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Sony had ‘K3G’, but channel loyalty fetches Star better ratings on 31 Dec: media buyers
MUMBAI: Sony may have managed a programming coup of sorts on the last day of 2002 by slotting Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (K3G) at prime time, but it was Star Plus with its hotch potch of television artistes that walked away with better ratings.
Media planners agree that it was channel loyalty that fetched Star better ratings, although Sony had arguably the best programming available for those who stayed in on the evening of 31 December. TAM data just out reveals that Star Plus’ Kasamm Se, a medley of entertainment that started at 11 pm, ranked 11 in the top 100 in C&S homes all India, raking in ratings of 6.58. Planners point out that while K3G drew in most viewers in the initial hour, Star weaned away some in the two hours before midnight. Cumulatively, the film, Sony’s biggest acquisition after Lagaan this year, managed a TVR of 4.75, ranking 22nd in the top 100 in all India C&S homes.
Lagaan, aired on the Sunday before Diwali, had incidentally, helped Sony climb into the top 10 with a TVR of 7.6, although it aired for a marathon five hours, from 7 pm till midnight. Mudra’s Amit Ray however believes that Sony did reasonably well, going down only marginally after Star ate into its programme. He maintains that K3G was a good media buy despite Star’s TVR triumph, as clients must have reckoned for an average TVR of 5 or 6 and got what they wanted. Analysing TVRs across cities, Ray points out that in places like Mumbai, Sony suffered only marginally after the Star show started by dipping from a TVR of 10.7 to 9.4 while Star climbed substantially from 4.5 to 13. A similar story is echoed in Delhi and the North, where viewers, tuned in to other channels including Sony, DD and regional channels moved to Star for a while. “Sony’s loss, per se, however, was not significant,” he points out.
Agrees Madison’s Punitha Arumugam, pointing out that it is one more example of the fact that Star has become the default channel for C&S audiences. Citing the example of Dil Chahta Hai, which raked in better ratings than Gadar (which had done vastly better than DCH in theatres across the country), Arumugam says it is the channel and not the show that has indicated the success of the yearender shows too. As regards the cost efficiency of the deals and whether media planners were happy at the returns from investing in Sony on 31 December, she says it also depended on how the deal was structured. “But”, she concurs, “K3G was packaged phenomenally.” The promos and the interstitials woven around the film should also have made clients happy, she points out.
Both Arumugam and Ray agree that the ad clutter during K3G however was much higher, a fact that may have caused viewer migration to other channels in the minutes that led to the New Year. By contrast, the dubbed version of Titanic which aired on Star Gold raked in a TVR of 2.65, ranking 90th while Gadar, that aired on Zee Cinema, failed to figure in the top 100 at all.
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.
