News Broadcasting
CNN’s ‘destination india’ explores the country’s most adventurous and exotic locations
MUMBAI: India is a vibrant combination of landscapes, traditions and cultures that houses spectacular destinations still unexplored and uncharted. Often famous for its spirituality, India is now attracting thrill seekers and outdoor enthusiasts. This month, CNN’s ‘Destination India’ delves into the finest adventure expeditions and eco-tourism locations ranging from trekking the foothills of the Himalayas to surfing on the South-Western coast.
Highlights of the 30-minute special include:
Free Falling
What’s more adventurous than throwing caution to the wind and jumping off India’s highest (and only) fixed platform bungee jump? Located in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, the jump, designed by New Zealander David Allardice, a renowned jump master, drops those who dare down 83 meters (273 feet) towards a tributary of the River Ganga. If jumping is a bit too scary, visitors can opt to swing from the seat harness and become a human pendulum. It’s a leap of faith in an area known for its spiritualty.
Trekking with the Traveling Sisters of India
There may be no adventure greater than setting out on a trek in the Himalayas and no better guides than the traveling sisters of India: Prachi and Himadri Garg. Known as the ‘Ghoomophiro sisters’, Prachi and Himadri run trekking trips in Northern India including, female only weekend trips from Delhi. CNN joins the sisters on an exciting trip as they head out to Mussoorie in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand.
Riding the Rails
Riding the rails on the vast network of Indian Railways is perhaps the best way to experience the true spirit of India. For decades it has sparked the imagination of writers and film makers, and it’s still a favorite mode of transport for locals and foreigners alike. But passengers don’t need to pack into a hot train to experience this throwback form of travel – in fact they can ride in style. Jump onboard the Maharajas’ Express and experience a luxurious journey to Rajasthan’s most popular destinations.
Surfs up in India
The waves of Hawaii have been tackled, the beaches of Bali are packed, and the coastline of California is too common… so where do surfers go when they are looking for an adventure? India. Call it the last frontier in surfing if you will. The country is rapidly becoming a must-visit spot for pro and amateur surfers looking to “hang-ten” on some of the most remote surfing spots in the world along the over 7,000 kilometers of coastline in India. India’s surf pioneers at the Mantra Surf Club have been teaching the sport to thousands since 2007 from a small beach located in a tiny fishing village in the state of Karnataka.
Eco-tourism in India
On the edge of Nagarhole National Park and surrounded by the Kabini River in Coorg, Karnataka, sits one of India’s best wildlife & jungle lodges – Evolve Back. The lodge was once named as one of the World’s 25 Best Eco-Lodges by National Geographic Traveler for a simple reason: incredible wildlife experiences while preserving nature and culture of the land. The lodge uses reverse osmosis water filtering in every room, has a state of the art sewage treatment plant and even produces its own electricity through windmills.
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.
