MAM
Yesteryear superstar Rajesh Khanna’s death swings audiences away from GECs to news channels
MUMBAI: Four decades after Rajesh Khanna ruled over Indian hearts with his romantic brand of movies, the forgotten and lonely superstar warmed up Indian audiences again as he breathed his last at his iconic Aashirwad residence on 18 July.
Hindi news channels, who covered extensively his death and funeral, lured audiences across demographics to remind them of an era that will never come again. Young audiences who had never seen him before glued to the TV to know more about Bollywood‘s first superstar who created history by giving 21 box-office hits in the six-year period between 1969 and 1974.
Hindi TV news genre nearly doubled their viewership in the week ended 21 July, making it one of those rare occasions when they ate into the audiences of Hindi general entertainment channels (GECs) who reign over primetime television in India day in and day out with their popular soaps and non-fiction content.
The ratings for that week went through a big change. The GRPs (gross rating points) of Hindi news channels rose to 126, from 66 a week earlier. This coincided with the dip in Hindi GEC viewership, trimming by 75 points, according to TAM data (HSM, C&S, 4+) provided by the channels.
Hindi news channels aired a special string of programmes on Khanna who had a fan following in the ‘70s that has not been matched by any Bollywood superstar ever. The man who swung hearts with movies like Anand, Aradhana, Bawarchi and Amar Prem had an almost secluded life later, after a high-profile marriage with Dimple Kapadia that did not last long. The channels showed his life, his movies, his megalomaniac trait and played his romantic songs to allow audiences to go back to history.
Several leading shows on Hindi GECs lost audience share. The ‘Khanna‘ week, in fact, saw a drop in overall TV viewing.
Within the GEC genre, Sony Entertainment Television (Set) returned to the No. 2 position after a gap of two months. Set added six GRPs in a week that saw the other leading channels lose theirs. Set’s fiction property Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, the storyline of which took a five-year leap two weeks ago, saw a rise in ratings after a long time. With an average TVR of 4.2, the show has become the second most watched on the Hindi GECs. Star Plus’ Diya Aur Baati Hum leads with a 5.8 TVR.
Though continuing to lead the genre, Star Plus shed 21 points to end the week with 254 GRPs. Its leading shows like Sathiya Saath Nibhana, Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behena Hai and Iss Pyaar Ko kyaa Naam Dun fell below the 3 TVR-mark.
Meanwhile, Zee TV, which was on a ratings upswing due to shows like Fear Files and DID Lil Masters, lost maximum number of GRPs during the week. The channel shed 32 GRPs as its fiction property Pavitra Rishta and flagship dance reality show DID Lil Masters lost viewership.
Fear Files, which had opened with 3.8 TVR and was registering an average 3.5+ TVR, dropped to 2.6 TVR. Zee TV ended the week with 221 GRPs and at the third spot among the Hindi GECs.
Colors too saw a loss of 16 GRPs to close the week with 214 GRPs. Its leading show, Balika Vadhu, fell to a TVR of 3.8.
Like Set, its sister channel Sab also added six points to register 129 GRPs, while Life OK lost 12 GRPs to record 101 GRPs.
Sahara One with 42 GRPs (last week 39) remained at the bottom of the heap.
If we think about how many times you visited a paediatrician during the year for your child’s fever, or went to the pharmacy for cough syrup, antacids, or prescription cream; how many physiotherapy appointments your spouse had throughout the year, or how many routine diabetes check-up appointments you had; most families would say that the ongoing healthcare cost to their family isn’t necessarily the sudden expense of a grown adult being admitted to the hospital, but rather the ongoing and regular expenses of running the household. Because of this, the search for the best family health insurance plans in India have evolved to include OPD covering as a significant factor in their decision making process.
As someone who has reviewed countless policies for families, I’ve seen a clear shift. Families are no longer satisfied with a plan that only activates during a hospital crisis. They want a partner for everyday wellness, and that’s what modern, comprehensive Health Plans for Family aim to be.
OPD Cover: The Game-Changer in Family Health Insurance
OPD, or Outpatient Department, cover handles expenses incurred outside of a hospital admission. This includes:
- Doctor consultation fees (General Physicians and Specialists)
- Diagnostic tests (blood work, X-rays, MRIs)
- Pharmacy bills (medicines prescribed)
- Minor procedures (dressing, injections)
Without OPD coverage, all these costs come directly from your monthly budget. A comprehensive Health Insurance with OPD Cover absorbs these shocks, transforming your policy from a seldom-used safety net into an active, year-round health management tool. For a family with children or aging parents, this isn’t a luxury; it’s a practical necessity.
Identifying the Best Family Health Insurance Plans In India with OPD
Not all OPD covers are created equal. When comparing Health Plans for Family, you must dig into the specifics. Here’s what separates the good from the truly valuable:
Integrated vs. Add-on Cover: Some of the Best Family Health Insurance Plans In India bundle OPD within the base plan (e.g., HDFC Ergo’s Optima Restore). Others offer it as a paid add-on rider. Integrated covers are often more seamless, but add-ons allow you to customize. Compare the sub-limits and overall value.
Realistic Sub-Limits: OPD coverage always has limits. Look for plans that offer a dedicated annual OPD sum insured (e.g., ₹10,000-₹25,000 per family) rather than a tiny per-consultation limit. This gives you flexibility, you can use it for a few major diagnostics instead of just small consultations.
Cashless OPD Network: The true convenience of health insurance with OPD cover is cashless access. Leading insurers have tied up with pharmacy chains, diagnostic centers, and clinic networks. You can walk in, show your card, and walk out without paying upfront. Check the insurer’s network partners in your locality.
Simplified Claims Process: For reimbursements outside the cashless network, the process should be digital and straightforward—via an app with document upload. Cumbersome OPD claim processes defeat the very purpose.
Key Players and What to Look For
Several insurers have pioneered strong family floater plans with OPD benefits. While new products emerge, plans like HDFC Ergo’s Optima Restore, ICICI Lombard’s Health Advantage Plus, and Niva Bupa’s ReAssure 2.0 have been notable for their structured OPD components. Star Health’s Family Health Optima also offers a comprehensive package.
However, the plan name is less important than its architecture. Your checklist for the Best Family Health Insurance Plans In India with OPD should verify:
Adequate In-patient Sum Insured: This is your core cover. Don’t compromise this for OPD. Start with at least ₹15-20 Lakh for a family of four.
Restoration Benefit: Crucial for families. It restores your main sum insured if exhausted, often including the OPD cover.
No Claim Bonus (NCB): Your reward for a healthy year should protect your OPD benefit too, often by increasing your overall sum insured.
Preventive Health Check-ups: A sign of a wellness-oriented insurer. Many top Health Plans for Family include free annual check-ups, complementing the OPD benefit.
Making the Smart Choice for Your Family
Choosing the right plan requires a simple audit. Tally your family’s average annual spend on doctor visits, tests, and medicines. You’ll likely find it’s a significant amount. Then, compare the premium of a comprehensive Health Insurance with OPD Cover against a basic plan plus your out-of-pocket OPD expenditure. The difference is often negligible, but the value is monumental.
For families, the Best Family Health Insurance Plans In India will be those that acknowledge the fact that the “real” journey for your family’s health occurs daily and not just during emergencies. By choosing a Family Health Insurance plan with meaningful OPD coverage, you will not only be insuring against your family getting sick, but also investing in your family’s ability to see their doctors or other healthcare providers on a more frequent basis for non-emergency issues and providing your family with a significant degree of peace of mind with regards to their financial and physical well-being. The shift away from reactive insurance to proactive insurance by families is now essential; it has become a necessity for the modern family that is living with intention.
