In a historic shift in Karnataka’s television news landscape, News18 Kannada has overtaken TV9 Kannada, ending its two-decade dominance and emerging as the new leader in regional television news. This marks the first time since TV9 Kannada’s launch in 2006 that it has lost its No. 1 position, signalling a major transformation in regional news viewership trends.
According to the latest BARC data, News18 Kannada surged ahead with an impressive 33,757 AMA 000s, securing a 25.4% market share. TV9 Kannada followed at 32,937 AMA 000s with a 24.8% share. (Source: TG: NCC 15+; Week 46’25: 15–11–2025 to 21–11–2025 vs Week 45’25: 08–11–2025 to 14–11–2025, All)
This milestone reflects News18 Kannada’s deeper penetration and stronger regional resonance among Kannada news consumers. The channel’s consistent focus on fast, reliable, and viewer-centric journalism has further strengthened audience trust. This feat also highlights a “mega trend” across the southern markets, where viewers are increasingly shifting toward channels that are evolving and offering sharper reporting, ground coverage, and stronger digital integration.
News18 Kannada is part of Network18’s extensive regional news network, which includes channels such as News18 Uttar Pradesh/Uttarakhand, News18 Bihar/Jharkhand, News18 Rajasthan, News18 Punjab, News18 Assam/NE, News18 Bangla, News18 Kerala, News18 Tamil Nadu, News18 Gujarati, News18 Odia, News18 Lokmat, and others.
This latest data has firmly established News18 Kannada as Karnataka’s new leader in the television news space, its first-ever No. 1 rank in 20 years.