TV News: A Sham, Shame and Some Cynical Hopefulness

To prefer to consume news in any way apart from TV news often raises eyebrows – mostly out of sheer curiosity. And as someone who has probably watched 6 hours of TV news in her collective 19 years of existence (finding that quite enough proof to be a waste of time), I very confidently reply to the curious with- “It's all sensationalised bogus anyways! Besides, have you seen the number of news channels that exist? Which one should I listen to?”.  

In 2014, Rajdeep Sardesai believed that the proliferation of private news channels has been the biggest change in the last 20 years in the news media. In his article revolving the proliferation resulting in more focus on quantity instead of quality, he stated: 

As you surf across channels, there is reason to believe that the concept of "breaking news" has broken down with every morsel of news being magnified into a story of national importance; that the notion of an "exclusive" has lost meaning with a Shah Rukh Khan interview, for example, during a film promotional playing across channels; that sensationalism has replaced sense to the point where you wonder whether an Indo-Pak border war will first begin inside a television studio; where chaos has replaced credibility with half a dozen voices often engaging in cross-talk for what passes off as "debate"; and where noise is seen to be a preferred option at times to good old-fashioned news. (Sardesai, 2014). 

At that point, the number of news channels in India had reached around and above 250, a number that has significantly grown since then. Today, India has about 400 news channels, across languages, making up 43% of the total registered channels in India.  

This is a significant increase from the early 2000s, when there were only a handful of news channels operating in the country. Below is a table showing the steady growth in the number of news channels from the 2000s till 2010s. 

Admittedly, the Indian media landscape has witnessed an extensive transformation over the last few decades, characterized by the previously mentioned proliferation of news channels. It is a highly competitive space and this surge in the number of news channels has been driven by a confluence of economic, political, social, hyper-local and technological factors.  

ECONOMIC FACTORS 

Unlike in many countries, Indian news channels (and news in general) operate in a highly competitive market with low subscription costs. This is made viable by the advertising model and government-funded initiatives. Channels are often priced so low that their main income comes from advertisements. So much so that your broadcast channel is stuck in a ratings war and battling the tyranny of the market (India’s Changing Media Landscape, 2023).  

This shift reflects broader trends in media economics, where the pressure to secure advertising dollars has led to the commercialization of news. Channels focus more on what draws viewers, including ‘breaking news’ cycles, celebrity gossip, and polarizing debates, rather than in-depth investigative journalism. This raises the concern that the economic model might come at the expense of quality, with less focus on credible, well-researched journalism. 

This dependency on advertisers has significantly shaped the nature of content delivery, fostering fierce competition among channels. To attract larger audiences and consequently, more advertisers, news channels often resort to sensationalism and entertainment-focused content, prioritizing ratings over journalistic integrity. 

Large conglomerates like the Ambani Group and the Adani Group have entered the media space, often launching/acquiring news channels to expand their business portfolios leading to a profit-driven economic model resulting in a shift in content quality. 

TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS 

Advancements in technology have played a significant role in the proliferation of news channels. India’s cable and satellite networks have seen major developments, providing access to news channels across both urban and rural areas. This wider distribution network has made it easier and more cost-effective for media companies to launch and operate regional news channels in local languages, further driving the growth. Moreover, the widespread adoption of smartphones and the internet has enabled news channels to reach a wider audience through online platforms and mobile apps. 

POLITICAL FACTORS AND INFLUENCE 

The Indian government spends substantial amounts on advertising across print and television media. This creates a symbiotic relationship, where media houses may be incentivized to align their content with government interests to secure funding. 

Additionally, political parties often invest in media to control narratives and influence public opinion. While this may not be blatantly announced to the public, it is a nuanced approach understood by those who can notice a pattern.  

For example, Republic TV, which was founded by journalist Arnab Goswami with significant backing from business and political entities, is known for its outspoken support of certain political narratives, often aligning with the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP). This close association between media houses and political parties is not unique to Republic TV; it is a phenomenon that is a part of a larger strategy to use media power to guide public discourse and perception.  

SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS 

As mentioned, technological advancements have allowed media companies to launch and operate regional news channels in different languages. Having news channels that can specifically cater to audiences of a particular language or culture champions India’s linguistic diversity and inclusivity. It allows news to not only be a national phenomenon of spreading information but also be able to reach regional audiences in their own language.  

The growing awareness among the Indian population with regards to current affairs and social issues has also contributed to the growth of news channels (in both TV and digital platforms). As people become more engaged with the world around them, they seek reliable and informative news sources. New news channels attempt to “fill” this void by providing timely and comprehensive coverage of events in the least biased way possible (at least according to them). 

At the end of the day, there is somehow, always room to grow – just like there is always room for dessert. But there will come a day when there will be a saturation of content and no matter how delicious that Lotus Biscoff Tres Leches Cake looks, you will have absolutely zero space and energy to consume it.  

Right now, the generation – my generation – still believes there is space for more news channels and broadcasters to exist, and for some to exit as well; broadcasters that can provide the news we want to hear, without essentially sensationalising and hoarding the screen with unnecessary stickers and obnoxiously loud yelling matches (or civil conversations, as they are supposed to be) that could probably give a two-month-old a migraine.  

We believe there is still scope for broadcasters to produce content that could actually mean something and keep the spirit and integrity of journalism alive – at least as much as print journalism is managing. Hopefully, our wishes come true in this cynical world and by the next decade, we won't be having a conversation or writing a research essay about this topic again. 

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Bibliography

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