News Broadcasting
NewsX-MRC Exit Poll: BJP leads in UP, Punjab Congress vs AAP
MUMBAI: As the political battle for power in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa drew to a close after the last vote was cast in the final phase of the Assembly Elections, NewsX-MRC Exit Poll gave a clear indication of how the voters cast their ballot for the ultimate show of power in the states which went to polls.
The results of the NewsX-MRC Exit Poll indicate that Uttar Pradesh looks all set for a major overhaul with the BJP making inroads to the seat of power in the state while the SP-Cong alliance tries to give them a run for their money; Punjab offers an interesting mix with a severe jolt to the ruling SAD-BJP combine as Congress and AAP go neck-and-neck in the crucial state; BJP may form a government in Uttarakhand; the Goans seem to be mixed in their reception as BJP, Congress and AAP all seem to be getting a piece of the pie.
NewsX-MRC Exit Poll data from Uttar Pradesh suggests the state may see a major swing of fortunes for the BJP and the party may finally take the mantle of governance from the Samajwadi Party with the BJP projected to win 185 (+/- 3) seats. The SP-Congress alliance is projected to bag 120 (+/- 3) seats while the BSP comes third with 90 (+/- 3) seats.
Punjab is another potboiler with a big change in the air as the ruling SAD-BJP combine seems to be taking a massive hit. The Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have come out as the biggest gainers from the scenario as they both are predicted to win 55 (+/- 3) seats each.
NewsX-MRC Exit Poll data on Uttarakhand projects that the BJP may emerge as the winner with 38 (+ /- 3) seats. The poll data further suggests that the Congress is a close second with 30 (+/- 3) seats.
NewsX-MRC Exit Poll survey for the recently concluded Goa Assembly Elections gives an indication of a hung house with BJP bagging 15 (+/- 3) seats while the Congress will get 10 (+/- 3) seats. In such a scenario, it would be interesting to see what role AAP plays which is predicted to make it big on 7 (+/- 3) seats.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 rolls out Battle for the States ahead of key polls
Multi-format election coverage tracks voter mood across five battleground states
NEW DELHI: CNN-News18 has launched a special election programming initiative titled Battle for the States, as India gears up for high-stakes Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
Built around the theme ‘Road to Power’, the multi-format coverage aims to follow the entire electoral journey, from campaigning and polling to results and government formation. The network is leaning into on-ground reportage and data-backed storytelling to decode voter sentiment across regions where local issues often shape the narrative.
The programming line-up includes ‘Vote Tracker’, a three-part series developed in collaboration with survey agency Vote Vibe. The show blends survey insights with expert commentary and field reporting, using augmented reality graphics to present complex electoral data such as vote share, seat projections and leadership preferences in a more accessible format. It will air every Monday evening until April 6.
Adding a cultural lens to political reporting is ‘So Saree!’, a ground-driven segment where women anchors travel across constituencies dressed in traditional handwoven sarees from each state. The format uses attire as a storytelling device, highlighting regional identity while capturing grassroots voices.
Meanwhile, ‘Unfiltered Kaapi’ and ‘Chai-Niti’ bring a more conversational tone, drawing inspiration from everyday political discussions in tea stalls and coffee corners. These segments aim to break down key issues through candid, fast-paced exchanges between anchors and reporters, tailored to regional sensibilities.
For viewers seeking deeper insights, the weekend docuseries ‘Reporters Project’ takes a longer view, with correspondents travelling across constituencies to map voter concerns and political shifts on the ground.
“Elections are about people, their aspirations, identities and the issues that matter to them, and every state tells a different story,” said CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar. He added that the initiative focuses on understanding “the sentiment on the ground and what’s driving voter choices”.
Echoing the emphasis on credibility, Network18 CEO – English and business news Smriti Mehra said the network aims to combine on-ground reporting with data-led insights to deliver clear and timely coverage as the elections unfold.
With a mix of data, culture and grassroots reporting, CNN-News18 is positioning Battle for the States as a comprehensive window into one of India’s most closely watched electoral cycles, where every vote carries a story waiting to be told.
