DD news tops viewership ratings

It doesn't have hectoring anchors scrambling for ratingsor sensationally packaged exposés. That has worked for Doordarshan news, which has topped viewership ratings, according to Prasar Bharati. Zia Haq reports.

It doesn't have hectoring anchors scrambling for ratingsor sensationally packaged exposés. That has worked for Doordarshan news, which has topped viewership ratings, according to Prasar Bharati.

HT Image

According to Doordarshan data, based on TAM or Television Audience Measurement ratings, Doordarshan's Hindi news stood out as the "most watched" among all Hindi channels in the 8pm to 9pm category, with a gross rating point of "1.22" for the week ending April 27.

A gross rating point is the total of all rating points for a programme.

When it came to watching English news, Doordarshan's flagship Newsnight programme was the most-preferred news and analysis shows programme for the same period in the 9 pm to 10 pm slot, with a gross rating point of 1.14. Newsnight was ahead of rivals such as Times Now, CNN-IBN, NDTV 24X7 and Headlines Today in that slot.

"What these ratings indicate is the rapidly changing perception of viewers about the kind of television they like to watch and is perhaps an occasion to introspect for those who have made sensationalism their staple," information and broadcasting minister Manish Tewari told HT.

Tewari, who was a Congress spokesperson before taking charge as minister, had shared his inputs on beefing up news content with Prasar Bharati. Newsnight got a new look this January, with a fresh professional team and a dedicated research unit.