News Broadcasting
Times Now claims leadership during union budget week
Mumbai: Times Now is claiming supremacy in the English news channel category during budget week with a 34.3 per cent viewership share (Source: BARC| 10L+| NCCS AB 22+| Wk.30 2024) and an impressive 12,48,000 reach (Source: BARC| 10L+| NCCS AB 22+| Wk.30 2024).
A press release issued by it states that its budget coverage “stood out for its extensive and comprehensive programming, featuring detailed infographics highlighting key economic indicators, sector-wise expectations, and significant announcements.”
The channel has also stated that it was “No 1 on budget day, dominating the genre with a 33.7 per cent viewership share (Source: BARC| 10L+| NCCS AB 22+| 23 July 2024).”
Times Now has further claimed that it became the preferred choice amongst viewers for budget-related news thanks to its seasoned journalists and strategic content. During finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s speech, it said that it registered a 34 per cent viewership share, “the highest in the genre” (Source: BARC| 10L+| NCCS AB 22+| 23 July 2024, 11 AM – 12 Noon), Real-time graphical analysis of the speech kept viewers informed on the budget’s implications, making this the most crucial hour of the day with a reach of 44,000 (Source: BARC| 10L+| NCCS AB 22+| 23 July 2024, 11 AM – 12 Noon).
Times Now’s union budget programming featured examinations of the Indian economy and its challenges during pre-budget discussions. Key panel discussions offered crucial insights into the budget, with tax experts Rohinton Sidhwa and Saloni Roy decoding its significance for various sectors, industries, and the middle class.
Former chief economic advisor KV Subramanian provided perspectives on expected reforms, while representatives from industry bodies like CII outlined their demands from the government.
Prominent government personalities, including union minister of commerce and industry Piyush Goyal, minister of petroleum and natural gas Hardeep Singh Puri and minister of railways and information & broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with top departmental secretaries and opposition voices, shared exclusive insights on the budget.
News Broadcasting
News18 India launches Command Centre war explainer with Arya
New show shifts from debates to decoding global conflicts and impacts
MUMBAI: News18 India has rolled out a new war-focused programme, Command Centre, featuring Gaurav Arya, as it looks to offer viewers a sharper, more grounded take on global conflicts amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Positioned as an “insider war room”, the show moves away from conventional panel debates and instead focuses on explaining military developments, decoding strategy and connecting global events to their everyday impact, from fuel prices to economic shifts.
The format leans heavily on visuals and data. The studio has been designed like a command hub, complete with large LED war maps, real-time graphics and an alert system to track developments as they unfold.
At the centre of it all is Arya, who brings his military background to simplify complex war strategies for viewers. His signature line, “Seedhi baat samjhiye”, anchors the show’s promise of clarity over noise.
News18 India managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “Command Centre, featuring Major Gaurav Arya is designed to deliver accurate insights and a clear perspective on how evolving conflicts impact everyday life, from household budgets to national security. With expert voices analysing every development in real time, the show goes beyond headlines to decode what’s happening now, what it means, and what could come next.”
Echoing the intent, Gaurav Arya added, “In times of war, confusion is the biggest threat. With News18 India’s Command Centre, we are bringing viewers inside the war room, decoding strategies, tracking every escalation, and explaining, in the simplest terms, what it means for India and for every household. Seedhi baat samjhiye, this is where you understand not just what is happening, but what happens next.”
The weekday show will air in the afternoon slot and will also feature Gaurav Shukla, adding to its editorial depth.
With its mix of analysis, visuals and a clear focus on impact, the show reflects a broader shift in news consumption. Viewers are no longer just watching events unfold, they are looking to understand what those events mean for them.
