News18 India has once again cemented its position as the undisputed leader in the Hindi news genre, maintaining its dominance across all key time bands for the past two years, according to the latest data from the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC).

The channel’s unmatched viewership reflects its growing influence among Indian audiences, making it the go-to choice for breaking news, in-depth analysis, and prime-time debates. In the highly competitive 6 pm to 12 am prime-time slot, News18 India led with 41,867 AMA’000s, outpacing its closest rival Aaj Tak (35,295 AMA’000s) by 19%. TV9 Bharatvarsh secured third place with 33,921 AMA’000s.

But News18 India’s dominance isn’t just limited to prime-time. The channel starts its winning streak from dawn, leading the 6 am to 12 pm time slot with 18,518 AMA’000s, marginally ahead of Aaj Tak (18,371 AMA’000s) and India TV (17,345 AMA’000s). The trend continues in the afternoon (12 pm – 6 pm) segment, where News18 India recorded 16,280 AMA’000s, ahead of TV9 Bharatvarsh (14,839 AMA’000s) and Aaj Tak (14,260 AMA’000s).

Even during the late-night hours (12 am – 6 am), when viewership generally dips, News18 India led with 3,355 AMA’000s, again staying ahead of Aaj Tak (3,316 AMA’000s).

What’s even more remarkable is that News18 India has remained the top Hindi news channel consistently for two years. It maintained an overall lead with 77,989 AMA’000s, staying 6 percent ahead of Aaj Tak (73,447 AMA’000s).

This dominance was particularly evident during major news events, such as Budget Day and Delhi elections. On February 1, 2025, the channel secured 6,047 AMA’000s, leaving Aaj Tak 7 percent behind at 5,649 AMA’000s. Similarly, during the Delhi election counting week, News18 India led with 31,248 AMA’000s, with Aaj Tak following at 30,865 AMA’000s.

The channel’s consistent performance can be attributed to its hard-hitting news coverage, high-impact debates, and an extensive network of reporters who provide nationwide coverage. Star anchors like Kishore Ajwani, Amish Devgan, Rubika Liyaquat, Prateek Trivedi, and Aman Chopra have played a crucial role in shaping the channel’s identity, delivering unfiltered, high-energy journalism that keeps viewers hooked.

Additionally, special programming around crucial events has given News18 India an edge over its competitors. Its in-depth election coverage, expert financial insights, and exclusive breaking news reports have reinforced its position as a trusted and influential news source.

As India’s media landscape evolves, News18 India’s dominance signals a shift in audience preferences, with more viewers turning to the channel for timely, accurate, and engaging news coverage. With its winning streak still going strong, News18 India continues to set the benchmark for Hindi news journalism.