Aaj Tak launches India’s first AI-powered vertical TV for live news

NEW DELHI: It’s a new way to look at the news, quite literally. Aaj Tak has launched what it claims is India’s first AI-powered Vertical TV platform, introducing a live news viewing experience designed specifically for smartphone users who watch content in full-screen portrait mode.

The broadcaster said the platform is the first of its kind in India to deliver live television through an AI-driven, real-time adaptive vertical format at scale, moving beyond simply cropping or rotating traditional television feeds.

Built on a proprietary technology stack, Vertical TV combines real-time adaptive reframing, pixel reconfiguration, artificial intelligence and dynamic visual composition to automatically transform conventional horizontal broadcasts into vertical live streams as events unfold.

The system continuously analyses every frame of a live broadcast, identifying the most important visual elements, including anchors, reporters, graphics, breaking news tickers and on-ground footage. It then automatically adjusts the framing to keep the focus on the most relevant content while maintaining editorial context.

According to the company, the auto-reframing technology has been trained using more than five years of viewer behaviour, content consumption patterns and screen engagement data, enabling it to optimise the viewing experience for mobile audiences.

Aaj Tak’s technology also features an intelligent visual composition engine that reorganises multiple content layers within a vertical screen. Instead of simply enlarging or cropping images, the platform dynamically rearranges graphics, text, visuals and live video feeds to maximise smartphone screen space without compromising clarity or storytelling.

The broadcaster said the platform has been designed around natural smartphone viewing habits, taking into account how users typically hold their devices and scan information. The objective is to create a more intuitive and immersive experience while reducing the need for viewers to rotate their phones or miss key visual details.

Vertical TV is available through the Aaj Tak App as well as the channel’s official presence on YouTube, making the experience accessible across mobile devices.

Commenting on the launch, India Today Group vice chairperson and executive editor-in-chief Kalli Purie said the platform is the result of years of innovation centred on changing mobile news consumption habits. She said the combination of artificial intelligence and audience insights has enabled Aaj Tak to develop a new format designed for the future of television.

The launch reflects a broader shift in the media industry as smartphones increasingly become the primary destination for news consumption. By redesigning live television around mobile-first viewing rather than adapting legacy broadcasts, Aaj Tak is seeking to redefine how audiences experience live news in an increasingly digital and screen-first world.