MAM
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.
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.
