Aaj Tak, supposed to be named as `AAJ`, the 24-hour Hindi news channel in India, claiming to be the `sabse tej` or the fastest channel and is probably the most impressive media success story in India. It is the number one Hindi news channel in India now, having a tag line "Nation`s Best News Channel" due to its aggressive journalism and cutting edge reporting. It has a reach of more than 45 million viewers in India. It reaches to people in remote villages too, where this channel is hugely popular because of the channel`s India centric programming. It is a free to air channel in India and is being offered as a pay channel in the overseas market. India Today Group`s foray into the audiovisual media began in 1988 with Newstrack, a video news magazine that shook up the establishment. By 1995, TV Today Network had evolved to produce one of the most influential current affairs programmes, Aaj Tak. Aaj Tak had started out as a short, 20-minute news capsule segment in Doordarshan. The show enjoyed a strong nationwide popularity and viewership. It was only in the year 2000 that Aaj Tak was made into a full-fledged Hindi news channel because of its reach and popularity with an insight, courage and plenty of local flavor. Within six months of its launch, Aaj Tak emerged as India`s number one news channel. And within 11 months, it was awarded Best News Channel by the industry.

In the United States, it is available on EchoStar`s DISH Network. Aaj Tak has won Indian Television Academy`s Best News Channel award for six consecutive years. In a recent BBC/Reuters/Media Center Poll, Aaj Tak was voted the most trusted and most important news source in India surpassing even the Government sponsored channel Doordarshan and expansively beating news sources like Dainik Jagran, Sun TV, NDTV, AIR (All India Radio) and The Times of India. It all started with the `Best News Channel` award from Indian Television Academy Awards in 2001. And in 2002, many more awards came in the kitty of Aaj Tak. It bagged the `Best CEO` award from Indian Telly Awards and two `Best Channel Promo` awards from Indian Telly Awards and RAPA Awards. With a 55 per cent of channel viewership share in the country, Aaj Tak received the award for `Best Distribution`. There`s more, Aaj Tak is the only media brand in the Brand Derby 2002 study.

The Year 2003 began for Aaj Tak with another feather in its cap -- ORG survey rating as the top news channel in the country. Phew! Now isn`t that amazing for just one channel in the nation? Aaj Tak`s focus on accuracy and timeliness of content and its innovative presentation style have been well facilitated by its strong credo of "Ankhen Khol De"; eye opener, journalism. This has ensured its leadership position and allowed it to set the agenda for news broadcasting in the country. Aaj Tak has emerged as a trendsetter in the Media world of India and will always remain so with its huge viewership. Aaj Tak also has a Delhi Aaj Tak channel. It is a Delhi/NCR specific 24-hr Hindi news channel. The purpose is that anyone living in Delhi/NCR should tune into DAT to gain information on absolutely anything happening in the capital. The look and feel of the channel is stylish and vibrant, and the content is led by utility in the capital region. Delhi`s rising consumerism, booming economy, rapidly improving infrastructure, among other things, have made it a city to reckon with, at a global scale. A channel from a highly respected media house, covering all aspects of life in Delhi, comes as a boon for news consumers in the Capital Region. Dill Aaj Tak assures coverage from all regions of the Capital in all aspects. That explains the positioning line of the channel: `Aap ka Shehar, Aap Tak` (Your City, For You).

It is not that the channel has not been in controversies. A number of Sting operations by the channel, has put forward the question of journalism ethics and how far can you probe into a person`s personal life. Also, some of the programmes shown on the channel have been regarded as to have a negative and violent effect on the viewers. Programmes like Jurm Ki Duniya, Jurm Ek Minute mein, Sangeen Jurm have shown extremely gory crimes and images, which are not suitable for viewing. Programming in the channel varies from daily news, to crime news, entertainment as well as sports and politics. Programmes like Seedhi Baat, Duniya Aaj Tak and Cinema Aaj Tak have been popular. Tafteesh is a recreational crime series on this channel. Ho Na Saka takes stock of the events that did not turn out as expected or failed to happen, and analyse critically the reasons for the same. Aisi Ki Taisi is a comedy show on the channel by comedy king of television, Raju Shrivastav.

But in spite of this Aaj Tak still maintains its credibility. Aaj Tak has also found a place in the Limca Book of Records, the Indian equivalent of Guinness Book of World records. The news channel has been recognized for the receiving the highest number of SMS-s as responses to contests, poll, etc. over a period of two years from May 1, 2002 - May 25, 2004. During this period, Aaj Tak generated more than 10 million responses, which is highest among all television channels.