News Headline
Sony Pal gets 11 million GVTs in opening week
MUMBAI: The week 36 of TAM TV ratings witnessed a new entrant in the general entertainment channel (GEC) category from MSM’s stable, Sony Pal. Launched on 1 September, it opened at 11 million GVTs.
On the other hand, week 36 also saw GECs going back to the same ranking order as a week ago. Life OK which recorded number six position last week is back to number four. It noticed 326,081 GVTs, up from 266,952 GVTs. Reason, its new offering in the non-fiction space – Dare to Dance. It seems like the charm of Akshay Kumar has worked wonders for the channel as it opened at 4,532 TVTs. Other popular properties have also witnessed a growth in the viewership. Thus, Shapath garnered 2,448 TVTs, up from 1,827 TVTs and Savdhan India registered 2,465 TVTs, up from 2,253 TVTs.
Other gainers for the week are Star Plus which maintains its number one position strongly. It noted 591,045 GVTs, up from 561,897 GVTs. Talking about its fiction offerings – Saath Nibhaana Saathiya leads the chart with 8,016 TVTs, up from 7,334 TVTs, Diya Aur Baati Hum ranks second with 6,951 TVTs, up from 6,666 TVTs and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai at number three scored 6,174 TVTs, up from 5,267 TVTs. The channel’s music reality show – India’s Raw Star garnered 4,316 TVTs, down from 4,521 TVTs.
At number three, Colors is the next gainer this week. It noticed 399,182 GVTs, up from 388,017 GVTs. Sasural Simar Ka ranks number one with 6,333 TVTs, up from 6,002 TVTs followed by Comedy Nights with Kapil with 6,281 TVTs, down from 6,967 TVTs and Balika Vadhu with 5,168 TVTs, up from 4,648 TVTs.
Sab which maintains its fifth position strongly stood at 287,945 GVTs, up from 281,456 GVTs. Its popular series Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah witnessed a significant growth in the viewership and noted 6,143 TVTs, up from 5,860 TVTs and Badi Door se Aaye Hai observed 2,414 TVTs, up from 2,382 TVTs.
Talking about the GECs which witnessed a drop in the viewership, Zee TV got 451,717 GVTs, down from 462,476 GVTs but still continues to stand strong at number two. Most of its offerings have registered a fall in the ratings. Thus, Kumkum Bhagya noted 8,573 TVTs, down from 8,610 TVTs, Jodha Akbar got 8,131 TVTs, down from 8,926 TVTs and Jamai Raja recorded 6,445 TVTs, down from 6,620 TVTs.
Sony Entertainment Television (SET) is back at the bottom of the chart with 286,594 GVTs, down from 317,093 GVTs. The channel’s new fiction property Hum Hain Na opened at 3,181 TVTs. Its non-fiction properties have failed to grab eyeballs. Thus, CID reported 3,181 TVTs, down from 3,485 TVTs and Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) garnered 3,863 TVTs, down from 4,412 TVTs.
Zindagi seems to grab more eyeballs as it witnessed a significant growth in the viewership. It secured 34,888 GVTs, up from 28,987 GVTs.
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.
