CNN-News18 has announced a long-term partnership with Nippon India Mutual Fund to launch the CNN-News18 and Nippon India Mutual Fund Prime Time Studio, a new state-of-the-art broadcast facility aimed at enhancing the channel’s prime-time news presentation and viewer experience.

According to a CNN-News18 press release, the new studio went live on July 1, 2026, and will serve as the home of the channel’s weekday prime-time programming from 5.55 pm to 9.55 pm. The initiative reflects the broadcaster’s continued focus on strengthening both its editorial and technological capabilities while creating a more immersive environment for news coverage and analysis.

The new Prime Time Studio will host some of CNN-News18’s flagship programmes led by a prominent lineup of anchors. These include ‘Plain Speak’ with Shivani Gupta at 5.55 pm, ‘Brass Tacks’ with Nabila Jamal at 6.55 pm, ‘The Right Stand’ with Anand Narasimhan at 7.55 pm and ‘The Hard Facts’ with Rahul Shivshankar at 8.55 pm.

CNN-News18 said its prime-time programming is designed to move beyond breaking headlines by providing audiences with deeper analysis, informed debates and contextual reporting. At a time when the news cycle moves rapidly and information is constantly competing for attention, the channel aims to offer viewers not only the facts but also a clearer understanding of the issues shaping national conversations.

Commenting on the partnership, Rahul Shivshankar, Editorial Affairs Director, CNN-News18, said: “The trust our viewers place in CNN-News18 is something we value deeply and strive to strengthen every single day. That means constantly investing in our journalism while also collaborating with partners who share our commitment to excellence. Our partnership with Nippon India Mutual Fund is a reflection of that philosophy. CNN-News18 and Nippon India Mutual Fund Prime Time Studio elevates our prime time offering, creating a dynamic environment where India’s biggest stories are reported, analysed and debated with the credibility, clarity and context our viewers expect from us.”

Smriti Mehra, CEO – English and Business News, Network18, said, “As India’s most-watched English news channel, CNN-News18 is constantly striving to raise the bar, both editorially and technologically, to deliver the best possible experience for our audiences. Prime time is where the day’s most consequential stories come together, demanding credibility, context and meaningful conversations. The CNN-News18 and Nippon India Mutual Fund Prime Time Studio reflects our commitment to continuous innovation in news broadcasting. This partnership brings together two trusted brands to create a premium destination where audiences can engage with news that informs, explains and matters.”

Sharing the company’s perspective on the collaboration, Kaiyomurz Daver, Chief Marketing Officer, Nippon India Mutual Fund, said, “Investor trust is built over time through consistent engagement and meaningful conversations. As one of India’s leading mutual fund houses, we believe it is important to be present on platforms that people rely on for credible information and informed perspectives. Our association with CNN-News18 reflects our commitment to engaging investors through a trusted news ecosystem while continuing to encourage greater awareness and participation in mutual fund investing. Through this association, we look forward to engaging with a wider audience in an environment that encourages informed financial conversations and reinforces the importance of long-term investing.”

The launch of the CNN-News18 and Nippon India Mutual Fund Prime Time Studio marks another milestone in the channel’s ongoing efforts to innovate its news presentation. By combining advanced broadcast infrastructure with its established editorial strength, CNN-News18 aims to further enhance how audiences consume and engage with the day’s most important stories.

With prime-time news continuing to play a critical role in shaping public discourse, the new studio is expected to serve as a key platform for reporting, analysis and debate, bringing viewers closer to the stories that matter most each evening.