News Headline
Zee Studio enters; History TV18 replaces Discovery in BARC week 52
MUMBAI: Movies Now 2 made an exit making way for Zee Studio. The players in the English Movies genre witnessed an increase in the ratings. In the Infotainment space, History TV18 toppled Discovery Channel, thus dominating the genre. Players in the factual entertainment genre also observed a substantial hike in its viewership.
According to the week 52 ratings data of Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India, channels in the English Entertainment space saw mixed ratings. Star World dominated the genre. Living Foodz with an increase in the ratings was at the numero uno place in the Lifestyle space.
English Entertainment
Star World hoped on to the number one position thus dominating the genre with 238 Impressions (‘000s). Comedy Central with a decline in the ratings sustained at the second spot with 192 Impressions (‘000s) followed by Zee Café with 166 Impressions (‘000s). AXN fell to the fourth position with 155 Impressions (‘000s) whereas Colors Infinity SD maintained itself on the fifth rank with 84 Impressions (‘000s).
English Movies
Sony Pix with an increase in the ratings continued to dominate the genre with 2736 Impressions (‘000s). Movies Now with 2684 Impressions (‘000s) stood at the number two position. Star Movies with 2658 Impressions (‘000s) grabbed the third position followed by Zee Studio at the fourth position with 1807 Impressions (‘000s). HBO took the fifth place with 1605 Impressions (‘000s).
Infotainment
History TV 18 toppled Discovery Channel this week ruling the genre with 5616 Impressions (‘000s). Discovery Channel was at the second spot with 5443 Impressions (‘000s). National Geographic with 3174 Impressions (‘000s) and Animal Planet with 3044 Impressions (‘000s) took the third and fourth position, respectively. Nat Geo Wild stood at the fifth position with 2932 Impressions (‘000s).
Lifestyle increase
Living Foodz with a hike in its ratings sustained its number one position with 1801 Impressions (‘000s). Fox Life took the second berth with 867 Impressions (‘000s) followed by Food Food with 577 Impressions (‘000s). FYI TV 18 with 519 Impressions (‘000s) and TLC with 502 Impressions (‘000s) bagged the fourth and fifth position, respectively.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
