MAM
Colors and Zee TV: close fight for no 2
MUMBAI: In week 41 of TAM TV ratings, all the Hindi general entertainment channels (GECs) have seen a drop in their ratings. What was interesting though, was the close fight between Colors and Zee TV for the number two position in the TV ranking. Colors, won the race, with a slight margin, to claim its number two position with 407,337 GVTs after it shed 68,726 TVTs from last week’s rating. Not so far is Zee TV that recorded 406,987 GVTs (415,793).
Star Plus continues to lead the panel with 464,989 GVTs (501,683). At number four is Life OK that maintains its stability with 344,750 (347,291) GVTs. Sony Entertainment Television ranks fifth this week with 313,411 GVTs (323,337). Sab goes to number six with 291,781 GVTs (317,170). Sahara one continues to be at the bottom with 33,705 GVTs (33,222).
Star Plus, the chart topper, has seen a drop in the ratings for all its fiction shows. Thus, its popular show Diya aur Baati Hum scored 9,243 TVTs (9,911), Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai scored 6,032 TVTs (7,614), Pyar Ka Dard Hai reported 6,250 TVTs (7,708) and Saathiya registered 6,314 TVTs (7,237). Epic series Mahabharat too witnessed a drop in its fourth week and scored 4,523 TVTs (4,909).
Second placed, Colors’ long running fiction series Balika Vadhu saw a slight drop in its ratings and marked 6,624 TVTs (6,759), Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon scored 4,157 TVTs (4,519) and Uttaran reported 3,252 TVTs (4,056). Comedy Nights with Kapil reported 6,518 TVTs (4,462). Much hyped reality show 24, too saw a drop and scored 2,625 TVTs (3,134).
Third placed, Zee TV’s fictional offering Qubool Hai witnessed a drop and scored 5,676 TVTs (6,003). Pavitra Rishta generated 4,196 TVTs (4,646). Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke secured 5,085 TVTs (6,490). The channel’s historical show Jodha Akbar noted 8,777 TVTs (9,337). Drama series Do Dil Bandhe Ek Dori Se registered 5,104 TVTs (5,696). Its dance reality DID – Dance ka Tashan took its tally to 3,172 TVTs (3,870) on a Saturday and 3,056 TVTs (3,707) on a Sunday.
Fourth placed, Life OK’s top mythological series Mahadev scored 3,416 TVTs (4,009). Do Dil Ek Jaan stood at 1,669 TVTs (1,884), Savdhan India rated 2,566 TVTs (2,479). Shapath generated 3,470 TVTs (3,637). Ek Boond Ishq noted 2,551 TVTs (2,635).
Fifth placed, Sony’s long running crime series CID witnessed a drop and recorded 5,292 TVTs (7,048), Crime Petrol too saw a drop and registered 3,423 TVTs (3,882). The channel’s historical show Maharana Pratap generated 2,772 TVTs (3,057). KBC has maintained its score and garnered 3,960 TVTs (3,911). Other fiction shows either held on to their viewership or dipped marginally during the week.
Sixth placed, Sab’s fiction show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah continues to be the channel leader with 6,945 TVTs (8,485). Chidiya Ghar saw a drop as it rated 3,096 TVTs (3,817). Lapataganj reported 2,090 TVTs (2,380) and Baalveer registered 2,600 TVTs (2,925). It was a roller-coaster ride for other fictional shows as well.
In the movie channel genre, Zee Cinema reported 196,371 GVTs (198,401); Star Gold witnessed a rise taking its tally to 192,339 GVTs (174,671) and Movies OK scored 115,017 GVTs (126,462). On the other hand, &pictures garnered 62,839 GVTs (61,530), Zee Anmol notched up and rated 47,173 GVTs (38,080) and Max scored 177,170 GVTs (220,318).
Seems like the festive season has not proved too fruitful for the channels! We wonder if Navratri has eaten away on the TVTs.
Brands
Nestlé India posts 14.9 per cent sales growth, profit rises in FY26
FMCG major sweetens returns with dividend as strong domestic demand leads
NEW DELHI: Nestlé India has reported a strong financial performance for the year ended 31 March 2026, with sales and profits rising steadily on the back of robust domestic demand.
The company posted total income of Rs 231,949.5 million for FY26, up from Rs 202,645.5 million in the previous year, marking a growth of 14.9 per cent. Domestic sales remained the key driver, increasing 14.6 per cent to Rs 221,187.0 million, while exports contributed Rs 9,527.6 million to the overall tally.
The final quarter of the financial year added extra momentum, with total sales rising 23.4 per cent compared to the same period last year. This helped lift the company’s annual profit to Rs 35,446.0 million, up from Rs 33,145.0 million in FY25.
Shareholders are set to benefit as the board has recommended a final dividend of Rs 5.00 per equity share. This comes on top of the interim dividend of Rs 7.00 per share paid in February 2026. The record date for the final dividend has been fixed as 10 July 2026, subject to shareholder approval at the 67th Annual General Meeting scheduled for 3 July 2026. If approved, the payout will begin from 30 July 2026.
During the year, the company’s paid-up equity share capital doubled to Rs 1,928.3 million following a 1:1 bonus share issue, strengthening its capital base. The results were also supported by a Rs 1,207.8 million credit from exceptional items, including a Rs 2,023.2 million writeback from resolved income tax litigation, partially offset by restructuring costs and expenses related to new labour codes.
On the cost front, material costs rose to 44.8 per cent of sales for the full year, compared to 43.6 per cent in the previous year, reflecting ongoing input cost pressures. Despite this, the company maintained solid profitability, with EBITDA coming in at Rs 53,060.6 million.
Overall, Nestlé India’s performance underscores its ability to balance growth and margins in a challenging environment. With steady demand, disciplined cost management and consistent shareholder returns, the company appears well placed to carry its momentum into the next financial year.
