News Broadcasting

Elections 2014: News channels ‘Modi’fy

Published

12 years ago

May 16, 2014

NEW DELHI: Even as television channels are trying to be one up on the other in the coverage of the counting process and the general election results, most channels reflected a common perception:that the results were individual-based and not party-based.

In fact, most channels had the faces of Narendra Modi when showing the results of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), that of Rahul Gandhi when showing the fate of the Indian National Congress (INC), of Arvind Kejriwal when reflecting how the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was doing, and so on. The party symbols of these parties were curiously missing from the studio reportage, even as these appeared during the live coverages from all over the country.

Doordarshan News expectedly was the most sober in its coverage even as it was a little behind the other channels in showing the trends or results, but surprisingly even Times Now appeared to move a bit slowly with the trends and results even as it succeeded in getting a large number of panelists and politicians on board throughout the day.

Even Lok Sabha TV (LSTV) and Rajya Sabha TV (RSTV) joined the fray for the first time to show the results. However, while LSTV confined itself to showing figures taken from Doordarshan accompanied by a live panel discussion, RSTV had live coverages from different parts of the country in collaboration with DD.

Clearly, NDTV 24×7 and ABP News captured a large number of eyeballs with their graphic presentations. NDTV 24×7 showed graphic presentation of the Lok Sabha, with a majority of seats occupied with yellow-coloured figures representing the BJP, and the numbers changed as the trends and results emerged.

Aaj Tak had moving caricatures of Modi, Gandhi and Kejriwal reflecting the fate of their respective party, with Modi dancing with joy, Gandhi brow in frustration, and Kejriwal looking crestfallen in place of the party symbols.

Interestingly the poll figures remained on screen even during the commercial breaks, reflecting the interest of the viewer.

As expected the presentations on the main news channels were led by their heads including Prannoy Roy of NDTV, Arnab Goswami of Times Now, and Rajdeep Sardesai of CNN-IBN.

One common repeat throughout the day on all channels were the shots of Modi meeting and taking the blessings of his aged mother after his Vadodara victory and the run of the party for which he is the Prime Ministerial candidate.

While Times Now appeared very cluttered with too many figures running simultaneously along with several visuals at the same time, channels like Zee News, ABP News, NDTV 24X7, P7, India News, CNN-IBN and NewsX caught the eye with their graphics and presentation.

The interest in the Indian elections overseas was reflected by BBC Global News, as it went live several times during the day and had a live translation of all press meets being addressed in Hindi. CNN in comparison showed little interest as it only mentioned the results or trends from time to time.

Clearly, all the channels were out to outdo each other as far as presentation was concerned vis-a-vis live graphics and coverage, and some like Times Now, ABP News, CNN-IBN and NDTV 24X7 catching the eye with their sets, with ABP News and NDTV 24X7 being most innovative.

But it was clear that all the channels probably spent much more than the budgets initially earmarked by them for today. An earlier report had said that the channels had put aside Rs 1 crore to Rs 1.5 crore for the day, but one reporter of a channel told indiantelevision.com that the amount would go higher.

Certain common points of discussion emerged throughout the day: was it the victory of Modi, the BJP workers or the RSS (an issue raised by both LK Advani and Sushma Swaraj during the day); will Rahul resign, accepting responsibility; did the allies matter since the BJP had emerged strongly on its own; was this high vote for BJP a rejection of many that it was a communal party; whether BJP leader Giriraj Singh who had made some very damaging statements should be removed from the party; why Sonia and Rahul Gandhi did not take questions and just made statements (Rahul was ready to face question, but left on Sonia’s gesture); and why were Dr Manmohan Singh and Arjun Kejriwal conspicuously missing. Advani and Sushma Swaraj’s attribution of the victory to BJP workers and the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh; and the virtually plastic smile on the face of Rahul also made for a lot of talk on TV channels and social media.

But apart from the TV channels and even All India Radio including FM Gold which went live from 8:30 am in the morning, the social media was as active. While live coverage by way of latest figures appeared on sites like yahoo.in, Twitter was very active and was quoted throughout the day by TV channels whenever any personality including Modi and LK Advani sent tweets.

Several interesting cartoons came on the internet, particularly Facebook, from individuals. One had a cartoon of Rahul Gandhi’s smiling face with the use of a BJP slogan: ‘Acchey din aaney waley hain, hum naani ke ghar jaane waaley hain’ (Good days are coming, we will go to our grandmother’s house) while another had a poster of ‘Dabbang 3’ with the photo of Modi. Some wanted to know if the victory of the film personalities was that of the individuals or the party they represented.

Even as the results started coming in the afternoon, the focus shifted entirely to the major personalities in the fray. And it will be interesting to note the conjectures of the channels about possible portfolios, particularly since most TV channels had got the exit polls right by predicting the victory of BJP.

Up Next

Difference of opinion within BARC on rollout date?

Don't Miss

Ten Sports to broadcast DFB Cup in India

Click to comment

News Broadcasting

Barc forensic audit in TRP row awaits as Twenty-Four probe gathers pace

Published

7 days ago

February 4, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

KERALA: A forensic audit commissioned by the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India has emerged as the centrepiece of the government’s response to fresh allegations of television rating point manipulation involving a regional news channel in Kerala, with both the audit findings and a parallel police investigation still awaited.

Replying to a query in the Lok Sabha, minister of state for information and broadcasting L Murugan, said Barc had appointed an independent agency to conduct a forensic probe into the conduct of senior personnel allegedly linked to the case.

The move followed media reports claiming that a Barc employee had accepted bribes to manipulate viewership data in favour of a regional television news channel.

“The report from BARC is still awaited,” Murugan told Parliament, signalling that the forensic exercise remains ongoing.

Industry specialists say forensic audits are crucial in alleged TRP fraud cases, as they examine internal controls, data access trails, panel household integrity, staff communications and financial transactions. The outcome could determine whether the alleged manipulation was an isolated breach or a deeper systemic weakness in India’s television measurement framework.

Running alongside the audit, the Kerala Police has formed a special investigation team to probe the allegations. The ministry has sought a preliminary report from the state’s director general of police, including details of action taken on the first information report. That report, too, is yet to be submitted.

The episode has revived long-standing concerns over the vulnerability of India’s TRP system, particularly in regional news markets where competition for ratings is fierce and advertising revenues hinge on weekly viewership rankings.

India’s sole television audience measurement body Barc, has faced scrutiny before, most notably during the nationwide TRP controversy involving news channels in 2020. While tighter compliance norms were introduced in the aftermath, the latest allegations suggest enforcement challenges may persist.

On regulatory consequences, the government said any punitive action against television channels, including suspension or cancellation of uplinking and downlinking permissions, would be governed by the Policy Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Television Channels issued in November 2022, and would depend on investigation outcomes and due process.

The ministry also pointed to ongoing efforts to overhaul the ratings ecosystem. Television measurement continues to be regulated under the Policy Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies, 2014. Draft amendments were released for public consultation in July 2025, followed by a revised version in November 2025, aimed at tightening audit mechanisms and improving transparency and representativeness.

In November 2025, Barc said it had taken note of allegations aired by Malayalam news channel Twenty-Four, which linked an internal employee to irregularities in audience measurement. The council said it had engaged a “reputed independent agency” to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit, underscoring the seriousness of the claims.

The ratings system sits at the heart of India’s broadcast advertising economy, shaping billions of rupees in annual ad spends. With trust in audience data once again under strain, advertisers, broadcasters and regulators are closely watching the outcome of the investigations.

Barc has urged industry stakeholders and media organisations to exercise restraint while the probe is underway, calling for an end to “unverified or speculatory claims” and reiterating its commitment to integrity and accountability.

Until the forensic audit and police findings are submitted and reviewed, the government said it would refrain from drawing conclusions.

News Broadcasting

Rajat Sharma defamation row: Delhi court summons Congress leaders Ragini Nayak, Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh

Published

7 days ago

February 4, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court has ordered the summoning of senior Congress leaders Ragini Nayak, Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh in a criminal case filed by veteran journalist Rajat Sharma, sharpening a legal battle over alleged defamation and doctored digital content.

The order was passed on Monday by Devanshi Janmeja, judicial magistrate first class at Saket Courts, after the court found prima facie grounds to proceed under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including forgery, creation of false electronic records and defamation.

Sharma, chairman and editor-in-chief of India TV, had approached the court over allegations made in June 2024 that he had used derogatory language against Congress spokesperson Ragini Nayak during a live television debate. He denied the charge, claiming it was fuelled by a manipulated video circulated online.

According to the complaint, a clipped version of the broadcast carrying superimposed captions, which were not part of the original programme, was first shared on social media platform X by Nayak and later amplified through retweets and public statements by Khera and Ramesh. Sharma said the viral spread caused serious reputational harm and personal distress.

The court took note of forensic science laboratory findings that pointed to visible post-production alterations in the video, including added titles and captions. It also cited witness testimonies from those present during the live broadcast, who stated that no abusive or objectionable language had been used.

In a related civil matter, the Delhi High Court had earlier observed a prima facie absence of abusive remarks and directed the removal of the disputed social media posts.

With criminal proceedings now set in motion, the case adds to mounting scrutiny around political messaging, digital manipulation and accountability on social media platforms.

News Broadcasting

Mukesh Ambani, Larry Fink come together for CNBC-TV18 exclusive

Reliance and BlackRock chiefs map the future of investing as global capital eyes India

Published

7 days ago

February 4, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: India’s capital story takes centre stage today as Mukesh Ambani and Larry Fink sit down for a rare joint television conversation, bringing together two of the most powerful voices in global business at a moment of economic churn and opportunity.

The Reliance Industries chief and the BlackRock boss will speak with Shereen Bhan, managing editor of CNBC-TV18, in an exclusive interaction airing from 3:00 pm on February 4. The timing is deliberate. Geopolitics are tense, technology is disruptive and capital is choosier. India, meanwhile, is pitching itself as a long-term bet.

The pairing is symbolic. Reliance straddles energy transition, digital infrastructure and consumer growth in the world’s fastest-expanding major economy. BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, oversees more than $14 tn in assets and sits at the nerve centre of global capital flows. When the two talk, markets tend to listen.

Fink’s appearance marks his third India visit, a signal of the country’s rising strategic weight for the Wall Street-listed firm, which carries a market value above $177 bn. His earlier 2023 trips included an October stop in New Delhi, where he met both Ambani and Narendra Modi.

India is now central to BlackRock’s expansion plans, notably through its joint venture with Jio Financial Services. Announced in July 2023, the 50:50 venture, JioBlackRock, commits up to $150 mn each from the partners to build a digital-first asset-management platform aimed at India’s swelling investor class.

The backdrop is robust. BlackRock ended 2025 with record assets under management of $14.04 tn, helped by $698 bn in net inflows, including $342 bn in the fourth quarter alone. Scale gives Fink both heft and a long lens on where money is moving.

He has been openly bullish on India. At the Saudi-US Investment Summit in Riyadh last year, Fink argued that the “fog of global uncertainty is lifting”, with capital returning to dynamic markets such as India, drawn by reforms, demographics and durable return potential.

Expect the conversation to range beyond balance sheets, into technology’s role in finance, access to capital and the mechanics of sustainable growth in a fracturing world order. For investors and policymakers alike, it is a snapshot of how big money is thinking about India.

At a time when capital is cautious and growth is contested, India wants to be the exception. When Ambani and Fink share a stage, it is less a chat and more a signal. The world’s money is still looking for its next big story, and India intends to be it.