On the pivotal polling day of the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections, News18 Network has cemented its position as the preferred source of news and information, capturing the highest viewership on YouTube.

According to data compiled by Playboard, News18 India emerged as the frontrunner with an impressive 31.6 million views, surpassing key competitors ABP News and Zee News, who recorded 27.7 million and 26.6 million views respectively.

The dominance of News18 Network extended beyond the national arena, with its regional channels also making significant strides in viewership. News18 Bangla emerged as the most-watched Bengali news channel on YouTube, amassing 14.2 million views, outpacing its closest rival ABP Ananda with 13.4 million views and Republic Bangla with 12.6 million views.

In the Punjab/Haryana/Himachal region, News18 Punjab/Haryana/Himachal secured the highest viewership on YouTube with 8.08 million views, leaving competitors ABP Sanjha and PTC News trailing with 1.6 million and 1.1 million views respectively.

News18 Rajasthan emerged as the most viewed news channel from the state on YouTube, capturing 3 million views and surpassing competitors Rajasthan Tak and Rajasthan Patrika with 1.2 million and 0.8 million views respectively.

In the northeastern region, News18 Assam/NE stole the spotlight with over 2.6 million views on YouTube, outperforming News Live with 0.7 million views and Prag News with 0.5 million views.

Speaking on News18 Network’s outstanding performance, Pranav Bakshi, Head of Partnerships & Video Strategy at Network 18, emphasized the network’s commitment to delivering high-quality programming and comprehensive election coverage. Bakshi stated, “Our exceptional viewership in key markets and languages during the polls is a reflection of our commitment to delivering high-quality programming and comprehensive election coverage from the ground zero. Our emphasis on localized content connects with viewers.”

Bakshi further highlighted the increased advertiser interest, attributing it to the network’s ability to reach audiences across regions and languages. He concluded, “The increased viewership has encouraged advertiser interest, as more brands recognize the power of reaching audiences across regions and languages, as we cover the elections in maximum languages & across India.”

News18 Network’s stellar performance on YouTube during the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections underscores its prowess in delivering timely and impactful news coverage across diverse linguistic and regional demographics, solidifying its position as a leader in the Indian news landscape.