MUMBAI: Newsrooms thrive on breaking stories but this time, CNN-News18 is the story. The network has stormed ahead of rivals to claim its place as India’s undisputed English news leader, clocking numbers that speak louder than any debate panel ever could.
According to the latest BARC India data, CNN-News18 has pulled off a 64.4 per cent market share in the primetime slot (7–11 pm), leaving competitors trailing far behind NDTV at 15.4 per cent and Times Now at 12.2 per cent. (Source: BARC India | Market: 10L plus | TG: 22–40 Male | Period: Weeks 36–39’25 | Market Share per cent | 5 channels considered.)
For a genre known for high decibels and fierce rivalries, CNN-News18’s dominance is striking, the channel holds more than four times the share of its nearest competitor. The network’s grip on viewers during India’s most-watched hours has placed it firmly in a league of its own, with “No. 1” becoming more of a habit than a headline.
Zooming out beyond primetime, CNN-News18 continues to reign overall with a 36.5 per cent market share, followed by NDTV 24×7 at 25.2 per cent and Times Now at 21.4 per cent. (Source: BARC India | Market: India | TG: 15+AB | Period: Weeks 36–39’25 | Market Share per cent basis AMA’000 | 8 channels considered.)
The victory isn’t a flash in the pan either. CNN-News18 has maintained the top spot since the return of BARC ratings in March 2022, consistently holding its ground across cycles, a feat few news brands can boast in such a volatile space.
What’s fuelling this sustained supremacy? A mix of credibility, sharp reportage, and familiar faces that have become synonymous with trustworthy journalism.
The channel’s roster of seasoned anchors Zakka Jacob, Anand Narasimhan, Rahul Shivshankar, and Shivani Gupta has helped define its editorial rhythm. Their prime-time shows are known for being fast-paced yet focused, where arguments may heat up but facts still win the floor.
Behind the desk, CNN-News18’s network of correspondents across India keeps the channel ahead on breaking stories, from Delhi’s political corridors to distant district headquarters. It’s this combination of speed, scale, and storytelling that keeps viewers coming back when the clock strikes seven.
In an era where English news is often accused of shouting louder than it reports, CNN-News18 seems to have struck the balance pairing the energy of TV debates with the discipline of data. The result is clear in the numbers: nearly two-thirds of English news viewers are tuning into CNN-News18 during primetime, a lead that transforms competition into footnotes.
What makes this rise even more striking is the shrinking gap between viewership and trust, a rare commodity in news. The channel’s ability to hold attention without sensationalism, and to mix credibility with conversation, appears to be its secret sauce.
It’s not just about being the loudest voice in the room anymore, it’s about being the one audiences actually listen to.
With its 64.4 per cent primetime share, 36.5 per cent overall market lead, and an editorial style that’s both assertive and authentic, CNN-News18 isn’t just leading the English news genre, it’s redefining what leadership looks like in it.
In the ratings war, it seems, the network has done what it does best break the news, then break the mould.
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