AAJ TAK- (आज तक)

Aaj Tak is India’s leading Hindi-language news channel and a cornerstone of the country’s broadcast journalism landscape. Launched on December 31, 2000, as a 24-hour news channel, it is owned by Living Media India Limited, commonly known as the India Today Group. The channel’s roots trace back to 1995 when “Aaj Tak” began as a news segment on the government-run DD Metro channel. Its immediate success as a fast-paced, high-energy news bulletin led to its expansion into a full-scale independent network.

Headquartered in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, Aaj Tak was founded under the leadership of Aroon Purie. Over the decades, it has established itself as a dominant force in Indian media, consistently topping the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) ratings for the Hindi news genre. The channel is credited with pioneering several digital and broadcast innovations in India, including the use of advanced augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in its newsrooms to explain complex stories.

The channel’s programming is diverse, ranging from hard-hitting political analysis and breaking news to investigative journalism and human-interest stories. High-profile anchors such as Anjana Om Kashyap, Shweta Singh, and Sayeed Ansari have become household names, contributing to the brand’s immense influence on public opinion. Aaj Tak is known for its signature tagline, “Sabse Tez” (The Fastest), which reflects its commitment to being the first to report major events.

Beyond traditional television, Aaj Tak has successfully transitioned into a digital powerhouse. Its website and mobile application serve millions of users daily, offering live streaming, short-form video content, and real-time news updates. Its YouTube channel is one of the most subscribed news channels globally, underscoring its massive reach among the Hindi-speaking diaspora. The network has received numerous accolades, including multiple Indian Television Academy (ITA) Awards and ENBA Awards, solidifying its reputation as a trusted, albeit sometimes populist, voice in Indian media.