ITV

Tag: Times Now Navbharat

  • Times Network launches ‘Election Yatra’ on Times Now and Times Now Navbharat

    Times Network launches ‘Election Yatra’ on Times Now and Times Now Navbharat

    Mumbai: As the anticipation for the upcoming general elections in India intensifies, Times Network, India’s premium broadcast network announces Election Yatra, a first of its kind initiative in Indian news television. Led by the Network’s leading English and Hindi news channels, Times Now and Times Now Navbharat, Election Yatra is a state-of-the-art mobile studio that will traverse the length and breadth of the country, capturing the essence of democracy in action.

    Covering 8,000 kms over a period of 40 days until the end of May, Times Now’s Election Yatra will travel across 38 cities in 9 states, including Delhi-Noida, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Embarking on a 60-day journey until June 04, Times Now Navbharat’s Election Yatra will extensively cover the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, and beyond.

    With an unwavering commitment to bringing comprehensive and in-depth election reportage, Election Yatra breaks away from the typical in-studio format and delves deep into the heart of the Indian electorate, presenting incisive and accurate analysis directly from the ground. Helmed by the prominent prime time anchors of Times Now and Times Now Navbharat, this unique initiative serves as the definitive platform for insightful analysis, dynamic debates, and unparalleled coverage of the Indian electoral landscape.

    Speaking about this pioneering initiative, Times Now and Times Now Navbharat group editor in chief Navika Kumar said, “Election Yatra is our endeavour to bring the political discourse closer to the people. By mobilizing our mobile studio and journeying into the heart of the nation, we are committed to capture the essence of democracy firsthand and provide our viewers with a deep understanding of the crucial issues in the upcoming elections, empowering them with informed perspectives to shape the future of our democracy”.

  • Times Network emerges as the fastest growing Digital Video News Publisher Across News Categories

    Times Network emerges as the fastest growing Digital Video News Publisher Across News Categories

    Mumbai: Times Network, India’s premium broadcast network, emerged as the fastest-growing digital news networks in the country, amassing over four billion monthly reach across channels during February 2023-24. This milestone solidifies its position as the go-to source for credible, accurate, and decisive news & analysis across English and Hindi general news and business news categories.

    Dominating the digital news video landscape, Times Now emerged as the most watched English news channel on YouTube, garnering over 8.1 crore views in February 2024 and clocking close to one billion reach every month. Reaffirming its position as a formidable force in the English news category, Times Now demonstrated exceptional growth, recording an impressive surge of 185% during February 2023-24. During pivotal National events like the Ram Mandir inauguration and Republic Day, the channel dominated YouTube with a staggering peak live concurrency of over 2 lakh viewers on Republic Day. (Source: Databeings & Playboard Data)

    In a remarkable surge, Times Now Navbharat experienced an unprecedented growth of 235%, emerging as the fastest-growing Hindi news channel on YouTube between February 2023 and February 2024. Outshining its counterparts by threefold in year-on-year expansion, Times Now Navbharat has amassed 90 lakh subscribers on YouTube in just two and a half years since its inception, solidifying its position as a preferred choice of Hindi heartland. Boasting over 2.4 billion reach and garnering 30 crore monthly views, the channel has become the go-to destination for viewers. Notably, the channel witnessed a surge of 373% in LIVE views in FY24 compared to the previous fiscal year and a substantial increase in watch time by about 450% during FY24. (Source: Playboard data)

    In the English business news category, ET Now experienced an astonishing 853% y-o-y growth. Subsequently, ET Now Swadesh’s YouTube views surged by 245% year-on-year in the Hindi business news category. The two business channels together have a reach of around half a billion every month. (Source: Playboard data)

    Times Network COO and president Rohit Chadda said, “This is a remarkable growth trajectory for Times Network, making it the preferred news publisher in digital videos across the world. All our news channels have consistently outpaced competition in growth, underscoring our unwavering commitment to excellence. With the rise in SVOD consumption in the entertainment genre, Live News is one of the few genres that still allow brands to advertise to premium consumers at scale. Our bespoke video advertising solutions empower brands to craft compelling messages and strategically target the right audiences. This momentum encourages us to continue creating innovative content solutions for the brands and setting industry benchmarks.” 

  • Times Now Navbharat emerges in the top five Hindi news genre

    Times Now Navbharat emerges in the top five Hindi news genre

    Mumbai: Rapidly emerging as the fastest-growing Hindi news channel, Times Now Navbharat disrupts the pecking order by emerging in the top five, displacing key players by a significant margin in the Hindi News Genre. Stamping its content leadership and growing popularity as one of the top channels in its genre, Times Now Navbharat recorded an impressive market share of 11.5 per cent and 31.2 minutes TSV in the rolling 4-week data from Wk.32-35’23. (Source: BARC| HSM Urban| 15+| Wk.32-35’23 average).

    Through distinctive news show formats, the channel’s flagship shows, ‘News Ki Pathshala’ and ‘Sawal Public Ka’, have significantly rivalled prime time shows of other leading channels in terms of Time Spent Viewing (TSV), further driving Times Now Navbharat’s influence during prime time.

    Times Now Navbharat editor-in-chief & group editor Navika Kumar said, “This is an incredible milestone and we are extremely proud to witness Times Now Navbharat’s promising growth trajectory and strong resonance with the viewers. It’s heartening to see that within two years since its launch, the channel has made a big impact in the Hindi news genre with its differentiated content and decisive news reporting on every major news story, positioning it as the preferred channel for viewers. I am confident Times Now Navbharat will continue to scale new heights and set industry benchmarks.”

    Firmly established as the ‘Breaking News Centre’ in the Hindi news landscape, Times Now Navbharat is recognised for its innovative content formats, distinctive and bold style of journalism and comprehensive insights on every major news story. 

  • Ranjit Kumar joins Times Now Navbharat as senior executive editor

    Ranjit Kumar joins Times Now Navbharat as senior executive editor

    Mumbai: Times Now Navbharat on Friday announced the appointment of Ranjit Kumar as its senior executive editor to strengthen its editorial team.

    With in-depth knowledge in broadcasting as a producer, editor and output operations lead, Ranjit in this new role will work closely with the channel’s editorial leadership team and spearhead the overall functionalities including output desk, assignment, news research, guest coordination,  social media, and production.

    Based out of Times Now Navbharat’s Noida office, Ranjit will report to Times Network group editor and Times Now Navbharat editor-in-chief Navika Kumar.

    Speaking about the appointment of Ranjit, Kumar said, “It is heartening and encouraging to see Times Now Navbharat’s promising growth and strong resonance with the viewers, within a year of its launch. In our constant endeavour to deliver best-in-class content to our viewers, we are bolstering our editorial team that is committed to our growth mission. We are delighted to welcome Ranjit to the team, who brings the perfect combination of knowledge and domain expertise. With his deep understanding of the Hindi television news space and newsroom operations, I am confident Ranjit will be a valuable addition in helping us scale new heights and set new industry benchmarks.”

    On joining his new role, Kumar commented, “Times Now Navbharat has made a distinctive impact in the Hindi news genre with its superior content, and I am thrilled to be a part of one of the finest news teams in the country today. What sets the channel apart, is the credibility, accuracy and decisiveness it brings in its news reportage, which is a reflection of true journalism. I look forward to taking on this mantle and synergizing my efforts to help the channel meet its objectives.”

  • Barc Week 26: Aaj Tak garners 12.6 per cent relative share in HSM 15+ market

    Barc Week 26: Aaj Tak garners 12.6 per cent relative share in HSM 15+ market

    Mumbai: News channel Aaj Tak is leading the Hindi-speaking market (HSM) 15+ audience in terms of share of Gross Rating Points (GRPs) during Week 26 i.e., between 25 June to 1 July for the time band 0200 – 2600 hours, as per Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc) data shared with Indiantelevision.com by the channel.

    The Hindi news channel garnered 16.2 GRPs and 12.6 per cent relative share in the HSM followed closely by India TV with 12.4 per cent share.

    News18 India and Republic Bharat had 11.3 per cent and 11.1 per cent shares, respectively. TV9 Bharatvarsh and Zee News had 9.3 per cent and 8.7 per cent shares, respectively. Times Now Navbharat and ABP News had 7.0 per cent and 6.2 per cent shares, respectively. News Nation and Good News Today recorded 5.5 per cent and 4.9 per cent shares, respectively.

    The Hindi news genre garnered a total of 128.5 GRPs during Week 26. 

  • Barc week 18: TV9 Bharatvarsh leads HSM; Times Now Navbharat makes ratings debut

    Barc week 18: TV9 Bharatvarsh leads HSM; Times Now Navbharat makes ratings debut

    Mumbai: Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc) has released TV ratings for week 18 (30 April to 6 May). As per ratings for the Hindi news genre, TV9 Bharatvarsh took the lead with 15.20 per cent market share followed by India TV at 12 per cent, Aaj Tak at 11.80 per cent, News18 India at 11.50 per cent and Republic Bharat at 10.80 per cent. Zee News garnered 7.80 per cent market share.

    Notably, Hindi news channel Times Now Navbharat SD, which launched in January this year, garnered its maiden ratings in week 18, and has made a promising debut in the Barc ratings. The channel recorded an average of 22 minutes time spent per viewer (TSV) and 49 million reach. Since the resumption of news ratings in March, the leadership of legacy news channels in the Hindi news genre has been upset with relatively new channels taking the lead.

    Following Times Now Navbharat, were the channels ABP News, News Nation, Good News Today, Zee Hindustan, News24, India News, and DD News.

    (Source: Barc | 15+ | Hindi-speaking marketing | week 18’2022)

  • Times Now Navbharat to air docu-series ‘Kahani Navbharat Ki’

    Times Now Navbharat to air docu-series ‘Kahani Navbharat Ki’

    Mumbai: Times Now Navbharat has announced a documentary series “Kahani Navbharat Ki,” which chronicles the stories of India’s 75 years. The series will air from 30 January every Sunday at 8 p.m on Times Now Navbharat SD and HD channels.

    Directed by Aparna Sanyal, recipient of a National Film Award and hosted by Bollywood actor Vikrant Massey, the 10-part series captures Indian history and culture. The theme song is composed by Gaurav Chintamani and written by Dr. Sagar. The show is produced by Times Network’s content studio Times Chronicles, which creates fact-based originals and docu-series.

    “We are proud to present Kahani Navbharat Ki (KNK) on Times Now Navbharat. KNK is a deeply researched, fact-based series of untold stories that define the last 75 years of Independent India,” said Times Network MD and CEO MK Anand. “While a lot is discussed about our medieval and ancient history, there are scant resources when it comes to unbiased commentary on contemporary India and how it has developed over these eventful years since independence. As an emerging major country on the global stage in the 21st century, it is important that we as Indians understand our historic circumstances and appreciate who we really are and how we have become. I am confident that this docu-series will serve as a reference point to every Indian, especially the youth to understand the New India story in great depth.”

    The docu-series showcases historical records of events such as the beginning of India’s mobile revolution, culture of vaccination in India, issue of MSP, nationalisation and privatisation of banks, establishment of IITs amongst others.

    The series also features riveting first-hand accounts by India’s first voter – Shyam Saran Negi, Wing Commander Krishnamurthy, who witnessed the signing ceremony of the Surrender Document during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, Ashok Mahadevan, the journalist who put out an obituary for democracy after the announcement of the emergency and Raman Roy, who started the BPO industry in India amongst others.

    “I am thrilled to be associated with Times Now Navbharat to host Kahani Navbharat Ki,” said show host Vikrant Massey. “My motivation as the host was to inspire, inform and intrigue the audiences about what’s gone into making India what it is today. I always wanted to be a part of project like this, and I am happy to have this opportunity to share our proud history and culture.”

  • Times Now Navbharat launches political satire show ‘Bhaiya Ji Superhit’

    Times Now Navbharat launches political satire show ‘Bhaiya Ji Superhit’

    Mumbai: Times Now Navbharat has launched a new show “Bhaiya Ji Superhit” that will begin airing from 8 January at 10 p.m every Saturday.

    The show is a political satire on the top news stories, current affairs and political affairs of the previous week, and is hosted by stand-up comedian Sundeep Sharma. The 30-minute weekend show will be presented through three key segments ‘Hafta Saptah,’ ‘Noora Kushti,’ and ‘Acchi Baat Hai.’

    “Times Now Navbharat has successfully positioned itself as a preferred Hindi news channel in a short span of time, gaining unprecedented support from the country’s top influencers and viewers alike,” said Times Network group editor and Times Now Navbharat editor-in-chief Navika Kumar. “Our differentiated news shows like ‘News Ki Paathshala,’ ‘Sawal Public Ka,’ ‘Opinion India Ka,’ immediately resonated with the viewers. ‘Bhaiya Ji Superhit’ is a new show which presents a lighter side of the serious business of news.”

    “Every Stand-up comedian at some point in their career dreams of hosting a TV show and I am extremely thrilled and excited to host my first TV show, Bhaiya Ji Superhit on Times Now Navbharat, a channel from the largest media group,” said Sundeep Sharma. “I have a very desi brand of humour and the audience feels connected to me as one amongst them and I am hoping to make the same connection through television.”

  • Absence of TRPs has not impacted legacy media brands much: M K Anand

    Absence of TRPs has not impacted legacy media brands much: M K Anand

    Mumbai: Times Network did not follow the playbook when they launched the Hindi news channel Times Now Navbharat HD in August. The Hindi news genre is saturated with many channels but Times Network entered the HD space where the only incumbent was Aaj Tak HD, said Times Network MD and CEO M K Anand.

    “When we launched our channel in the HD news space, the only other channel was Aaj Tak HD which is a great comparison set to have,” said MK Anand at an event on Tuesday. “The opportunity to come top-down in the Hindi news category helped us to focus on the brand first and then go to the mass audience.”

    The broadcaster is planning to launch Times Now Navbharat SD channel on 1 January 2022 four months after the launch of the HD channel. The launch coincides with the upcoming UP Assembly elections 2022. About two months of additional revenue is generated by news broadcasters during an election year.

    “The cost of marketing and distribution is much cheaper during the elections and will help our SD channel achieve mass reach in a short period,” said Anand.

    Elaborating on the performance of the newly launched Times Now Navbharat HD, he said, “The channel has garnered 100+ million video views per month on its digital content. Our ad volumes are already at 55-60 per cent of Aaj Tak HD while maintaining the same ad rates. Maintaining the same ad rates has been very limiting for the ad sales team but they have still been able to reach such high ad volumes which is remarkable.”

    The network also launched Hindi business news channel ET Now Swadesh in August. While there have been no business news channel launches in several years in the language space, Anand stated that there was a huge gap for such content in the Hindi-speaking market.

    “After demonetisation and interest rates coming down, people began participating in mutual funds and financial markets. This has become a necessity if they want to beat inflation. Foreign institutional investors, sophisticated retail investors, and corporates are taking advantage of the great growth that the Indian stock market is seeing currently. But ordinary Indians are not. That’s why we launched ET Now Swadesh with the proposition ‘India is rising, come rise with us,” he said.

    Times Network MD and CEO also talked about how 60-70 per cent of the year’s revenue is coming from pre-booking anchor sponsors. “If we pushed our sales team for higher revenues then there is no chance of maintaining our ad rates and that would destroy the brand and the category competitors. Our rates are in proportion to where we stand compared to our competitors” he added.

    Anand observed that the absence of TRPs for the news genre has not affected legacy media brands as much as news channels without strong brand recognition. “This genre is bought on the basis of effective rate (ER) and not cost-per-rating-point (CPRP). The absence of ratings hurts broadcasters as they are not able to design their product, FPC, etc in the absence of data as to what is working and how they are performing vis-à-vis others in the genre.”

    The Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc) India had suspended the Television Ratings Points (TRPs) for the news genre in October last year.

    The network is planning to distribute Times Now Navbharat on the free DTH platform DD Free Dish as and when MPEG slots become available. “We will bid for the MPEG slots if they become available,” noted Anand.  

    “At the Times group, we are obsessed with brand development. As you can see from the array of iconic brands that we have created over the years such as TOI, ET, TN, Femina, Filmfare, etc,” said Anand. “In our checklist of people, content, distribution, marketing and sales, we have been ultra-focussed on the brand right from day one.”

  • Times Now Navbharat SD channel to be launched on 1 Jan 2022

    Times Now Navbharat SD channel to be launched on 1 Jan 2022

    Mumbai: Times Network has announced that Times Now Navbharat SD channel is slated to launch on 1 January 2022. The announcement was made during the second edition of Times Now Summit on Wednesday which was graced by union home minister Amit Shah.

    Hindi news channel Times Now Navbharat HD went live in August followed by Hindi business news channel ET Now Swadesh in October. Amit Shah formally launched Times Now Navbharat at the event and wished Times Group success in their future endeavours.

    The Times Now Summit 2021 was organised around the theme of celebrating India at 75, shaping India at 100. “For well over a decade and a half Times Network has pioneered developing informed opinion amongst India’s influencers,” said Times Network managing director and chief executive officer MK Anand, in his welcome address. “The last two years have been a forced pause that have helped us rethink, review our options and reset our gameplan. Completing 75 years seemed like the right time to contemplate what we can be at 100. Considering the tantalising options and possibilities the next 25 years look like it can make all the difference.”

    He added, “After retaining No 1 position in English news with Times Now, we launched our first Hindi news channel Times Now Navbharat HD in August followed by Hindi business news channel ET Now Swadesh in October. Both the channels are doing well. Now in January, Times Now Navbharat will be launched in SD version which will make it available to the masses across India.”