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News channels across genre fail to retain week 8’s exceptional performance
MUMBAI: After an exceptional performance in week eight, news channels' viewership slumped in week nine of Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India ratings. The Hindi news channels fell by over 17 per cent, whereas English news channels declined by over 43 per cent.
In week eight, news broadcasters reported exponential growth on the back of the United States president Donald Trump’s visit to India and the riots in the national capital. These two events kept news channels buzzing the whole week between 22-28 February.
However, in week nine (29 February to 6 March), they couldn’t maintain the same momentum as that of the previous week despite the novel corona virus scare in India that entered earlier this month.
Despite dominating the chart for the ninth week straight, TV Today Network’s Hindi news channel Aaj Tak declined by over 24 per cent to 1,23,507 weekly impressions as compared to 1,63,089 impressions in last week. The channel grew over 60 per cent in terms of viewership in week eight.
Though India TV moved one position up in the list of top five Hindi news channels list, it slipped by over 14 per cent to 1,02,710 weekly impressions in week nine as compared to 1,19,531 impressions in week eight. The channel had garnered over 35 per cent in terms of viewership in the last week.
Not just in terms of viewership but also by the ranking, Zee Entertainment Enterprises’ Hindi news channel Zee News has tumbled in the current week. The channel fell by over 18 per cent to 1,00,538 weekly impressions in the current week as compared to 1,22,585 impressions in week eight.
Network18’s Hindi news channel News18 India has improved both in terms of viewership and rank, but failed to match up with last week’s numbers. The channel, which ranked at fourth spot, fell marginally by over 6 per cent to 99,504 weekly impressions as against 1,06,683 in week eight of BARC.
Meanwhile, Republic Media Network’s Hindi news channel Republic Bharat somehow made a mark in the list of top five news channels at the last spot. The channel fell by 22 per cent to 85,184 weekly impressions as compared to 1,09,170 impressions in week eight of BARC.
In the English category, Republic Media Network’s Republic TV maintained a stronghold in the first position in the top five news channels list. However, the channel fell substantially by over 45 per cent to 589 weekly impressions as against 1083 impressions in the earlier week.
Followed by Republic TV, Times News Network’s English news channel Times Now also fell significantly by over 47 per cent to 416 weekly impressions as against 785 impressions in week eight. The channel had gained most in terms of viewership by over 90 per cent in the previous week.
Whereas TV Today Network’s English news channel India Today, while retaining its third spot in the list of top five channels, has declined by over 36 per cent to 291 weekly impressions in the current week as compared to 457 impressions in the previous week.
The government-owned English news channel DD India has climbed one spot up at fourth position from fifth. However, the channel fell by 36 per cent to 222 weekly impressions as compared to 347 in terms of viewership in week eight of BARC.
At the last position, Network18’s English news channel CNN-News18 has tumbled by around 46 per cent to 205 impressions as against 397 impressions in week eight. The channel had advanced by over 87 per cent in the previous week of BARC.
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.
