CNN-News18 becomes number one English news channel in India – BARC data

CNN-News18 has become the number one English news channel in the country, as per the data shared by the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC).

According to the BARC data (week 14-17 2022), CNN-News18 garnered 26.3 per cent market share in the India urban+rural (AB15+ segment), racing ahead of Times Now and Republic.

In the ‘Prime-Time’ segment (2+ [Mon-Friday] 1800-2300 hrs), the channel has garnered 40.2 per cent viewership share, as compared to 25 per cent of Republic and 20.2 per cent of Times Now. CNN-News18 leading the BARC rating is a testimony that audience prefer news over noise. Its unbiased reporting and coverage of all point of views has established new benchmarks in the news broadcasting sector. The channel’s viewership has gained viewership steadily because of the added focus on programming, along with broad-basing content to all geographies across the country.

Commenting on the channel’s achievement, Zakka Jacob, Managing Editor, CNN-News18, said, “I want to thank our viewers who have reposed immense faith in CNN News18’s programming and in our journalism. We have always believed in keeping it classy, that you don’t have to shout from the rooftops. That is reflected in our choice of stories and programming formats. CNN-News18 has to be the youngest newsroom in the country. We are reflective of a new, young India which is not shy of asserting itself. We are a young and dynamic team, and we are just getting started”.

Smriti Mehra, CEO, Business News, Network18 Group, said, “The channel has managed to clinch the top position with its philosophy of bringing news which is rational and thought-provoking without any jingoism. A slew of new shows launched such as ‘Bits To Billion – The Unicorn Story’ focusing on the inspirational stories of the Unicorns, ‘Plain Speak’ which brings out the hard facts of the most talked-about news story and ‘A Billion New Ideas’ highlighting the power of the Ideas, Innovations and Intentions have put the channel firmly at the top.”

On the marketing front, CNN-NEWS18 chose to put its voice and might behind campaigns that reflected the mood of the nation with a sense of responsibility towards the society. Some of the noteworthy campaigns were ‘#DontShowMeYourFace’ encouraging people to continue wearing masks during the pandemic and honouring the doctors for their relentless services during the pandemic with the campaign ‘#ExtraordinaryAmongUs’ to name a few. First Post