Top News Networks in India: TRP Ratings and Popular Channels

India, with its vibrant democracy and diverse population, has a rich tapestry of news networks catering to a wide audience nationwide. These networks play a crucial role in shaping public opinion, delivering breaking news, and providing in-depth analysis on various issues.

Here’s a look at some of the top news networks in India

1. NDTV (New Delhi Television Limited)

Introduction:

NDTV (New Delhi Television Limited) is one of India’s most prestigious news networks, founded in 1988 by Dr. Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy. Over the years, it has established itself as a leader in the Indian media industry, known for its commitment to credible journalism and in-depth reporting. NDTV’s focus on delivering unbiased news and analysis has earned it a loyal audience, both in India and globally.

TRP and Popular Channels

NDTV operates multiple channels catering to different segments of the audience:

• NDTV 24×7: The flagship English news channel, known for its comprehensive coverage of national and international news. NDTV 24×7 consistently ranks high in TRPs among English news channels in India.
• NDTV India: The Hindi news channel, which offers insightful coverage of national and regional news. It appeals to a wide Hindi-speaking audience across the country.
• NDTV Profit: Initially launched as a business news channel, NDTV Profit has now transitioned to NDTV Prime, focusing on infotainment and lifestyle content.

Famous Shows:

NDTV has produced several iconic shows that have become synonymous with quality journalism:

• “The Big Fight”: A popular debate show that brings together experts and politicians to discuss pressing issues of the day.
• “Left, Right & Centre”: Hosted by Nidhi Razdan, this show features balanced discussions on political and social topics, reflecting diverse viewpoints.
• “Reality Check”: Hosted by Sreenivasan Jain, the show is known for its investigative journalism, exposing issues often overlooked by mainstream media.

Awards and Recognition:

NDTV has won numerous awards for its journalism, including the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards and the Asian Television Awards. The network’s commitment to ethical reporting and its pioneering role in Indian television journalism have earned it widespread respect.

Digital Presence:

NDTV has a strong digital footprint, with its website and mobile apps attracting millions of visitors every month. The network is also active on social media platforms, where it engages with its audience through live updates, videos, and interactive content.

2. Times Now

Introduction:

Times Now, launched in 2006, is a leading English news channel in India, owned by The Times Group, one of the largest media conglomerates in the country. Known for its fast-paced and aggressive reporting style, Times Now has established itself as a prominent player in the Indian news landscape. The channel is often at the forefront of breaking news and has a significant influence on public discourse through its dynamic programming.

TRP and Popular Channels:

Times Now consistently ranks among the top English news channels in India in terms of TRP (Television Rating Points). The network’s influence extends across multiple channels, catering to different audiences:

• Times Now: The flagship English news channel, known for its high-energy debates, live coverage of major events, and in-depth news analysis.
• ET Now: A business news channel that provides comprehensive coverage of financial markets, economic policies, and corporate developments. It is a go-to source for business professionals and investors.
• Mirror Now: A channel focused on urban issues and citizen-centric stories, highlighting concerns that affect everyday life in India’s cities.

Famous Shows:

Times Now has a roster of popular shows that have made a mark on Indian television:

• “The Newshour”: Once the channel’s flagship debate show, it was known for its fiery debates and often set the agenda for national discussions. It was particularly popular during Arnab Goswami’s tenure as the host.
• “India Upfront”: Hosted by Rahul Shivshankar, this prime-time show focuses on the day’s most pressing issues with intense discussions and expert opinions.
• “Frankly Speaking”: An interview show where the host engages with prominent personalities from politics, business, and entertainment, often leading to news-making revelations.

Awards and Recognition:

Times Now has been recognized for its impactful journalism with several awards, including the ENBA (Exchange4Media News Broadcasting Awards) and other industry accolades. The channel’s reputation for breaking news and conducting high-profile interviews has solidified its position as a leader in English news broadcasting.

Digital Presence:

Times Now has a robust digital presence, with a website that provides 24/7 news coverage, live TV streaming, and video content. The channel is also active on social media, where it engages millions of followers with live updates, news clips, and interactive discussions.

3. Republic TV

Introduction

Republic TV, launched in 2017, quickly became one of India’s most-watched English news channels. Founded by prominent journalist Arnab Goswami, the channel is known for its bold, outspoken, and often confrontational style of journalism. Republic TV has carved a niche for itself in the Indian media landscape with its focus on breaking news, high-intensity debates, and a strong nationalist perspective.

TRP and Popular Channels:

Republic TV consistently tops the TRP charts among English news channels in India, especially during prime time. The network’s success led to the expansion of its brand into the Hindi news segment:

• Republic TV: The flagship English news channel that has dominated viewership ratings since its inception, known for its aggressive reporting and breaking news coverage.
• Republic Bharat: The Hindi news channel launched in 2019, which has also gained significant viewership with its nationalist tone and high-energy programming.

Famous Shows:

Republic TV is home to several popular shows that have become key parts of its identity:

• “The Debate with Arnab Goswami”: The channel’s flagship debate show, where Arnab Goswami hosts discussions on the day’s biggest news stories with a panel of experts, politicians, and commentators. Known for its fiery debates, this show often trends on social media and is a major driver of the channel’s TRP.
• “Nation Wants to Know”: An interview-based show where Arnab Goswami questions high-profile personalities, often leading to headline-making revelations.
• “Poochta Hai Bharat”: A popular show on Republic Bharat where Arnab Goswami engages with the audience and panelists in Hindi, maintaining the channel’s characteristic assertive style.

Awards and Recognition:

While Republic TV has received praise for its innovation in news delivery and its ability to engage a large audience, it has also been a subject of controversy and criticism for its style of journalism. Nonetheless, the channel has solidified its place as a leading news network in India, often being the first to break major stories.

Digital Presence:

Republic TV has a strong digital presence, with its website and mobile apps providing live streaming, news updates, and video content. The channel is highly active on social media platforms like Twitter, where it engages with its audience in real-time, often setting trends and influencing discussions.

4. India Today

Introduction:

India Today, founded in 1975, is one of India’s most respected media brands. Initially launched as a print magazine, it expanded into television broadcasting in 2003. Known for its comprehensive and balanced reporting, India Today is a leading source of news and analysis, offering a blend of in-depth journalism and engaging content. The network is part of the India Today Group, which is a major player in Indian media.

TRP and Popular Channels:

India Today operates several channels that cater to different segments of the audience, each with strong viewership:

• India Today TV: The English news channel that provides extensive coverage of national and international news. It consistently performs well in TRP ratings among English news channels, offering a mix of news, analysis, and special reports.
• Aaj Tak: The Hindi news channel under the India Today Group, Aaj Tak is one of the most-watched news channels in India. It offers extensive coverage of breaking news and current affairs, and its viewership consistently leads among Hindi news channels.
• Tez (now NDTV Prime): Initially launched as a news channel, Tez has evolved into NDTV Prime, focusing on infotainment and lifestyle content.

Famous Shows:

India Today and Aaj Tak feature a variety of popular shows known for their quality and appeal:

• “News Today”: A flagship news show on India Today TV that provides a comprehensive roundup of the day’s most important stories, combining breaking news with in-depth analysis.
• “India Today Conclave”: A high-profile event featuring discussions with influential leaders from politics, business, and entertainment. The Conclave is known for its engaging and thought-provoking sessions.
• “Halla Bol”: A popular show on Aaj Tak that provides sharp commentary and analysis on political and social issues, often featuring lively discussions and debates.
• “Seedhi Baat”: Another prominent show on Aaj Tak, hosted by Sudhir Chaudhary, focusing on in-depth interviews and discussions with key figures in politics and society.

Awards and Recognition:

India Today has received numerous awards for its journalism, including the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards. The network is recognized for its balanced and insightful reporting, contributing significantly to Indian media.

Digital Presence:

India Today has a robust digital presence, with its website offering 24/7 news coverage, live updates, and a wide range of multimedia content. The network is also active on social media platforms, engaging with its audience through real-time updates, interactive content, and video clips.

5. Zee News

Introduction:

Zee News, launched in 1999, is a prominent Hindi-language news channel in India, part of the Essel Group. Known for its extensive coverage of national and regional news, Zee News has established itself as a key player in Indian media, offering a mix of breaking news, current affairs, and investigative journalism. The channel is known for its nationalist tone and its focus on a wide range of topics including politics, entertainment, and sports.

TRP and Popular Channels:

Zee News consistently ranks among the top Hindi news channels in terms of TRP (Television Rating Points), reflecting its strong viewership and influence. The network’s success has led to the expansion of its brand into various channels:

• Zee News: The flagship Hindi news channel that offers a comprehensive range of news coverage, from breaking news to in-depth analysis, and is widely followed across India.
• WION (World is One News): The English news channel launched in 2016, focusing on global news with an emphasis on Indian perspectives. WION has gained recognition for its international news coverage and has a growing viewership.
• Zee Business: A business news channel that provides detailed coverage of financial markets, economic policies, and corporate news, catering to business professionals and investors.

Famous Shows:

Zee News features a variety of popular shows known for their engaging and informative content:

• “DNA (Daily News & Analysis)”: Hosted by Sudhir Chaudhary, this flagship show provides in-depth analysis of major news stories, combining detailed reporting with insightful commentary.
• “Taal Thok Ke”: A prime-time debate show that features discussions on current affairs and political issues, known for its lively and often heated debates.
• “Zee News Special Report”: A program that covers significant national and international news stories with detailed reports and analyses.

Awards and Recognition:

Zee News has been recognized for its impactful journalism with various awards and accolades, including the ENBA (Exchange4Media News Broadcasting Awards). The channel’s commitment to providing timely and accurate news has earned it a strong reputation in the Indian media landscape.

Digital Presence:

Zee News has a robust digital presence with its website offering live news updates, video content, and comprehensive coverage of major events. The channel is also active on social media platforms, where it engages with its audience through real-time updates, interactive content, and multimedia.

6. CNN-News18

Introduction:

CNN-News18, initially launched as CNN-IBN in 2005, is a leading English news channel in India. It is a joint venture between Network18 and CNN, bringing together international and local perspectives in its news coverage. Known for its comprehensive reporting and balanced journalism, CNN-News18 offers in-depth analysis and a global viewpoint on significant news events.

TRP and Popular Channels:

CNN-News18 consistently ranks among the top English news channels in India, known for its credible journalism and engaging content. The network includes several channels catering to diverse interests:

• CNN-News18: The flagship English news channel, recognized for its detailed news coverage and balanced reporting. It regularly features high TRP ratings among English news channels.
• News18 India: The Hindi news channel that provides extensive coverage of national and regional news, maintaining strong viewership and influence in the Hindi-speaking demographic.
• News18 Kannada: A regional news channel focusing on Karnataka, offering localized news and analysis in Kannada.

Famous Shows:

CNN-News18 is known for its popular shows that offer a mix of news, analysis, and interviews:

• “The Right Stand”: A flagship debate show hosted by Rahul Shivshankar, known for its in-depth discussions and debates on current affairs and political issues.
• “Prime Time”: A prominent news program featuring comprehensive coverage of major stories, along with detailed analysis and expert opinions.
• “News18 India Headline”: A prime-time news show on News18 India that provides a roundup of the day’s most important national and regional news stories.

Awards and Recognition:

CNN-News18 has received numerous awards for its journalism, including accolades from the ENBA (Exchange4Media News Broadcasting Awards). The channel is recognized for its commitment to delivering high-quality news and its ability to provide insightful and balanced reporting.

Digital Presence:

CNN-News18 has a strong digital presence, with its website offering 24/7 news updates, live streaming, and a range of multimedia content. The channel is also active on social media platforms, engaging with its audience through real-time updates, video clips, and interactive content.

7. TV9

Introduction:

TV9 is a leading Indian news network that has made significant strides in the Indian media landscape with its focus on regional and national news. Launched in 2004, TV9 has become a prominent name in Indian television news, known for its aggressive reporting style and extensive coverage of breaking news and current affairs. The network operates several regional channels, catering to diverse linguistic audiences across India.

TRP and Popular Channels:

TV9 has established itself as a major player in the Indian news industry, with high TRP ratings across its various regional channels:

• TV9 (English): The English news channel that offers a mix of national and international news. It is known for its comprehensive reporting and analysis, consistently performing well in TRP ratings among English news channels.
• TV9 Telugu: One of the leading Telugu news channels, known for its extensive coverage of news and events in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It enjoys high viewership and influence in the Telugu-speaking regions.
• TV9 Kannada: A prominent Kannada news channel that provides in-depth coverage of news and issues relevant to Karnataka. It has a strong following in the Kannada-speaking demographic.
• TV9 Gujarati: The Gujarati news channel that covers news and current affairs relevant to Gujarat, catering to the Gujarati-speaking audience.

Famous Shows:

TV9 is known for its impactful shows that address various aspects of news and current affairs:

• “9 PM Bulletin”: The flagship news show on TV9, offering a comprehensive roundup of the day’s major news stories with detailed reporting and analysis.
• “Face to Face”: A popular interview show where prominent personalities from politics, business, and entertainment are interviewed, providing insights and opinions on current issues.
• “Special Report”: A program that delves into significant news events and investigative reports, offering in-depth coverage and analysis.

Awards and Recognition:

TV9 has received several awards and accolades for its journalism, including recognition from various media and industry bodies. The network is acknowledged for its aggressive news reporting and its ability to provide timely and relevant news coverage.

Digital Presence:

TV9 has a strong digital presence, with its website offering live news updates, video content, and detailed coverage of major events. The network is also active on social media platforms, engaging with its audience through real-time updates, interactive content, and multimedia.

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