News Broadcasting
BBC retains title as #1 choice for Asia Pacific’s premium audience
MUMBAI: The BBC’s international news offering has cemented its leadership position amongst Asia Pacific’s high income earners. The Ipsos Affluent Survey Asia Pacific for Q3 and Q4 2013 reveals that the BBC’s cross-platform news brand, which includes 24 hour global news channel BBC World News, and bbc.com, which offers up-to-the minute international news and in-depth analysis, is the top choice for premium audiences for the fourth year running. The survey shows that the BBC has extended its lead over its competitors in the past 12 months. It also reveals that BBC World News is most effective for reaching the top tier of earners as it has more viewers from this much-coveted demographic than any other news channel.
The new research also shows that the BBC has reinforced its reputation as the most trustworthy and insightful news brand in Asia, and that it is recognised for offering the highest quality journalism of any news channel or print title.
Jim Egan, CEO of BBC Global News Ltd, says, “In the past 18 months we have implemented an ambitious strategy to bring our international news operations together into an integrated offer for global audiences. These latest results show that our strategy is yielding rewards and that our target audience has welcomed the increased investment across TV, online and mobile, together with our ongoing commitment to providing the most comprehensive news and current affairs content for the Asia Pacific market.”
He added, “In terms of overall reach we’ve made great gains within our competitive set but, even more importantly, these figures show that we are way ahead in terms of the coveted premium audience. As the leader in global breaking news, with bureaux across the region, we welcome the confirmation that the BBC remains the brand of choice for discerning audiences looking for a trusted and truly global perspective on the world’s most important stories.”
The popularity of BBC World News is further reflected in the finding that, for the first time, it is the most popular channel for frequent business travellers watching from their hotel rooms.
The survey also reveals that mobile has played an important role in the recent results. It shows that the BBC was the number one news brand across apps and mobile for premium audiences. These IASAP findings support a recent BBC World News and bbc.com global mobile study into the usage of mobile devices by affluent consumers which emphasises the growing trend for news consumption on mobile platforms.
The IASAP study surveys pan-regional and local media consumption and product consumption among affluent adults and business professionals in main cities in the Asia Pacific region. The latest survey covers Q3-Q4 2013.
Source: Ipsos Affluent Survey Asia Pacific, Q3-Q4 2013, Q1-Q4 2012, Q1-Q4 2011, Q1-Q4 2010. Based on monthly reach % to one-decimal point unless otherwise specified. Cross-platform news brand/total brand reach: TV/website/mobile reach. Premium audience/high income earners: personal monthly income US $10K+ (N=405; projected universe of 232,600). Frequent business travellers: taken international business trips 3+/6+ last year (N=941/339; projected universe of 618,312/183,679).
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
