In a significant move aimed at leveraging the surging popularity of Connected TV (CTV) in India, Network18 has unveiled its strategic collaboration with Samsung TV Plus India.

The partnership will see the introduction of four of Network18’s esteemed news channels – News18 India, CNN-News18, CNBC TV18, and CNBC Awaaz – on Samsung’s free ad-supported streaming TV service.

The integration of Network18’s news channels onto Samsung TV Plus will provide Samsung Smart TV users with seamless access to authoritative journalism and reliable information, a hallmark of Network18’s broadcasting ethos.

The endeavor underscores Network18’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of innovation amid the digital transformation of the media landscape, the channel said in a press release.

The rapid rise of Connected TV has been noted globally, and India is no exception to this trend. With projections indicating that CTVs in use could nearly double from the current 22-25 million to 40 million by 2025, the collaboration with Samsung TV Plus aligns perfectly with Network18’s expansion strategy.

Pranav Bakshi, Head of Video Strategy & Partnerships at Network18, said, “The launch of our channels on Samsung TV Plus India establishes our commitment to innovation in this dynamic media landscape. And we need to be able to reach our audiences on their preferred platforms. With the growth of CTVs, this partnership holds great significance to us. We are starting with India’s leading news & business channels, will soon be launching our regional channels – as we are the largest news network in the country with multiple languages.”

Network18, the largest news network in India, has plans to extend its presence on the platform by introducing regional news channels shortly. This move will cater to the diverse linguistic preferences of the Indian audience and bolster Network18’s viewership base.

In response to this development, Kunal Mehta, Head of Partnerships at Samsung TV Plus India, expressed enthusiasm about welcoming Network18’s premier channels onto their platform. “Samsung TV Plus is proud to launch Network18’s FAST channels and we greatly value our collaboration with such innovative and creative partners,” Mehta stated.

Samsung TV Plus India, a free ad-supported streaming TV service, offers a wide array of content to millions of Samsung Smart TV users. With over 100 live channels and an extensive library of on-demand shows and movies, Samsung TV Plus aims to deliver diverse and quality content to its viewers without any subscription fee.

As the partnership between Network18 and Samsung TV Plus takes shape, it reflects the changing landscape of media consumption in India, where CTVs are progressively becoming a favored medium for accessing news, entertainment, and information. This alliance is poised to enhance both companies’ reach and influence within the burgeoning CTV market.