CNBC Awaaz Dominates Union Budget 2026 Coverage, Secures Clear Lead Over Zee Business

CNBC Awaaz delivered the highest viewership among Hindi business news channels during the live broadcast of the Union Budget 2026 presentation by Nirmala Sitharaman, according to audience measurement data released by Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC).

BARC figures for 1 February 2026 (11:00 am–12:30 pm) in the HSM Urban market (TG: 22–40 M) show CNBC Awaaz capturing 63% market share, while Zee Business accounted for 37%. The data positions CNBC Awaaz as the preferred television destination during one of the most closely watched policy announcements of the year.

Full-Day Budget Coverage Reinforces Leadership

The channel maintained its lead across the entire Budget Day broadcast window. For 1 February 2026, CNBC Awaaz recorded a 61.3% market share in the same target demographic and market segment, compared with 38.7% for Zee Business.

Union Budget coverage typically attracts heightened viewership as audiences follow taxation changes, sectoral allocations, fiscal measures and their potential market implications. The day’s performance indicates sustained audience engagement beyond the Finance Minister’s speech.

Budget Week Numbers Highlight Sustained Momentum

Beyond the main event, CNBC Awaaz extended its advantage throughout Budget Week. BARC data for Week 05’26 (HSM 10L+, TG: 22–40 M) shows the channel achieving a 76.4% market share, while Zee Business registered 23.6%.

The weekly figures suggest continued viewer preference during post-Budget analysis, corporate reactions and market impact discussions.

Digital Streaming Viewership Surges on Budget Day

The channel’s performance was not limited to linear television. On Union Budget Day, CNBC Awaaz ranked among the most-watched live news streams globally during peak hours, according to Databeings.

Between 11:00 am and 12:40 pm, the network recorded a peak concurrent digital viewership of 765,100 — approximately 3.5 times higher than Zee Business during the same window. The data reflects growing cross-platform consumption of business news content during major economic announcements.

Consolidating Position in Hindi Business News

With strong ratings across live speech coverage, full-day programming, weekly analysis and digital streaming, CNBC Awaaz reinforced its standing in the Hindi business news segment during Union Budget 2026.

The combined television and digital metrics underscore the channel’s ability to attract and retain viewers during high-impact financial events, strengthening its competitive edge within India’s business news landscape.