MAM
3 among top 4 GECs gain
MUMBAI: Star Plus, Sony Entertainment Television (Set) and Zee TV, three among the top four Hindi general entertainment channels (GECs), have seen an upswing in ratings in the week ended 21 January, as per TAM (HSM, C&S, 4+). Colors, however, has seen a marginal drop.
Star Plus has registered a 6-GRP (gross rating points) growth to close the week with 293 GRPs (last week 287). The leading channel’s shows, Saathiya Saath Nibhana (5.69 TVR) and Diya Aur Baati Hum (5.88 TVR), continue to lead the list of top rated shows. Another fiction show, Is Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon (4.99 TVR) that failed to find any position in ‘the top 10 rated shows’ last week, hopped up to No.3 position in the list this week. The channel also aired the mahaepisode of its fiction property, Ruk Jana Nahi (1.1 TVR).
Set too saw an improvement in the performance and added 11 GRPs to close the week with 237 GRPs (last week 226). The rise in the GRPs can be attributed to the improved ratings of its crime based shows, C.I.D (4.85 TVR) and Crime Patrol (4.53 TVR).
Colors lost 8 GRPs and ended the week with 200 GRPs. However, the channel will see a jump in the ratings the next week as it aired Colors Screen Awards on Sunday.
Zee TV, meanwhile, saw a marginal rise in the ratings. The channel collected 185 GRPs (last week 180) to its kitty, though no show of the channel figured in the top 10 list.
Sab added a GRP and recorded 131 GRPs (last week 130).
Meanwhile, the news is not so good for the newly launched channel from Star Network’s bouquet, Life OK. After seeing a dream run for three continuous weeks, the channel shed 13 GRPs this week, thus becoming the biggest loser of the week. The channel registered 87 GRPs (last week 100).
Imagine TV with 65 GRPs (last week 58) and Sahara One with 42 GRPs (last week 38) followed behind, Tam data shows.
Brands
Kwality Wall’s reports standalone losses following strategic HUL demerger
Ice cream major faces Rs 64 crore Ebitda loss amid commodity inflation and muted Q3 sales
MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited (KWIL) has released its first set of financial results as a standalone entity, revealing a challenging start to its independent journey. Following its successful demerger from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) on 1st December 2025 and its subsequent listing on 16th February 2026, the company is navigating a transition period marked by structural changes and high input costs.
For the quarter ended 31st December 2025, the company reported revenue of Rs 222 crores. Despite the revenue base, the bottom line was impacted by several factors, resulting in an Ebitda loss of Rs 64.2 crores. When calculated on a Pre-IND AS 116 basis, the Ebitda loss stood at Rs 83.8 crores.
Organic Sales Growth (OSG) declined by 6.5 per cent year-on-year during the quarter. Volume growth, however, saw a marginal increase of 1.2 per cent. The company reported a gross margin of 41.5 per cent. Additionally, exceptional expenses amounting to Rs 94 crores were recorded, primarily linked to non-recurring costs during the transition phase.
Performance across portfolios and channels was mixed. Within the impulse portfolio, brands such as Magnum and Cornetto recorded mid-single digit volume growth, indicating steady demand in on-the-go consumption. However, the in-home portfolio, which includes take-home packs, experienced muted consumption. The company is planning a relaunch of this category with improved offerings ahead of the 2026 season.
Quick commerce (Q-Com) continued to emerge as a strong growth driver, delivering robust double-digit growth during the quarter. Meanwhile, the company also expanded its physical distribution network by increasing the number of company-owned cabinets across markets.
Margin pressure during the quarter was driven by a combination of one-off factors and broader cost inflation. Gross margins were impacted by around 600 basis points due to trade investments made for stock liquidation. Additionally, cocoa price inflation contributed to another 400 basis points of pressure on margins.
Deputy managing director Chitrank Goel attributed the muted performance partly to prolonged monsoons and transitional challenges linked to the GST framework. Operating expenses also increased as the company invested in establishing its standalone supply chain, operational systems and corporate infrastructure following the demerger.
Looking ahead, the management remains focused on a volume-driven growth strategy. To restore profitability, the company has initiated a cost productivity programme aimed at reducing non-consumer-facing costs. It is also working on building regional manufacturing networks to optimise logistics expenses and improve operational efficiency.
The commodity outlook for the near term remains mixed. Dairy prices are expected to remain firm due to tight supply conditions and rising fodder costs. Sugar prices may also move higher following increases in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP). While cocoa prices have moderated recently, currency depreciation has offset some of the potential cost relief for the company.
