Tag: India Today TV

BARC week 27: Not too much impact on English news genre ratings in budget week

BENGALURU: The combined weekly impressions of the top 5 English news channels in week 27 of 2019 (Saturday, 29 June 2019 to Friday, 5 July 2019, week under review) or the week in which the first national budget of the re-elected Modi government was announced increased by just 46,000 or 2.4 percent as compared to the previous week. Data released by Broadcast Audience Research Council of India showed the combined ratings of the top 5 English news channels was 1.964 million weekly impressions in week 27 of 2019 as compared to 1.918 million weekly impressions in week 26.

Four of the five channels in BARC’s top 5 English news channels gained viewership with one losing eyeballs during week 27 of 2019 as compared to the previous week. Even if one were to neglect the channel that lost viewership, combined impressions of the other four channels in BARC’s top 5 English news channels increased by just 6.4 percent or 94,000 in week 27 of 2019 as compared to week 26. Please read on further.

The list and the ranking of the channels in BARC’s weekly list of top English news channels during the week under review was/were the same as in the previous week. No doubt that on budget day, 5 July 2019, a Friday, the ratings of individual channels must have peaked when compared to the previous Friday. Given the facts that the timings of the live telecast of the ICC World Cup 2019 being played at England and Wales overlapped with primetime of most genres in India, and the Indian cricket team was faring well, viewership of genres other than sports on the Star India Network must have fallen. Please refer to the figure below.

At rank 1 was the Arnab Goswami-led Republic TV with 0.629 million weekly impressions in week 27 of 2019 or 8.6 percent more as compared to 0.579 million weekly impressions in week 26. At second rank was Times Now with 0.460 million weekly impressions during the week under review or about 7.5 percent more than 0.428 million weekly impressions as compared to the previous week.

At third rank was pubcaster Doordarshan’s DD India with 0.356 million weekly impressions in week 27 of 2019 or 12.5 percent lower than 0.407 million weekly impressions in week 26. At fourth rank was Network18’s CNN News18 with 0.290 million weekly impressions in week 27 of 2019 or 2.1 percent more than the 0.284 million weekly impressions in week 26. Completing the quintet was the India Today group’s India Today Television with 0.229 million weekly impressions in week 27 of 2019 or 4.1 percent more as compared to 0.220 million weekly impressions in week 26.

July 12, 2019
India Today TV rises to the top in premium audience 22+ M A, and topples Republic TV to grab the no.2 position in 22+ M AB, Megacities

MUMBAI: India Today TV, the leading English News Channel, has consistently remained ahead of the pack. The channel stands apart from its peers with its Ground Zero Reporting and Grounded Journalism, valuing credibility and telling both sides of the story above all else. The BARC data clearly affirms the fact that this approach is resonating very well with the audiences. Especially in high interest news events like the Elections and The World Cup, the channel ratings have significantly improved over the past months, and the channel has established itself as No.1 in the prime audience category of 22+M A.

According to data published by BARC, India Today TV has clinched the 2nd position in the English News channel category in the last 4-week period, as well as in the latest week. The channel has consistently outperformed other English News offerings, like Republic TV and is in within touching distance of Times Now. Here’s what the data shows:

Channel

W21-W24'19

W24'19

Times Now

295

138

India Today Television

227

125

Republic TV

223

109

CNN News18

212

74

Mirror Now

56

54

* Source: BARC, TG: Males 22+AB, Market: Megacities, Period: W21’19 to W24’19, TB: 0700-2400 Hrs, Avg. Weekly Gross Impression in 000s

The channel regularly serves in-depth and complete perspective on the most pertinent topics present on the common man’s mind. This is backed by a formidable team comprising some of the most distinguished and well-respected journalists of the country. India Today TV has shown a clear and consistent edge over channels like Republic TV, leading ahead in every metric.

India Today TV also enjoys a loyal viewer base among the premium category, as it has leapfrogged to the No.1 spot in the English News Channel list in recent times (Source: BARC). The Crème de la Crème audience across the megacities hold a firm belief in this channel.

Channel

Avg. Weekly Gross Impressions (000s)

India Today TV

200.2

Times Now

199.5

Republic TV

190.2

CNN News 18

152.1

NDTV 24×7

47.2

* Source: BARC, TG: Males 22+A, Market: Megacities, Period: W21’19 to W24’19, TB: 0700-2400 Hrs, Avg. Weekly Gross Impression in 000s

June 21, 2019
No change in ranks as Republic TV continues to dominate English news

BENGALURU: There was no change in the list or ranks of channels in Broadcast Audience Research Council of India (BARC) weekly list of top 5 English news channels in week 24 of 2019 (Saturday, 8 June 2019 to Friday, 14 June 2019, week under review or consideration) as compared to the previous week when English news ratings had plunged.

All the five channels recorded even lower ratings in week 24 of 2019 than in week 23. Combined ratings of the top English news channels plunged even further in week 24. This can probably be attributed to BARC having reverted to the earlier process of treatment of landing page beginning with week 23.Many in industry feel that BARC reverting to treatment of landing pages and filtering out data from outliers is better. Added to this is the fact that the timings of the ongoing cricket journey by the ICC World Cup 2019 in England and Wales overlap primetime of most channels, including English news, could have affected viewership ratings.

Like week 23, Republic TV continued to rule the English news genre in week 24 of 2019 with 0.566 million weekly impressions as compared to 0.582 million weekly impressions in week 23. Times Now followed at second place in week 24 of 2019 with 0.418 million weekly impressions as compared to 0.463 million weekly impressions in week 23.

At third rank was DD India with 0.334 million weekly impressions in week 24 of 2019 as compared to 0.408 million weekly impressions in week 23. CNN News18 was ranked fourth with 0.289 million weekly impressions as compared to 0.375 million weekly impressions in week 23. India Today Television completed the quintet with 0.251 million weekly impressions in week 24 of 2019 as compared to 0.259 million weekly impressions in the previous week.

June 21, 2019
India’s Mega Cricket Conclave – Salaam Cricket 2019 and comprehensive cricket coverage propels India Today TV to the No.1 spot in Week 23 (Megacities, 22+ M A)

MUMBAI: legends with enthralling, informative & entertaining sessions ahead of the much anticipated Cricket World Cup 2019. In addition, for the first time, cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar along with a power panel comprising Azharuddin, Sunil Gavaskar, Harbhajan Singh and Madan Lal shares expert analysis of action packed World Cup 2019 matches through exclusive TV shows.

With prominent figures from the cricketing world, Salaam Cricket piqued excitement levels of fans through trivia, discussions, debates and predictions. The conclave also shared some of the most memorable moments in World Cricket and rendered fresh insights on the upcoming World Cup. From Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar to Spin King Shane Warne, Little Master Sunil Gavaskar to King Viv Richards, Turbanator Harbhajan Singh to ‎Sultan of Swing Wasim Akram, Michael Clarke to Younis Khan; the world champions discussed different facets of the game, sharing their experiences in engaging sessions.

In a country where cricket is not a sport but a religion, Salaam cricket witnessed an instant success and propelled India Today TV to the top in the English News genre.

Salaam Cricket was seen by over 17 million viewers on India Today Group’s channels – Source: BARC, TG: 2+, Mkt: India, Period: WK23'19, Program Name: Salaam Cricket

To keep the viewers captivated, India Today Group has also launched dedicated shows with legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Harbhajan Singh, Michael Clarke, Mohammad Azharuddin and Madan Lal. While ‘Lord’s Mein Lahrayo Tiranga’ is being telecasted on Aaj Tak, ‘Lord of Lord’s’ is the offering on India Today TV. With 5 World Cup winners including Tendulkar, and one Captain who led India in 3 World Cups (Azhar), this expert panel rivals even the Sports broadcasters.

And it gets better! For the first time in history of television, Sachin Tendulkar is doing an exclusive match-by-match analysis of India’s campaign. He will discuss and dissect India’s performances over 10 episodes of the show named after the all familiar chant of cricket fans all over the country- ‘Sachin, Sachin’.

Further delighting the audience and highlighting the superior cricket coverage of its two channels, India Today Group has also launched a high decibel World Cup campaign with TVCs featuring the likes of Chris Gayle, KL Rahul and R Ashwin.

June 17, 2019
Times Now strengthens primetime with Padmaja Joshi’s appointment

MUMBAI: Times Now, the English news channel from Times Network has strengthened its primetime band with the appointment of Padmaja Joshi as presenter. In her role, Padmaja will present the primetime show The Newshour at 10 pm on Times Now and will closely work with the editorial leadership team in setting the news agenda for the channel.

Based out of Times Now’s Noida office, Joshi will report to Times Now editor-in-chief Rahul Shivshankar.

Shivshankar said, “I am pleased to welcome Padmaja to the Times Now team. We are confident that her vast knowledge and experience will be a valuable contribution in shaping the primetime band and driving the immediate big event – elections.”

A seasoned journalist with over a decade experience, Joshi brings in-depth knowledge in broadcasting as a reporter, producer, commentator, primetime news anchor and presenter across politics and current affairs.

On her appointment, Joshi said, “I’m extremely excited to join Times Now, a brand that stands for credibility and accuracy in reportage. What sets the channel apart, is the primacy it gives to reporters and as a journalist who thrives on being where the story is, I look forward to be a part of the team that’s always with the news, first.”

She will also play an active role in extensive reportage on the upcoming General Elections.

Joshi has earlier worked with Headlines Today (now India Today TV), where she anchored the prime-time broadcast shows on the channel and was in-charge of copy and the news flow. In her earlier role with Times Now, Padmaja handled the responsibility of an anchor and news editor of the channel.

February 22, 2019
India Today TV launches political stock exchange as 2019 elections loom

MUMBAI: With 2019 general elections looming, India Today TV on Friday, September 7, launched Political Stock Exchange, a one of a kind show hosted by Rajdeep Sardesai and Rahul Kanwal, the best political anchor team in India.

The show is a next generation innovation that will revolutionise election analysis.

Political Stock Exchange will air every week, with Rajdeep and Rahul cracking the political divide, tracking the political worth of each party and evaluating their leadership.

The show is a report card of whose stock is soaring and whose graph is slipping and what are the issue of concern to the Indian voter.

The landmark show is designed to gauge political sentiments and present the real story to the viewers in a “matter of fact fashion”.

Leading up to the face-off between PM Narendra Modi and the opposition, Political Stock Exchange showcases actual data from the battleground by AXIS MY INDIA, the most credible number crunching pollster.

Our maiden PSE survey found that the political stocks of Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhra Raje have dipped sharply while her BJP counterparts in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh still remain the popular choice to lead their states.

According to the survey of the three poll-bound states, as many as 48 percent of the respondents wanted a change of guard in Rajasthan, with only 32 percent expressing satisfaction with the incumbent Raje government.

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan emerged as the favourite of 46 per cent of voters while 32 per cent supported the Congress party’s Jyotiraditya Scindia as the next chief minister of the state.

The Chhattisgarh PSE report showed 41 per cent of respondents favouring incumbent Raman Singh as the next CM while state Congress president Bhupesh Baghel got 21 per cent support.

September 8, 2018
Debates continue to reap rewards for Eng news channels on prime time

MUMBAI: Prime-time shows on Indian English news channels have struggled to budge from their reliance on the debate format. In spite of access to new technologies, the content of the programming during the slot has largely remained the same. Even the allure of virtual reality (VR) and the latest production techniques have failed to wean viewers from the formulaic nature of debates.

It was NDTV that was the first to make use of VR videos online. In July 2017, Republic TV followed suit. The news broadcaster announced its intent to form a VR production studio to create a set of 10-series VR news stories for digital. Soon after, Times Network also began to take rapid strides in that direction with 3D 360-degree video-based VR and Google’s 180-degree VR format. Moreover, in December 2017, NDTV came up with a turnaround plan to improve profitability that involved reducing the workforce by up to 25 per cent and increasing its reliance on accessible technology such as mobile journalism.

Times Now with the Newshour Debate, hosted by Rahul Shivshankar, and Republic TV with The Debate at 9 pm, steered by Arnab Goswami, touch upon current, political and social issues that take place in the country with eminent personalities from diverse fields on the panel.

Republic TV CEO Vikas Khanchandani says that the channel’s primetime format is giving them an edge over others. “Our primetime format is working beautifully for us and giving us a leadership against all of the channels. When Arnab is on air, we have 45-60 per cent market share between 9-11 pm. We have an overall market share of 35-45 per cent which is better than other channels’ primetime shows also. Republic is also working in building the second line at 8 and 8:30 pm shows with other big anchors like Parikshit Lutra and Shivani Gupta.”

Mirror Now has made an entry in the top-five list of Broadcast Audience Research Council’s (BARC) all India data in week 6 this year for the first time. The channel’s primetime shows include The Urban Debate at 9 pm and The Last Word at 10 pm. At every stage of the debate, viewers will poll on whether they agree with the panellists or not. The show zooms in on and discusses the problems faced by the citizens of the country, including topics ranging from civic apathy and crimes against women.

At the time of the launch of The Last Word in November last year, Mirror Now executive editor Faye D’souza said, “The idea behind our new 10 pm show is to raise issues that are pertinent to viewers and force the authorities to answer and act. We have cultivated a loyal viewership by showcasing subjects that affect day-to-day lives of urban Indians.”

CNN News18 has a different approach to its primetime show called Viewpoint hosted by anchor Bhupendra Chaubey. He explores the top-five news stories and interacts with a panel that provides its opinions. Furthermore, he also connects with viewers through social media to get their inputs. The other show Epicentre is hosted by Shreya Dhoundial and Marya Shakil where they present the latest issues and talk to experts and prominent individuals.

Chaubey said that the show will be driven by graphics and facts. “We are trying to bring the focus back to facts and we are hoping that, over a period of time, it will grow. Once people get used to the offerings that we have, the CNN News18 primetime will go a long way in just establishing the channel’s share. Right now, our market share for the primetime slot is 20-30 per cent.”

India Today TV at 9 pm has a show called News Today, wherein they compile the latest social, economic and political news of the day. The next show is Newsroom wherein Rahul Kanwal, the host, presents the latest social, economic and political news from across the world.

NDTV 24X7 has a show The 9 o’clock News where it shows news devoid of debate and covers all the top stories of the day, including politics, sports, cities, the world and business. The next show at 9:30 pm is Reality Check, which aims to bust myths.

It seems like the debate show at the prime-time slot works better than any other format. BARC data reflects that four channels in the top-five list have debate shows in their prime-time slot. It is quite unlikely that the Indian audience will move away from the debate format any time soon given the entertainment they generate.

Also Read:

Making the news: A look at what news broadcasters did in 2017

Mirror Now aims to be no. 2 Eng news channel in 2018: Faye D’Souza

BARC week 5: Aaj Tak and Republic TV lead in respective genres

February 16, 2018
English News ratings’ slide continues although Republic TV viewership improves slightly

BENGALURU: The Arnab Goswami headed Indian English News channel Republic TV has been leading the genre in terms of viewership right from week 19 of 2017, the week the channel was launched. Republic TV started with a bang – it had garnered 2.117 million weekly impressions as per Broadcast Audience Research Council of India (BARC) weekly list of top 5 English News channels All India (U+R): NCCS AB: Males 22+ Individuals in week 19 of 2017. The channel continued to lead the English News genre in week 37 of 2017 (Saturday, 9th September 2017 to Friday, 15th September 2017) with 871,000 weekly impressions, much better than the nadir of 854,000 weekly impressions in the previous week. Though Republic TV gained 17,000 more viewers in week 37, its other genre peers, except CNN News 18, lost ratings and the combined weekly impressions of the top 5 English News channels in week 37 of 2017 fell to 2.669 million weekly impressions which was lower than the previous week’s combined ratings of 2.76 million.

The gap between Republic TV and runner up Times Now widened to about 10,000 impressions as the latter recorded 771,000 weekly impressions in week 37 of 2017as compared to 813,000 weekly impressions in week 36. India Today Television also lost viewership in week 37 of 2017. The channel recorded 349,000 weekly impressions in week 37 of 2017 compared to 453,000 weekly impressions in week 36. CNN News 18 climbed to fourth place in week 37 of 2017 with 347,000 weekly impressions, better than rank 5 and the 310,000 weekly impressions in week 36 of 2017. BBC World News completed the quintet in week 37 of 2017 with 331,000 weekly impressions. The channel replaced week 36’s fourth placed NDTV24x7, which exited the top 5 English News channels list in week 37. Please refer to the figure below.

The average ratings of the top 5 channels in the English News genre between weeks 1 to 37 (except week 21 of 2017) were 2.466 million weekly impressions. The highest combined ratings of the top five channels from the English News genre were in week 11 of 2017 at 4.897 million weekly impressions, while the lowest were in week 2 of 2017 at 1.179 million weekly impressions.

September 21, 2017
Republic TV, Aaj Tak continue to lead genres as news viewership falls

BENGALURU: Republic TV recorded its lowest viewership since its launch in week 36 of 2017 (Saturday, 2 September 2017 to Friday, 8 September 2017). The channel garnered 854,000 weekly impressions, lower than the earlier low of 868,000 weekly impressions it had scored in weeks 25 and 27 of 2017 according to Broadcast Audience Research Council of India (BARC) weekly list of top 5 English News channels All India (U+R): NCCS AB: Males 22+ Individuals. The channel has started with a bang in week 19 with 2.117 million weekly impressions. At present, ignoring ratings for week 21, Republic TV’s average weekly ratings since launch until week 36 of 2017 (except for week 21) are 1.141 million weekly impressions, hence its week 36 ratings are well below its par ratings.

In the Hindi News genre, the genre leader for 35 of the 36 weeks of 2017 has been Aaj Tak. The only week that it lost the pole position was in week 6 of 2017 to India TV. Aaj Tak was ranked second in that week. For week 36 of 2017, Aaj Tak scored 137.519 million weekly impressions according to BARC list of top 5 Hindi News channels: HSM (U+R) : NCCS All : 15+ Individuals. The channel’s average weekly impressions in 2017 until week 36 are 122.870 million, hence its week 36 weekly impressions score is well above its par.

In week 36, the combined weekly impressions of the top 5 English News gene channels were 2.760 million, lower than the 2.942 million weekly impressions of the previous week or the 2.979 million weekly impressions of week 34. The average combined weekly impressions of the top 5 English News channels in 2017 until week 36 (except week 21) were 2.460 million, and week 36 impressions for the genre are well above the 36 week par. The genre’s highest combined weekly impression of the top 5 channels at 4.897 million impressions were in week 11 – the week during which election results for five states were announced. The second highest ratings by the top 5 English News channels were 4.282 million impressions in week 19, the week that Republic TV was launched.

In the case of Hindi News channels, the genre had scored its highest weekly impressions in week 35, with the top 5 channels having combined weekly impressions of 738.482 million. This was the week that saw the reportage of the Ram-Rahim case judgment day – Monday, 28 August 2017 attracting record-breaking viewership. Week 36 has seen the top 5 channels combined weekly impressions plunge to 564.769 million weekly impressions, but still well above the 36 week average of 492.903 million.

Please refer to the figure below for average ratings of the top five English News channels during the first 36 weeks of 2017 (excluding data for week 21 of 2017):

Please refer to the figure below for the average ratings of the top 5 channels of the Hindi News Genre during the first 36 weeks of 2017.

As mentioned by us earlier, News about the fate of godman Ram Rahim on Monday, 28 August 2017 was one of the most watched events on news television in the recent past in India. Viewership of the Hindi News genre grew 2.1 times from 121.5 million impressions (the average viewership for the previous four Mondays’) to 256.1 million impressions on Monday, 28 August 2017. The English News genre grew by 46 percent from 482 Impressions ‘000s (Av Impressions for the last 4 Mondays) to 703 Impressions ‘000s on Monday 28 August 2017.

September 18, 2017
Rajdeep Sardesai’s quiz show back on India Today TV

MUMBAI: India Today Television has announced the second season of India’s first News Quiz Show – News Wiz. Veteran journalist and an avid quiz buff Rajdeep Sardesai will host the 13-episode show that is set to air every Saturday evening Prime Time starting 26 August (Saturday) on India Today Television. The telecast times are Saturday 8pm and the repeat will be on Sunday at 10 am and 10 pm.

This season is conceptualised by Siddharth Basu’s Tree of Knowledge and Big Synergy.

This second season has doubled the outreach, with more than 500 schools participating along with interactions on digital popular platforms like facebook and twitter! News Wiz reached out to tens of thousands of students across mediums, from all over the country right from city of Srinagar in J&K up to – Kavaratti in Lakshwadeep. Young, bright and effervescent girls & boys of classes IX –XII formed teams, registered & after going through levels of tests, the top teams from across the country will now be vying for the top honors.

High energy ground activations across schools will be under the main theme “If your knowledge is Sound, Make the Noise”. News Wiz is going to the schools with Buzzers in place giving it in totality, a real feel of News Wiz 2017.

Kalli Purie, Group Editorial Director (Broadcast & New Media), India Today Group, said, “Post the huge success of Season 1 of News Wiz, we are excited to announce the launch of another season with greater action and zeal. Young minds of the nation will be encouraged to learn more about news and connect with it on a much larger scale with return of News Wiz 2017.”

Basu said: – “News wiz is not just the first and only news quiz in the country, it’s also at this time the only nationwide inter-school quiz on TV. Over the next quarter, viewers can look forward to keen competition among the best and brightest young minds from schools across the country”

August 26, 2017