Zee 24 Ghanta is a 24/7 Bengali-language news channel owned by Zee Media Corporation Limited (ZMCL), serving viewers in West Bengal and Bengali communities worldwide. With fast-breaking news, in-depth analysis, and multi-platform distribution (TV, ZEE5, YouTube, website), the channel maintains a Top 5 position among Bengali news channels in India.
Channel Overview
- Full name: Zee 24 Ghanta (formerly 24 Ghanta).
- Country: India (content focus: West Bengal; parent company offices in Noida – Delhi NCR).
- Ownership: Zee Media Corporation Ltd (ZMCL); operating entity: Zee Akaash News Pvt Ltd (ZMCL holds 60%).
- Broadcast type: 24/7 news; available via satellite/cable/DTH (free-to-air) and OTT/digital (ZEE5, YouTube, app, website).
History & Key Milestones
- 31 March 2006: Launched as 24 Ghanta, during Zee's expansion of regional news following the 2006 split of its news division.
- 2017: Rebranded as Zee 24 Ghanta to align with the Zee News ecosystem (Zee 24 Taas, Zee 24 Kalak, etc.).
- 2024–2026: Strengthened digital distribution via ZEE5, YouTube live, website, and mobile apps; appointed Gautam Bhattacharya as Editor (Feb 2026) to steer content strategy.
Programming & Flagship Shows
The channel focuses on politics, economy, society, crime, sports, entertainment (Bollywood & Tollywood), and international news, delivered with a fast pace and strong local coverage.
Signature Programs
- Good Morning Bangla (8:00 AM): Morning news roundup and day-ahead brief.
- Super Fast (11:30 AM): Rapid headlines and "fast news" bulletins.
- Mid Day Debate (1:30 PM): In-depth debate on trending topics.
- Prime Time / Dupurer Prime Time / Bangla@8: Prime-time bulletins with top stories and analysis.
- Cross Fire, Aapnar Raay, Uttar Dakshin, Khabor Saradin: Debate shows, audience opinion segments, and daily news digests.
Key anchors & journalists: Moupia Nandy, Sharmila Maiti, Kunal Bose, and a large field-reporting team, shaping the channel's "fast + analytical" style.
Target Audience & Viewing Habits
- Middle-aged & older viewers: Prefer traditional TV (cable/DTH), focused on politics, local current affairs, and social debates.
- Younger viewers (Gen Z/Millennials): Consume via YouTube, ZEE5, and Facebook; interested in tech news, viral trends, entertainment, and sports.
- Viewing behavior: Real-time tracking during major events (elections, extreme weather, high-profile cases); catch-up via debates/VOD on YouTube/ZEE5; engagement through comments and short-clip sharing.
How to Watch Zee 24 Ghanta: TV, ZEE5, YouTube, Website
Traditional TV
The channel is free-to-air on cable/DTH/satellite across India, included in news bundles from major pay-TV providers.
OTT & Digital Platforms
- ZEE5 (Live HD): Official live stream of Zee 24 Ghanta; international version available for viewers outside India.
- Mobile apps: Search "Zee 24 Ghanta" or access via the ZEE5 app on Google Play/App Store.
- Official website: Zee News Bengali live TV page and the channel's ZEE5 page.
- YouTube: Official channel with live streams and a library of debates/top stories; around 7.4 million subscribers, among the largest Bengali news channels on the platform.
- Social media: Facebook, Telegram, and other platforms for short clips and live alerts.
Geo-restrictions: Some event-based or rights-controlled content may be region-limited for international viewers.
Competitive Position in the Bengali News Market
Zee 24 Ghanta holds a Top 5 position among Bengali news channels in West Bengal, competing directly with ABP Ananda, News18 Bangla, Republic Bangla, TV9 Bangla, Calcutta News, and News Time Bangla.
- BARC viewership share (2024–2026): Industry reports cite a market share of roughly 9.3%–10.7% in West Bengal, indicating a stable position in the leading group.
- Core strengths: Speed of news, strong local coverage, and the Zee ecosystem advantage (ZEE5 + national news infrastructure).
