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Tag: Firstpost

  • Firstpost goes full throttle with special edition on Operation Sindoor

    Firstpost goes full throttle with special edition on Operation Sindoor

    MUMBAI – In a gutsy move both on ground and in print, Firstpost has dropped a collector’s edition digital broadsheet dedicated to Operation Sindoor—India’s audacious counter-terror strike that sent shockwaves across the region and rewrote the rules of military engagement.

    This slick, oversized digital spread dives headfirst into the mission that rattled Rawalpindi and reasserted New Delhi’s zero-tolerance stance on state-sponsored terror. From boots-on-the-ground bravery to geopolitical chess, the edition lays out the anatomy of the operation with forensic flair—packed with verified reports, exclusive interviews, and sharp strategic analysis.

    download first first Operation Sindoor editionThe shadow of Pakistan army chief-turned-field marshal Asim Munir looms large, as the edition probes the ideological flashpoints fuelling cross-border aggression and the Indian response that followed. No propaganda, just precision reporting.

    “While the magnitude of Operation Sindoor, and what it has achieved, is a compelling enough reason for Firstpost to bring out this special edition, the need to present facts amidst a flood of disinformation was a trigger too,” says Firstpost managing editor Palki Sharma.

    This isn’t just a recap of a military win—it’s a reframing of the global counter-terror playbook, with India leading the charge. Readers can scan the QR code to get their hands on this digital deep-dive—a timely tribute to grit, guts, and a nation drawing a red line no enemy dares cross.

  • Firstpost to cover Raisina Dialogue. with star-studded Ideas Pod

    Firstpost to cover Raisina Dialogue. with star-studded Ideas Pod

    MUMBAI: India’s premier diplomatic jamboree kicks off this week with a twist, as digital news platform Firstpost is muscling its way into the action with its own intellectual sideshow. The Ideas Pod—a collaboration with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF)—promises to be where the real fireworks happen at the 10th Raisina Dialogue.

    From  17 to 19 March, while diplomats and ministers exchange pleasantries in the main hall, Firstpost will corral the cream of the geopolitical crop into its broadcasting pen for what promises to be unvarnished conversations on everything from nuclear proliferation to artificial intelligence.

    The news outfit has secured an impressive roster of talking heads, including New Zealand’s prime minister Christopher Luxon, Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha, and the International Atomic Energy Agency’s top man Rafael Mariano Grossi. Britain’s national security adviser Jonathan Powell and America’s Indo-Pacific commander Admiral Samuel Paparo round out the A-list.

    “We are thrilled to partner with Samir Saran and ORF to bring you front row access to the conversations that matter most,” says Firstpost managing editor Palki Sharma, which claims over seven million YouTube subscribers and three billion views worldwide.

    The Raisina Dialogue itself—named after the hill in Delhi that houses the presidential residence—has evolved into India’s answer to Davos, albeit with fewer private jets and more geopolitical substance. Co-hosted by India’s foreign ministry, this year’s themes include climate change, militant mercantilism, and the perennial favourite: global security threats.

    For the diplomatic cognoscenti wondering which global leaders might drop the most quotable bombshells, or which minister might accidentally reveal more than their talking points permit, Firstpost’s Ideas Pod may well be where the real action unfolds.

  • Network18 ropes in digital entrepreneur Angad Bhatia to helm Firstpost and Creator18

    Network18 ropes in digital entrepreneur Angad Bhatia to helm Firstpost and Creator18

    MUMBAI: Network18 has appointed seasoned digital entrepreneur Angad Bhatia as chief executive of Firstpost and its freshly minted creator-focused venture, Creator18.

    Bhatia, who founded and scaled the influential men’s lifestyle platform MensXP before its acquisition by Times Internet, brings over 15 years of digital media expertise to the role where he’ll steer India’s international news brand while simultaneously building a creator network across Network18’s digital properties.

    His appointment marks a strategic push by the media conglomerate to capitalise on the booming creator economy while strengthening its news credentials.

    The digital veteran most recently served as chief executive of India Lifestyle Network and spearheaded brand and marketing growth initiatives at Mensa Brands. His career has spanned content, technology and digital commerce, including the development of influential digital-first consumer brands such as iDiva and Hypp.

    Industry observers note Bhatia’s reputation for identifying growth adjacencies and applying entrepreneurial thinking to established media businesses – precisely the toolkit Network18 appears keen to harness as traditional and social media boundaries continue to blur.

    “Bhatia represents the new breed of media executive who understands both content creation and commercial models in the digital sphere,” said a media analyst at a leading consultancy firm. “His experience with MensXP demonstrated he can build audiences while driving commercial success.”

    In his new role, Bhatia will report directly to Rahul Joshi, managing director and group editor-in-chief of Network18, as he attempts to bring fresh thinking and audience growth to the organisation’s digital portfolio.

  • Network18 makes headlines again: The unrivalled king of Indian news

    Network18 makes headlines again: The unrivalled king of Indian news

    MUMBAI: Network18 just dropped a truth bomb on the front page of The Economic Times, and it’s impossible to ignore. The media giant flexed its leadership in the Indian news ecosystem with a striking ad, leaving no doubt about who rules the ratings.

    With an unbeatable track record, Network18 continues to be the go-to source for news, clocking the highest overall TV reach (1,78,957 Average Reach000s)—yes, even surpassing the leading general entertainment channel! (Source: BARC | Metric: Average Reach000s | TG: 15+ | Period: Wk 53’24 – 03’25 | Market: All India). If that’s not enough, it also secured the top spot in average minute audience (AMA) with 2,04,029 AMA 000s. (Source: BARC | Metric: AMA 000s, TG:15+ | Period: Wk 03’25, Market: All India, News channel networks). Oh, and let’s not forget the 20 channels broadcasting in a record 12 languages—talk about news for everyone, everywhere!

    Network18 has been setting records and taking names. The network boasts an incredible lineup of leading channels that dominate every news segment:

    . CNN-News18: The reigning number one English news channel since BARC ratings resumed more than two years ago.

    .  News18 India: The undisputed king of Hindi news for two consecutive years.

    .  CNBC-TV18: The heavyweight champion of English business news, maintaining an iron grip on viewership.

    Not content with just television dominance, Network18 has been making waves in the digital space too:

    . Moneycontrol: More than 100 million unique visitors and a staggering 1 million paid subscribers on Moneycontrol Pro—a financial powerhouse like no other.

    . Firstpost: With 6.8 million YouTube subscribers, it’s the fastest-growing Indian news platform on the video giant.

    And in the regional markets? You guessed it—News18 channels are leading the pack, cementing Network18’s dominance across India’s linguistic and cultural landscape.

    With record-breaking viewership, it’s no surprise that Network18 is the preferred news network for advertisers (Source: TAM Adex | Period: FY 24-25 till 17 Jan | All genre). Whether it’s business, politics, or entertainment, Network18 delivers credibility, reach, and engagement like no other.

     

  • We are the only news network in India with global ambition: Mukesh Ambani

    We are the only news network in India with global ambition: Mukesh Ambani

    Mumbai: At the 47th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Reliance Industries, Chairman Mukesh Ambani highlighted the performance and strategic growth of Network18’s news business.

    As part of his address, Ambani said, “Our News business is reaching new heights. This is due to our focus on high-quality journalism. We lead in both general and business news. We are the only network in India with global ambitions. News18 was India’s top TV network for election news. On June 4, the counting day, its reach was nearly 50% higher than the IPL final.

    “CNBC-TV18 had an 82% viewership share on the Budget Day. This is in line with its weekly performance. CNN-News18 often outperforms all other channels combined. It has been number one for over two years,” he added.

    Elaborating on Network18’s digital platforms, Ambani said, “Moneycontrol is transforming into an advanced fintech provider of data and analytics for users in India and beyond. It is unmatched in speed and accuracy. It has 70 million unique visitors. Our premium service, MC Pro, now has over 8,50,000 paid subscribers. This makes it a Top-10 subscription site globally and the largest in India.

    “Firstpost is becoming a global news powerhouse. Its subscriber base has more than doubled in the last 12 months. In July, Firstpost recorded 127 million video views. This ranks it sixth among global peers. Firstpost is recruiting top talent to become the definitive global news destination from India.”

    “I believe it is time for India, as the world’s most populous nation, to assert its voice and gain its rightful space in the influential global media,” added Ambani.

  • Network18 reports strong Q1 growth of Rs 3141 crores

    Network18 reports strong Q1 growth of Rs 3141 crores

    Mumbai: Network18 Media and Investments Ltd reported consolidated operational revenue of Rs 3,141 crore for the quarter ending 30 June, fueled by impressive performances in the sports and news segments. The company’s digital portfolio also expanded in both reach and engagement.

    Network18 stated that its subsidiary Viacom18 has continued to invest in the sports and news sectors to drive future growth. The company noted that even though these segments are still in the development phase, they have rapidly achieved a strong brand presence and consumer recognition.

    TV News portfolio delivered 30 per cent advertising growth during the quarter. The network leveraged its leadership positions across key markets and election-linked advertising tailwinds to deliver industry-leading ad growth. EBITDA for the quarter saw a turnaround as revenue grew 14 per cent while costs were flat. The TV news network posted EBITDA of Rs 40 crore in Q1FY25, a 46 per cent increase (YoY).

    JioCinema achieved record digital IPL viewership during the quarter. IPL 2024 reached 620 million viewers, marking a 38 percent increase from the previous year. “Engagement also saw a significant rise, with audiences spending a total of more than 350 billion minutes watching the most popular annual sports event, over 50 percent higher than last season,” the company reported.

    Meanwhile, Network18 group’s digital brands solidified their leadership positions over the quarter, experiencing a substantial rise in monthly unique visitors. “With approximately 250 million unique visitors, Network18 narrowed the reach gap with the leader to about 10 percent, down from over 50 percent in March 2023,” the statement revealed.

    Network18’s digital news business recorded a 34 per cent growth in Q1FY25, with total revenue reaching Rs 109 crore compared to Rs 81 crore in the same quarter of FY24.

    The digital news portfolio of Network18 experienced a significant increase in monthly unique visitors. With 250 million unique visitors, Network18 narrowed the reach gap with the leader to just 10 per cent, down from over 50 per cent in March 2023.

    Moneycontrol maintained its position as the top player in both reach and engagement metrics, driven by comprehensive coverage of economic and market-related topics. Key engagement metrics such as monthly page views, time spent, and sessions were 20 per cent-70 per cent higher than those of the nearest competitor.

    Moneycontrol Pro surpassed 8.1 lakh paid subscribers, solidifying its status as the leading subscription-based news platform in India and one of the top three in Asia, according to FIPP’s Digital Subscription Report.

    News18.com established itself as the leading platform for non-English language consumers in India during the last quarter. The platform’s reach expanded significantly due to editorial and product initiatives, resulting in a 50 per cent  increase in monthly average unique visitors quarter-on-quarter and a 100% year-on-year growth in on-platform video views. News18’s mobile app saw an increase in MAUs, and the News18 Connected TV app was launched for platforms like Android, Samsung Tizen, and Firestick.

    Firstpost’s coverage of international events from an Indian perspective continued to drive reach and engagement throughout the quarter. The platform saw a 67 per cent increase in monthly active users and page views following the launch of its revamped website. On counting day, the website’s traffic doubled compared to normal days, with time spent increasing fourfold. Firstpost’s growth on YouTube also continued, with the subscriber count surpassing the five million mark.

  • Firstpost reaches five million YouTube subscribers

    Firstpost reaches five million YouTube subscribers

    Mumbai: Firstpost has reached five million subscribers on YouTube in just 16 months, marking a significant milestone for the platform. This achievement has firmly established Firstpost as the fastest-growing Indian news platform on YouTube.

    Firstpost’s video pivot in January 2023 has driven exceptional growth for the platform. Its extensive coverage of the Iran-Israel conflict, the Ukraine-Russia war, the US Presidential elections, and India’s growth story has established it as the country’s leading news platform for global news.

    Speaking on this milestone, Firstpost managing editor Palki Sharma said, “Firstpost’s stupendous growth is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our exceptional team and the unwavering support of our global audience. It’s heartening to see this commitment to substantive news in an otherwise cluttered and tough market. As we celebrate our milestones, I extend my deepest gratitude to every team member and every viewer who has been part of this incredible journey.”

    Firstpost’s diverse shows cater to a wide audience. The flagship show ‘Vantage’ provides a comprehensive view of major news events, encouraging viewers to analyse global occurrences from various angles. ‘Fast and Factual’ delivers quick, concise news updates from around the world, ensuring that viewers stay informed without investing a significant amount of time. ‘First Sports’, a groundbreaking sports show provides comprehensive coverage of sporting events, going beyond the scores, and highlighting the stories and personalities that shape the global sports landscape. ‘Between the Lines’ explores deeper aspects of news stories, revealing nuanced aspects often overlooked in mainstream reporting. ‘Flashback’ simplifies complex historical events, presenting them in an accessible and engaging manner.

    ‘Firstpost America’ covers global issues with a Washington perspective, offering in-depth analysis and ground reports. The recent addition, ‘Firstpost Africa’, showcases on-ground reports from the world’s second-largest continent, live from South Africa.

    https://www.youtube.com/@Firstpost

  • Scam alert! fake ads impersonating Palki Sharma of Firstpost

    Scam alert! fake ads impersonating Palki Sharma of Firstpost

    Mumbai: Firstpost has issued an alert about fraudulent ads involving the misuse of the name and image of its managing editor, Palki Sharma by cybercriminals. Individuals have been deceived through false ads on social media, particularly Facebook and Instagram, claiming to offer stock market courses by Palki Sharma.

    Bringing attention to the false ads, Palki Sharma posted on X and alerted the users. In her post, she said, “This is a scam. A lot of you have shared these posts with me in the last few days. (Thanks for flagging!) My photos are being misused and such fraudulent ads are being circulated on Facebook. Despite complaints, @Meta has not taken action.”

    Palki Sharma does not provide any investment advice or stock market courses through WhatsApp or any other social media platform. She is not associated with any group offering stock recommendations or financial advice, and people are urged to exercise caution and report any suspicious activities immediately.

    To avoid falling victim to such fraud, it is recommended to ignore advice from unknown sources, verify information from official sources, and maintain secure practices for personal and financial transactions. It is important not to trust any information shared through unofficial channels and sources. In case of any suspicious activity, Firstpost advises people to report it to the appropriate authorities immediately.

    For further information and to report fraudulent activities, please visit www.cybercrime.gov.in or contact the helpline number – 1930 or the cyber cell of the local police department.

     

     

  • Firstpost outshines international news platforms on YouTube

    Firstpost outshines international news platforms on YouTube

    Mumbai: FirstPost has outperformed major global news platforms according to the latest YouTube viewership data from VidIQ. The YouTube channel of Firstpost has captured 110 mn+ video views in March 2024.

    Despite being a relatively new player in video content production, Firstpost’s video pivot has led to remarkable growth. It enjoys a growing presence on YouTube with over 4 mn subscribers in its kitty. Firstpost’s extensive coverage of the Iran-Israel conflict, the Ukraine-Russia war & facets of India’s growth story, has solidified its position as India’s number one news platform for global news.

    Reflecting on this milestone, Firstpost managing editor Palki Sharma said, “Firstpost’s growth is proof of a growing, worldwide demand for substantive news. Our viewership numbers, especially in the global south, encourage us to build on what we’ve created so far. We’re pleased to see that our commitment to bring stories from an Indian perspective resonates with our audience worldwide.”

    Firstpost’s diverse array of shows caters to a wide audience. Its flagship show, ‘Vantage’ provides a comprehensive view of major news events, encouraging viewers to analyze global occurrences from various angles. ‘Fast and Factual’ delivers quick, concise news updates from around the world, ensuring that viewers stay informed without investing a significant amount of time. ‘First Sports’, a groundbreaking sports show provides comprehensive coverage of sporting events, going beyond the scores, and highlighting the stories and personalities that shape the global sports landscape. ‘Between the Lines’ explores deeper aspects of news stories, revealing nuanced aspects often overlooked in mainstream reporting. ‘Flashback’ simplifies complex historical events, presenting them in an accessible and engaging manner, and ‘Firstpost America’ covers global issues with a Washington perspective, offering in-depth analysis and ground reports.

  • Network18 announces consolidation of India’s top news media powerhouses

    Network18 announces consolidation of India’s top news media powerhouses

    Mumbai: Network18 Media & Investments Ltd (Network18) (NSE: NETWORK18) and  TV18 Broadcast Ltd (TV18) (NSE: TV18BRDCST) has announced a scheme of arrangement in terms of which TV18 and e-Eighteen.com Ltd (“E18”, which owns and operates moneycontrol website and app) will merge with Network18.

    The proposed scheme will consolidate the TV and digital news businesses of the Network18 group in one company and will help create India’s largest platform-agnostic news media powerhouse with the widest footprint across languages, straddling both TV and Digital. It will enable Network18 to consolidate and further grow its business from a position of strength. This will present a unique opportunity to all shareholders to participate in the media business of the group through one listed entity.

    The merged entity will comprise of the TV portfolio of TV18 (20 news channels in 16 languages and CNBCTV18.com), Digital assets of Network18 (News18.com platform across 13 languages and Firstpost) as also moneycontrol website and app. Viacom18 with its portfolio of JioCinema and 40 TV channels will be a direct subsidiary of Network18. Network18 will continue to hold its investment in BookMyShow.

    As consumers and advertisers increasingly gravitate towards omnichannel experiences across different aspects of their lives, having a deep and integrated presence across both TV and digital media will enable the merged entity to serve them better. Further, as the Network18 group has been working towards convergence, an integrated entity for news gathering and dissemination is expected to result in cost and content synergies.

    The Board of Directors of the respective companies have approved the scheme of arrangement at their meetings held today.

    Brief details of the scheme of arrangement:

    Appointed date for merger: 1 April, 2023

    Share exchange ratio:

    100 shares of Network18 for every 172 shares of TV18

    19 shares of Network18 for every 1 share of E18

    A joint valuation report for the fair share exchange ratio has been provided by PwC Business Consulting Services LLP (PWC BCS) and Ernst & Young Merchant Banking Services LLP (EY).  PWC BCS was appointed by Network18 and EY was appointed by TV18 and E18. BofA Securities India Limited (for Network18), Citigroup Global Markets India Pvt Ltd (for TV18) and HSBC Securities and Capital Markets India Pvt Ltd (for E18) provided Fairness Opinion as financial advisors while Khaitan & Co. is the legal advisor for the Scheme.

    The scheme of arrangement is subject to all necessary approvals.