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ABP News

ABP News is an Indian Hindi -language free-to-air television news channel , a property of the ABP Group . Its journey began under the banner of Star News in 1998, and after a significant ownership transition, it became a prominent voice under the ABP umbrella. It’s not just a news channel; it’s a narrative, a perspective, and, according to some, a rather polished one.

Logo

The current logo, adopted in 2020, is a stark, modern design. It’s less about flash and more about deliberate impact. It suggests a certain seriousness, a refusal to be frivolous.

Broadcast Details

• Country: India
• Broadcast Area: India and the wider international sphere.
• Headquarters: Sector 16-A, Noida , India. A location that’s become synonymous with media production, a concrete jungle buzzing with the ceaseless hum of information.
• Programming: Predominantly in Hindi .
• Picture Format: Transmits in 1080i HDTV , though it’s downscaled to a more universally accessible 16:9 576i for its SDTV feed. It’s a concession to reality, catering to both the discerning eye and the practical limitations of bandwidth.
• Ownership: The ABP Group is the parent entity. They also oversee a constellation of sister channels, each catering to different linguistic and regional audiences: ABP Ananda for Bengali speakers, ABP Asmita for Gujarati, ABP Majha for Marathi, ABP Sanjha for Punjabi, and ABP Ganga for Uttar Pradesh. Then there’s ABP Live , their digital platform, attempting to capture the ever-shifting sands of online consumption.

History

The channel was brought into existence on 18 February 1998, under the name Star News . It was a collaboration between Star India , a major player in satellite television, and NDTV , a name that commanded respect in Indian journalism at the time. NDTV was responsible for crafting the programming, giving Star News its initial editorial direction. For a while, it was a bilingual affair, offering content in both English and Hindi . However, by 2003, a shift occurred. The partnership with NDTV dissolved, and the channel shed its English programming, embracing Hindi as its sole language. This was more than a linguistic adjustment; it was a pivot in identity.

The landscape of Indian media was also undergoing regulatory changes. The Indian government imposed restrictions on foreign ownership in the news sector, capping foreign equity at 26%. Star India, being a subsidiary of a Hong Kong-based entity, needed to adapt. This led to the formation of a joint venture with the venerable Ananda Bazar Patrika Group (ABP). The new entity, Media Content and Communications Services Pvt. Ltd. (MCCS), took the reins of Star News. ABP Group held a commanding 74% majority stake, while Star India’s share was reduced to the stipulated 26%. It was a strategic maneuver, a way to navigate the legalities while maintaining a presence.

The relationship between ABP and Star India eventually reached its conclusion. On 16 April 2012, an announcement was made regarding the termination of the Star brand licensing agreement. Star India divested its minority stake in MCCS, leaving ABP Group in complete control. This marked a definitive turning point. The channel was officially rebranded as ABP News. This rebranding extended to its regional counterparts. Star Ananda, the Bengali channel, became ABP Ananda , and the Marathi channel, Star Majha, was renamed ABP Majha . Later, in 2014, the ABP Group secured approval for a Punjabi channel, ABP Sanjha , which launched that year. A Gujarati-language channel, ABP Asmita , followed, commencing operations on 1 January 2016.

In November 2016, Avinash Pandey assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) for ABP News. This was a period of consolidation and strategic planning.

The latter half of 2020 saw a significant overhaul across all ABP channels. In July 2020, the parent entity, ABP News Network, was rebranded as ABP Network, signaling a broader vision. This was followed by a more visible transformation on 16 December 2020, when all channels adopted simpler, more contemporary logos and a new graphics package, designed by Saffron Brand Consultants . This visual refresh coincided with technological upgrades. ABP News acquired new equipment for 1080p content creation and launched its own HD feed. The standard definition feed was then adapted to be a downscaled, 16:9 widescreen version of the HD output. It’s worth noting that a test HD feed had appeared earlier that year, on streaming platforms like Disney+ Hotstar and ABP’s own online portals. This earlier iteration was essentially an upscaled version of the SD channel, stretching 4:3 content to fit a wider screen. The regional channels, while also rebranded, continued to broadcast in standard definition .

Controversies and Criticisms

ABP News has found itself in the crosshairs of criticism, particularly regarding its perceived editorial stance. It has been accused of bias, of aligning itself with Hindutva ideology, and by extension, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This has led to its categorization by some as “Godi media ,” a term used to describe media outlets perceived as being overly supportive of the government.

A notable incident occurred in 2018 involving former host Punya Prasun Bajpai . He claimed that when his show, Masterstroke, aired segments critical of a government initiative for farmers, ABP News’ satellite broadcast was repeatedly disrupted during the program’s telecast. He alleged pressure from channel management to resign following these events. Shortly after his departure, the reported technical difficulties ceased. Another host, Abhisar Sharma , also reported facing pressure and was dismissed on the same day he aired segments questioning the government’s public safety strategies. These incidents, whether coincidental or not, cast a long shadow over the channel’s independence.

Awards

Despite the controversies, ABP News has received recognition. It was awarded the Best Hindi News Channel at the 21st Indian Television Academy Awards in 2022. Awards are one thing; perception is another.

See Also

• Mass media in India
• List of news channels in India