News Broadcasting
NewsCorp envisages stock option to safegaurd stakes
MUMBAI: Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp Ltd. Today took preventive action in a bid to insulate itself against any hostile bid from the US cable company Liberty Media Corp.
The News Corp plan envisages issuing stock options to dilute the stake of any predator, according to a Reuters report from Sydney.
John Malone’s Liberty began a transaction last week that could increase its voting stake in News Corp. to about 17 percent from nine per cent, raising speculation it could launch a takeover bid for Murdoch’s media empire.
Realising that Liberty’s Malone could make a hostile bid on an empire that Murdoch has built for his children, News Corp announced on Monday it would give its shareholders the right to buy one News Corp. share at half price for each share they own, if any party buys a 15 percent stake in the company. Shareholders would be able to buy up to $80 of half-price shares.
The strategy would exclude the purchaser of the 15 per cent stake, providing a “poison pill” defense against anyone plotting to take control of News Corp. from 73-year-old Murdoch and his heirs apparent, sons Lachlan and James.
“It means it’s very much more expensive for Malone to maintain his position or extend his position in the company and he has to make the judgment as to whether it’s worth it or not,” Reuters quoted Michael O’Sullivan, president of the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors, which advises pension funds on corporate governance issues saying.
The existing holdings of Malone, a long-time ally of Murdoch, would not trigger the rights plan, but additional shareholdings would.
“The logic is to stop anyone acquiring the company or if they’re going to acquire the company, they have to go and speak to the Murdoch interests. It locks the company up effectively,” an analyst who refused to be named told Reuters.
According to News Corp said its move was prompted by Liberty’s decision to engage investment bank Merrill Lynch in a hedging transaction for more than 80 million News Corp. Class B shares.
“There was no communication with the company about that decision before it was made, and it’s too early to tell what Liberty’s intentions are, but we’re not necessarily treating them as friendly,” said News Corp. spokesman Greg Baxter.
Could a Malone takeover change strategy for News Corp’s pan-Asian venture, Star group, including the profitable venture in India? Difficult to say, but a new owner is certain to have his or her own vision, which could result in some expansions lined by Star India to be put in the cold storage.
But that is a big if, considering Murdoch is unlikely to give up control over an empire that he has built up so assiduously.Murdoch has groomed sons Lachlan, News Corp.’s deputy chief operating officer, and James, BSkyB’s chief executive, to eventually run News Corp.
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.
