ITV

Tag: BARC

  • Sony Pictures’ Juhita Gupta takes lead role on YouTube channels

    Sony Pictures’ Juhita Gupta takes lead role on YouTube channels

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India has handed the reins of its YouTube channels to Juhita Gupta, a seasoned media professional with over 16 years of consumer insights and market research under her belt.

    Gupta, who has spent more than a decade shaping programming strategies and audience growth across Sony Sab, Sony Pal, Sony Max and Set, is known for blending data storytelling with sharp commercial impact. Her remit now includes steering Sony’s digital video footprint at a time when streaming platforms are fighting fiercely for attention.

    Before joining Sony, she worked with 9XM, Disney Channel, Hungama, Star Movies and Channel V, giving her a panoramic view of India’s entertainment ecosystem, from kids’ content to blockbuster films.

    She began her career in FMCG research at Nielsen and TNS, tracking categories from skincare to home care. Those early years sharpened her instincts in quantitative and qualitative research, a skill set she later repurposed for television and, now, digital.

    Gupta’s expertise runs the gamut from weekly TV ratings (TAM, BARC) and promo planning to ethnographies, focus groups and social listening. In her own words, she thrives on “insight mining” and translating numbers into narratives, a talent Sony hopes will give its YouTube channels an edge in the battle for viewers.

  • Bigg Boss Malayalam 7 smashes records with highest-ever ratings

    Bigg Boss Malayalam 7 smashes records with highest-ever ratings

    MUMBAI: Bigg Boss Malayalam season 7, fronted by veteran actor Mohanlal, has stormed into the record books with its highest ratings yet. BARC data (15+U, week 31, HD+SD) shows the mega launch episode pulling in a blistering 15.3 TVR, while regular episodes clocked an impressive 11.4 TVR — the best performance in the franchise’s Malayalam run.

    Under its punchy new tagline Ezhinte Pani, the show has shaken up the Bigg Boss format with sharper gameplay, higher stakes and a more immersive viewer experience. 

    Contestants face brutal challenges, clever manoeuvres and emotionally charged showdowns — a cocktail that has viewers glued to their screens.

    Aired on Asianet at 9.30pm weekdays and 9.00pm weekends, the series is also streaming 24×7 on JioHotstar. Season 7, it seems, has the competition playing catch-up.

  • CNN-News18 rules prime time with 72.5 per cent market share lead

    CNN-News18 rules prime time with 72.5 per cent market share lead

    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.

  • News18 calls the shots as it headlines Hindi and English viewership

    News18 calls the shots as it headlines Hindi and English viewership

    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.

     

  • CNBC-TV18 books full profit in business news with 90 per cent share

    CNBC-TV18 books full profit in business news with 90 per cent share

    MUMBAI: When it comes to business news, CNBC-TV18 isn’t just reporting the market, it is the market. The channel has pulled in a staggering 89.8 per cent market share in the English Business News segment, according to the latest BARC India data (Week 26’25–29’25 | TG: 22–40 Male | Mega Cities | All Day). That means nearly 9 out of every 10 viewers tuned into English business news are watching CNBC-TV18 leaving its competitors fighting over scraps.

    It’s a commanding lead in a genre the channel has owned for 25 years. From the dot-com bubble to the post-COVID recovery, CNBC-TV18 has kept its audience ahead of the curve, and the latest data reaffirms that legacy of dominance.

    What’s fuelling this near-monopoly? It’s a steady mix of cutting-edge reportage, market-moving insights, and flagship shows like Bazaar Open Exchange, Bazaar Morning Call, Closing Bell, and India Business Hour. These programmes have become essential viewing for India’s business decision-makers whether they’re behind a Bloomberg terminal or a kirana counter eyeing the Sensex.

    Anchored by a seasoned team of journalists and trusted by a who’s who of CEOs, policymakers, and retail investors, CNBC-TV18 is more than a channel, it’s where India’s business day begins and ends. Its influence stretches beyond viewership, shaping investment strategies, boardroom decisions, and the national business narrative.

    Even as rivals scramble to differentiate themselves, CNBC-TV18 continues to expand its lead, showing week-on-week growth and innovation. The channel’s commitment to sharp analysis, uncluttered storytelling, and forward-looking coverage has made it the de facto nerve centre for business content in the country.

    As India navigates an increasingly volatile economic landscape, CNBC-TV18 remains the one constant distilling complex numbers into actionable insight, with nearly 90 per cent of the business news audience voting with their remotes.

    If business news were a stock, CNBC-TV18 would be the bluest of blue chips.

     

  • Kabaddi gets a capital lift as UPKL hits Rs 238 crore in valuation

    Kabaddi gets a capital lift as UPKL hits Rs 238 crore in valuation

     MUMBAI: Mat talk turns money talk and UPKL is wrestling its way to the top of India’s sports scene. The Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) has thrown down the gauntlet and picked up a valuation tag of Rs 238 crore, cementing its status as one of India’s fastest-growing sports properties. Its creator and operator, SJ Uplift Kabaddi Pvt Ltd, has not only built a regional league, but a nationwide movement with global potential all in its very first season.

    Launched in 2024, the debut edition of UPKL featured eight franchise-based teams, capturing hearts in small towns and big cities alike. The data tells the story: according to BARC, over 30 million television viewers tuned in across India, while digital platforms clocked 300 million impressions.

    Sony Sports Network (on Sports Ten 1 and Ten 3), DD Sports, and Fancode collectively broadcast the matches, ensuring a multi-platform footprint that reached deep into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

    SJ Uplift’s Founder and Director Sambhav Jain attributes the league’s soaring valuation to “the growing popularity and resonance” of the UPKL format. He added, “This valuation reaffirms our belief in grassroots sports and the immense, untapped potential of regional talent. The overwhelming response from fans, franchises and brands proves we’re building something bigger than just a league.”

    Backed by a vision to scale kabaddi into a globally recognised sport, Jain sees UPKL not just as a commercial vehicle but as a cultural movement. With plans to build a sustainable ecosystem for athletes, fans and sponsors, SJ Uplift is already eyeing expansion, new partnerships, and greater professionalisation in the seasons ahead.

    UPKL’s debut season is not just a sporting win, it’s a statement. With a Rs 238 crore valuation, deep-rooted audience traction, and a hyperlocal-to-global narrative, it’s making regional kabaddi not just prime-time entertainment, but premium IP.

    From dusty courts to digital charts the future of Indian kabaddi is looking like a full-body slam dunk.

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  • Zee TV’s ‘Tumm Se Tumm Tak’ makes a smashing debut in BARC top 10

    Zee TV’s ‘Tumm Se Tumm Tak’ makes a smashing debut in BARC top 10

    MUMBAI: Zee TV’s latest fiction drama Tumm Se Tumm Tak has burst onto the small screen with a big splash, landing straight at No. 8 on BARC’s weekly ratings chart in its very first week, with a solid 1.55 TVR. Not bad for a show that skips the melodrama and embraces the mood.

    Headlined by Niharika Chouksey as the feisty 19-year-old Anu and Sharad Kelkar as the brooding 46-year-old tycoon Aryavardhan, the show treads unfamiliar ground in Indian television, exploring age-gap romance through an understated, emotionally layered lens.

    The heart of the story is about a great Indian Sharma family navigating everyday dreams, disappointments and that one unexpected connection that turns life upside down. Viewers across India seem to be leaning in, hooked on a love story that’s tender, mature, and beautifully shot.

    Tumm Se Tumm Tak is quickly proving that in the age of spectacle, stillness can still strike gold. Or at least, win the TRP war.

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  • Govt sharpens TRP policy: advisory roles out, conflict of interest curbed

    Govt sharpens TRP policy: advisory roles out, conflict of interest curbed

    NEW DELHI: In a move set to shake up the television ratings ecosystem, the ministry of information & broadcasting has proposed amendments to its decade-old policy on television rating agencies in India and opened the floor for public comments.

    The fresh draft tweaks the 2014 guidelines with sharper guardrails. Among the headline changes: rating agencies must now be Indian-registered companies under the Companies Act, 2013, and are barred from offering consultancy or advisory services that could lead to a conflict of interest with their core job—ratings.

    In a bid to declutter the framework, the ministry has deleted clauses 1.5 and 1.7, along with the proviso tagged to clause 1 post explanation.

    (Clause 1.5 basically states that “any member of the board of directors of the television rating company shall not be in the business of broadcasting/ advertising/advertising agency.)

    (Clause 1.7 states that the company shall comply with the following cross holdings requirements, namely.
    (a) No single company/ legal entity, either directly or through its associates or inter-connected undertakings, shall have substantial equity holding in rating agencies and broadcasters/advertisers/ advertising agencies.
    (b) No single company/legal entity, either directly or through its associates or inter-connected undertakings, shall have substantial equity holding in more than one rating agency operating in the same area.
    (c) The cross-holdings restriction will also be applicable in respect of individual promoters besides being applicable to legal entities.
    (d) A promoter company/member of the board of directors of the rating agency cannot have stakes in any broadcaster/ advertiser/advertising agency either directly or through its associates or inter-connected undertakings.
    Explanation: For the purpose of para 1.7, substantial equity shall mean equity of 10% or more of paid-up equity. Having a substantial equity holding in companies shall constitute a cross-holding. Provided that the eligibility conditions stipulated at 1.5, 1.6 and 1.7 will not be applicable in the self-regulation model where the industry-led body, such as, Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) itself provides the rating.)

    The new norms will apply not just to future applicants but also to existing players in the market.

    Stakeholders and the general public have 30 days to respond to the draft, preferably via email to the ministry. The consultation marks a significant step towards transparency and credibility in India’s ratings architecture—a space often marred by controversy and trust deficits.

    The complete amendment order and policy guidelines are available on the I&B ministry’s website.

  • Breaking News18 tops charts with highest hindi news viewership

    Breaking News18 tops charts with highest hindi news viewership

    MUMBAI: Mic drop in the newsroom News18 India has just dialled up the decibels and claimed top honours in the Hindi news genre. According to the latest BARC data (Week 20’25), News18 India has emerged as the most-watched Hindi news channel, notching up 119124 AMA’000s and pulling ahead of long-time rival Aaj Tak, which recorded 117819 AMA’000s. The numbers are part of a fierce race in the Hindi-speaking markets (HSM), where channels jostle for attention 24×7.

    Rounding out the top five are TV9 Bharatvarsh (103286 AMA’000s), Republic Bharat (93207), and Zee News (87641). (Source: BARC | Metric: AMA’000s | TG: NCCS All 15 plus | Period: Week 20’25, 24 Hours, All Days | Market: HSM)

    What’s fuelling this newsroom juggernaut? A combination of hard-hitting reportage, high-decibel debates, and a trusted team of anchors including Kishore Ajwani, Amish Devgan, Rubika Liyaquat, Prateek Trivedi, and Aman Chopra. The channel’s programming dives deep into issues that matter, delivering perspectives that resonate with viewers from every corner of the country.

    News18 India attributes its continued rise to “factual, credible, and accurate coverage” qualities that seem to be striking a chord with the increasingly discerning Hindi news audience.

    Backed by an extensive on-ground reporter network, the channel ensures it’s not just first with the news, it’s everywhere the news is. From political showdowns to ground reports, News18 India is holding the mic and the momentum.

  • Old shows new highs as Sony PAL tops FTA charts with 109 million viewers

    Old shows new highs as Sony PAL tops FTA charts with 109 million viewers

    MUMBAI: Who says old favourites can’t cause new waves? Sony PAL, the Free-to-Air (FTA) Hindi general entertainment channel from Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), is proving that prime-time nostalgia can power modern ratings. The channel has clocked a sharp surge in viewership, becoming the fastest-growing FTA GEC in Hindi-speaking markets (HSM), and is now the undisputed leader in reach and resonance.

    According to BARC (Week 19, 2025), Sony PAL now reaches 109 million viewers that’s 17 per cent weekly reach, the highest among FTA Hindi GECs. And it’s not just mass appeal the channel’s got serious metro cred too. Among urban Hindi-speaking audiences aged 15 plus, Sony PAL pulled in a robust 41 GRPs, outperforming FTA peers. Even more striking? Urban male viewers gave it 63 GRPs, confirming that Sony PAL isn’t just a family favourite, it’s also prime time for the bros.

    What’s fuelling this FTA frenzy? Familiar faces and full-fat entertainment. Iconic shows like Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah and The Kapil Sharma Show have migrated to free-to-air for the first time, a strategic play that’s expanded their fan base and made quality content accessible without a paywall.

    By combining smart content curation with a no-subscription model, Sony PAL has tapped into India’s deep appetite for nostalgic, family-friendly storytelling all while scooping up serious ratings gold.

    In a landscape where eyeballs are fickle and attention spans fleeting, Sony PAL has managed to hit the sweet spot comfort viewing with mass reach, delivered for free. Now that’s what you call a PAL for the people.