News Broadcasting
News18 Kannada launches ‘Akhada’- your source for unbiased political analysis and current affairs
Mumbai: News18 Kannada, Karnataka’s leading news channel, is proud to announce the launch of ‘Akhada,’ a breakthrough prime-time debate show dedicated to deconstructing political developments and current affairs. With its unbiased analysis, interesting discussions, and expert insights, this new program is sure to engage viewers, making it an absolute must for those seeking a deeper knowledge of the challenges influencing our society today.
The show will be hosted by Hariprasada A, a renowned journalist with 17 years of experience in the Kannada news industry. With an impeccable track record and a strong presence across various Kannada news channels, Hariprasada A is widely recognized as one of the most credible faces in Kannada journalism. His dedication to journalistic ethics and unbiased reporting has earned him the trust and respect of audiences across the region.
News18 Kannada Akhada will bring together an assorted panel of well-known opinion makers, political party spokespersons, and renowned journalists to create a platform for lively and knowledgeable debates. The show will address today’s most pressing concerns, offering viewers a complete and impartial assessment of the most demanding matters in politics and current affairs. The show is set to become the go-to source for in-depth political analysis and thought-provoking discussions in Karnataka.
Tune in to News18 Kannada starting 5 October 2023, Monday to Friday from 7.00 PM to 8.00 PM, and join Hariprasada A and his expert panel as they navigate the complex world of politics and current affairs on ‘Akhada’.
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.
