ITV

Category: News Broadcasting

  • India Matters breaks the noise as NDTV 24×7 unveils new prime-time show

    India Matters breaks the noise as NDTV 24×7 unveils new prime-time show

    MUMBAI: NDTV 24×7 is shaking up the 8 pm slot with the launch of India Matters, its latest prime-time programme that promises sharp reporting, no-nonsense commentary, and a fearless take on the day’s defining headlines. The show premieres tonight, hosted by acclaimed journalist Shiv Aroor.

    Known for his expertise in defence and strategic affairs, Aroor brings a piercing perspective to India Matters, one that doesn’t just deliver the news, it challenges it. Opinionated, sardonic, and surgically analytical, the show aims to cut through spin, rhetoric, and posturing to put facts and accountability front and centre.

    From politics and policy to public sentiment and national security, India Matters doesn’t just report the news, it interrogates it. With Shiv Aroor’s deep expertise in defence and strategic affairs, viewers can expect unmatched clarity, credibility, and context.

    Set to air weekdays at 8:00 pm, India Matters will dissect not just what happened, but why it happened, who benefits, and what it means for the everyday Indian.

    With India’s newsrooms often crowded with echo chambers, India Matters arrives as a sharp outlier, one that invites discomfort, debate, and depth. From national security to social unrest, the programme brings an insider’s clarity and a critic’s candour to the table.

    As viewers increasingly seek substance over spectacle, India Matters hopes to fill the vacuum with bold, intelligent storytelling that holds power to account and demands better answers for the people who deserve them.

    So, if you’re tired of the noise and looking for nuance, your nightly appointment begins now. India Matters, with Shiv Aroor, airs weekdays at 8PM on NDTV 24×7.

  • Network18’s financial performance reflects mixed trends amidst restructuring

    Network18’s financial performance reflects mixed trends amidst restructuring

    MUMBAI: Network18’s financial results for the year ended 31 March 2025 present a complex picture, marked by operational challenges and the impact of strategic restructuring activities. The company has reported a net loss, but this is juxtaposed with substantial gains from exceptional items.

    Revenue from operations shows a slight decrease, indicating some pressure on the company’s core business activities.
    * Revenue from operations increased  to Rs 1,896.21 crore from Rs 1,817.73 crore in the previous year. 
    * The primary component, value of sales and services, was Rs 2,206.87 crore, compared to Rs  2,114.86 crore in the previous year.
    * Other income contributed a smaller amount, Rs 16.75 crore, down from Rs 18.70 crore. 

    Expenses increased, impacting profitability.
    * Total expenses rose to Rs   2,197.81 crore from Rs 2,086.95 crore. 
    * Key expense categories include: 
    o Operational costs: Rs 402.66 crore (previous year: Rs 381.35 crore) 
    o Marketing, distribution, and promotional expense: 478.24 crore (previous year: Rs 428.12 crore) 
    o Employee Benefits Expense: Rs 729.99 crore (previous year: Rs 702.68 crore) 
    o Finance costs:  Rs 213.42 crore (previous year: Rs 186.20 crore) 
    o Depreciation and amortisation expense: Rs 121.66 crore (previous year: Rs 101.02 crore) 
    o Other expenses: Rs  251.84 crore  (previous year: Rs  287.58 crore) 

    The company’s profitability was affected, but exceptional items provided a substantial offset.
    * Profit/ (Loss) before exceptional items and tax was a loss of Rs (284.85) crore, compared to a loss of Rs (250.52) crore in the previous year. 
    * However, the company recorded exceptional items of Rs 3,498.21 crore. 
    * This resulted in a profit/ (loss) before tax of Rs 3,213.36 crore, compared to Rs (250.52) crore in the previous year. 
    * After accounting for tax, the profit/ (loss) for the Period/Year was Rs 3,213.36 crore, compared to a loss of Rs 185.41 crore in the previous year. 

    The composite scheme of arrangement involving Viacom18, Digital18, and Star India has significantly reshaped the company’s structure.  The sale of shares in Indiacast Media Distribution Private Limited and changes in the shareholding of Viacom18 contributed to the exceptional items. 

    Network18’s financial performance reflects a period of transition.

    (updated 19 April at 11:40 am) 

    The company issued a press release on 19 April which reads as follows: 

    MUMBAI: Network18 Media & Investments Ltd’s standalone operating revenue for the news business rose 4.3 percent to Rs 1,896 crore in the year ended March 31, while operating EBITDA nearly doubled to Rs 33 crore, led by tight cost control, stronger ad pricing and viewership gains.

    Growth in operating EBITDA was aided by its expanding viewership and gains in advertising pricing. The network continued to lead in Hindi, English, and Business News segments, while also rising to leadership in Marathi and Bengali markets.

    In the fiscal fourth quarter, the company reported an operating EBITDA of Rs 13 crore for its standalone news business, showing resilience amid a subdued advertising environment and a high base from election-driven revenues a year ago. EBITDA margin widened to 2.6 percent in the fourth quarter from 2.2 percent in the preceding three months. Standalone operating revenue rose 9.5 percent quarter-on-quarter to Rs 522 crore. Operating expenses rose 3 percent to Rs 508 crore from a year earlier.

    Q4 Standalone loss narrows

    The company posted a standalone loss of Rs 69 crore for Q4 FY25. That compares with the Rs 31 crore loss in the year-ago period. Total standalone income stood at Rs 524 crore, up from Rs 484 crore in Q3 but lower than Rs 537 crore in Q4 FY24. The quarter saw muted advertising spends across the TV news industry, with inventory consumption falling 15 percent YoY, although the company maintained traction in digital ad revenues.

    Network18 ended the year as India’s top TV news network with a 14.1 percent all-India market share and a weekly reach of over 180 million viewers. Viewership share rose 330 basis points year-on-year, driven by strong gains in regional markets. News18 Lokmat and News18 Bangla climbed to the number 1 position in their respective states, while News18 Kannada emerged as a strong number 2, more than doubling its market share. Moneycontrol, continued to strengthen its position. Moneycontrol Pro remained India’s largest subscription-based financial platform, crossing over 1 million paid subscribers and ranking among the top 15 globally.

    The company also retained leadership in key national genres with News18 India as the top Hindi news channel, CNBC-TV18 leading the business news space, and CNN-News18 topping English news.

    The company’s consolidated financials reflected the impact of its restructuring deal involving Viacom18, Digital18, and Star India. Network18 recorded an exceptional loss of Rs 1,436 crore on the consolidated books due to the derecognition of Viacom18 as a subsidiary and sale of Indiacast. This led to a consolidated net loss of Rs 1,777 crore for FY25 despite strong operating performance in the core news segment.

    Chairman Adil Zainulbhai said: “We are really happy to end the fiscal on a strong note as the largest news network in the country on all fronts—viewership share, audience reach and language footprint. Despite short-term macro headwinds, we are confident in the company’s long-term growth trajectory.”

  • Nalin Mehta appointed chief AI officer at Network18

    Nalin Mehta appointed chief AI officer at Network18

    MUMBAI: Network18 has appointed Nalin Mehta as its chief AI officer (editorial operations), adding another milestone to his expansive career across journalism, academia, and public policy. Mehta, who also serves as managing editor at moneycontrol, will now lead the integration of artificial intelligence in editorial workflows across the group.

    With over two decades in Indian media, Mehta has held senior editorial positions at some of the country’s top news organisations. He was executive editor of The Times of India’s digital operations and managing editor at India Today TV. He has also served as group consulting editor at Network18.

    Outside the newsroom, Mehta has held academic roles including dean and professor at the School of Modern Media, UPES, and associate professor at Shiv Nadar University. He is currently a non-resident senior fellow at the Institute of south Asian studies (National University of Singapore), and a member of the economic advisory council to the prime minister.

    His work has spanned media strategy, digital innovation, public policy, and research—making this move into AI-driven editorial systems a logical progression. As AI reshapes newsrooms globally, Mehta’s role positions him at the intersection of journalism and technology in one of India’s largest media networks.

  • News18 India grabs top slot in Hindi news ratings, leaves rivals in the dust

    News18 India grabs top slot in Hindi news ratings, leaves rivals in the dust

    MUMBAI: In the high-decibel battleground of Hindi news, News18 India has just shouted the loudest—and the viewers clearly heard it. According to the latest Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) data for week 14 of 2025, the channel has clinched the top spot in Hindi news viewership, clocking 72878 AMA’000s, elbowing out its closest competitor at 70562 AMA’000s.

    Trailing further behind in this TV TRP thunderdome were channels with 55010, 53183, and 52988 AMA’000s respectively, proving once again that in the world of round-the-clock Hindi news, it takes more than a breaking news graphic to break through the clutter.

    (Source: BARC | Metric: AMA’000s | TG: NCCS All 15+ | Period: Wk 14’25, 24 Hrs, All Days | Market: HSM)

    The channel’s dominance can be chalked up to its formidable line-up of anchors—Kishore Ajwani, Amish Devgan, Rubika Liyaquat, Prateek Trivedi, and Aman Chopra—each with a mic in one hand and a pulse on the nation in the other. Their nightly shoutathons, explosive panel discussions, and relentless reporting have given News18 India not just eyeballs, but loyal, bindi-to-bulletin viewership.

    With a sprawling network of reporters and a knack for finding drama in data, the channel has mastered the art of making every byte buzzworthy. Whether it’s politics, pop culture, or padosi ki rajneeti, News18 India packages it with the punch viewers seem to crave.

    “Viewers’ undivided attention in every segment” is no hollow claim. The News18 Network—across both TV and digital—has been sipping from the ratings nectar for a while now, cementing itself as the nation’s self-declared newsroom of record.

    Whether you agree with its tone or tune out after prime time, one thing’s certain: the channel’s number one status is less a stroke of luck and more the result of relentless positioning, persistent programming, and a no-prisoners approach to news.

     

  • Nand Kumar Nair shifts into top gear as editor, automobile at TV9 Network to steer new vertical

    Nand Kumar Nair shifts into top gear as editor, automobile at TV9 Network to steer new vertical

    MUMBAI: TV9 Network just added a turbocharger to its editorial engine—and his name is Nand Kumar Nair. The seasoned journalist and auto content whiz has taken the wheel as editor, automobile, bringing nearly two decades of motor revving, audience-grabbing experience to the news giant. With a résumé that’s zipped through Prasar Bharti, Dainik Jagran, and a global audience of 32 countries, Nair isn’t just stepping in—he’s rolling in with full headlights on.

    This appointment signals TV9’s bold pivot into the fast lane of automotive content. And with Nair in the driver’s seat, it’s not going to be a Sunday cruise. He’s tasked with building a dedicated automobile vertical from the ground up—one that fuses branded content, white label IPs, and digital affinity programs into a media powerhouse that grips eyeballs and delivers advertiser mileage like never before.

    “I am truly honoured to join TV9 Network and lead the creation of a dedicated automobile vertical. TV9 Network has long been a powerhouse of innovation and excellence in the media industry, and I am excited to contribute to its legacy. The automotive industry is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and this presents a tremendous opportunity to craft fresh, fascinating content that not only informs but captivates the audience. I look forward to working with a dynamic team to create impactful narratives that inform, inspire, and resonate with the audience across platforms,” Nair said, shifting into high enthusiasm.

    TV9’s top brass is equally amped. “We are thrilled to have Nand Kumar Nair on board, bringing with him an extraordinary legacy of media innovation, leadership, and content excellence. His visionary approach and deep industry expertise will be instrumental in accelerating our growth, expanding our reach, and redefining content strategy. We look forward to his leadership in driving innovation and unlocking new opportunities as we get on this stimulating drive together,” said TV9 Network CGO Raktim Das.

    CRO Amit Tripathi echoed the praise, calling Nair “a recognised media strategist and compelling on-air personality,” and lauding his flair for fusing storytelling with strategy. “Nair has an innate ability to fuse content excellence with business strategy. He has executed high-impact brand activations that delivered unparalleled return on investment,” Tripathi said.

    Nair’s track record proves it. He led Jagran Hi-Tech to the top of India’s automotive and tech content food chain, built and managed a 62-person strong content squad, and turned Wion Pitstop into a globally consumed show that had car geeks glued across 32 countries. Let’s not forget he also masterminded large-scale stunts like the Tata Motors Endurance Challenge—because why just talk torque when you can live it?

    At TV9, he will now build a content engine that doesn’t just test drives cars but test drives culture—bridging gearheads, green mobility fans, and advertisers looking to take the fast lane.

    Finish line?

    Create content that’s tuned to the engine of India’s auto-obsessed demographic and drives business results across TV and digital.a

  • News broadcast stuck in time warp, must evolve or die: Sudhir Chaudhary

    News broadcast stuck in time warp, must evolve or die: Sudhir Chaudhary

    MUMBAI: News broadcasting hasn’t had a proper makeover in two decades and is paying the price as viewers switch to sexier platforms, claims popular anchor Sudhir Chaudhary. Speaking on a Governance Now podcast with Sri Adhikari Brothers managing director Kailashnath Adhikari, , Chaudhary delivered a blunt diagnosis of the industry’s ailments.

    “Least innovation has taken place in the news broadcast industry,” lamented the veteran journalist. “With nearly 400 news channels today, the big 10-15 follow identical breaking news formats with red alerts, similar headlines, and studios where anchors look remarkably alike—debating the same subjects with familiar panellists.”

    The industry, he argues, has become obsessed with ratings rather than reinvention. “Experts in newsrooms study TRPs and suggest content creation based on popularity. Ninety-nine per cent of the industry functions in this reactive manner. The industry has lost its way.”

    Chaudhary, who boasts 7.9 million followers on X (formerly Twitter), noted a telling shift in viewer language: “Earlier people said they watch me on TV, but now they say they follow me.”

    While traditional news outlets flounder, social media influencers are cultivating massive audiences through innovative formats. Unlike cricket—which reinvented itself from five-day tests to T20 spectacles—television news remains trapped in amber, with the same stale formulas recycled night after night.

    “Today the consumer has a plethora of available options,” Chaudhary observed. “News is available on WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, television, print and social media. You have to show the same story in different formats, durations and parts on different platforms.”

    Looking ahead, Chaudhary—rumoured to be joining the National Broadcaster—says he craves “freedom to create content instead of chasing TRPs” and will seek alliances with social media creators. The message is clear: evolve or become yesterday’s news.

  • Veteran journalist Rahul Sinha makes comeback at Zee News’s flagship show

    Veteran journalist Rahul Sinha makes comeback at Zee News’s flagship show

    MUMBAI: Seasoned journalist Rahul Sinha is set to rejoin Zee News’ prime-time show DNA (Daily News & Analysis) as its anchor bringing his distinctive brand of patriotic reporting to Indian screens at 9 pm daily. The 27-year veteran returns with a mission encapsulated in the Hindi slogan that translates to “Bold Voice, Credible Communication, 100% Nationalism.”

    With nearly three decades in the field, Sinha isn’t just dusting off his anchor’s chair – he’s reclaiming his old stomping ground on a programme he once helped make famous. His appointment comes as Zee Media positions DNA as an antidote to what it perceives as India’s increasingly muddled media landscape.

    “Zee News’s DNA is more than a mirror to the nation’s concerns,” said Sinha, who is also the managing editor at Zee News. “Today, when the country needs clarity and conviction in communication, DNA will be that bold and honest voice for every Indian.”

    The revamped show promises to cut through the clutter with Sinha’s trademark incisive analysis on everything from politics to international affairs, all filtered through a decidedly nationalist lens.

    Zee Media chief executive  Karan Abhishek Singh said: “DNA will continue to be a transformative force in Indian news with the mission of awakening the nation. As DNA takes on a fresh and dynamic avatar under Rahul Sinha’s leadership, it aligns with the evolving expectations of citizens. With a sharper, stronger approach, we look forward to redefining news analysis by diving deeper into the issues that matter most. In this renewed format, Rahul Sinha’s role will be instrumental in guiding the show’s editorial direction, bringing his vast experience and commitment to truth. In an era where clarity and courage in journalism are essential, our commitment is to empower citizens with truth, ask the tough questions, and deliver news that drives real impact. We are here to awaken the nation, one story at a time.”

    Viewers can expect the anchor’s unvarnished take on national issues, with Zee promising “editorial independence” and “bold questions” – though all delivered with what the network calls a “strong nationalist spirit.”

    In a mediascape often criticised for its partisan coverage, Sinha’s return represents Zee’s bet that Indians are hungry for news with a side of nationalism – delivered with conviction, if not always with neutrality

  • TV9 Marathi surfs on to DD Free Dish; expands reach

    TV9 Marathi surfs on to DD Free Dish; expands reach

    MUMBAI: TV9 Marathi has become the first Marathi news channel to launch on DD Free Dish, India’s largest free-to-air direct-to-home platform. This strategic move significantly broadens the channel’s viewership, delivering Marathi news to millions of additional households across Maharashtra.

    “At TV9, we have already created many firsts in the industry. While certain organisations may adopt controversial methods to grow viewership, here is another meaningful first from TV9 Network: TV9 Marathi is the first regional language news channel available on DD Free Dish. We are glad that we will now be able to reach the vast DD Free Dish audience, that has been so far deprived of TV9 Marathi,” said TV9 Network MD & CEO Barun Das.

    TV9 Marathi has consistently led the Marathi news genre for three consecutive years, according to BARC data, claimed TV9 in a press release. The channel’s innovative programming and in-depth reporting have established it as a primary source of news for viewers in Maharashtra. The move to DD Free Dish further solidifies this position.

    TV9 Marathi business head Bhushan Khot highlighted: “TV9 Marathi has been a dominant leader for three years and has become the one and only choice of viewers; hence, we have a new brand positioning that suits our aggressive style of news reporting and presentation and our entire approach as a fearless brand. The brand positioning of TV9 Marathi, Ekmev (one and only), reaffirms the fact that TV9 Marathi is the ultimate news destination for viewers in Maharashtra.” 

    TV9 managing editor Umesh Kumawat added:  “TV9 Marathi will now, give the viewers of DD Free Dish an opportunity to watch Maharashtra’s Ekamev of Marathi news. TV9 Marathi has been a trendsetter in the Marathi news genre and has brought a key shift in news presentation, which the competition has often tried to follow. From common people to decision-makers, all rely on TV9 Marathi for news breaks and updates, which shows the kind of trust the brand has built over the years.”

  • Digit.in logs in at number one, leaving tech rivals in the digital dust

    Digit.in logs in at number one, leaving tech rivals in the digital dust

    MUMBAI: Digit.in, the Times Network’s power-packed tech platform, has rocketed to the top of ComScore’s charts with 10.1 million unique users in February 2025. The site has not only dethroned digital giants like TOI Gadgets Now (9.1 million) and NDTV Gadgets 360 (6.5 million), but also thrown shade on legacy players like 91Mobiles (6.4 million).

    It’s not just clicks and scrolls. Digit.in is winning the eyeballs game across screens. On Playboard’s video metrics, it pulled an eyebrow-raising 4.24 million views in Feb 2025, wiping the floor with Gizbot (2.19 million), Mysmartprice (1.28 million), and NDTV Gadgets 360 (0.82 million). On Instagram? Over 25 million views in just three months. That’s not buzz – that’s a content thunderstorm.

    At the core of this digital blitzkrieg is something called the Digit Test Labs, where gadgets are grilled across 100+ performance parameters. It’s not just shiny screens and PR fluff – Digit serves hard truths. If your new smartphone gets a bad score here, it probably deserves it.

    At the heart of Digit’s growth and commitment, is the Digit Test Labs – where technology meets trust. As your reliable technology navigator, Digit ensures that every gadget and device is rigorously tested across more than 100 parameters, from performance and design to durability and real-world usability. These exhaustive tests translate into honest, transparent, data-backed scores and ratings that simplify complex specs and help readers make confident, well-informed buying decisions.

    What’s more? Digit is no one-trick-pony. The brand’s print magazine still rocks a 5.2 lakh monthly readership. That makes it the only tech outlet straddling both digital and print like a boss. Each issue brings deep dives, reviews, and interviews with the kind of people who actually make tech tick.

    As part of its future roadmap, Digit plans to dial things up with a next-gen test lab dedicated to home appliances, adding to its existing roster of gadget reviews. So whether it’s a fridge, phone, or fancy air fryer, Digit wants to be your go-to tech consigliere.

    The message is clear: if you want substance over clickbait, skip the gimmicks and get your fix where the specs speak louder than the hype.

  • PM Modi headlines News18 Rising Bharat Summit to fire up Gen Z India

    PM Modi headlines News18 Rising Bharat Summit to fire up Gen Z India

    MUMBAI: Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam is about to go from red tape to red carpet as PM Narendra Modi steps in as the chief guest and keynote speaker at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2025, happening on 8-9 April. And no, it’s not your average panel snooze-fest — it’s a political-meets-pop-culture juggernaut that wants to turbocharge India’s youth ahead of Viksit Bharat 2047.

    The theme? “Youthful Aspirations: Dream Big, Achieve More, Rise Together”. And with 420 million young minds in the mix, organisers aren’t playing small.

    Featuring 100+ speakers and 75 sessions, the summit pulls in a dizzying array of names. Political heavyweights like Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, S. Jaishankar, Piyush Goyal, and Ashwini Vaishnaw will trade notes with startup honchos, global thinkers, memory champs, astronauts, actors, and even violin prodigies.

    “Under the spotlight will be India’s youth, as they architect the nation’s journey to 2047…” organisers announced, hinting at the star-studded guestlist.

    Among the blockbuster names? Jeffrey D. Sachs, Børge Brende, Avi Dichter, Scott Kelly, and Namal Rajapaksa will bring in the global heat. On the home turf, corporate firepower arrives via Irina Ghose (Microsoft), Jay Kotak (Kotak Mahindra Bank), Ashish Chauhan (NSE) and Sindhu Gangadharan (SAP Labs).

    And it’s not just thought leadership. From Vijay Amritraj to Abhinav Bindra, Kajol to Sunny Deol, Raj Shamani to Shveta Salve, the summit promises a gen-z meets gen-x cocktail of brains, beauty and brawn.

    But what makes this event tick isn’t just the headliners — it’s the students. Through a unique initiative called ‘Samadhan’, select faculty and students from top institutes tackled India’s messiest problems — from urban congestion and air pollution to education reform and river rejuvenation. PM Modi will unveil these policy blueprints, fuelling conversations with the changemakers of tomorrow.

    “What emerged were five ground-breaking proposals… that are visionary, pragmatic, and future-ready,” said organisers.

    Hosted by Network18, Rising Bharat is not just a talking shop. It’s India’s big, bold platform for shaping real action and real outcomes — with a few selfies and song sets on the side. Expect performances from Esther Hnamte, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Ambi and L. Subramaniam, and even a mind-bending moment with mentalist Suhani Shah.

    This year, Rising Bharat might just do what Parliament often can’t: get India’s brightest minds across age, industry, and ideology in one room — and get them to agree on something.

    Tune in, take notes and maybe even take charge.

    https://www.news18features.com/risingbharatsummit/