History of CNN-News18 in Timeline

CNN News18 is an Indian English-language news television channel based in Noida, India. Founded by Raghav Bahl, it is co-owned by Network18 Group and Warner Bros. Discovery. The channel focuses on providing Indian and local news coverage, complemented by international news from CNN.

December 2005: Launch of CNN-IBN

On 18 December 2005, Turner Broadcasting System and Global Broadcast News (now TV18 Broadcast Limited) launched CNN-IBN in India. The channel was operated by TV18 Broadcast Limited, which licensed the Cable News Network (CNN) brand name.

March 2010: Pre-games publicity on NDTV & CNN-IBN

From March 2010 to June 2010, the entire pre-games publicity and sponsorship publicity for the Commonwealth Games was conducted solely on NDTV & CNN-IBN, according to the CAG report in August 2011.

June 2010: Pre-games publicity on NDTV & CNN-IBN

From March 2010 to June 2010, the entire pre-games publicity and sponsorship publicity for the Commonwealth Games was conducted solely on NDTV & CNN-IBN, according to the CAG report in August 2011.

August 2011: CAG report on Commonwealth Games

On 5 August 2011, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India's report on the 2010 Commonwealth Games was presented in the Parliament of India. The CAG alleged that the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee adopted an arbitrary approach when awarding contracts worth Rs 37.8 million to CNN-IBN & NDTV for production & broadcasting of commercials, without competitive tendering.

January 2012: Reliance Industries investments in Network18

Starting in January 2012, Reliance Industries began making investments in Network18, gaining indirect control of the TV18 network.

May 2014: Reliance Industries to take over Network18 Group

In May 2014, Reliance Industries announced it would be taking over Network18 Group, in what was described as "the biggest-ever deal in the Indian media space".

December 2015: Brand licensing renewed

On 1 December 2015, it was announced that the brand licensing agreement had been renewed for another term.

2015: Licensing agreement not renewed

In 2015, it was announced that the licensing agreement between Turner Broadcasting and Network 18 would not be renewed and would expire in January 2016.