Mumbai: The national broadcaster DD News has marked a major digital milestone as its prime-time show Decode with Sudhir Chaudhary completed 200 episodes on February 19, 2026, emerging as a key growth engine for the channel’s YouTube presence.
Launched on May 15, 2025, the show has garnered approximately 512 million views on YouTube as of February 18, 2026, contributing 74.1% of DD News’ total views during the period. In the same timeframe, the channel added 1.6 million new subscribers, with Decode alone accounting for nearly 1.2 million—around 75% of the total subscriber growth.
In less than nine months, the programme has positioned itself as a central pillar of DD News’ digital strategy, demonstrating how a legacy public broadcaster can compete effectively in the digital-first ecosystem. The 9 PM to 10 PM slot has seen renewed traction, aided by a format designed for co-viewing and family audiences.
When Decode debuted, it was seen as a bold experiment for a state-owned channel entering a competitive prime-time space traditionally dominated by private broadcasters. However, the show’s consistent performance metrics have underscored strong audience acceptance and digital relevance.
The show’s success rests on three key pillars—strategy, personality and timing. Veteran journalist Sudhir Chaudhary brought established editorial experience and a loyal viewer base, while the programme adopted a digital-first approach. Episodes are optimised for YouTube with engaging thumbnails, direct headlines and rapid content adjustments based on audience feedback.
Over its 200-episode journey, Decode has featured personalities from politics, art and cinema, including K. Ram Mohan Naidu, Bhupender Yadav and Rani Mukerji, enhancing the programme’s credibility and appeal.
Audience engagement has also been a defining factor. The segment ‘Decode ki Daak’ has received thousands of handwritten letters from viewers across India and overseas, reflecting strong connect in an era dominated by digital interaction.
The show’s resonance extends beyond domestic audiences, with significant viewership among the Indian diaspora in the Gulf, North America and Europe, reinforcing the global appetite for Hindi-language analysis in the digital age.
For DD News, the 200-episode milestone marks a strategic inflection point, underscoring how a 65-year-old public broadcaster can leverage digital platforms to expand reach, drive subscriber growth and redefine its role in contemporary journalism.
