News Broadcasting
Siddhartha Sharma appointed executive editor of NDTV Auto
MUMBAI: Every engine has a story, and NDTV Auto is now tuned for the next chapter. Siddhartha Sharma has joined as executive editor, bringing over 14 years of experience at the intersection of journalism, technology, and storytelling.
From ET Now’s Technoholik to TV Today’s Gadgets & Gizmos and Good News Today, Siddhartha has built a reputation for crafting stories that combine insight with perspective. At Network18, he launched India’s first digital-first auto and tech show on CNN-News18, redefining how audiences connect with innovation. His stint at The Quint saw him pioneer VR reviews, mobile-first formats, and selfie interviews, pushing the boundaries of immersive journalism.
Siddhartha’s experience extends beyond India. During his global tenure in Canada, he honed digital strategy, client development, and cross-cultural storytelling, adding fresh dimensions to his already versatile creative toolkit.
NDTV CEO and editor-in-chief Rahul Kanwal said, “Siddhartha brings a rare fusion of creative instinct and deep knowledge of the auto industry. He doesn’t just review cars, he explores culture, design, and the emotion behind innovation, adding purpose to every story.”
Siddhartha Sharma added, “NDTV has set the benchmark for credible and meaningful auto journalism. Joining NDTV Auto at a time when mobility is being reshaped by technology, design, and sustainability is exciting, and I look forward to this journey.”
At NDTV, Siddhartha will lead the transformation of NDTV Auto into a platform as intuitive as the vehicles it celebrates, spotlighting mobility, sustainability, and design with imagination and integrity. With his appointment, NDTV deepens its pursuit of stories that go beyond power and performance, capturing how innovation is shaping the way India moves, thinks, and aspires.
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.
