News Broadcasting
CNBC-TV18 leads budget day ratings with 83.5 per cent share
Business news leader dominates FM speech and market hours
MUMBAI: When the finance minister rose to deliver the Union Budget on 1 February, viewers tuned in with one clear preference. CNBC-TV18 captured a commanding 83.5 per cent market share during the speech, underlining its position as India’s most-watched business news channel.
The figures, sourced from Barc India for Week 5 of 2026, show the channel drawing in the lion’s share of viewers between 11.00 am and 12.30 pm, the crucial window when policy pronouncements meet market nerves.
The dominance did not stop once the speech concluded. Across key market hours from Monday to Friday, 8.00 am to 4.00 pm, CNBC-TV18 delivered an even stronger 84.9 per cent share in the 10L plus markets among the 22 plus AB male audience. In a week when traders track every syllable and investors weigh every comma, the channel remained firmly in command.
Over the full 24-hour budget day cycle, CNBC-TV18 retained a clear lead within the business news genre, securing a 75 per cent market share nationwide. The numbers suggest sustained engagement well beyond the headline moments, reflecting continued viewer trust as markets digested the fine print.
With a 26-year legacy built on credible journalism and real-time market insight, CNBC-TV18 once again proved that when India Inc., policy makers and investors seek clarity amid economic crosscurrents, they know exactly where to turn.
