News Headline
Star Vijay claims growth in late primetime band
|
MUMBAI: Star India’s Tamil general entertainment channel Vijay TV has said that its performance in the late night primetime band of 10 pm to 11 pm has considerably improved over the last four months. Inspired by the success, the channel is planning to extend the band, apart from targeting other primetime bands with new properties. “Given the fact that this band has shown considerable performance, we would look into expanding it. We are having a new game show coming up and also a new soap early next month to further strengthen our prime time properties,” says Vijay TV DGM Harsh Rohatgi.  |
|
|
The channel claims the turnaround was triggered by two shows Kuttram (10 pm – 10:30 pm) and Kathu Karrupu (10:30 pm – 11 pm). The channel had launched Kathu Karrupu at the beginning of 2005. Rohatgi says there was a conscious effort from Vijay’s part to bolster its late primetime band. “We felt there was a substantial audience who watched our show Kuttram that has been airing successfully over a year and leveraged this band with a super natural thriller Kathu Karuppu early this year. This show is also throwing good numbers now,” he says.
Quoting TAM data for the period starting from week 4 to week 19, Vijay projects a data which shows that in the respective time band, it maintains an average channel share of 10.3 against nearest competitors Raj TV’s 3.4 and Jaya TV’s 2.6. |
|
|
Both Kuttram and Kathu Karrupu were launched simultaneously early this year when the channel initiated a major reshuffle in the line up. According to the TAM data provided by Vijay TV, the initial phase of the show launch saw the channel share recording a 60 per cent jump – from 8 per cent to 13.4 per cent. Kuttram, a social awareness show that focuses on crime, is aired from Monday to Friday. It highlights and gives an insight into the various crimes, socially incorrect happenings and other unfair practices in the various districts of Tamil Nadu, says an official statement from the channel. A super natural show Kathu Karrupu is aired Monday – Thursday. Fictionalised for TV and led by an anchor who narrates the story introducing the characters and the basic plot, the show unfolds with critical pieces being dramatised and re-enacted realistically leaving an open end for the viewers to believe it or not. |
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
