India TV captures top spot among news channels in India

For the past one month, India TV has been consistently beating Aaj Tak to No.2 position (Wk 31 and 34) and No. 3 position (Wk 30 and 33), even as India TV's news programmes now rule the roost among the Top 20 programmes in Hindi news genre, a study of TAM ratings reveal.

During Week 34, all the 10 India TV programmes out of the Top 20 were news-centric, like Non-Stop Superfast, Super Special, Breaking News, 5 Minute 25 Khabrein and T20. Most of these were rapid-fire news bulletins filled with credible news content, which only India TV has been able to deliver.

Compared to these, 5 out of 6 Aaj Tak programmes in Top 20 during Week 34 were related to Saas-Bahu serials and cricket, while, all the 4 Star News programmes in Top 20 were Saas-Bahu-centric, TAM ratings reveal.

Another study of Week 33 TAM ratings also reveals, that all the nine India TV programmes in Top 20 of Hindi news genre were news-centric, like, 5 Minute 25 Khabrein, Breaking News, Special Report, Non-Stop Superfast, Mahabharat (a recap of India's Partition story).

On the other hand, five out of the seven Star News programmes in Top 20 during Week 33 were Saas-Bahu-centric, whereas two out of 3 Aaj Tak programmes were based on Saas-Bahu serials and Bollywood.

"The latest TAM ratings prove that the Hindi news channel viewers have now become discerning and there is a clear shift in their perception about news channels. India TV with its tagline "Aap Ki Awaaz' shall continue to give its best - fast, credible news to the viewer who has come to trust the India TV brand", says Rajat Sharma, chairman and editor-in-chief.

Another good news for India TV viewers and advertisers, the channel will switch over to the latest generation MPEG4 technology from September 1. India TV is among a handful of channels in India who have opted for this cutting-edge technology to give better digital visuals to the viewers.

"We promise to give our viewers the best -- the best in fast, credible content, and the best in new generation technology. On reaching the summit, we can say, we are here to stay", says Ritu Dhawan, managing director, India TV.