ITV

Category: TV Channels

  • NDTV 24×7 takes the crown as India’s most trusted English news channel

    NDTV 24×7 takes the crown as India’s most trusted English news channel

    MUMBAI: In a country where the loudest often command the limelight, NDTV 24×7 has quietly staged a masterclass in credibility. According to the latest BARC ratings (Source: BARC | ALL INDIA | 20-23’25 | 22+ ABC | 6 TO 24 HRS | Share per cent), NDTV 24×7 has emerged as India’s number one English news channel.

    The message from viewers is loud and clear: they want truth, not theatrics.

    This win isn’t just about numbers—it’s a narrative shift.

    In a media ecosystem rife with opinion parading as reportage, NDTV 24×7 has held its ground with restraint and rigour. While others chased virality, it stayed rooted in verification. From breaking the Ahmedabad air crash story with compassion to covering the Bengaluru stadium stampede and honeymoon murder with empathy and depth, the channel’s reportage stood out not for its speed, but its soul.

    Anchors like Ankit Tyagi led from the front, offering clarity amidst chaos. Veterans Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor lent gravitas and understanding rather than hype. It wasn’t about shouting the loudest; it was about informing the best.

    “This recognition is a profound responsibility”, said NDTV CEO & editor-in-chief Rahul Kanwal. “In a landscape of constant noise, we remain committed to signal. We report not just with urgency, but with humility. Not just to break news, but to build understanding”.

    NDTV 24×7’s rise signals a shift in what India expects from its newsrooms—less noise, more nuance. As India confronts complex realities, it’s turning to the calm in the storm, not the storm itself. And NDTV 24×7, it seems, has become the lighthouse.

     

  • Rugby gets a ruck-solid start with GMR RPL’s star-studded sponsor pack

    Rugby gets a ruck-solid start with GMR RPL’s star-studded sponsor pack

    MUMBAI: Move over cricket, there’s a new league in town and it’s tackling eyeballs and brands with equal force. The inaugural season of the GMR Rugby Premier League (GMR RPL) kicked off in Mumbai at the Shahaji Raje Bhosale Sports Complex, with six franchise teams colliding in high-octane matches. But the real scrum might just be off the field, where a ruck of top-tier sponsors have piled in to back the tournament.

    With GMR leading from the front as title sponsor and HSBC powering the league as a principal partner, the GMR RPL has already racked up a formidable roster of 17 sponsors and partners. Big names like Capgemini, Bisleri, Hero Fincorp, JSW Cement, Amul, Dream11, and Nanavati Max are among the brands jumping into the fray.

    In fact, Capgemini is suiting up as the Transformation Partner, Bisleri is keeping the players hydrated, and Dream11 is fuelling fantasy picks as the Fantasy Sports Partner. Other players in the pack include Encalm, Megawide, Waisl, Pushpak, Wintex, and The Capital Group, not to mention Radio Mirchi bringing the buzz as the Radio Partner.

    Broadcast muscle is also strong, Star Sports Select 1 is the Official Broadcaster, Jiocinema (under JioHotstar) is streaming it live, and Rugby Pass TV is beaming the action to global fans.

    “This isn’t just a game-changer, it’s a groundbreaker,” said GMR Sports CEO Satyam Trivedi. “To onboard over 17 big-ticket brands for a brand-new sport in India is a strong signal that the market is ready to embrace new sporting formats.”

    Rugby India president Rahul Bose and longtime champion of the sport, was equally moved. “The GMR RPL is our dream come alive. To witness such overwhelming support from grassroots to boardrooms is exhilarating. We truly believe this is the beginning of a bold new chapter for Indian rugby.”

    With big tackles on the pitch and even bigger backing off it, the GMR Rugby Premier League looks all set to convert casual onlookers into die-hard fans one try at a time.

  • Sai Abishek takes charge of kids content at Warner Bros Discovery India

    Sai Abishek takes charge of kids content at Warner Bros Discovery India

    MUMBAI: It’s official. After weeks of radio silence from Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), the reshuffle at the top of its kids content division in India has finally surfaced — and via LinkedIn, no less.

    Sai Abishek, who already wears a formidable hat as head of content across original commissions, programming strategy, acquisitions and more, has now added factual entertainment, lifestyle & kids, South Asia to his growing remit at WBD.

    The move confirms Indiantelevision.com’s earlier report on the departure of Uttam Pal Singh, the long-serving head of WBD’s kids cluster in South Asia, which includes Cartoon Network, Pogo and Discovery Kids. At the time, WBD kept mum — neither confirming nor denying Singh’s exit. (https://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/people/kids-cluster-head-uttam-pal-singh-departs-from-warner-bros-discovery-250605).

    Abishek updated his LinkedIn profile earlier today, cheerfully noting his expanded role. Meanwhile, Singh’s profile still lists him as head of kids cluster, South Asia — though it’s likely just a matter of time before that too changes.

    At Indiantelevision.com, we don’t do guesswork — just verified, on-the-record reportage. Let the other B2B trade portals peddle speculation.

  • Sun TV says old family dispute has no link to company operations

    Sun TV says old family dispute has no link to company operations

    MUMBAI: When the sun shines too brightly, even shadows make headlines. Sun TV Network Limited has issued a firm clarification following a series of media reports that resurfaced a decades-old personal matter involving its promoter and a family member. The company has categorically stated that the issue in question dating back 22 years to when the network was still a private limited company is personal in nature and has no bearing on the broadcaster’s operations or governance.

    In a formal stock exchange disclosure dated 20 June 2025, Sun TV dismissed the coverage as “incorrect, misleading, speculative and defamatory,” adding that all relevant corporate actions had been legally vetted and found compliant before the company’s public listing.

    “The matters alleged in the articles do not have any bearing on the business of the company or its day-to-day functioning,” the statement reads. Sun TV also stressed that the issue pertains solely to the promoter’s personal life and should not be conflated with the affairs of the listed entity.

    With this rebuttal, Sun TV seeks to put a lid on what it sees as media overreach, as the broadcaster continues to focus on its expansive entertainment footprint across South India. For now, the channel has chosen not to fuel the drama, leaving the theatrics to its primetime soaps.

  • News18 India trumps Aaj Tak again, scores hat-trick as Hindi news leader on TV and Youtube

    News18 India trumps Aaj Tak again, scores hat-trick as Hindi news leader on TV and Youtube

    MUMBAI: In a media landscape where loyalties shift as fast as breaking headlines, News18 India has held its ground with the firmness of an anchor desk in a newsroom earthquake. While rivals fought for airwaves and eyeballs, the channel calmly claimed its crown—again. For the third consecutive year, News18 India has retained its title as the undisputed champion of the Hindi news genre, outpacing legacy player Aaj Tak both on television and in the digital trenches.

    As per BARC data (Week 23’22 – 22’25, 24 Hrs, All Days | HSM | NCCS All 15+), News18 India clocked a formidable 7.89 crore AMA’000s. In contrast, Aaj Tak lagged behind with 7.36 crore AMA’000s, marking yet another year where the latter failed to catch up.

    In a world where TRPs can turn erratic, these numbers scream consistency—and point to a widening gap in viewer allegiance.

    The digital showdown wasn’t any different. On Youtube, News18 India has not just edged ahead—it has sprinted past. As of May 2025, the channel amassed 3.4 billion views, while Aaj Tak struggled with 1.04 billion, according to Playboard data. That’s more than a three x lead—enough to make any digital head turn.

    News18 India retained its top position in the Hindi news genre for three consecutive years while its competitor, Aaj Tak, struggles to keep pace. With its commitment to delivering crisp, accurate, and credible journalism, News18 India continues to win the trust and loyalty of millions across the nation.

    At the heart of this success is a battalion of familiar faces and trusted voices. Anchors like Kishore Ajwani, Amish Devgan, Rubika Liyaquat, Prateek Trivedi, and Aman Chopra bring the noise—and the nuance—day after day. Their programming style blends punch with perspective, helping the channel hold sway over a viewership that’s both vast and vocal.

    Backed by a robust reporting network, News18 India maintains coverage that cuts across regions and realities. Whether it’s national elections or local skirmishes, the channel’s ground game has helped shape its top-tier status.

  • Let’s Move +1 puts a fresh spin on Olympic Day with a call to move together

    Let’s Move +1 puts a fresh spin on Olympic Day with a call to move together

    MUMBAI: Pair up, power up Olympic Day is going two-for-one this year. This 23 June, the International Olympic Committee’s global movement campaign Let’s Move returns with a twist, Let’s Move +1, a call for Indians to embrace the power of paired play. In partnership with the Abhinav Bindra Foundation and the Reliance Foundation, the campaign encourages citizens to take a step, then bring a sibling, friend or colleague along for the next one.

    The idea? Moving together means staying motivated and the impact could be national. Over 50 sports venues across India will offer free paired sessions in cricket, padel, badminton, pickleball and more. No strings, just your +1.

    Backed by data from the World Health Organization that shows 50 per cent of Indian adults and a staggering 81 per cent of youth globally fail to meet activity recommendations, Let’s Move +1 taps into sport’s lesser-known benefit social wellbeing. Whether it’s a post-work pickleball match or skipping at school, shared movement builds community and fights loneliness, a growing global concern.

    Schools, too, are stepping in. Through the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) run in Chandigarh, Odisha and Assam more than 12 million children will take part in yoga, kho-kho, dance, arts, and Olympic-themed activities. The programme has already reached 10 million students, driving inclusivity and activity hand in hand.

    Olympic gold medallist and IOC Athletes’ Commission member Abhinav Bindra captured the spirit, “Let’s Move +1 reminds us that sport is not just about strength, it’s about support, connection, and joy.”

    The Reliance Foundation will host a special Olympic Day celebration for 1,450 schoolchildren, joined by archery Olympians Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das. “Sport has shown me the value of having someone in your corner,” said Kumari, a four-time Olympian. “Now, I want to be that person for someone else.”

    Launched in 2023, Let’s Move has already engaged 20 million people in India. With this year’s edition, the campaign doubles down on inclusivity and doubles the fun. Because sometimes, all it takes to get moving is someone to move with.

  • NDTV India picks Rohit Vishwakarma as managing editor to reboot its newsroom with vision, vigour and vernacular punch

    NDTV India picks Rohit Vishwakarma as managing editor to reboot its newsroom with vision, vigour and vernacular punch

    MUMBAI: There’s a long way from a village in Chhattisgarh to the power corridors of Indian media, and Rohit Vishwakarma has walked every dusty mile of it. The man who once grew up in a place untouched by the sound of trains now boards the editorial engine of NDTV India—this time as its managing editor. With a newsroom built on trust, and a landscape that’s anything but calm, Vishwakarma isn’t just filling a chair. He’s bringing a toolkit of disruption, language flair and sharp ground instincts to reinvent how India’s stories are told.

    NDTV India confirmed Vishwakarma’s appointment, marking a key moment in its editorial reset. The channel plans to double down on ‘bold editorial leadership, original thinking, and future-facing journalism’. The move is being seen as both a strategic homecoming and a calculated leap forward.

    With over 21 years in broadcast and digital media, Vishwakarma is no stranger to reinvention. His career began at Star News and since then, he has steered editorial strategy at India TV, Aaj Tak, TV9, NDTV 24×7, and Editorji, before launching RTV News Network in 2023 as its editorial director. At just 36, he became the youngest managing editor of a national news channel back in 2019.

    The man has worn many hats—and languages. He has led editorial teams across Hindi, English, Marathi, and Telugu, flipping the script on linguistic silos. As the first non-Marathi editor to take TV9 Marathi to the number one spot, he smashed regional glass ceilings. He repeated that success in Telugu-speaking markets—cementing his fluency in both language and audience.

    From primetime war rooms to dusty election trails in Saharanpur and Bulandshahr, Vishwakarma’s nose for news has always pointed to ground truth. He is known for shows like Wah Cricket, Fund Ka Funda, and Third Degree, which broke the clutter before ‘disruption’ was fashionable. His election programming—Dilli Ke Dil Mein Kya Hai and Uncensored—offered both raw energy and viewer stickiness. His reporting during the lumpy skin disease outbreak drew praise for its urgency and empathy, putting rural pain on the national radar.

    In the digital jungle, he made early moves. At Editorji, he led app-first content strategies. At RTV, he rolled out an AI-powered multilingual news platform where users could curate news playlists and interact with content—turning passive consumption into active engagement. His editorial team accurately predicted the 2024 Andhra Pradesh election results in a large-scale ground survey, pulling over one lakh live viewers.

    “News can no longer afford to speak from a pedestal. It has to speak from the ground up, and it must do so with honesty, humility, and purpose”, Vishwakarma said. “NDTV has always stood for credibility. My goal is to build on that trust and take it to a generation that demands transparency, participation, and truth without filters”.

    NDTV CEO & editor-in-chief Rahul Kanwal called it a “homecoming and a leap forward”, adding, “His work speaks to the kind of newsroom we are building—grounded, bold, and built for a new India”.

    With Vishwakarma’s appointment, NDTV India appears to be stacking its newsroom with a new wave of editorial leaders who blend traditional rigour with a pulse on modern media. The goal? Stories that don’t just break news—but break new ground.

  • JioStar hits it out of the park as Tata IPL 2025 smashes a billion-viewer milestone

    JioStar hits it out of the park as Tata IPL 2025 smashes a billion-viewer milestone

    MUMBAI: The 18th season of the Tata IPL was pure box-office cricket, and JioStar—the broadcast juggernaut of Star Sports and JioHotstar—made sure the world was watching. The tournament clocked a jaw-dropping 840 billion minutes of total watch-time and reached an eye-popping one billion viewers, making it the most-watched season in T20 history.

    Digital viewing surged 29 per cent year-on-year, with JioHotstar racking up 23.1 billion views and 384.6 billion minutes of watch-time, riding on a massive 49 per cent jump in Connected TV consumption. Meanwhile, Star Sports delivered 456 billion minutes of live broadcast content, pulling in the highest-ever average TV ratings across demos.

    The Tata IPL 2025 Final was nothing short of a cricketing supernova:

     . 31.7 billion minutes of combined watch-time

     . 169 million TV viewers

     .  892 million video views on digital

     .  55 million peak concurrency on JioHotstar

     .  A record-smashing 16.74 billion minutes on digital alone

    It was also the stuff of legends on the pitch. Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally lifted the trophy, Virat Kohli tasted long-overdue IPL glory, and 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi stunned the world as the youngest centurion in IPL history.

    JioStar CEO – Sports and Live Experiences, Sanjog Gupta said, “The incredible viewership numbers are reinforcement of our belief in the commitment to serve fans and the potential for growth of even a scaled property like the Tata IPL.”

    “We had a two-pronged approach this season.We wanted to widen the consideration for the tournament experience, by focusing on key viewer cohorts which had a light-touch relationship with IPL while also offering a deep, navigable consumer journey to grow engagement with committed fans. From non-viewers and fringe viewers co-viewing the IPL to deeply immersed fanatics, JioStar offered customized offerings for a wide spectrum of distinct cohorts defined by age, consumption profile and region. From the invite and proposition to the broadcast, we were committed to delivering hyper-personalized experiences that are inclusive, intuitive, interactive, and immersive. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the fans, whosepassion and love for the game inspires us. We would also thank BCCI and our partners, whose support is critical in our endeavor to constantly raise the bar on industry-defining experiences we offer on our platforms,” he added.

    Tech-wise, JioStar upped the ante with MaxView 2.0, voice search, 12-language content, Dolby Atmos, VR 360 Live, and Sign Language feeds—making cricket not just watchable, but immersive. The tournament’s “Yahaan Sab Possible Hai” theme rang true despite a mid-season suspension, with fans tuning in in record numbers from the get-go—49.56 billion minutes in just the opening weekend.

    With Shubman Gill and ‘Generation Bold’ now gearing up to face Ben Stokes and Bazball in England starting 20 June, JioStar’s cricketing blitz shows no signs of slowing down.

  • Mukund Acharya joins SPNI as CTO to spearhead its digital shift across linear and OTT platforms

    Mukund Acharya joins SPNI as CTO to spearhead its digital shift across linear and OTT platforms

    MUMBAI: Mumbai’s media corridors just got a new power player. Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has appointed Mukund Acharya as its chief technology officer (CTO), effective 19 June, 2025, in a move that signals the broadcaster’s intent to go full throttle on tech-first innovation across broadcast and digital platforms.

    Acharya, who led engineering at Disney+ Hotstar (now JioStar), is no stranger to high-stakes rollouts. From handling the ICC World Cups of 2023, 2024, and 2025 to overseeing the JioCinema-Hotstar integration, the man knows how to deliver under pressure, at scale. With 29 years under his belt at names like Yahoo and InMobi, Acharya brings a rare blend of depth, dexterity, and digital muscle.

    At SPNI, he will now oversee the Enterprise Technology Group (ETG), LIV Technology, and Broadcast Operations and Network Engineering (B.O.N.E.). His mandate? Lead SPNI’s transformation agenda, boost platform innovation, and align technology with evolving business goals—all while scaling both Sony LIV and the network’s broadcast empire.

    “Mukund’s proven leadership in technology-led transformation makes him an invaluable addition to our team”, said SPNI MD & CEO Gaurav Banerjee, lAs we expand our digital and broadcast capabilities, his role will be critical in aligning our technology roadmap with our vision for growth and innovation”.

    Acharya will report to Banerjee and work closely with the Sony LIV leadership as the platform gears up for its next evolution.

    SPNI’s appointment of Acharya comes as the media house doubles down on hybrid distribution, preparing itself for the next decade of entertainment where scale, speed, and seamlessness will define winners.

  • Ruhee Das appointed marketing director at Sony Pictures Entertainment

    Ruhee Das appointed marketing director at Sony Pictures Entertainment

    MUMBAI:  Ruhee Das, a prominent figure in the Indian media and entertainment sector, has been named marketing director at Sony Pictures Entertainment, effective June 2025. This promotion comes after a distinguished tenure of six years and ten months as marketing lead at Sony Pictures Television.

    In her previous role as marketing lead, Das was instrumental in promoting Hollywood films and TV series from Sony Pictures across a diverse range of content platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play, Sony LIV, and various television channels like Colors Infinity and &Flix. Her responsibilities encompassed ideating, planning, strategising, and executing comprehensive marketing campaigns across digital, on-air, on-ground, outdoor, and print mediums. She also focused on building strong press coverage for Sony titles, securing talent interviews, and driving performance marketing for Sony Pictures Entertainment India’s social media presence. Furthermore, Das oversaw the content monetisation of Sony Pictures’ movies and TV shows on YouTube.

    Before her extensive career at Sony, Das held key marketing positions at Viacom18 Media Private Ltd for nearly four years. As marketing lead – consumer products from April 2017 to September 2018, she spearheaded the marketing efforts to extend popular brands such as MTV, Colors, and Nickelodeon into consumer products, overseeing successful BTL and ATL campaigns and 360-degree marketing strategies. Prior to this, she served as assistant manager (marketing) – consumer products at Viacom18, focusing on MTV Consumer Products.

    Her earlier experience includes a year as senior officer – revenue at Bennett Coleman and Co. Ltd. (The Times Group), where she was responsible for revenue generation through media sales and brand integration for the TV channel Romedy Now. She also held marketing roles at Propellum and Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd., and completed internships at Abbott and Business Standard.

    Das’s wealth of experience in content marketing, social media, and business strategy positions her to drive significant growth for Sony Pictures Entertainment in the South Asian market.