GECs
Star One asserts strong performance ahead of 1st birthday
MUMBAI: “When we launched Star One ten months back, we had set two internal objectives. One was to present differentiated programming while the other was to reach the number two position in the Hindi general entertainment space within 12 months. As you know, we have fulfilled our first objective and are clearly on track to achieve the second objective.”
Star India COO Sameer Nair had given this statement while announcing Star One’s upcoming reality dance show Nach Baliye. He even hinted at a contest looming between flagship channel Star Plus and Star One. Anyway, as the first anniversary is approaching, Star One flaunts an impressive report card based on Tam data.
In the urban markets, Star One channel share for the all day part is undergoing a steady growth. For CS, Sec ABC, 4yrs+, HSM 1million plus, Star One’s channel share has increased from 7 per cent (launch week) to 23 per cent in August 2005. Meanwhile, Sony which commanded a channel share of 52 per cent in the Star One launch week, now holds 42 per cent of channel share. Similarly, the Zee channel share has come down from 41 per cent to 35 per cent.
The cumulative reach of Star One in the CS4+ ABC HSM 1 million plus markets started off with 27 per cent and now stands at 71 per cent, the Tam data reveals. However, a point worth noting is that HSM 1million plus, while clearly being Star One’s core target group (urban centres), are not the focal points for Sony and Zee. Both channels (as does overwhelming leader Star Plus) have the full Hindi speaking C&S universe as defined by TAM as their area of coverage.
Star One recorded a 53 per cent channel share on Independence Day in the Sec ABC 4yrs+ 1M+ markets for the time period 8 am to 7:30 pm. Zee scored 31 per cent while Sony stood at 16 per cent.
Star One has immensely capitalised on the good success its humour-based primetime show The Great Indian Laughter Challenge (TGILC) has been enjoying. The show even broke into the top 25 club for the week 35, in the CS, 4yrs+, HS markets. While TGLC recorded 7.6 TVR for the week, the top-rated show KBC2’s clocked 12.8 TVR. The top show from Sony’s line-up Fame Gurukul stood in the 46th spot with 4.2 TVR for the week.
CS Sec ABC 4yrs+ HSM 1 Mn+ (Friday episodes), TGILC recorded its best ever TVR of 11.1 on 26 August, with Fame Gurukul recording 3 TVR. With the performance, TGILC also bettered 10.8 TVR recorded on 19 August.
The good numbers comedy-based shows such as The Great Indian Comedy Show and now The Great Indian Laughter Challenge has been throwing up has inspired Star One to continue with the genre. Replacing TGILC in the Friday 10 pm – 11 pm slot will be another humour-based show The Great Indian Laughter Champion.
GECs
Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe win Masterchef India season finale
Chef Sanjeev Kapoor joins judges for emotional MasterChef finale
MUMBAI: The latest season of MasterChef India concluded on a high note, with brothers Vikram Gandhe and Ajinkya Gandhe crowned winners in the grand finale aired on Sony Entertainment Television.
The duo from Nagpur lifted the coveted trophy and donned the show’s signature golden apron after a season that celebrated India’s diverse culinary traditions under the theme “Pride of India”.
This edition of the popular cooking reality show introduced a new jodi format, with 50 pairs from across the country competing in the Masterchef kitchen. Contestants brought personal stories, regional flavours and family bonds to the competition.
The grand finale featured the final three pairs: Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe (brothers), Saisree and Chanda (mother and daughter), and Anju and Manju (sisters).
The finale was attended by celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor, who joined the show’s judging panel comprising Vikas Khanna, Ranveer Brar and Kunal Kapur.
Kapoor said the show has long served as a platform to celebrate India’s rich culinary heritage and provide passionate home cooks with a national stage. He noted that the current season reflected a confident India that takes pride in its roots while embracing new culinary ideas.
Judge Vikas Khanna said the contestants’ journeys and the memories created during the season would remain with the team long after the show’s conclusion. Ranveer Brar described the show as a family that continues to grow with every season, while Kunal Kapur praised the contestants’ creativity and determination.
With the finale now concluded, the latest season of MasterChef India once again highlighted how food can reflect identity, heritage and storytelling, inspiring home cooks across the country to pursue their culinary ambitions.
