ITV

Category: TV Channels

  • Formula 1 races into record books with blockbuster first half of 2025

    Formula 1 races into record books with blockbuster first half of 2025

    MUMBAI: Full throttle, no pit stops! Formula 1’s 2025 season hasn’t just been about roaring engines and tight overtakes, it’s been a spectacle both on and off the track. From Brad Pitt’s F1: The Movie smashing box office records to sold-out Grands Prix pulling in millions of fans, the sport has hit top gear in its 75th anniversary year.

    The season opened with F1 75 Live at London’s O2, where 16,000 fans watched all ten teams unveil their new cars alongside live music from global stars like MGK, Tems and Take That. The livestream drew 7.5 million viewers worldwide, setting Youtube records and proving that F1 knows how to put on a show as much as a race.

    Hollywood soon joined the grid. Pitt’s racing blockbuster has already grossed more than 600 million dollars, making it the highest-earning sports film ever and his biggest box-office hit. Premieres in New York and London drew A-listers from Tom Cruise and Naomi Campbell to Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, not to mention Formula 1’s biggest names behind the wheel.

    On track, the numbers are just as electrifying. More than 3.9 million fans attended the first 14 races, which is the highest ever mid-season tally, with Australia and Britain each topping 400,000. 11 of the 14 events sold out, while record-breaking crowds turned up in Spain, Canada and Belgium.

    Digital reach is also flying. Formula 1’s social media following has surged past 107 million, up 21 percent year-on-year, with Tiktok and YouTube highlights pulling in record views. Younger fans are driving the growth too: 43 percent of F1’s global fanbase is now under 35, and nearly half are women.

    Commercially, the grid is just as busy as the paddock. Partnerships with Disney, Pepsico, LEGO, Barilla and luxury powerhouse LVMH have broadened F1’s global appeal, while quirky activations such as LEGO driver parades and gourmet pasta pop-ups, have kept fans talking.

    And the best part? There’s still half a season left. With Zandvoort kicking things off this weekend, F1’s second act promises more drama, more speed and, if the first half is anything to go by, more records smashed.
     

  • News18 reigns supreme as rivals trail in English and Hindi news battle

    News18 reigns supreme as rivals trail in English and Hindi news battle

    MUMBAI: When it comes to the news game, the 18s are playing in a league of their own. CNN-News18 and News18 India have once again flexed their dominance, leaving competitors scrambling to catch up in both English and Hindi news television.

    According to the latest BARC data, CNN-News18 continues to tower over the English news space with a hefty 38.8 per cent market share, while NDTV 24×7 trails at 23.8 per cent and Times Now at a modest 17.0 per cent. (BARC India | Mkt: India | TG: 15 plus | Wk30’25 – 33’25 | 8 Channels considered | Market Share  per cent Basis AMA’000). Ever since BARC ratings resumed in March 2022, CNN-News18 has kept its crown, week after week, making its supremacy look almost effortless.

    The Hindi turf tells a similar story. News18 India clocked 77,918 AMA’000, comfortably ahead of Aaj Tak at 74,546 AMA’000 (BARC | Metric: Avg. Weekly AMA’s | TG: NCCS All 15 plus | Period: Wk 30’25-Wk 33’25, 24 Hrs, All Days | Market: HSM). With anchors like Kishore Ajwani, Amish Devgan, Rubika Liyaquat, Prateek Trivedi, and Aman Chopra fronting its power-packed programming, News18 India continues to be the nation’s preferred pitstop for Hindi news.

    Part of the larger News18 Network, which boasts the country’s biggest omni-channel news presence, both CNN-News18 and News18 India have invested heavily in editorial firepower and technology. The strategy is paying off handsomely, with the network cementing its place as India’s most-watched and trusted news giant proving that in the battle for eyeballs, the house of 18 is still the boss.

  • Zee Telugu hits the high notes with Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs launch

    Zee Telugu hits the high notes with Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs launch

    MUMBAI: Zee Telugu is tuning up for a melodious ride as it launches the 17th season of its iconic singing reality show, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, this time in the Li’l Champs avatar. The musical journey begins on 30 August at 9 pm, with fresh young talent ready to steal hearts every Saturday night.

    Fronting the show is the ever-charismatic Sudheer, whose quick wit and charm promise to keep the energy buzzing. Guiding the contestants is a star-studded panel: singer SP Shailaja, director Anil Ravipudi, lyricist Ananth Sriram, and actor Niharika Konidela each bringing their own flair for music, cinema and storytelling. Together, they’ll mentor the budding singers while keeping audiences hooked with insights and banter.

    The line-up of contestants is as vibrant as the stage itself. Advith turned heads with a spirited take on Chaaruseela, complete with a comical American accent, while Kruthi charmed with a soothing rendition of Kokilamma. Nithyasree electrified the crowd with Magallu Vatti Maayagalle, and Aliya Fathima from Kerala proved that music knows no language barrier with her soulful Sirimalle Poova. Meanwhile, Adharv amped up the festive vibe with Dhandalayya, and Lakshmi Chowdary wowed with her jaw-dropping dual voice modulation. A surprise highlight came when singer Sameera Bharadwaj and her daughter took the stage for a playful mom-daughter duet of Kathalenno Chepparu, blending melody with comedy.

    With a mix of powerhouse voices, pint-sized confidence, and a panel that knows how to strike the right chord, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs promises to be less of a contest and more of a celebration of music, childhood and pure joy.

  • India Today tops Comscore July 2025 with 295 mn digital news readers

    India Today tops Comscore July 2025 with 295 mn digital news readers

    MUMBAI: When it comes to news online, India Today is truly today’s choice. The India Today Group has clinched the No. 1 spot in Comscore’s July 2025 rankings, emerging as the biggest digital news network in the country with a total digital population of 295 million unique visitors. That towering figure puts the Group ahead of Network18’s 275 million and well clear of Times Internet Limited’s 204 million, cementing its dominance in India’s cut-throat digital news race. In the News/Information category, no other publisher reached as many eyeballs, marking India Today as the go-to destination for nearly 300 million Indians each month.

    The secret sauce? A blend of credible journalism, innovative storytelling formats, and a relentless push across platforms that keeps its content everywhere the audience is. For advertisers, that scale is gold dust: no other digital newsroom commands a reach this wide or consistent.

    In an era where trust and traffic rarely go hand in hand, India Today seems to have cracked the code serving both with impact. With nearly one in four Indians online visiting its platforms, the Group isn’t just chasing the news cycle, it’s setting the benchmark for how news is consumed in the digital age.

  • Kochi hosts conclave of power as Manorama News sparks national dialogue

    Kochi hosts conclave of power as Manorama News sparks national dialogue

    MUMBAI: When Kochi talks, the nation listens and this weekend, it was all ears. The Manorama News Conclave 2025 lit up the Lulu Bolgatty International Convention Centre on 22 August, reaffirming its position as one of India’s most influential platforms for political dialogue. Inaugurated by union home and co-operation minister Amit Shah, the conclave’s theme “India: Pace & progress – progressive leap to the future” set the tone for a day where governance, economic reforms, trade, internal security, and social cohesion shared the spotlight.

    The gathering was nothing short of a who’s who of India’s policy and political circles. From seasoned national leaders to sharp policymakers and opinion makers, the panels dissected not only the present but also the pathways shaping India’s future. True to Manorama News’ ethos, the debates crackled with credibility, depth, and a regional voice that echoed well beyond Kerala.

    The ripples of the conclave were felt far outside Kochi. Coverage across top national media amplified the arguments and insights, proving once again that this annual gathering is more than a conversation starter, it is a conversation shaper.

    For Kerala, the conclave has become its most impactful news forum. For India, it has emerged as a vital bridge between leadership and citizens, carrying the promise of democratic debate that informs, provokes, and nudges the nation forward.

  • RedBeryl shines bright with Iconic Luxury Card win in just two years

    RedBeryl shines bright with Iconic Luxury Card win in just two years

    MUMBAI: Luxury got a glittering upgrade this week as Redberyl Lifestyle Services Ltd. pocketed the iconic luxury lifestyle card honour at the 7th edition of the Iconic Awards by TV9 Network. What makes the win sparkle brighter? The brand achieved the feat in just two years since launch, a meteoric rise in the rarefied world of luxury lifestyle services. The award was handed over by Suman Billa, IAS, additional secretary & director general, ministry of tourism, at a grand ceremony that saluted pioneers reshaping luxury, travel, and allied industries.

    “This accolade, earned in just two years since our inception, is a testament to our team’s dedication to curating extraordinary and exclusive experiences,” said Redberyl founder & CEO Manoj Adlakha adding that the win inspires them to keep pushing the boundaries of luxury.

    The event wasn’t just about trophies but also about big conversations. A panel on ‘Experience is Luxury: Redefining Luxury Tourism’ brought together heavyweights including Jyotsna Suri, CMD of Lalit Hospitality Group, Ishika Taneja, miss world tourism India 2018, and Sandeep Marwah, chancellor of Asian Academy of Film & TV, with Suman Billa joining the dialogue.

    The session was graced by Amitabh Kant, former CEO of NITI Aayog and G20 Sherpa, who delivered the keynote as guest of honour. The broader awards programme, packed with global leaders and industry icons, celebrated individuals and brands setting new standards of excellence and inspiration.

    For Redberyl, this win marks more than recognition, it cements the company’s ambition of making India a hub for globally benchmarked, members-only luxury experiences. With innovation stitched into its DNA, the brand is already proving that exclusivity doesn’t need decades to be iconic sometimes, just two years is enough.

  • PKL raids new turf with 8 languages and referee cam for Season 12

    PKL raids new turf with 8 languages and referee cam for Season 12

    MUMBAI: Kabaddi is no longer just heard in a single tongue, it’s shouting from the rooftops in eight. As the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12 kicks off on 29 August, fans can expect a whole new playbook of innovation, from fresh formats and referee cams to commentary in eight languages.

    For the first time, the league goes truly multilingual. Alongside English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Marathi, viewers can now hear raids in Haryanvi and Bhojpuri a move that takes kabaddi deeper into its northern heartlands. Bhojpuri has already been a smash hit with cricket audiences, while Haryanvi adds a hyperlocal connect.

    And the voices leading the charge are just as starry. Ravi Kishan headlines the Bhojpuri feed, while Srinivas Reddy takes Telugu. Champions K. Prapanjan (Tamil), Mohit Chhillar (Haryanvi), Vishal Mane (Marathi), former India women’s captain Mamatha Poojary (Kannada) and raider Rishank Devadiga add insider flair. Add to that the likes of Sunil Taneja, Vrajesh Hirjee, Padamjeet Sehrawat, NC Kaushik and Chaitanya Sant, and the mat suddenly sounds richer than ever.

    The tech side gets a glow-up too. Fans can now experience two dugout views, a split screen revival tracker, and the big debut, the ‘Referee Cam’, which flips between live play and a bodycam perspective, plunging viewers into the heart of a raid.

    “Season 12 is about making the game more accessible and more engaging than ever,” said JioStar head of audience engagement Siddharth Sharma,  at . “By presenting the league in eight languages and adding immersive tools like referee cam, we’re creating a richer, more inclusive kabaddi story.”

    On the mat, the action is just as fierce. Tie-breakers will now settle drawn matches in the league phase, ensuring no game ends flat. A brand-new play-in phase has been added: the top two teams sail straight into the playoffs, 3rd and 4th contest a mini-qualifier, while 5th to 8th fight it out for the remaining slots.

    With every raid live on Star Sports Network and JioHotstar, Season 12 promises to be kabaddi like never before faster, louder, and more local, with the referee’s whistle now literally in your ear.

  • Aditya Raj Kaul joins NDTV as senior executive editor for geopolitics and security

    Aditya Raj Kaul joins NDTV as senior executive editor for geopolitics and security

    NEW DELHI: NDTV has named Aditya Raj Kaul senior executive editor for geopolitics, national security and strategic affairs at NDTV 24×7, bolstering its newsroom with one of India’s most seasoned voices on foreign policy and defence.

    Kaul wasted no time settling in. On his very first day, he was filing dispatches from Tianjin, China, where Narendra Modi, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin gathered for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.
    With more than 15 years in frontline journalism, Kaul has reported from some of the world’s most volatile flashpoints — the India-China standoff in Ladakh, the abrogation of Article 370, the rise of ISIS in Iraq and Jordan, major terror strikes in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and India’s first state visit to Israel and Palestine. He was the first journalist on the ground during the 2014 Kashmir floods and has tracked disasters from Uttarakhand to Chhattisgarh’s Maoist belt.

    His international docket includes the G20 in Australia, Brics in China, Asean in Malaysia and Vietnam, and Saarc in Nepal, alongside high-level visits to the US, Germany and Israel. Along the way, he has secured exclusives with leaders such as S. Jaishankar, Amrullah Saleh, Tony Abbott and Benjamin Netanyahu.

    An award-winning documentary maker, Kaul’s films include Airlift on India’s evacuation in Ukraine and Killed by the Taliban on the death of Danish Siddiqui. His work has earned the Golden DigiPub World Award, News Television Award, and the Ram Jethmalani Prize.

    Rahul Kanwal, NDTV’s chief executive and editor-in-chief, hailed him as “among the finest in the field of strategic and international journalism,” adding that his presence in Tianjin on day one “shows his readiness and NDTV’s intent to be at the forefront of global stories.”

    Kaul said he was “honoured to join NDTV at this important juncture,” pledging to bring “clarity and context to events that impact millions.”

  • Cup of upsets brews as Man United face Grimsby in Carabao Round 2

    Cup of upsets brews as Man United face Grimsby in Carabao Round 2

    MUMBAI: Stormy seas or smooth sailing? The Carabao Cup’s second round promises a splash of drama as Manchester United head to League Two minnows Grimsby Town on 27 August, a fixture that already has the scent of a classic cup upset. United, still chasing their first win of the season under Ruben Amorim, are expected to hand new signing Benjamin Šeško his debut up front, while Harry Maguire could be thrown back into the starting XI. Kick-off at Blundell Park is set for 12:30 am IST and all eyes will be on whether the Red Devils can steady their shaky start.

    The round features nine Premier League clubs, with Graham Potter’s West Ham seeking their first victory of the campaign against Wolves (12:00 am IST). Bournemouth and Brentford collide in the round’s only all-Premier League tie at 12:15 am IST, while Sunderland host Huddersfield and Burnley take on Derby at the same time. Sheffield Wednesday’s clash with Leeds United completes Wednesday’s opening batch at 12:30 am IST.

    The next day, Brighton travel to Oxford United (12:15 am IST), Fulham welcome Bristol City (12:15 am), and Everton face League Two side Mansfield Town (12:15 am). But it’s Grimsby vs Manchester United that has captured the imagination, the kind of David vs Goliath script that has given this competition its fairytale reputation for decades.

    All fixtures will stream live and exclusive on Fancode across web, mobile, and TV.
     

  • Power Shift as She Shakti 2025 celebrates women driving Bharat forward

    Power Shift as She Shakti 2025 celebrates women driving Bharat forward

    MUMBAI: Who runs the world? At She Shakti 2025, the answer was loud and clear women, and on their own terms. News18 flagship platform, presented by Lions International, returned in Delhi with its grand finale under the theme “From Breaking Barriers to Building Bharat.” From policy corridors to cinema screens, women leaders, changemakers and stars gathered to showcase how they’re rewriting India’s growth story.

    The line-up sparkled with names across domains Smriti Irani, former cabinet minister and founder of The Alliance for Global Good; Nidhi Khare, secretary at the department of consumer affairs; Lindy Cameron, British high commissioner to India; Mallika Srinivasan, chairman & MD of Tractors and Farm Equipment; actors Kriti Sanon and Sanya Malhotra; JNU vice-chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit; and playback legend Kavita Krishnamurti Subramaniam, among others.

    President Droupadi Murmu set the tone with a powerful video message: “As scientists, engineers, doctors, soldiers, artists, entrepreneurs, athletes, academicians, social workers, policy makers, and in many other roles, women are consistently reaching new heights… In reality, this is not just a change, but a revolution.”

    Smriti Irani, recalling her rise to becoming the highest-paid television actor 25 years ago, urged women to “scream out loud” about their pay cheques. “Today, women don’t just want a seat at the table; they want the capital, the confidence, and a clear pathway to scale their capacities,” she said.

    Kriti Sanon brought an entrepreneurial lens, stressing women’s “problem-solving mindset” in business. Sanya Malhotra drew on her acclaimed film Mrs. to highlight the quiet but seismic fight for freedom at home. “The problem started when she wanted to do something else,” Sanya said of her character, “and wasn’t allowed to.”

    Over the years, She Shakti has grown into more than an event, it’s become a stage where stories of resilience, ambition, and leadership converge. This year’s edition underlined that gender diversity isn’t just about inclusion; it’s about powering Bharat’s future with grit, grace, and an unstoppable revolution.