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Mi Marathi’s secret recipe for success in regional news space
MUMBAI: Marathi news channel Mi Marathi, which was eyeing the number one spot on the ratings chart after its late entry a year back, has finally hit bull’s eye.
In order to stay above the rest, Mi Marathi has designed a content strategy different than the other Marathi news channels. “We have never had a regional approach towards the channel. Mi Marathi has always been shaped as a global Marathi channel,” Mi Marathi editor in chief Ravindra Ambekar tells Indiantelevision.com in an exclusive chat.
The differentiating factor for the channel when it launched, according to Ambekar, was that while other Marathi news channels were only catering to the Maharashtrains in Maharashtra, Mi Marathi took to representing the non-Marathis. “So while others were idolizing Raj Thackeray, we went against him. The programming of Mi Marathi has always revolved around people’s agenda,” says Ambekar.
Ask Ambekar the recipe of reaching the top, and he proudly says, “We have never stuck to the studios. We believe in reporting from the ground and that’s how we connect to the viewers. People like to know the news from the ground and that is what has helped us reach the number one position.”
The channel, which is working on a whole new look that it will soon be launching, is also concentrating on differentiated programming to attract more viewers and retain its number one position.
Programming strategy
Mi Marathi has roped in some big names… right from Kumar Ketkar to Nikhil Wagle, the channel has some of the top guns of journalism on its side.
With its programming, the channel is also trying to bring a perceptional change that Marathi channels cannot cater to international news. It recently launched World News hosted by Kumar Ketkar, where he analyses major international news. “We must come out of the regional identity and boundaries,” opines Ambekar.
That apart, it also has a show Local to Global hosted by newly appointed Nilesh Khare along with Shreerang Khare and Mayank Bhagwat. The show currently is the highest rated for the channel.
Mi Marathi, through its content, is trying to connect to the new generation and that explains the English titles for most of its shows. “If we want to connect with the new generation, we will have to speak in their language,” says Ambekar, adding that the channel also does bulletins in languages spoken in the interior part of Maharashtra like a Malwani bulletin, all this to form a connect with the audience.
According to Ambekar, in Mumbai, Mi Marathi faces stiff competition from Hindi news channels. “The issue here is that when there is big news, people shift to Hindi news channels,” he says, adding that regional channels too need to come up with shows, which are at par with the quality of an English news channel.
The channel is focusing on strengthening its morning primetime band, which currently airs half an hour recorded bulletins and shows. It will soon be launching a 7 am to 8:30 am non-stop super fast news bulletin catering to local and global news. “We have realised that people don’t have the luxury of sitting and watching news early in the morning and so we will be launching speed news in the morning band with the theme: ‘Don’t read newspapers, listen to them’,” informs Ambekar.
Mi Marathi also has had a different approach for the afternoon band compared to the others in the space. While others prefer airing cooking shows in the afternoon band, this Marathi news channel chooses to air shows, which caters to social and health issues. “We understand that women would not want to watch a cooking show in their free time and so we air shows, which cater to issues relating to commuting, heath, government etc,” he says.
The evening band on the channel caters to remote areas of the state. Called the Zilla Parishad News, the programme covers issues at the zilla level. “We have total nine live bureaus and two – three correspondents in every district of the state. This adds to the depth of stories we do,” informs Ambekar.
Realising a void of business programmes in the Marathi news channel space, Mi Marathi has launched two business related shows: Khisa Pakit by Bharat Kumar Raut, which was a pre-budget show and will now continue featuring interviews of CEOs and Mi Marathi Bigg Boss by Nilesh Khare, which will go on floors next month.
The channel is also in discussion with Wagle for another show, after the successful Point Blank.
“We need to go above the competition and only then will we succeed,” opines Ambekar, who is hoping to financially stabilise the company in the next one year.
“We are currently mostly dependent on corporate advertising currently. However, we are now moving towards retail marketing and events,” he informs.
Events in the pipeline
The channel is planning mega events like Agricultural Awards and educational seminars to boost its revenues. “We are focusing on revenue from events and retail client. There is limited space for advertising on television, since we need to concentrate on content and so we are focusing on events,” he says.
While the Agricultural Awards will take place in October, the first educational seminar will be held in May at Kolhapur.
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.
