Claim
Aar Paar is the most popular programme in the country.
“आप देख रहे हैं देश का सबसे लोकप्रिय कार्यक्रम आर पार।”▶ Watch source segment
Rationale
The claim is a promotional superlative. Its kernel of truth is that News18 India, where Aar Paar airs, has topped the Hindi-news genre in past BARC data — but that is channel-level leadership within one genre, not proof that the specific programme Aar Paar is the single most-watched programme nationwide across all genres (a slot typically held by entertainment serials, cricket or reality shows). Moreover, as of the 2026-07-02 broadcast, the I&B Ministry had suspended all BARC ratings publication, so no official data could verify a 'most popular in the country' claim. The statement overstates a genuine but narrower fact, making it misleading rather than outright false.
Evidence
- https://bestmediainfo.com/mediainfo/television/barc-complied-with-new-ratings-policy-yet-govt-move-risks-data-dark-period-12125079 As of mid-2026 the I&B Ministry directed BARC to suspend publication of TV ratings across ALL genres (entertainment, news, sports, etc.) pending licence renewal under the Television Ratings Policy 2026, so no official ratings existed to substantiate a 'most popular programme' claim on the broadcast date. pending audit
- https://www.storyboard18.com/television/news18-india-dominates-hindi-news-genre-stays-17-ahead-of-aaj-tak-78101.htm BARC data shows News18 India leads the HINDI NEWS genre at the CHANNEL level (ahead of Aaj Tak) — a narrower claim than a specific programme being the most popular in the whole country across all genres. pending audit
- https://www.mediainfoline.com/brand/barc-ratings-news18-india-beats-aaj-tak-tops-hindi-news-viewership Coverage attributes News18 India's lead partly to primetime anchors including Amish Devgan, but the metric is channel-level Hindi-news viewership, not Aar Paar being the top programme nationally. pending audit
- https://www.adgully.com/post/6368/news18-india-tops-hindi-news-genre-with-latest-barc-ratings-reinforcing-market-leadership Ratings claims relate to News18 India's genre leadership; news programmes draw far lower viewership than GEC serials, cricket and reality shows that top all-India charts, so no evidence any news show is 'the most popular programme in the country.' pending audit