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Zeel channels rule Hindi channels across genres
BENGALURU: Subshash Chandra’s Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) Hindi GECs Zee Anmol and Zee TV were ranked second and third in Broadcast Audience Research Council of India weekly list of top 10 Hindi channels across genres: All India (U+R) : 2+ Individuals in week 36 of 2018 (Saturday, 1 September 2018 to Friday, 7 September 2018). At its normal first rank was the Sun TV Network’s flagship Tamil GEC Sun TV.
In terms of ranks and networks, channels from four networks followed a simple arithmetic progression in consecutive order. One rank, rank one was held by a Sun TV Network channel; two ranks, ranks two and three, were held by Zeel Networks channels. Three ranks, ranks four, five and six, were held by Star India channels and; four ranks, ranks seven to ten, were held by Sony Pictures Network India (SPN) channels in week 36 of 2018. From the languages perspective, there was one Tamil GEC, two Hindi movies and seven Hindi GEC channels present in BARC’s across genres list in week 36 of 2018. Consequently, two Zeel Hindi GEC channels – free to air (FTA) Zee Anmol and flagship Zee TV ruled Hindi channels in week 36 of 2018 in BARC’s across genres list.
One Sun TV Network channel
As mentioned above, at its normal first rank in week 36 was the Tamil GEC Sun TV with 1063.806 million weekly impressions as compared to 999.006 million weekly impressions in week 35 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.
Two Zeel channels
Reclaiming its second rank in week 36 of 2018 was Zee Anmol with 840.010 million weekly impressions as compared to 701.762 million weekly impressions in week 35. 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 second 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 third in HSM (R).
Bounding up six ranks to third place was Zee TV with 721.364 million weekly impressions as compared to 620.187 million weekly impressions in week 35. Zee TV was ranked second in BARC’s weekly list of top 10 Hindi GECs in HSM (U+R), third 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 third and fourth ranks 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).
Three Star India channels
Climbing up four ranks to fourth place was Star India’s FTA Hindi GEC Star Utsav in week 36 of 2018 with 669.262 million weekly impressions as compared to 629.138 million weekly impressions in week 35. 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 fourth 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).
Another Star India FTA Hindi GEC, Star Bharat, also jumped up two ranks to fifth place in week 36 of 2018 with 652.973 million weekly impressions as compared to seventh rank and 632.025 million weekly impressions in week 35. Star Bharat was ranked fourth in BARC’s list of top 10 Hindi channels in HSM (U+R), sixth in HSM (R) and HSM (U) in BARC’s weekly list of top 10 Hindi GEC channels during the week under review.
Star India’s flagship Hindi GEC, Star Plus dropped down two ranks in week 36 of 2018 to sixth place with 650.318 million impressions as compared to 687.926 million weekly impressions in the previous week. Star Plus was ranked fifth 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 second in HSM (U).
Four SPN channels
SPN’s Hindi movies channel, Sony Max, dropped down five ranks to seventh place in week 36 of 2018 with 630.227 million weekly impressions as compared to 721.447 million weekly impressions in week 35. Sony Max was also ranked second in HSM (U+R), first in HSM (U) and was ranked fifth in HSM (R). The Hindi version of SS Rajamouli’s film Bahubali the Beginning was ranked first among BARC’s list of the top 5 Hindi movies programmes during primetime based on average rating across all airings (original and repeat) in the week in HSM (U+R). Further, three Hindi feature films HFF – Bahubali the Beginning, 3 Idiots and Bhairava, on Sony Max were also among BARC’s list of top 5 Hindi movies programmes during primetime list in HSM (U).
SPN’s women focused Hindi GEC Sony Pal re-entered BARC’s across genres weekly list in week 36 of 2017 with 626.815 million weekly impressions. The channel was ranked fifth in BARC’s list of top 10 Hindi GEC channels in HSM (U+R), third in HSM (R) and eighth in HSM (U). The long running sitcom Tarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashmah on Sony Pal was ranked second among BARC’s list of the top 5 Hindi movies programmes during primetime based on average rating across all airings (original and repeat) in the week in HSM R).
Big Synergy Productions’ Amitabh Bahchan anchored Indian version of Who Will become A Millonaire – Kaun Banega Crorepati or KBC is on air on SPN’s flagship Hindi GEC pay channel Sony Entertainment Television (SET). SET entered BARC’s weekly across genres list for the first time in 2018 in week 36 with 625.080 million weekly impressions. SET was ranked seventh in BARC’s weekly list of top 10 Hindi GEC channels in HSM (U+R), and first in HSM (U).
At tenth rank was another SPN Hindi movies channel, Sony Wah with 623.522 million weekly impressions as compared to 669.499 million weekly impressions in week 35. Sony Wah was ranked first in BARC’s list of top 5 Hindi movies channels in HSM (U+R) and HSM (R). HFFs’ The Return of Rebel and Yevadu 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) One more HFF- Dangerous Khiladi 4 on Sony Wah was also on BARC’s list of top 5 Hindi movies programmes during primetime in 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.
