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Zeel channels continue to rule Hindi channels; Colors, Star Maa return to across genres list
BENGALURU: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) free to air (FTA) Hindi GECs Zee Anmol and flagship Zee TV were once again ranked second and third in Broadcast Audience Research Council of India (BARC) weekly list of top 10 channels across genres for week 37 of 2018 (Saturday, 8 September 2018 to Friday, 14 September 2018). Viacom 18’s flagship Hindi GEC Colors returned to BARC’s across genres list at rank seven during the week under consideration. The channel has been present for 27 of the first 37 weeks of 2017in BARC’s across genres list. Star India’s flagship Telugu GEC Star Maa also re-entered BARC’s across genres list at rank six in week 37 of 2018. Star Maa was present for 29 of first 37 weeks of 2018 in BARC’s across genres lislts. Since Sun TV occupied its normal rank one, Zee Anmol and Zee TV topped Hindi channels – GEC as well as Hindi movies during week 37 of 2018.
One channel each from the Hindi movies, Tamil and Telugu genres and seven Hindi GECs were present in BARC’s across genres list for week 37 of 2018. From the networks’ perspective, as has become almost the norm, there were once again four channels from the Star India network in the list. There were two channels each from Zeel and Sony Pictures Network India (SPN), and one channel each from the Sun TV Network and Viacom18.
As mentioned above, at its normal first rank in week 37 was the Tamil GEC Sun TV with 1,043.906 million weekly impressions as compared to 1,063.806 million weekly impressions in week 36 of 2018. Sun TV also led BARC’s weekly list of top 5 Tamil channels in the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry market and all of the 5 programmes in BARC’s list of top 5 Tamil programmes during primetime in these markets based on average rating across all airings (original and repeat) in the week under review were aired on Sun TV.
Continuing at its second rank in week 37 of 2018 was Zee Anmol with 816.131 million weekly impressions as compared to 840.010 million weekly impressions in week 36. Zee Anmol was also ranked first in BARC’s weekly list of top 10 Hindi GECs in HSM (U+R) and HSM (R). The Balaji Telefilms produced soap Kumkum Bhagya aired on Zee Anmol was ranked third in BARC’s list of top 5 Hindi GEC programmes during primetime based on average rating across all airings (original and repeat) in the week in HSM (U+R) and was ranked first in HSM (R). Another soap from the channel, Mahek, was ranked second in HSM (R).
Also retaining its third place was Zee TV with 723.225 million weekly impressions as compared to 721.364 million weekly impressions in week 36. Zee TV was ranked second in BARC’s weekly list of top 10 Hindi GECs in HSM (U+R), fourth in HSM (U) and seventh in HSM (R) during the week. Two programmes that were aired on Zee TV- Kumkum Bhagya, and its spinoff Kundali Bhagya were at fourth and second ranks respectively in BARC’s list of top 5 Hindi GEC programmes during primetime based on average rating across all airings (original and repeat) in the week in HSM (U+R) and HSM (U). Kundali Bhagya on Zee TV was ranked fourth in HSM (R) during primetime.
Star India’s FTA channel Star Utsav also retained its fourth rank in week 37 of 2018 with 695.203 million weekly impressions as compared to 669.262 million weekly impressions in week 36. Star Utsav was ranked third in BARC’s list of top 10 Hindi GECs in HSM (U+R), second in HSM (R) and was ranked seventh in HSM (U). The soap Rabba Ve aired on Star Utsav was ranked fifth in BARC’s weekly in BARC’s list of top 5 Hindi GEC programmes during primetime based on average rating across all airings (original and repeat) in the week in HSM (R).
Climbing up a rank to fifth place in week 37 of 2018 was Star India’s flagship Hindi GEC Star Plus with 682.419 million impressions as compared to 650.318 million weekly impressions in the previous week. Star Plus was ranked fourth in BARC’s weekly lists of top 10 Hindi GECs in HSM (U+R) and was ranked second in HSM (U) and tenth in HSM (R). Director’s Kut Productions produced Hindi soap Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai aired on Star Plus was ranked fifth in BARC’s list of top 5 Hindi GEC programmes during primetime based on average rating across all airings (original and repeat) in the week in HSM (U+R) and was ranked third in HSM (U).
As mentioned above, Star India’s Telugu GEC Star Maa re-entered BARC’s across genres list in week 37 of 2018 with 668.179 million weekly impressions at rank six. Star Maa was ranked first in BARC’s weekly list of top 5 Telugu channels in the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana market. The first four of the top five programmes that were aired on Star Maa were present in BARC’s weekly list of top 5 Telugu programmes during primetime based on average rating across all airings (original and repeat) in the week.
Also, as mentioned above, Colors re-entered the across genres list in week 37 of 2018 with 654.144 million weekly impressions at seventh rank. Colors was ranked sixth in BARC’s weekly list of top 10 Hindi GECs in HSM (U+R), third in HSM (U) and ninth in HSM (R). The third season of the Balaji Telefilms produced supernatural drama Naagin 3 was among BARC’s top 5 Hindi GEC programmes during primetime based on average rating across all airings (original and repeat) in the week in HSM (U+R) and HSM (U). Further, the reality show Dance Deewane was ranked fifth among BARC’s top 5 Hindi GEC programmes during primetime based on average rating across all airings (original and repeat) in the week in HSM (R).
Dropping down three ranks to eighth rank was another Star India channel Star Bharat in week 37 of 2018 with 653.573 million weekly impressions as compared to fifth rank and 652.973 million weekly impressions in week 36. Star Bharat was ranked fifth in BARC’s list of top 10 Hindi channels in HSM (U+R), in HSM (R) and in HSM (U) in BARC’s weekly list of top 10 Hindi GECs during the week under review.
Retaining its previous weeks ninth rank was SPN’s flagship Hindi GEC Sony Entertainment Television (SET). SET’s ratings in week 37 of 2018 were 629.656 million weekly impressions as compared to 625.080 million weekly impressions in week 36. SET was ranked eighth in BARC’s weekly list of top 10 Hindi GEC channels in HSM (U+R), and first in HSM (U).
At tenth rank (same as in week 36) in week 37 of 2018 was SPN’s Hindi movies channel Sony Wah with 618.353.million weekly impressions as compared to 623.522 million weekly impressions in the previous week. Sony Wah was ranked first in BARC’s list of top 5 Hindi movies channels in HSM (U+R) and HSM (R) and fifth in HSM (U). Hindi feature films (HFF) Sultan and Chirutha (Ram Charan) that featured on Sony Wah were among the top 5 most watched Hindi movies programmes during primetime based on average rating across all airings (original and repeat) for the week in BARC’s list in HSM (U+R) and HSM (R).
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.
