Mumbai: Amidst all the excitement for the general elections, News18 Network has executed an innovative campaign, wherein an interactive experience was set up at GroupM to create a buzz around the news network’s election coverage.
As part of the campaign, employees of GroupM saw the strategically placed branded screen as just some OOH media deployment at their office. Imagine their surprise when the screen came alive and the News18 anchor whose picture was on display started to speak.
Through the screen, News18 anchors – Zakka Jacob, managing editor, CNN-News18, Rahul Shivshankar, Consulting editor, Network18 and Rubika Liyaquat, consulting editor, News18 India interacted with people who sat around or passed by the screen at the GroupM office.
Through News18’s campaign, it was quite evident that GroupM employees were enjoying engaging in candid conversations with the anchors.
The campaign aims to reiterate News18’s positioning as the destination for the elections. The campaign speaks of the fact that News18 brings tremendous heft to its coverage of General Election on the back of the most experienced and prominent team of anchors, its massive reach, its huge on-ground presence, its spread of TV, digital and social assets and different formats of content being offered that translates into programming that is unmatched and unrivalled.
Mumbai: According to the latest data released by the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), CNN-News18 has continued to dominate the Lok Sabha Elections coverage with leadership during the second polling phase on 26 April.
With a remarkable 72 per cent lead over its nearest competitor, CNN-News18 remained the number one choice of viewers for comprehensive polling day coverage. It captured an impressive 38.8 per cent market share, maintaining a significant lead over competitors. (Source: BARC India | TG: 2+ | Mkt: India | Period: 26th Apr 2024 | Market Share per cent, 7 channels considered)
The power-packed performance of CNN-News18 on the crucial polling day is a testament to its special election programming, delivering the most accurate information, coupled with the finest news anchors such as Zakka Jacob, Anand Narasimhan, Shivani Gupta, and Rahul Shivshankar. The channel’s extensive network of reporters nationwide going to polls ensured comprehensive coverage nationwide. CNN-News18’s presentation with engaging graphics and insightful explainers simplified complex trends and data, making it easily palatable for the audience.
Speaking on the channel’s performance, CNN-News18 managing editor Zakka Jacob said, “CNN-News18’s leadership in the second phase of elections is an affirmation from our viewers about our brand of nuance over noise journalism. At a time when audiences demanded the fastest and most comprehensive polling day coverage, they turned to CNN-News18 as their trusted source of information. We expect to see more viewers tuning in as the election fervour peaks in the coming weeks.”
Network18 CEO of English News Smriti Mehra added, “We’re delighted by the channel’s exceptional performance on the polling day, securing a strong lead over the competition. This success not only underscores our commitment to delivering outstanding news coverage but also boosts advertiser interest, highlighting the impactful journalism and broad audience appeal that define our platform.”
Mumbai: CNN-News18, India’s leading English news channel, has launched ‘Crux of the Matter,’ a trailblazing weekend show anchored by consulting editor Rahul Shivshankar, airing every Saturday at 7 pm.
In the endless cycle of 24×7 news television, critical questions like “Why,” “How,” and “What Next” often go unaddressed. Viewers seeking meaningful context are increasingly turning away from traditional platforms, relying on non-legacy media entities such as YouTubers. However, these sources often lack the intellectual, moral, and financial resources required for thorough research. ‘Crux of the Matter’ aims to bridge this gap.
Elaborating on what sets this show apart, Rahul Shivshankar said, “Drawing upon my experience as an anchor, author, and print media columnist, alongside the collective expertise of CNN-News18’s seasoned journalists and domain specialists, we aim to dissect and contextualize news events in all their complexities. Presently, there is no other show on Indian television that can boast such a diverse ensemble of established talent, offering insights on matters central to public life. Leveraging the brand reputation of the TV18 network, we will be able to feature contributions from esteemed experts and prominent commentators, providing viewers with unparalleled, comprehensive analysis of pressing issues on one convenient platform.”
CNN-News18 managing editor Zakka Jacob added, “In the relentless stream of news and information, it is important to pause and reflect on significant events for a comprehensive understanding of the topic. Through this show, our aim is to provide well-researched analysis of two key news events every week, engaging in insightful discussions with experts to unravel intricacies of the matter. The show offers a nuanced and thorough examination of each topic, which makes it an ideal appointment viewing on weekends.”
Network18 CEO – Business & English News Smriti Mehra said, “‘Crux of the Matter’ is yet another step in our journey of delivering impactful journalism through a diverse range of shows. With the expertise of Rahul and the collective prowess of our team, we are proud to offer viewers a platform that provides in-depth analysis and meaningful discourse to reflect on issues that shape our life.”
Covering politics, economics, science, and culture, the show adopts a structured format. It consists of two equally timed segments, each addressing different topics introduced through a news report and subsequently analysed by a panel of experts.
‘Crux of the Matter’ airs every Saturday from 7 pm to 8 pm on CNN-News18. It is also available for streaming on the channel’s YouTube platform.
Mumbai : CNN-News18 has announced the launch of first-of-its-kind morning show, ‘The Breakfast Club,’ starting 5 February. Inspired by the format of western morning shows, ‘ The Breakfast Club ’ will be anchored by Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor from 8 to 9 am on weekdays.
The show is set to become the go to source for viewers seeking to kick-start their day with information they can use in their day to day life. The show, unlike any other, is a unique blend of news, lifestyle, and entertainment, designed to keep the audience informed, engaged, and energised as they sip their morning coffee or tea.
The Breakfast Club ’ is not just another news show; in fact, it has been conceptualised as a non-political show to offer a daily experience that makes viewers’ mornings better with information that enables them to make better decisions.
The show’s format incorporates mini segments of 5-8 minutes each, ensuring a dynamic presentation. Segments, both daily and weekly, cover a wide range of topics including morning headlines, big events, business, technology, health, real estate and more.
The editorial approach of the show focuses on selecting stories that impact daily lives, providing clear calls-to-action and limiting discussions to one expert per segment. The production quality is set to be top notch, with each segment having a separate station and show-specific graphics. The Breakfast Club will utilise engaging music throughout the segments to contribute to the overall energetic and positive tone of the show.
The set design is carefully crafted, featuring a mix of traditional desk setups and comfortable seating areas to adapt to different segment tones.
To engage with the audience, “The Breakfast Club” plans to conduct surveys online, utilise News18.com for trend reading, and debunk viral myths, addressing questions that genuinely matter in viewers’ lives.
Speaking on the new show, CNN-News18 managing editor, Zakka Jacob, said, ” As we usher in a new era of morning television with ‘The Breakfast Club, we aim to make every viewer’s morning an engaging and energising experience, setting a positive tone for the day ahead. And as India’s number one English news channel, we have packaged the finest blend of news, lifestyle, and entertainment content for our audience. We are confident that our viewers will join us on this exciting journey as we redefine mornings in an authentic, positive, and inclusive way. ”
The anchor of ‘ The Breakfast Club ’, Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor added, ” We’re excited to launch ‘ The Breakfast Club ’ that breaks free from the ordinary and charts a new course in Indian news television. Join us in this refreshing experience, where we’ve bid farewell to traditional news delivery. Let’s rise and shine together, India!”
Network18 said, CEO Smriti Mehra – English and Business news, said, ” We are thrilled to introduce ‘The Breakfast Club ’ to our programming line-up at CNN-News18. This show reflects our commitment to delivering dynamic content that aligns with the evolving preferences of our diverse audience. By blending news, lifestyle, and entertainment, we aim to provide our viewers with a positive start to their day, setting ‘The Breakfast Club’ apart from any other morning show in India. It will be at the forefront of news excellence and audience engagement, setting a new standard for morning programming in the India’s TV news space.”
Starting 5 February 2024, ‘The Breakfast Club’ will be aired on weekdays at 8 am on CNN-News18 and the channel’s YouTube platform.
Mumbai : CNN-News18, one the leading English news channel, has unveiled its 100 hours of non-stop programming, titled ‘Ram Mandir for India’ ahead of the historic Ram Temple inauguration.
As part of this special programming, CNN-News18’s top anchors Anand Narasimhan and Shivani Gupta will host live shows from Ayodhya, engaging with experts, historians, and religious leaders, to provide insights into the cultural, historical, and religious significance of the Ram Temple. The channel has created special sets to enhance the presentation of its shows in the spirit of this momentous celebration.
CNN-News18’s continuous 100-hour programming starts on 19 January concluding on the night of 22 January ensuring detailed coverage of every aspect of the historic Ram Mandir inauguration.
The special coverage includes exclusive interviews with spiritual leaders such as Sadhguru, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Swami Rambhadracharya, Swami Nishchalananda Saraswati, singers-musicians Jubin Nautiyal and Kailash Kher, and K K Muhammed, an archaeologist who was part of the team that excavated the Ayodhya site, among others. ‘Ram Mandir for India’ will feature research-backed explainers and reports on the history of Ram Temple, along with coverage of the ongoing development and transformation of the city of Ayodhya.
Ceremonies in the coming week include Ram Lalla’s ‘Shobha Yatra, a sacred procession marking a pivotal moment leading up to the inauguration. In the following days, a series of pujas will be carried out, including the ‘Nav Grah Shanti Hawan,’ a ritual performed to harmonize all the planets. On 20 January the temple’s sanctum sanctorum will undergo ceremonial washing with water from the Sarayu River. The throne of Ram Lalla will then undergo meticulous washing, adding a layer of reverence to the unfolding proceedings.
The final day, 22 January will witness the worship and consecration of Ram Lalla. Notable attendees for the event include Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Baba Ramdev, Mohan Bhagwat, cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, industrialists Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani and Ratan Tata, and actors Rajinikanth, Arun Govil, and Deepika Chikhalia, among others.
The channel began its mega coverage around the Ram Temple inauguration from 15 January with its on-ground reporters bringing stories to capture the essence of this historic event, and setting the stage for the upcoming marathon of special coverage.
Speaking on the special line-up, CNN-News18 managing editor Zakka Jacob said, “‘Ram Mandir for India’ goes beyond event coverage; it’s an invitation to actively participate in India’s profound cultural and religious legacy. As the number one English news channel, we are leading the charge to deliver comprehensive coverage from Ayodhya, ensuring an unparalleled viewer experience through our diverse programming line-up. Our dedicated team led by Anand Narasimhan and Shivani Gupta will meticulously capture every nuance of this historic moment, starting from Ground Zero to Glory.”
Network18 CEO English and business news cluster Smriti Mehra added, “With ‘Ram Mandir for India,’ we are committed to delivering a distinguished and all-encompassing narrative for the historic Ram Mandir inauguration. We anticipate a significant surge in viewership owing to the event’s profound significance, and our dedicated team of reporters is set to capture every nuance, ensuring an engaging, comprehensive, and unmatched viewing experience.”
Mumbai: CNN-News18, India’s one of the leading English news channels unveils the highly anticipated ‘CNN-News18 Indian of the Year’ awards, an upcoming spectacle, on 10 January at New Delhi. Recognised as India’s premier television awards now into its 13 edition, the ceremony vows to honour excellence, spotlighting Indians who have conquered the world across various domains. This year, the awards evening will witness the presence of the ‘King of Bollywood’, actor Shah Rukh Khan, renowned filmmaker Mani Ratman, among others.
Set to honour luminaries in the categories of business, sports, entertainment, youth icon, rising sports star, social change, and climate warrior, the ‘Indian of the Year’ awards stand as a beacon of recognition for those shaping India’s narrative. A ground-breaking feature of this year’s event is the distinctive blend of expert judgment and public voting, where 50 per cent of the decision-making power lies with the discerning audience, and the remaining 50 per cent entrusted to a distinguished panel of judges.
The esteemed panel of jurors comprises iconic figures, including former solicitor general of India Harish Salve, screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar, Retd Supreme Court Judge Indu Malhotra, former Indian athlete and vice-president of Athletics Federation of India Anju Bobby George, chairperson of RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, Sanjiv Goenka, and environmental activist and lawyer, Afroz Shah. Their collective wisdom ensures a judicious selection of the most deserving awardees.
The event’s significance is magnified by the calibre of nominees for ‘Indian of the Year 2023.’ sports stars such as Neeraj Chopra, Shubman Gill; rising sports stars such as R Praggnanandhaa, Shafali Verma; business tycoons such as Dinesh Kumar Khara, entertainment stars such as Deepika Padukone, Mani Ratnam; environmental champions like Arun Krishnamurthy, and social change catalysts such as Dr R Ravi Kannan, Menaka Guruswamy & Arundhati Katju, reflect the diverse tapestry of India’s excellence.
With a legacy that includes past winners such as Narendra Modi, Neeraj Chopra, and Virat Kohli, the ‘CNN-News18 Indian of the Year’ awards have solidified their standing as the epitome of distinction in news television. The 13 edition promises to be a witness to the grandeur and credibility that the event has acquired over the years.
CNN-News18 managing editor Zakka Jacob said, “CNN-News18 Indian of the Year award 2023 is a momentous occasion to celebrate the legacy we have built over the years. This prestigious event, with its rich history, has consistently paid homage to exceptional individuals whose contributions have not only shaped the nation but have also resonated on the global stage. The distinguished personalities who participate in this celebration of merit have, year after year, elevated the standards of this platform, cementing its status as one of the most esteemed awards in the industry.”
Network18 CEO – English and business news cluster Smriti Mehra said, “As we mark the journey from its inception to the 13 edition, CNN-News18 Indian of the Year awards stand tall as the epitome of excellence in the field of news television. We extend our heartfelt best wishes to the esteemed nominees, who, through their remarkable global contributions, have become the driving force behind the nation’s narrative. It’s a flagship celebration that not only enhances the prestige of our news channel but also creates unparalleled value for the brands that choose to partner with us.”
CNN-News18 Indian of the Year has RPSG Group as the presenting partner, Chola MS Insurance and Reliance as the associate sponsors, and Amrita University as the education partner.
Tune in to CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2023 LIVE on 10 January 2024, 6pm onwards, only on CNN-News18
Mumbai: In a print campaign launched on the front page of the Economic Times newspaper, CNN-News18 has announced its leadership during the four state election results.
The campaign will also go live on digital, social and trade platforms starting Wednesday.
As per the ad released by the news channel, it has secured a remarkable 30.6 per cent market share on the counting day of assembly elections held across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana on 3 December 2023.
Positioning itself as the number one choice of viewers for comprehensive counting day coverage, CNN-News18 outperformed its competitors, with Republic TV securing the second position at 25.4 per cent market share, closely trailed by Times Now with 23.6 per cent India Today TV followed suit with a market share of 12.9 per cent. (Source: BARC | Metric: Market Share | TG: 15+AB | Period: 3 December (24 hrs) | Market: India)
The resounding success of CNN-News18 on counting day can be attributed to its special election programming, delivering the quickest and most accurate results, coupled with anchors like Zakka Jacob, Anand Narasimhan, and Rahul Shivshankar. The channel’s extensive network of reporters across all four states, ensured fastest, comprehensive coverage.
CNN-News18’s presentation with engaging graphics and insightful explainers, simplified complex trends and data, making it easily comprehensible for the audience.
The channel has continued to outperform its competition in terms of viewership for more than a year now.
Mumbai: To put a spotlight on India’s G20 moment and the nation’s growing influence on the global map, CNN-News18 has announced the ‘G20 Town Hall’, which is slated to take place on 5 September in New Delhi.
As India prepares to host the New Delhi G20 summit later this month, CNN-News18’s ‘G20 Town Hall’ will serve as a platform to dissect the country’s role as a global leader and assess India’s emergence as ‘Vishwamitra’ (Friend of the world), a term which was highlighted by PM Modi recently.
The platform will bring together thought leaders and policy makers such as Piyush Goyal (Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution and Textiles), Meenakshi Lekhi (Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture), Amitabh Kant (G20 Sherpa, Government of India), Harsh Vardhan Shringla (G20 Chief Coordinator) and Ricky Kej (three-time Grammy winning Indian Music Composer and Environmentalist), among others. The event will also feature panel discussions graced by diplomats representing economies of all scales, from the largest to the most modest.
Commenting on the special edition of the Town Hall, CNN-News18 managing editor Zakka Jacob said, “Our Town Halls have always served as a neutral platform to engage in meaningful discussions that provide viewers with an opportunity to hear directly from political leaders and officials. This time around, we intend to use the platform to highlight India’s promising position on the global map, which was bolstered by the presidency of G20. The G20 Town Hall will empower the audience with a deeper understanding of India’s G20 presidency and the nation’s pivotal global moment.”
The G20 Town Hall will explore India’s G20 theme – ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, and the country’s role in driving the development agenda under the theme. It will also shed light on how the G20 theme underscores the interconnectedness of global challenges and the need for collaborative solutions through discussions on culture, academics, and politics.
CNN-News18 Town Hall is a prominent platform for policymakers and opinion leaders in India. The channel’s commitment to delivering unbiased news and facilitating informed conversations makes this event an invaluable opportunity for political leaders and viewers alike.
‘CNN-News18 Town Hall’ is an on-ground event, which will be streamed live on CNN-News18 TV channel as well as its YouTube channel 6 pm onwards on 5 September.
Mumbai: To showcase its year-long dominance in English news viewership, CNN-News18 India launched a multimedia campaign on Wednesday.
The English news channel released a page one ad in all editions of The Economic Times to announce its leadership in the genre. The multimedia campaign has gone live across digital platforms including social media, and is being extensively amplified on trade media platforms.
The campaign launched in The Economic Times newspaper highlights CNN-News18’s comprehensive, year-long lead over its key competitors both on TV and digital. The TV data shows that CNN-News18 has captured 35.3 per cent market share, which is significantly larger than that of Republic TV and Times Now. With Republic TV at 29.6 per cent and Times Now at 23.5 per cent market share, CNN-News18 stands apart as the undisputed leader in the English news segment. (Source: BARC | Market: India | TG: 2+ | Period: AVG Wk 16’22 – 29’23 | 8 Channels considered | Market share%)
On the digital front, CNN-News18 has captured a whopping 1.4 billion views on YouTube, surpassing Times Now and Republic TV at 795 million and 226 million views respectively. (Source: Socialblade | Period: Aug’22-July’23)
Furthermore, the channel displayed remarkable performance on Facebook with 787 million views. While Times Now stayed on the second spot with 731 million views, Republic was left far behind at 66 million views on Facebook. (Source: Crowdtangle | Period: Aug’22-July’23)
The high decibel campaign with a sharp copy and a bold visual breaks the category code to drive home the message and reiterates News18’s No.1 position among its competition with respect to viewership.
Since BARC resumed ratings of news channels in March 2022, CNN-News18 has consistently led the way in the English news genre. With dedicated viewership and impactful presentation of prime time anchors like Zakka Jacob, Anand Narasimhan, and Shivani Gupta, CNN-News18 is poised not only to expand its market share but also to enhance its brand image and establish stronger ties with advertisers with its growing visibility.
Mumbai: After the launch of its thought leadership series ‘Town Hall’ in Delhi, CNN-News18 has announced to host its second edition in Mumbai on 10 September.
The Mumbai edition will witness conversations with policymakers such as Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on “75 Years of Independence: How has the governance paradigm changed in the last 8 years?,” Shiv Sena leader Aditya Thackeray on “Mumbai as a World-Class City: Rhetoric or Reality?” and Indian film actor Kartik Aaryan on “Is it time for Bollywood to reinvent itself?”
Town Hall Mumbai chapter will look at the country’s most pressing challenges in the political, economic, and social space and discuss the future of the entertainment industry, with CNN-News18 managing editor Zakka Jacob and other top anchors of the channel leading the conversation.
Speaking on the Town Hall initiative, Network18 Group CEO – business news Smriti Mehra said, “Being the industry leaders, we at CNN-News18 believe that it is important to initiate a direct dialogue with key news-makers without any prejudice. Carrying this belief forward with Town Hall, we are bringing forth a balanced and analytical perspective on policy change and policy dynamics in India. We are very excited to launch the Mumbai chapter of Town Hall, which will continue to build on the success of the Delhi Town Hall and deliver result-oriented conversations that decode the most relevant and topical issues that shape India.”
The Town Hall Mumbai chapter will be broadcast on CNN-News18 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. CNN-News18 plans to roll out the Town Hall series across India in the near future.
