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Life OK topples Sab, touches high of 123 GRPs
MUMBAI: Star India’s gamble of ceasing non-performing second rung Hindi general entertainment channel Star One and starting afresh with a channel sans Star branding is paying off.
Life OK, the second Hindi GEC channel from the Star stable, has reached its all time high with 123 GRPs (gross rating points) in the week ended 19 May.
As per Tam data for the Hindi speaking markets (C&S, 4+), the channel has added 33 GRPs in the week. It has also overtaken Multi Screen Media’s second Hindi GEC Sab to capture the fifth position on the GEC ladder.
“We are happy that within six months of launch we have reached so far. What is important is that viewers are connecting to our core philosophy of ‘appreciating what we have’. All our shows are highlighting a cause or issue and viewers are appreciating it,” Life OK GM Ajit Thakur told Indiantelevision.com.
He added that despite very big shows, it’s the “philosophy and disruptive strategy” which is working for the channel.
For Life OK, its mythological show Devon Ke Dev Mahadev remained the top gainer. With the high point during the week, the average weekly ratings of the show surged from 1.1 TVR in the last week to 2.3 TVR in the week ended 19 May.
Also, Saubhagyawati Bhava’s average ratings have gone up to 1.4 TVR from 1.1 TVR in the previous week.
Thakur said that in the coming week, two shows – Saubhagyawati Bhava and Mai Laxmi Tere Aangan Ki – will have high points, which will further give a peak to the channel. The channel will also have a week-long special of Savdhan India.
Thakur said that Star India has allowed the channel to take big risks and that he has the youngest team with passion and commitment to run the channel, which is helping in growing it.
Launched on 18 December last year, Life OK had debuted with 87 GRPs in its kitty.
Meanwhile, a look at the other channels’ scorecard:
Star Plus maintained its lead, even if it lost 14 GRPs during the week. The channel ended the week with 262 GRPs. Satyamev Jayate rated 4.4 TVR in HSM markets (All 4+, HSM) and a national TVR of 3.7 (All 4+, All India).
These are simulcast ratings of the original episode aired on Sunday morning 11 am across nine channels (Star Plus, Star Pravah, Star Jalsha, Star World, Star Utsav, Star Vijay, Asianet, ETV Telegu and Doordarshan).
Four of its primetime shows found place among the top 10 shows on the Hindi GECs.
Zee TV and Colors shared second spot with 213 GRPs each. While Colors added 12 GRPs to its last week’s tally, Zee TV lost 11 GRPs.
Zee TV’s DID Li’L Masters and its auditions episode featured in the top 10 shows while Colors had only Balika Vadhu in the list.
Sony Entertainment Television (Set) followed with 210 GRPs, losing seven GRPs during the week.
Sab was the biggest loser in the week. It lost 15 GRPs and slipped below Life OK to end the week at 116 GRPs (last week 131 GRPs).
Sahara One maintained its status quo with 39 GRPs (last week 40), while Imagine TV, which has ceased original programming, closed the week with 2 GRPs.
MAM
India’s experience economy grows as live events market hits Rs 17,000 crore
EY-Parthenon and BookMyShow report finds 78 per cent Indians prefer experiences over products
MUMBAI: India’s live entertainment scene is no longer just about music, comedy or festivals. It is increasingly becoming a powerful stage for brands seeking deeper connections with consumers.
A new report titled Beyond Attention, Into Immersion by EY-Parthenon and BookMyShow suggests that India’s experience economy is entering a strong growth phase, driven by consumers who are choosing memorable moments over material purchases.
According to the study, the country’s live events ecosystem, which includes concerts, comedy tours, festivals and immersive exhibitions, is estimated to reach around Rs 17,000 crore in 2025. The growth reflects a broader cultural shift in how Indians spend their time and money.
The report finds that 78 per cent of Indian consumers now prefer spending on experiences rather than physical products. From attending concerts and festivals to participating in interactive brand installations, audiences are increasingly seeking engagement, community and shareable moments.
This change in consumer behaviour is particularly evident among younger audiences who want to participate rather than simply watch. Instead of passively consuming entertainment, many now look for experiences that allow them to interact, express themselves and connect with like minded communities.
For marketers, this shift has turned experiential marketing into a strategic priority rather than a promotional add on. Brands are moving away from interruption driven advertising and towards immersive formats that allow consumers to discover, test and emotionally connect with products.
The report suggests that experiential marketing now plays a role across the entire consumer journey. It can spark brand discovery, strengthen storytelling, encourage product trials and ultimately influence purchase decisions and loyalty.
The impact is already visible. Post event surveys conducted among 7,450 attendees at major events including Lollapalooza India and concerts by Ed Sheeran and Guns N’ Roses highlight the effectiveness of these experiences.
Around 59 per cent of attendees recalled brands they interacted with during the events, while 55 per cent said those interactions increased their likelihood of purchasing from the brand. A further 63 per cent reported that brand activations actually enhanced their event experience rather than distracting from it. Nearly 29 per cent also said the interaction improved their perception of the brand.
Brands are also changing the way they approach events. Instead of simply putting logos on stages or banners, companies are building experiences into the fabric of the event itself.
Financial services brands, for example, are offering early ticket access, exclusive lounges and curated event experiences for cardholders. Fashion and beauty companies are using festivals to showcase products through pop ups, interactive installations and social media friendly spaces that encourage visitors to share their experiences online.
The scope of experiential marketing now stretches far beyond live entertainment. Retailers are designing experiential stores where customers can explore products in lifelike environments. Entertainment platforms are extending popular intellectual properties into immersive exhibitions and fan events. Technology is also playing a growing role through augmented reality and virtual try on tools that blend digital discovery with physical interaction.
Cultural festivals remain one of the most powerful platforms for such engagement in India. Celebrations such as Navratri and Holi bring together large communities, emotional participation and heightened consumer spending. For brands, these moments offer an opportunity to become part of the celebration rather than simply advertise around it.
Despite the momentum, the report notes that some companies still hesitate to adopt experiential marketing at scale. Budget constraints, limited expertise and uncertainty around measuring return on investment remain common concerns.
However, the growing body of data around consumer engagement and brand impact is gradually addressing these challenges. More marketers are expected to allocate a larger share of their budgets to experiential formats over the coming years.
Taken together, the findings point to a clear trend. As consumers seek meaning, memories and moments worth sharing, live experiences are emerging as one of the most powerful ways for brands to stay relevant in a crowded media landscape.
