MUMBAI: When the nation tunes in, it’s clear who’s holding the mic. CNN-News18 has tightened its grip on the English news throne, bagging a staggering 72.5 per cent market share during peak news hours, a figure bigger than all its competitors combined.
According to BARC data (Mkt: 10L+ | TG: 22–40 Male | Wk 27–30’25, 19:00–24:00 Hrs), Times Now managed 17.9 per cent, NDTV 24×7 clocked 7.4 per cent, Republic TV scraped 1.5 per cent, and India Today Television trailed with just 0.7 per cent. The result? A prime-time rout that leaves no doubt who’s setting the national news agenda.
The dominance isn’t just in the evening spotlight. CNN-News18’s overall share in the English news genre remains formidable 60 per cent ahead of Times Now and a jaw-dropping 102 per cent ahead of NDTV (Source: BARC India | All India (U+R) 15+ | AVG Week 30’25). The channel has held its No. 1 spot for over three years, a testament to its mix of accuracy, clarity, and a citizen-first approach.
Recent upgrades from a cleaner, more visual-heavy design to tighter storytelling have only sharpened its edge. With top anchors like Zakka Jacob, Anand Narasimhan, Rahul Shivshankar, and Shivani Gupta, plus a robust nationwide reporting network, CNN-News18 delivers not just breaking headlines but context-rich coverage with data-driven explainers.
By blending editorial heft with tech innovation, the channel is making sure that when the story matters, India knows exactly where to turn and in peak hours, it’s turning to CNN-News18 in overwhelming numbers.
NEW DELHI: Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati has inked a strategic memorandum of understanding with AEx Sport the sports innovation arm of UK-based AdiGroupe, to launch the Global League Wrestling (GLW) — the first professional wrestling league of its kind in India and the Asia-Pacific.
The collaboration combines Prasar Bharati’s national reach across DD Sports, All India Radio and digital platform Waves, with AEx Sport’s global firepower in production, IP, and marketing. GLW is set to be unveiled on 17 September and will hit the screens from 4 October 2025, airing weekly over a 40-week season of high-octane, family-friendly programming.
“This marks a new era for Indian pro-wrestling,” said Prasar Bharati chairman Navneet Kumar Sehgal. “GLW reinforces our vision of taking Indian sport to global heights and giving our youth a credible platform to shine.”
Positioned as a cultural milestone in Indian sport, GLW will blend traditional Indian storytelling with world-class wrestling theatrics, introducing original characters, cinematic plots, and a production style aimed at mass appeal. It is also seen as part of the government’s broader push to promote youth engagement through sport.
“GLW brings a new genre of content that’s rooted in our culture but built for the world,” said Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi. “We’re creating something truly unique for Indian audiences.”
Backing the league’s ambitions is AdiGroupe and AEx Sport chairman Sanjay Viswanathan, who described GLW as “an immersive, youth-led cultural experience that puts Indian talent centre stage”. He added: “We’re dedicating GLW to India to inspire pride, competitiveness and global ambition among Indian youth.”
Wrestling icon The Great Khali joins as GLW’s brand ambassador and talent commissioner, bringing star power and mentorship to the ring. “GLW offers a serious and structured path for Indian athletes to shine — on our terms,” said Khali.
With the inaugural season already generating buzz, the tie-up between India’s national broadcaster and a global sports IP developer signals a watershed moment for homegrown sports entertainment.
MUMBAI: Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has delivered a mixed bag of results in its second quarter, with its film and streaming divisions providing a much-needed shot in the arm as its traditional linear TV business struggles.
The company, which is planning to split its streaming & studios and global linear networks businesses, reported a net income of $1.6 billion, a stark contrast to the massive $9.9 billion loss it posted in the same quarter last year. Adjusted EBITDA also saw a respectable 9 per cent year-on-year increase, hitting $2.0 billion. However, free cash flow took a hit, falling by 28 per cent to $702 million, partly due to one-off separation costs.
The studios segment was the star of the show, with revenues rocketing by 54 per cent to $3.8 billion. Content revenues, in particular, surged by 59 per cent, largely driven by a strong box office performance from theatrical releases like A Minecraft Movie, Sinners, and Final Destination: Bloodlines. The company’s film slate grossed over $3 billion globally this year and saw five consecutive films open to over $45 million domestically. On the television side, WBTV received 60 Emmy nominations, a record for a studio, with its shows like The Pitt, Abbott Elementary and The Penguin receiving critical acclaim.
The streaming business also showed strong momentum, adding 3.4 million global subscribers in the quarter to reach a total of 125.7 million. Revenues for the segment rose by eight per cent to $2.8 billion, and it turned a profit of $293 million in adjusted EBITDA, a significant improvement from a $107 million loss a year ago. The company’s international expansion, including a successful launch in Australia, helped drive subscriber growth. However, global average revenue per user (ARPU) decreased by 11 per cent to $7.14, mainly due to the influx of lower ARPU international subscribers and the wider distribution of the ad-supported HBO Max tier.
In contrast, the global linear networks business took a tumble. Its revenues fell by nine per cent to $4.8 billion, and adjusted EBITDA plummeted by 25 per cent to $1.5 billion. The decline was attributed to a nine per cent drop in domestic pay TV subscribers and a hefty 13 per cent decrease in advertising revenue, driven by a 23 per cent decline in domestic linear audiences.
Looking ahead, WBD is targeting 12-14 theatrical releases annually and is set to launch HBO Max in Germany, Italy, the UK, and Ireland in 2026. The company also reduced its gross debt by $2.7 billion in the quarter, bringing the total to $35.6 billion.
MUMBAI: Navika Kumar, group editor-in-chief, Times Now & Times Now Navbharat, has been conferred with the Sarvottam Nagrik Sanman 2025, one of India’s most prestigious civilian honors, presented by Meghashrey Foundation. The award recognises her exceptional contribution to Indian journalism and her unwavering commitment to truth, integrity, and nation-building. Her fearless reporting, sharp political analysis, and leadership have helped shape informed public discourse across the nation.
The Sarvottam Nagrik Sanman celebrates individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Indian society in fields such as social work, science, education, medicine, arts, and public life. This year’s ceremony was graced by Hon’ble Union Cabinet Minister for Culture, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Hon’ble Cabinet Minister of Maharashtra for Culture, Shri Ashish Shelar, and held at Hotel Sahara Star, Mumbai.
Other awardees included an illustrious list of changemakers and national icons, including, Padma Vibhushan Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Padma Bhushan Vijay Bhatkar, Padma Shri Dr. Shankar Mahadevan, filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, Padma Shri Kumar Sanu, Padma Shri Raveena Tandon, Luke Coutinho amongst others.
MUMBAI: The ratings are in and News18 isn’t just reading the headlines, it’s writing them. With the latest BARC data painting a clear picture, the News18 Network has reinforced its dominance in both English and Hindi news broadcasting, leaving its rivals flipping through the pages.
CNN-News18 retained its crown as the Number 1 English news channel, capturing a commanding 35.7 per cent market share, well ahead of Times Now (22.4 per cent) and NDTV 24×7 (17.7 per cent). That’s a 60 per cent lead over Times Now, and a staggering 102 per cent lead over NDTV, according to BARC India (Week 30’25, All India, 15 plus).
Fronted by a strong editorial team that includes Zakka Jacob, Anand Narasimhan, Rahul Shivshankar and Shivani Gupta, CNN-News18 has held onto its pole position ever since BARC ratings resumed in March 2022.
Not to be outdone, News18 India ruled the roost in Hindi news with a powerful 74,444 AMA’000s, outpacing Aaj Tak’s 67,957 AMA’000s (BARC | Week 27–30’25 | HSM | 15plus | 24×7). With trusted faces like Kishore Ajwani, Amish Devgan, Rubika Liyaquat, Prateek Trivedi, and Aman Chopra, News18 India continues to be the nation’s go-to source for breaking news, sharp debates, and hard-hitting reports.
The network’s leadership isn’t confined to television either. News18’s digital footprint is growing steadily, with Youtube views and social media traction providing a second wind to its broadcast muscle.
Behind the ratings blitz is a clear strategic push. News18 has ramped up investments in technology, editorial staffing, and international partnerships to ensure it stays not just first with the news but first in the hearts (and remotes) of viewers.
In an age of news clutter, News18 Network seems to have cracked the code: clarity, credibility, and countrywide reach.
MUMBAI:JioStar has quietly dropped its flashiest transformation yet — a brand-new corporate website that oozes OTT swagger. With the sleekness of Netflix and the razzmatazz of Hulu, the platform is as loud as it is polished — a brash, confident statement of intent from India’s most ambitious media house.
The homepage hits hard: a full-throttle montage of its marquee films, series and sports properties, proudly calling itself “India’s favourite storytellers.” The site’s visual energy mirrors the brand’s content-first ethos — big, bold, and unmistakably JioStar.
The revamped logo — with ‘Jio’ in a magenta coloured circle nudging into ‘Star’ — marks a subtle but sharp shift in branding. There’s sections on entertainment and sports, but what’s catching industry eyes is a new section titled consumer products. Empty for now, it hints at an incoming wave of IP-led merchandise, possibly transforming the site into a content-to-commerce powerhouse. Time — and licensing deals — will tell.
For journalists and media pros, the portal is a goldmine. Rich press resources, high-res spokespeople photos, detailed executive bios, promos make it one of the most media-friendly corporate sites in India. Missing in action, however, is an investor relations section — a standard fixture on international media giants’ portals.
In a practical masterstroke, JioStar has also made life easier for cable TV operators. A clean dropdown menu now lists all reference interconnect offers by channel clusters — making compliance and clarity a breeze.
From content brag to backend utility, the new website signals that JioStar isn’t just flexing its brand muscle — it’s gunning for global best-in-class.
MUMBAI: Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi made a historic return to Indian television on 29 July and the response was nothing short of phenomenal. The show clocked 1.659 billion minutes of watch time on Star Plus and JioHotstar in its launch week, an extraordinary testament to its enduring appeal, reasserting its iconic status in India’s entertainment landscape. Drawing 31.1 million viewers on TV in just the first four days, and reaching millions more on streaming, the show has shattered records to become the biggest-ever GEC fiction launch on TV & digital streaming.
The launch episode alone drew 15.4 million viewers on Star Plus, making it the highest-rated fiction premiere in recent history. The returning season’s massive opening on JioHotstar, underscores the growing appetite for daily storytelling on streaming platforms and marks a pivotal moment for the evolution of fiction content in India’s digital entertainment landscape. This is the new high in the fiction journey, proving that daily drama, when reimagined along with streaming, can drive both cultural resonance and massive reach.
“The return of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi has proven that great storytelling never loses its power. We approached this launch with a two-fold vision: to reignite the deep nostalgia associated with one of India’s most iconic shows, while also crafting a contemporary storyline and viewing experience that resonates with today’s audiences. The record-breaking numbers across Star Plus and JioHotstar reaffirm our belief in the timeless appeal of compelling narratives. This launch is a cultural moment that bridges generations, and we are proud to have delivered it to millions of homes across platforms,” said Sumanta Bose, head of cluster, entertainment (Star Plus and Bharat, Bengali, Marathi and Gujarati), JioStar.
The premiere also drove large-scale organic conversations online, with 17,300 mentions and 86 per cent positive sentiment, underscoring the deep emotional connection and multi-generational pull of the show. The conversations were driven by nostalgia, connection with the star cast and fan anticipation, positioning Kyunki as both a cultural and content milestone.
With its commanding return across TV and streaming platforms, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi has not only revived a beloved legacy but also set the stage for a new era of appointment viewing, combining the mass reach of television with the deep engagement of digital streaming.
The return has revitalized the fiction landscape, drawing significant attention from viewers and advertisers alike. The show had captured the interest of advertisers early on with Tide+, Kalyan Jewellers, and Maruti Suzuki India serving as co-presenting sponsors, with Fortune Soyabean Oil, Colgate, and Smart Bazaar joining as co-powered sponsors along with White Tone Face Cream and Good Knight as Special Partners on television. The digital platform JioHotstar features Kalyan Jewellers and Maruti Suzuki in co-presenting roles, Colgate, Fortune Chakki Fresh Atta, Uti Mutual Fund, Tata Consumer Products, and SMART Bazaar as co-powered by sponsors alongside Mankind Pharma – Prega News as a Special Partner.
Source:
* BARC, India U+R, 2+, SD+HD, Cume Reach Mn* Time Spent, W30’25
**BARC, India U+R, 2+, SD+HD, Cume Reach Mn, W30’25
***BARC, India U+R, 2+, SD+HD, Cume Reach Mn, Original Programming, 29th July 2025 – W30’25
MUMBAI: Game on, India! Fans eyeing the FIFA World Cup 26 can now book their dream matchday in style without risking an offside foul on fake tickets. On Location, the official hospitality provider of FIFA World Cup 26, has appointed Dreamsetgo as its non-exclusive sales agent for India. This move marks a significant play in bringing the thrill of the tournament to Indian fans with VIP treatment, travel perks, and premium access all through legitimate channels.
With this partnership, Dreamsetgo becomes the official point of contact in India for those looking to score premium hospitality packages to the world’s biggest football spectacle, which is set to kick off across the United States, Mexico, and Canada in 2026.
FIFA World Cup 26 business general manager of on location Alicia Falken said, “We are thrilled to partner with our new international sales agent, Dreamsetgo, on the FIFA World Cup 26. Their expertise in hospitality sales in India and deep understanding of their market will be instrumental in ensuring that our clients receive unparalleled service.”
FIFA has cautioned fans against purchasing tickets or packages from unauthorised sellers, reminding everyone that only On Location and its officially appointed agents are authorised to provide hospitality experiences. Any tickets bought through unofficial platforms risk cancellation without refund.
In addition to its India play with Dreamsetgo, On Location is also teaming up with Major League Soccer and various clubs across the U.S. and Canada to ensure seamless access for global fans. The full list of authorised global agents will be published on FIFAWorldCup.com/hospitality.
As the countdown to 2026 begins, Indian football enthusiasts can now plan their FIFA World Cup experience without fear of scams and with all the glamour of an unforgettable global sporting event.
MUMBAI: Warner Bros. Discovery is all set to launch a new Indian original docu-series, ‘Ek Tha Raja with Akul Tripathi’, premiering exclusively on Discovery channel and discovery+ starting 7 August 2025, at 9:00 PM. Blending immersive storytelling with rich historical narratives, the show revisits the courage and resilience of India’s well-known as well as unsung kings and queens, including incredible guerrilla war strategists, naval warriors and empire builders.
This eight-part series transports viewers across centuries and geographies. From Garhwal (Uttarakhand) and Malwa (western Madhya Pradesh) to Rajputana (Rajasthan), the Deccan (Maharashtra and Telangana), Karnataka, and Kashmir, each brings to life a ruler whose courage shaped history. To make it accessible to audiences across India and the South Asian diaspora, the series will be available in seven languages: English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Bengali.
Ek Tha Raja is hosted by Akul Tripathi, a passionate storyteller, cultural expert, and one of India’s most respected voices in historical narratives. With a deep love for the subcontinent’s heritage, Akul brings history to life through compelling storytelling that blends fact, folklore, and modern-day relevance. His unique approach adds both gravitas and accessibility to the series, inviting audiences to experience India’s past as unforgettable and memorable stories.
The show profiles remarkable rulers and leaders whose legacies live beyond the mainstream historical spotlight such as Rani Durgavati of Gondwana, who died defending her kingdom against the Mughals; Abbakka Chowta, the fiery queen of coastal Karnataka who defied Portuguese colonisers; and Lalitaditya Muktapida of Kashmir, known for building one of the region’s most formidable empires. Also featured are icons such as Maharana Pratap and Rana Sanga (Rajasthan), Peshwa Bajirao I (Maharashtra), Raja Chhatrasal (Bundelkhand), and Rani Karnavati of Garhwal, all of whom defended their land, people, and culture with unmatched courage and strategic brilliance.
Commenting on the launch, Sai Abishek, head of factual entertainment, lifestyle & kids, South Asia, Warner Bros. Discovery said, “As a brand, we’ve always believed in championing powerful narratives, and Ek Tha Raja builds on that belief. Through this series, we’re proud to bring the stories of leadership, sacrifice, and resilience, through a fresh, cinematic lens. It’s great to have a masterful storyteller like Akul Tripathi narrate these stories. His narration gives viewers a truly immersive experience into the lives of some of India’s greatest defenders.”
As Discovery marks 30 years of storytelling in India and 40 years globally this August, Ek Tha Raja with Akul Tripathi reflects this continued commitment to spotlighting stories that celebrate the country’s rich and diverse regional histories.
Host, Akul Tripathi added, “History is often remembered by its victors. India’s past is filled with remarkable figures who stood their ground against invaders and adversity. Ek Tha Raja is our attempt to honour these leaders and to remind viewers that the roots of India’s freedom run far deeper than we’re often told. It’s also a way to pass these stories on to a younger generation, to help them see India’s legacy as a reminder that courage and leadership have always been part of our DNA.”
Each episode dives into epic tales of conquest, valour, lost kingdoms, and overlooked warriors who shaped the subcontinent’s legacy of resistance. Expert interviews with royal descendants, historians, and cultural voices further deepen the storytelling, providing lived context and invaluable insights into these enduring legacies.
Ek Tha Raja with Akul Tripathi will be premiering exclusively on Discovery channel and discovery+ starting 7 August 2025, at 9 PM. The series will also stream on HBO Max in Southeast Asia.
NEW DELHI: Gaurav Banerjee, managing director and chief executive of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), has been named chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry’s national media and entertainment council for 2025-26. The move signals CII’s push to turbocharge the M&E sector’s global competitiveness with a focus on policy reform, skilling, tech-creative innovation and inclusive growth.
Banerjee, who also chairs BARC India, steps into the role at a time when India’s media and entertainment engine is revving up to be a $100bn juggernaut—fuelled by AI, VFX, and a hungry Gen Z audience. His mandate? Drive trust, sharpen policy, and make “Create in India” the global gold standard.
“At a time when the world is looking to India for inspiration, our M&E industry is uniquely positioned to reflect our cultural ethos while shaping global narratives,” said Banerjee. “We need frameworks that empower innovation, creative-tech and opportunity—without compromising trust or accountability.”
As council chair, Banerjee will double down on four key levers:
* Policy and regulation: Partnering with government to streamline norms, fight piracy, and foster a level playing field. * Tech meets creativity: Embracing AI, AR/VR and automation to supercharge content quality, personalisation and productivity. * Skill-building: Rolling out future-ready courses via the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies to upskill youth in animation, VFX and immersive storytelling. * Going global: Backing Indo-foreign co-productions and showcasing Indian stories to the world with tech muscle and cultural soul.
The CII council under Banerjee will act as a bridge between industry, academia and government—taking on thorny issues like fair monetisation, content ethics, data privacy and equitable tech access. Expect sharp focus on regulating generative AI without stifling innovation.
A filmmaker by training and former journalist at Aaj Tak, Banerjee brings over two decades of experience to the table. At SPNI, he has been the force behind bold content bets and digital pivots—balancing creative risk with fiscal discipline.
His new role is likely to give India’s M&E sector the push it needs to move from scale to stature on the global stage.
