News Headline
BARC: English & Hindi News genres show decline in ratings
MUMBAI: Perhaps the approach of the end of the state elections had something to do with it, but English News channels witnessed a decrease in ratings except for CNN-News18. The genre was dominated by Times Now. In the English Business News space, players observed a substantial increase in its viewership except BTVi.
Even as the Hindi news channels also saw a downslide, Aaj Tak continued to lead and the genre saw the entry of India News in the top 5 channels list while News Nation dropped out.
According to week 9 of Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), the exit of News Nation made way for the entry of News18 India in the Hindi News Urban genre. The players witnessed a decrease in the ratings. In the Hindi News Urban space, players witnessed mixed ratings.
Players in the Hindi Business News space witnessed a substantial increase in their viewership this week.
English News
Times Now with a decrease in its ratings continued to dominate the genre with 727 Impressions (000s) this week as against 798 Impressions (000s) last week. CNN News18 came to the second slot with 435 Impressions (000s) while India Today Television took the third position with 346 Impressions (000s). NDTV 24×7 with 297 Impressions (000s) and BBC World News with 149 Impressions (000s) took the fourth and fifth position respectively.
English Business News
CNBC TV18 dominated the genre with 567 Impressions (000s) followed by ET Now with 356 Impressions (000s). NDTV Profit and NDTV Prime were at the third position with 102 Impressions (000s). CNBC TV 18 Prime HD was on the fourth spot with 60 Impressions (000s). BTVi took the fifth place with 36 Impressions (000s).
Hindi News
Aaj Tak with decreased ratings continued at its number one position with 116367 Impressions (000s) as compared to 126940 Impressions (000s) in week 8. India TV continued at the second position with 98145 Impressions (000s). ABP News took the third position with 89799 Impressions (000s) followed by Zee News at the fourth position with 87876 Impressions (000s). India News took the fifth position with 71991 Impressions (000s).
Hindi News Rural
Aaj Tak with a decrease in ratings dominated the rural market with 56616 Impressions (000s) as compared to 60016 Impressions (000s) last week. ABP News was at the second place with 44089 Impressions (000s). India TV grabbed the third position with 43423 Impressions (000s). India News took the fourth place with 39675 Impressions (000s) followed by Zee News with 37757 Impressions (000s) at the fifth position.
Hindi News Urban
Aaj Tak with decrease in ratings continued at the number one spot in the urban market with 59751 Impressions (000s). India TV was at the second position with 54721 Impressions (000s). Zee News took the third position with 50119 Impressions (000s) followed by ABP News at the fourth position with 45710 Impressions (000s). News18 India took the fifth position with 35888 Impressions (000s).
Hindi Business News
CNBC Awaaz continued to dominate the genre with increase in ratings from 1787 Impressions (000s) last week to 2052 Impressions (000s) this week. The second spot was taken by Zee Business with 1262 Impressions (000s).
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.
