage of the consecration, News18 India secured 9.48 crore AMAs, claiming for itself the top spot in the category. Source: BARC |Metric: AMA’s | TG: NCCS All 15+ | Period: Wk 04’24, All Days, 24 Hrs |Market:HSM | 14 channels considered
The channel’s endeavour was to bring truly diverse content that allowed viewers to experience the grandeur of the occasion. News18 India had the biggest and the most high-profile line-up of anchors on ground in Ayodhya including Kishore Ajwani, Amish Devgan, Prateek Trivedi, Aman Chopra, Rubika Liyaquat and Pankaj Bhargav. Multiple locations were used including a grand set that was built on the banks of the Saryu to capture the true essence of the festivities happening all around Ayodhya.
From a Kavi Sammelan and on-ground events to documentaries, different formats were used to create really riveting programming. Innovative production techniques and graphics were used to deliver an enhanced viewer experience. Staying true to its legacy of bringing a fresh and clutter-breaking approach to high news-value event, News18 India’s compelling coverage of this momentous occasion ensured that channel continued to remain the most watched channel in the genre.
News Broadcasting
UDF poised to return to power in Kerala, says Manorama-CVoter survey
Massive opinion poll projects shift in Kerala politics ahead of 2026 Assembly elections.
MUMBAI: The winds of change appear to be blowing through Kerala’s political landscape and this time, they seem to favour the United Democratic Front. A comprehensive mega opinion survey conducted by Manorama News in partnership with CVoter projects a potential comeback for the UDF in the upcoming Kerala Legislative Assembly Elections 2026. The survey, covering all 140 constituencies with a massive sample size of nearly 90,000 respondents, predicts the UDF could win between 69 and 81 seats.
The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is expected to secure 57 to 69 seats, a significant drop from the 99 seats it won in the 2021 elections. This would mean the LDF losing 30 to 42 of its sitting seats. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which drew a blank in 2021, is projected to open its account with 1 to 5 seats.
Region-wise, the UDF is expected to make strong gains in Malabar, winning 25 to 34 out of 48 seats, and in Central Kerala, where it could bag 29 to 33 out of 53 seats. In South Kerala, the LDF is likely to retain an edge with 21 to 25 seats, while the UDF may improve to 12 to 16 seats. The NDA could pick up 1 to 3 seats in the southern region.
The survey was conducted between 14 and 26 March 2026, with additional tracker and snap polls carried out from December 2025 to March 2026. A total of 89,693 respondents participated, ensuring representation across all demographics and social segments.
Manorama News has a strong track record of accuracy, with its previous projections closely matching the actual results of the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections as well as the 2021 Kerala Assembly polls.
In Kerala’s famously fierce political battles, this survey suggests the pendulum may be swinging back. Whether the final verdict matches these numbers or throws up another surprise, one thing is clear, the 2026 Assembly elections are shaping up to be one of the most keenly watched contests in the state’s history.
