MAM
Sony, Sab witness big leap in ratings
MUMBAI: Sony Entertainment Television and Sab are the only Hindi general entertainment channels to have seen sizeable jump in viewership in week 13.
As per TAM data (HSM including 5 new LC1 markets, C&S, 4+) sourced from a channel, the two Multi Screen Media (MSM) channels have become the major gainers in the week ended 30 March.
Sab benefited from the telecast of ‘Sab Ki Holi’ on 27 March that rated a 3.1 TVR for a two-and-a-half hours run, contributing to around 15 GRPs to the channel’s total tally of 159 GRPs (last week 142 GRPs).
Sab EVP and business head Anooj Kapoor said, “More and more families seem to be joining the SAB family with every passing week. The magic of “Asli mazaa SAB Ke Saath Aata hai” is indeed spreading. We are committed to this extended family of ours and will continue to offer exciting and entertaining content that families can sit together and enjoy. Sab ki Holi was one such initiative and we are thrilled to see the way our viewers have loved it, taking it to a unprecedented rating of 3.1 TVR.”
Meanwhile, Set gained from the television premiere of Amir Khan-starrer ‘Talaash’ that notched a 2.3 TVR for a three-and-a half hour telecast on 30 March, fetching around 16 GRPs for the MSM flagship Hindi GEC. The channel garnered 175 GRPs (last week 155), and its new fiction show Chanchan that debuted on 25 March clocked a 1.7 TVR.. The show replaced Honge Juda na hum at the 9 pm slot, which registered a TVR of 0.4 on 21 March, its closing episode.
Star Plus maintained the status quo with 291 GRPs, continuing to rule the Hindi GECs’ flock. The channel had aired its first ever Star Guild Awards, hosted by Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, that notched up 3.7 TVR on 24 March. Almost all the fiction shows on the channel like Yeh Rishta Kya kehlata Hai (3.5 TVR), Diya Aur Baati Hum (4.6 TVR) saw a marginal dip in viewership.
Holding on to the second spot is Zee TV with the same numbers as last week at 207 GRPs. Its Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke Holi Event recorded a whopping 3.5 TVR for three hours run on 25 March. Like Star Plus, Zee TV also suffered loss in numbers of few of its daily soaps like Qubool Hai (2.9 TVR) and Punar Vivah (1.8 TVR).
Colors, the number 3 Hindi GEC channel lost just one GRP to conclude the week with 191 GRPs. The Viacom18 channel had aired Femina Miss India 2013 on 24 March that registered a 0.8 TVR at the 10 pm slot. The loss in numbers can be because of the audience fragmentation to Star Plus as it clashed with the Salman Khan hosted Star Guild Awards on that day. The channel‘s other shows witnessed minor changes in the ratings.
Following Sab, at No. 6 is Life OK that lost eight GRPs to close the week with 119 GRPs. Sahara One remained at the bottom of the ladder with 22 GRPs (last week 24).
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
