MAM
Hindi GEC viewership down 6.5% in 2011: TAM
MUMBAI: The Hindi GEC (general entertainment channel) genre has seen a 6.5 per cent fall over the prior year due to audience fragmentation particularly in the metro cities of India, according to a study by television ratings agency TAM.
Delhi, Maharashtra, UP and Gujarat have been the Top performing markets for Hindi GEC genre across years and the viewership returns from Metros have seen a slight drop.
Titled Impatient Generation, the report was released during the IMC Fusion 2012. It said that the Hindi GEC genre in 2011 has shown a consistent growth in 1-hour special fiction episodes during prime-time on Weekends.
Another interesting finding is that the share of Hindi News genre jumped 10 per cent in 2011, after decreasing in 2010. Returns from news bulletins have witnessed an increase while viewing proportion from telecast of review/reports has witnessed a decline across years.
In the Hindi movie channels space, the number of unique movies aired in 2011 has decreased by 10 per cent. Both airtime and viewership of South dubbed movies has seen a clear growth in the year 2011.
The days of watching the epics on pubcaster Doordarshan decades ago in the living room by an entire family huddled together are unlikely to happen again, because of the increasing fragmentation of viewership in Indian homes.
According to TAM CEO L V Krishnan, “This new phenomenon has emerged because of the rise of the assertive, impatient and highly articulate generation of today in most Indian families, thanks to newer media and broadcast technologies, increasing diversities of content, and of course, advancement of new age mediums, that are able to cater to the differing tastes and preferences simultaneously.”
Krishnan believes that people‘s dependency on TV as an effective communication medium has been escalating. Also, the common man’s TV viewing behaviour can no longer be predicted with certainty. Time spent on TV watching by all sections of people varies in a wide range. Viewing behaviour increasingly differs across a spectrum of gender, age, geography, and social mores and cultures.
TAM launched the third edition of an annual report on TV viewing patterns.The report is a compilation of the past year’s TV viewing trends across various channel genres and regions in India. This attempts to update advertisers and marketers. TV broadcasters and production houses can know when and how TV audiences are changing in their tastes and preferences, what they are rejecting as programme offering, and what is getting accepted.
The report shows that GRPs (gross rating points) in English entertainment have increased by almost 50 per cent with reach and time spent contributing to the gain. Increase of digital penetration in key metro markets has also led to greater access for the channels. The growth in consumption led by time spent is showing a 15 per cent-20 per cent increase.
Kids Channels genre with 18 per cent share seems to be on a growth path with new channel launches in 2011. Today, 14 channels constitute the genre. The reach levels for 10-14 years age band has improved in 2011. With the increase in number of channels, kids’ genre witnessed a continuous increase in viewership share since 2008. Homes with kids are faster in adapting to Digital TV platforms with growth rate touching almost 60 per cent in 2011.
Sports genre witnessed 200 million unique viewers in year 2011. There has been 18 per cent rise in Sports content on TV during Year 2011. Live sports coverage continued to garner over 50 per cent of the viewing for any sports content. 2011 saw 35 per cent growth in advertising volumes, but 70 per cent of volumes continued to be garnered by cricket.
In the regional space, Digital penetration in Tamil Nadu increased by 17 per cent. Increase in viewership is because time spent levels increased by 3 per cent in Tamil Nadu market. Also, Tamil GECs, Music and Sports witnessed increase in viewership.
In Andhra Pradesh, the digital penetration has touched 8 per cent. While overall time spent on TV is high (over 3 hours daily), its growth is just 1 per cent over 2010.
Kannada GECs and news are primarily on a growth track in viewership. While serials have provided almost 3 times ROI, the growth in viewing for this genre in Karnataka has continued to be with an average of almost 20 per cent in 2011.
In Kerala, fall of time spent by 6 per cent was seen. It has resulted in overall TV viewing coming down in 2011 but the introduction of new channels has resulted in a growth in viewing again the last few weeks of 2011.
Malayalam GECs have a share of 50 per cent with news, movies and music following. Malayalam Kids Content saw a viewership rise with the launch of a new channel –Kochu TV.
Viewership of Bangla regional has witnessed a steady and fast growth from 5 per cent share in the year 2000 to 43 per cent as of 2011. There has been a growth in ratings for regional movies and events in West Bengal as compared to Hindi movies and events.
In Maharashtra, although total TV viewing remained steady, viewership of Marathi regional has seen a growth over last year. The growth is seen maximum on digital TV platforms (31 per cent), as compared to analogue set of viewers (13 per cent). Unlike 2010, the Marathi GEC genre had prioritised the airtime mostly for the higher ROI generating contents like fiction, movies and reality shows. Chat shows/ interviews (in Marathi News Channels) now constitute about 12 per cent of airtime contributing about 14 per cent of total viewership.
Gold has evolved from a traditional family heritage to one of the most effective instruments for high-speed liquidity in the rapidly changing financial world of 2026. With 22K gold prices remaining stable at ₹14,440 per gram and 24K gold hitting ₹15,752 per gram as of February 21, 2026, the Indian gold market is seeing a historic increase. A rather small quantity of jewels can now unleash significant cash due to their increased worth.
Finding the best gold loan, however, takes more than simply visiting the closest branch because there are several banks and NBFCs (Non-Banking Financial Companies) vying for your business. It necessitates a strategic grasp of how lenders set their product prices. The cost of borrowing in 2026 is no longer a “one-size-fits-all” number; rather, it is a variable that depends on your loan amount, the state of the market, and particular regulation slabs. You may make sure that you leverage your gold holdings at the best gold loan interest rates by taking a methodical approach.
Recognise the Tiered LTV Framework for 2026
The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) introduction of tiered Loan-to-Value (LTV) criteria is one of the biggest changes. Depending on your unique financial needs, this policy directly affects which lender can provide you with the best gold loan.
The LTV limitations for 2026 are set up as follows:
- Loans up to ₹2.5 Lakh: 85% LTV eligibility
- Loans up to 80% LTV are eligible for those between ₹2.5 Lakh and ₹5 Lakh
- Loans over ₹5 lakh are eligible for up to 75% LTV
You must match your borrowing with these levels to determine the lowest gold loan interest rate. Because there is less risk involved, a lender may frequently give a cheaper rate for a 75% LTV plan than for an 85% LTV plan. Choosing a lower LTV bracket is a tried-and-true method to get the finest gold loan conditions if you don’t require the highest amount of cash on hand.
Compare the Offerings of Banks and NBFCs
The best gold loan is determined by your preference for quickness or cheaper cost. The service and pricing differences between ordinary banks and specialised gold lending NBFCs have grown.
Public and Private Banks: The interest rates on gold loans offered by public and private banks are often the lowest on the market, frequently beginning as low as 8.75% to 9.50% annually. Borrowers seeking a long-term or overdraft-like facility who already have a savings account will find it appropriate.
NBFCs: They are the industry leader in offering a genuine, rapid gold loan experience, even if their interest rates may be a little higher than those of banks. They are frequently the best gold loan option for urgent needs when speed surpasses a 1% yearly cost difference, thanks to doorstep services and quick disbursals.
Make Use of Purity’s Power
The most potent “multiplier” in your loan computation is the karat of your jewellery. Lenders have shifted to highly standardised assaying procedures. Declaring high-purity materials helps you get a higher valuation and a better loan amount.
Make sure you are offering hallmarked jewels in order to receive the best gold loan. Because the collateral risk is essentially zero, hallmarked gold (BIS 916) lowers the lender’s uncertainty during appraisal and frequently enables them to provide a more alluring gold loan interest profile.
Consider the Mode of Repayment
The best gold loan is one that doesn’t negatively impact your monthly cash flow. Below are a few repayment options you may consider:
- Bullet Repayment: At the conclusion of the term, which is usually 12 months, you pay the whole amount. Although the cumulative interest cost of the gold loan may be somewhat greater, this is great for short-term liquidity.
- Monthly Interest Payment: You just pay the interest each month; the principal is paid at the end. As a result, the monthly burden is minimal.
- EMI (Principal + Interest): The most organised approach to loan closure is through EMI (principal + interest), which progressively lowers your principal and, as a result, your overall interest expense.
Use a computerised gold loan calculator to determine which option delivers the biggest savings before you sign the contract. Even a 0.5% change in the repayment schedule might save you thousands of rupees on a big loan in the expensive year of 2026.
Be Aware of Unexpected Fees and Penalties
High administrative costs can occasionally be concealed by a low headline interest rate on gold loans. Searching for the finest gold loan requires you to consider the “Total Cost of Credit.”
- Processing costs: For loans up to ₹3 lakh in 2026, several banks provide “Nil” processing costs.
- Make sure valuation fees are clear and do not represent a portion of the loan balance.
- Prepayment and Foreclosure Penalties: You shouldn’t have to pay a large penalty if you decide to end your gold loan early.
- Late Payment Fees: Examine gold loan interest “steps up” if you fail to make a payment. Some lenders charge 2% monthly punitive interest on the past-due balance, which can easily get out of hand.
Conclusion
Finding the greatest gold loan in 2026 requires striking a balance between the historic worth of your gold, i.e., ₹14,440 per gram, and a lender who understands your desire for quickness and transparency. You may make sure that your gold is a bridge to your financial objectives rather than a burden by comparing the tiered LTV brackets and selecting a repayment schedule that corresponds with your income. The knowledgeable borrower usually prevails in a market where gold loan interest rates are more competitive than ever. Spend some time evaluating at least three lenders, confirming that they are in accordance with the RBI as of 2026, and confidently discovering the actual worth of your assets.
FAQs
How much can I borrow in gold today, per gram?
The maximum credit amount for loans under ₹2.5 lakh (85% LTV) is around ₹12,274 per gram as of February 21, 2026, when 22K gold is valued at ₹14,440 per gram. Make sure your decorations are made of pure gold with minimal stone deductions to receive the greatest gold loan value.
Does my gold loan interest rate depend on my credit score?
In general, no. The majority of lenders offering a quick gold loan do not significantly rely on your CIBIL score because it is a secured loan. However, with certain private banks in 2026, having a solid credit history might help you get greater loan amounts or “preferred” gold loan interest rates.
How can I figure out how much interest is due on a gold loan?
The straightforward calculation is as follows: Principal x Annual Rate x Tenure (in years). Many lenders include a best gold loan calculator on their smartphones for a more accurate 2026 figure. This tool automatically adjusts for your selected repayment method and particular LTV tier.
In 2026, would I be able to obtain a gold loan for 18K jewellery?
Yes, most lenders accept 18K gold. However, the interest rate on the gold loan and the value per gram will be different because the purity is 75% as opposed to 91.6% for 22K. Before using the current market cost of ₹14,440 per gram, lenders first convert your 18K weight into a 22K equivalent.
If I close my gold loan early, will I be penalised?
Prepayment penalties are not imposed by the majority of respectable lenders providing the best gold loan in 2026. However, if you end the loan nearly immediately after disbursement, some may demand a minimum interest payment of seven to fifteen days. Verify your agreement’s “Foreclosure” clause at all times.
