CNN-News18, India’s premier English news destination, has officially completed 20 years of broadcasting. Marking its entry into a third decade, the channel has reaffirmed its commitment to its hallmark ‘Makes Sense’ philosophy, prioritizing credible, audience-first journalism across both television and digital ecosystems.
Since its inception in 2005, the channel has evolved into a dominant market leader, consistently topping the BARC India ratings since their resumption in March 2022.
CNN-News18’s journey over the last two decades has been defined by its citizen-centric approach. This “news without noise” strategy has allowed the channel to maintain an undisputed leadership position, particularly during high-stakes prime-time hours and major national events like the General Elections.
- Duration of Dominance: Top position maintained week-on-week since March 2022.
- Market Share: Reported peaks of over 40% market share during critical counting days and news cycles.
- Global Edge: Sustained through a 20-year collaboration with CNN, blending deep local reportage with world-class international perspectives.
To stay ahead in the digital-first era, CNN-News18 recently unveiled a refreshed on-screen design. This visual architecture is built on the philosophy of providing a seamless experience across all devices.
- Clutter-Free Architecture: Prioritizing impactful visuals and sharper storytelling over dense text.
- Seamless Transition: Content is designed to be “TV and digital-ready,” ensuring identical quality whether viewed on a living room screen or a smartphone.
- Nuance Over Noise: A deliberate editorial shift toward in-depth, documentary-style reportage and data-led storytelling.
Leadership at Network18 emphasized that this milestone is merely the foundation for future innovation. Rahul Shivshankar, Editorial Affairs Director, noted that the channel’s strength lies in its ability to engage audiences with “accurate, sharp, and credible journalism.”
Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News, Network18, added, “This celebration is a testament to the trust we have built year after year. As we move forward, we will continue to invest in digital innovation and immersive news formats to uphold the highest standards for our viewers.”
As it enters 2026, CNN-News18 plans to expand its regional footprint and leverage advanced AI and data tools to personalize news delivery, ensuring it remains the go-to source for the modern, thinking viewer.
Key Highlights:
- 20-Year Milestone: CNN-News18 celebrates two decades in Indian broadcasting, entering its third decade as the country’s leading English news brand.
- Ratings Leadership: The channel has consistently held the No. 1 spot in BARC ratings since March 2022, driven by its “Makes Sense” and “News Without Noise” philosophy.
- Refreshed Visuals: A new cross-platform design under the “One Screen, One Form, One Stream” strategy ensures a clutter-free and visually immersive experience for both TV and mobile users.
- Future Strategy: Under the leadership of Rahul Shivshankar and Smriti Mehra, the channel is focusing on digital innovation, data-driven reporting, and high-impact storytelling for its next growth phase.