MAM
Star Plus stays at the top; Colors a GRP away from Zee TV
MUMBAI: Continuing to maintain its lead in the Hindi general entertainment space, Star Plus added six gross rating points (GRPs) to its last week’s tally to register 271 GRPs in the week ended 9 March.
As per TAM data (HSM including 5 new LC1 markets, C&S, 4+) sourced from a channel, Star Plus’ Saraswatichandra saw improvement in ratings. The show rated 2.5 TVR in its second week of airing as compared to 2.1 in the first.
The other shows of the channel like Saathiya Saath Nibhana (3.5 TVR) and Pyaar Ka Dard (3.6 TVR) also added eyeballs. It had a special episode of ‘Ek Hazaaron Mein‘ which got a rating of 1.7 TVR on Saturday (9 March).
Zee TV held on to the second spot, despite the loss of 11 GRPs. Most of the shows witnessed a dip in viewership. The ratings of India’s Best Dramebaaz too fell from 4.4 TVR to 3.5 TVR. The channel closed the week with 215 GRPs.
Just a GRP away from Zee TV is Colors that lost six GRPs to end the week with 214 GRPs. The channel had aired ‘The Mirchi Music Awards‘ on 3 March that clocked 2.1 TVR at the 8 pm slot.
Sony Entertainment Television (Set) recorded 155 GRPs in the last week, down 15 GRPs from the previous week. The loss can be attributed to poor performance of few of the fiction shows of the channel like Khoobsurat (0.6 TVR) and Bade Achhe Lagte Hain (1.8 TVR).
Following Set is its sister channel Sab that lost three GRPs to clock 135 GRPs. Life OK too lost around six GRPs to collect 126 GRPs in the latest week of TAM ratings.
Life OK recently launched Balaji Telefilms‘ show (a promotional event for Balaji’s upcoming movie ‘Ek Thi Dayan’) Ek Thi Nayika, which debuted with 1 TVR on Saturday 9 March.
Sahara One with 24 GRPs (24 GRPs) remained at the bottom of the ladder.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
