CNN-News18 refreshes programming line-up with new shows and anchors

MUMBAI: The news cycle never sleeps, so CNN-News18 is giving its programming clock a fresh reset. CNN-News18 has unveiled a refreshed programming line-up aimed at changing viewing habits and a new generation of news audiences, strengthening its positioning as the “Voice for a New India”.

The revamped schedule puts greater emphasis on original reporting, explainers, analysis, expert voices and conversations, moving from agenda-setting stories and breaking developments through the afternoon to debates and deeper analysis in the evening.

The weekday line-up kicks off at noon with Raw Report, anchored by senior journalist Shawan Sen. At 1 PM, Breaking Frontline with Shivani Gupta is followed by Simply South with Nabila Jamal and Harish Upadhya at 1:30 PM. Newsroom Unfiltered with Griha Atul takes the 3 PM slot, while News Periscope 360° View with Ayushman Jamwal airs at 4 PM.

The evening schedule then shifts gears with The 5 PM Brief with Poonam Burde, followed by Plain Speak with Shivani Gupta at 5:55 PM and Brass Tacks with Nabila Jamal at 6:55 PM.

The prime-time stretch continues with The Right Stand with Anand Narasimhan at 7:55 PM, The Hard Facts with Rahul Shivshankar at 8:55 PM, Raw Report with Shawan Sen at 9:58 PM and Vantage with Hem Kaur Saroya at 10:30 PM.

The network is also widening the weekend lens with two additional programmes. The Global Radar, hosted by Griha Atul, airs at 9:30 AM on Saturdays and 5:30 PM on Sundays, focusing on geopolitical developments. Health Matters, hosted by Himani Chandna, airs at 12:30 PM on Saturdays and 1:30 PM on Sundays, bringing expert-led coverage of healthcare and everyday wellness.

Rahul Shivshankar, Editorial Affairs Director, CNN-News18, said the shift in audience expectations is no longer simply about the speed of information, with viewers increasingly looking for original, transparent and fact-based journalism that explains why a story matters.

Smriti Mehra, CEO – English and Business News, Network18, said the refreshed line-up is intended to keep pace with changing viewing habits while bringing together distinctive editorial identities and trusted anchors across reporting, explainers, debates and analysis.

With the new schedule spanning linear TV, connected TV and YouTube, CNN-News18 is effectively spreading its news net across platforms while sharpening the programming mix around the changing ways audiences consume information. The result is less a newscast shuffle and more a fresh attempt to keep viewers tuned in as the news keeps moving.