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Tired of COVID-19 news, Indians turn to movies: BARC-Nielsen Report
MUMBAI: Indians have become bored with excessive COVID-19 news. Which is why in week three of lockdown, people have switched over to movie channels, driving the genre viewership up, as per the latest BARC-Nielsen report.
In week 13, viewers spent more than one hour on movie channels and it has grown by 77 per cent week on week. Bangla, Gujarati and Punjabi movie channels recorded the highest viewership growth by 138 per cent, 117 per cent and 90 per cent, respectively. Hindi movie channels witnessed 82 per cent and Telugu movie channels' viewership grew by 51 per cent.
Other language movie channels’ growth rates:
In week 13, overall TV viewership grew by four per cent over week 12. The overall viewership of television is up by 43 per cent compared to the pre-COVID period (11 January 2020-31 January 2020) and COVID disruption week three (28 March 2020- 3 April 2020). This week, the viewership growth is driven largely by movies unlike week 11 and 12 where news was the major growth driver. The viewership in HSM has grown during early morning and late-night time slots during the COVID period.
The report says the top GEC channels’ growth is also driven by movies they aired. Telugu top four GECs witnessed 14 per cent growth in viewership and 20 per cent growth in duration. Tamil top four GECs grew by 128 per cent in viewership and 45 per cent in duration and Malayalam top five GEC witnessed 10 per cent viewership
The average time spent on TV is up by 28 per cent from the pre-COVID period to COVID disruption week three. Viewers watched television for more than three hours per day. The non-primetime slot continues to grow by 81 per cent. HSM witnessed the highest growth by 97 per cent in the non-primetime slot while the south grew by 60 per cent.
The early morning slot, i.e., 4 am to 6 am, is driven by news. People are watching news in the early morning time slot. While late-night viewership, i.e., 1 am to 2 am, is driven both by news and movies. The south market continues to follow its earlier norm of viewing time zone.
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.
