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GEC turf: Gap narrows between Star Plus and Colors
MUMBAI: Star Plus, the leader among the Hindi general entertainment channels (GECs), saw a mighty fall in its ratings for the week ended 11 June, resulting in the gap with Colors narrowing to a single digit number.
Star Plus managed to stick to its leadership position, despite a loss of 42 GRPs (gross rating points) over the earlier week. The channel closed with 247 GRPs compared to 289 in the previous week, according to Tam data for the Hindi speaking markets (C&S, 4+).
Colors also lost six GRPs to end the week with 239 GRPs.
Colors’ Balika Vadhu shared the top spot with Zee TV’s Pavitra Rishta in the top 10 shows list. It is almost after a gap of two years that Balika Vadhu has reached the top. Incidentally, the show also completed 750 episodes on the channel.
The ratings were good for Zee TV, which added 25 GRPs to its last week tally to end with 208 GRPs. In the previous week, Sony Entertainment Television had come dangerously close to the channel with a gap of just 2 GRPs. Zee TV strengthened its third spot as Set lost 18 GRPs to end with 181 GRPs.
Set’s sister channel Sab remained flat by adding 1 GRP to end the week with 148 GRPs.
Imagine TV, meanwhile, added 5 GRPs and recorded 90 GRPs in the week. Star One and Sahara One were at 37 GRPs (last week 37) and 32 GRPs (last week 27) respectively.
MAM
Debkumar Dasgupta joins Dangal TV as Head of Syndication
Veteran broadcast executive to drive international and national content sales
MUMBAI: Debkumar Dasgupta, a seasoned broadcast media professional with over 30 years in the industry, has taken charge as head of syndication at Dangal TV, overseeing both international and national markets.
Dangal TV, owned by Enterr10 Television Network, is a popular 24-hour Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC). Launched in 2009 originally for Bhojpuri movies, it has since pivoted to Hindi entertainment, with a focus on family dramas, mythology, and crime shows catering to both urban and rural audiences.
Dasgupta brings a formidable track record in content acquisition, syndication sales, and P&L management across ME, Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America. His career spans top media organisations including IndiaCast Media, Viacom18, MTV Networks, Catvision Products and Tee-Men’s.
Most recently, he was with GoQuest Media as group partnership and strategy head, managing partnerships and monetisation strategies across the region. He also served as vice president – content acquisition and partnership for Asia and Africa, negotiating deals for Turkish dramas and other high-demand content.
Earlier stints include senior vice president and business head roles at IndiaCast Media Distribution, steering ME&A and global syndication sales, and boosting the reach of Viacom18 channels such as Colors, MTV India, Colors Rishtey and News18 India across Asia-Pacific, South Asia, ME, Africa, CIS, CEE and Latin America.
Dasgupta began his media journey as senior director – network development at MTV Networks India, managing channel carriage and affiliate revenues, before moving into content sales and international business with Viacom18. He started in cable TV sales with Catvision Limited, handling nationwide dealer and distributor networks.
Known as a creative change agent, Dasgupta has consistently driven revenue growth, market share expansion, and efficiency improvements, combining deep market insights with hands-on leadership.
With his global expertise and strong cross-functional experience across sales, legal, marketing, programming, logistics and finance, Dangal TV is set to strengthen its content syndication footprint and expand its international reach under his leadership.
Dasgupta’s appointment signals an aggressive push to leverage ethnic content opportunities and emerging markets, ensuring Dangal TV keeps pace in an increasingly competitive broadcast ecosystem.
