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Sony Marathi aims to fill need gap in the market
MUMBAI: Sony is taking the plunge into the Marathi general entertainment market to compete with Zee Marathi, Zee Yuva, Colors Marathi and Star Pravah.
The channel will be launched on 19 August 2018. Although the genre is pretty cluttered and Sony’s entry is pretty late compared to incumbents, Sony Pictures Network India MD and CEO NP Singh feels that it is the right time to enter.
“The regional language in Maharashtra is growing rapidly and we had traditionally a very strong presence in Maharashtra with our all the network channels. We have a 23 per cent plus market share and now we thought that it is the time to talk to our loyal consumers and give them content that is aspirational and differentiated and our research tells us that there is a need gap and that’s how we thought of coming up with Sony Marathi and there are expectations with Sony Marathi,” says Singh adding that he is confident that with its entry in the market, the market will grow further.
A BARC report points out that Marathi programming viewing grew by 74 per cent in 2017 over 2016.
Sony Marathi business head Ajay Bhalwankar wants to get the Marathi TV viewer to rise. “Since the last 10 years, Marathi films are doing well with content driven stories on the commercial market and that’s something that has not happened in the TV space,” he says.
The channel will target 15+ urban markets and will offer four hours of programming from Monday to Saturday in the 7-11 pm prime time slot. On Sunday the channel will showcase movies in a bid to garner more traction from the viewers.
Bhalwankar adds that currently there are no plans to air dubbed content or sports for now. “Sports is something that we offer in multiple languages and if we see a demand for any particular sport then we will consider that but right now we haven’t planned anything yet,” he says.
Sometime in the future, the channel may even look at replicating some of Sony’s non-fiction properties. But the focus now is to create unique shows for Sony Marathi.
Reports suggest that Sun TV also plans to foray into the Marathi space in a year showing the interest of broadcasters in this space. Adding relevance, Singh says, “We are getting to grow and fragment the market ourselves as more strong players come into the market and it will grow. It actually gives me the confidence that we are entering into the right market and earlier.”
In week 31 of BARC ratings, Zee Marathi led the genre with 320505 impressions (000s) followed by Zee Talkies at second position with 133441 impressions (000s) and Zee Yuva at fifth place with72303 impressions (000s). Colors Marathi and Star Pravah swapped their third and fourth positions with 117616 impressions (000s) and 124150 impressions (000s) respectively.
The new GEC will go live unveiling its robust content with a host of 11 new shows such as Julta Julta Jultay, H.M. Bane T.M. Bane, Saare Tuzhyach Sathi, Ti Phulrani, Duniyadaari Filmy Istyle, Year Down, Bheti Laagi Jeeva, Hrudhayat Vaje Something, Garja Maharashtra among others. The non-fiction lineup includes Maharashtracha Favorite Dancer and Maharashtrachi Hasya Jatra.
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.
