News Broadcasting
Times Network’s news channels announce exclusive election programming
Mumbai: As Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh prepare for pivotal Assembly and by –poll elections respectively, Times Network’s premium news channels, Times Now, Times Now Navbharat, ET Now & ET Now Swadesh announce comprehensive election programming. Featuring a lineup of exclusive and engaging shows, on-ground reports, insightful analysis, and live election coverage, the ongoing programming promises viewers a holistic news viewing experience.
Under ‘MANDATE 2024,’ Times Now, India’s Election News Headquarters, offers election programming that includes:
1 Access: Go behind the scenes with Maharashtra’s election candidates as they navigate the election campaign trail. Offering a day-in-the-life perspective, this show airing every Saturday at 3:30 p.m., provides an immersive glimpse into the strategies, and challenges, that fuel each candidate’s journey in this electoral grind.
2 Election Yatra: Delving into Maharashtra’s political pulse, this show features live, on-ground reports from Thane, Konkan, Mumbai, Western Maharashtra, Marathwada, Vidarbha, and Central Malegaon. This show, airing daily at 5: 30 p.m., analyzes key issues, assesses the current government’s track record, and reveals voter expectations across the state.
3 Inside: Offering an in-depth exploration of the evolving political landscape in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, this show airing every Saturday at 1:30 pm, delivers detailed analysis of the election scenario across the state, offering viewers a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics driving both elections.
4 The National Debate: Addressing the most significant issues influencing India’s politics, this show brings together a diverse panel of experts in Mumbai for insightful discussions on critical topics. Airing every Saturday at 8 p.m., ‘The National Debate’ sparks meaningful conversations dissecting key topics influencing the course of this election.
Times Now Navbharat under ‘Jan Gan ka Mann’ focuses on:
1 Maharashtra Ka Mahayudh: This electrifying on-ground series directly connects with voters across key constituencies, delving into pressing local issues, capturing public sentiment. Offering a flavour of real electoral pulse, this show, airing daily at 5:30 p.m., offers an unfiltered look at the state’s defining political landscape.
2 9 ki Jang, 27 ka Trailer: Airing daily at 7 p.m., this show dives into 9 crucial battleground seats in the Uttar Pradesh by-election, seen as a precursor to the 2027 assembly election race. With real-time voter insights, the show breaks down the high-stakes dynamics shaping this political battleground.
Public Manch, a show featuring influential personalities from Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur, engaging in one-on-one conversations, will offer viewers a deeper understanding of the forces shaping India. Set to air every Saturday at 10 p.m., the show will be broadcast on both channels.
Et Now under ‘Battleground Maharashtra’ and Et Now Swadesh under ‘Ranbhoomi’ focus on:
1 Battleground Maharashtra: Et Now brings a special coverage of the Maharashtra Assembly elections on 20 November (Polling Day), and 23 November (Counting Day). Featuring top economists, political commentators and market experts, the extensive coverage will dissect Maharashtra’s significant economic contributions. On 25 November, the first equity trading day after Maharashtra’s new government is formed, the channel will analyze the impact, featuring expert insights from market, macroeconomic, and political guests.
2 Ranbhoomi Jharkhand Ka Ran: This panel discussion on Et Now Swadesh focuses on the high-stakes political climate in Jharkhand will bring together influential political leaders, seasoned analysts, and market experts to dissect key issues, explore potential economic and political impacts of the upcoming elections. Airing on 11 November at 5 p.m., this show will help viewers with perspectives essential for understanding the state’s future trajectory.
3 Ranbhoomi Maharashtra Ka Mahamukabla: Airing on 18 November at 5 p.m. this panel discussion is centred around Maharashtra’s intense electoral contest. Featuring prominent political figures, analysts, and market experts, this show on ET Now Swadesh offers viewers a nuanced understanding of the potential ramifications across both politics and market trends.
4 ET NOW Swadesh Chunav Yatra: This on-ground segment, starting 8 November captures real-time insights from Maharashtra and Jharkhand through a series of impactful interactions with political leaders, analysts, and voters, bringing the region’s evolving election dynamics.
At the end of this crucial polling phase, Times Now and Times Now Navbharat will present Exit Polls (November 20), from 5 p.m. onwards, providing expert insights and analysis on the election outcomes. On Counting Day (23 November), all channels will provide comprehensive, real-time coverage with a lineup of eminent guests, including politicians, political analysts, and senior journalists, offering expert commentary and insights on the unfolding election results.
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.
