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Onam week witnesses 65% rise in FCT on Malayalam channels: BARC
MUMBAI: Broadcasters always witness growth in the viewership during festive season which leads to growth of advertising volume and revenue on the channel. Hindi GECs have the lion’s share with regards to viewership but the contribution from regional channel is also growing these days. One of the regional genre -Malayalam witnessed highest World Television Premiere (WTP) on the channels while the channels also saw 65 per cent increase in the commercial time in the Onam week compared to 2016’s Onam week.
According to BARC data, the commercial time on Malayalam channels has increased from 1273 (in 000 sec) in week 37 2016 to 2108 (in 000 sec) in week 37 2019. In 2018 Malayalam channels witnessed 933 (in 000 sec) duration commercial time. In comparison with the Onam celebrations in the past years, 2019 had the highest FCT for the genre.
This year Onam was celebrated from 1 to 13 September 2019, with the 10th day of Thiruvonam falling on 11 September, Wednesday.
The week 37 2019 also witnessed the highest number of World Television Premieres (WTPs) for a single week in the Malayalam Genre with 22 WTPs which is 47 per cent increase over Onam week in 2017 and 4 events aired across 7 days this year. The Thiruvonam day on Wednesday alone accounted for 12 WTPs across channels.
In 2016, the Onam week witnessed only five world television premiere and zero event. In 2017 the channels aired 15 world television premiere and one event. With regards to 2018 data, BARC India mentioned that 2018 hasn’t been considered as the Onam celebrations had been suspended due to Kerala Floods.
The total TV viewership in week 37 increased by 17 per cent to 1.31 billion Impressions. 9.3 out of 10 people in Kerala watched any channel on TV while 73 per cent of total TV viewing population watched on Wednesday (Thiruvonam day) alone. Thiruvonam day also clocked the highest viewership numbers in Kerala for a single day with 233 million impressions, registering a record time spent of 5 hrs 5 mins for a single day in the market.
The Malayalam genre viewership increased by 19 per cent to 1.18 billion Impressions, led by Malayalam GECs which grew by 31 per cent. Malayalam Movies had also seen a growth of 10 per cent this week.
In Malayalam genre week 37 has seen highest growth in Youth and Kids segment which is 33 per cent and 25 per cent respectively. A double-digit growth has been witnessed in viewership across all age groups.
NCCS A continued to remain the highest contributor to viewership with 17 per cent share, while NCCS A saw the highest growth of 22 per cent. NCCS CDE saw 19 per cent increase in the viewership this year.
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.
