MAM
Star Plus continues to rule the GEC genre
MUMBAI: The pecking order of the top four Hindi general entertainment channels (GECs) remains unchanged and Star Plus continues to lead the genre.
As per TAM data (HSM, C&S, 4+) provided by the Hindi GECs, Star Plus has added 11 GRPs to pocket 264 GRPs for the week ended 1 September. Its fiction shows continue to do well but the viewership of leading property ‘Diya Aur Baati Hum‘ dropped to 5.6 TVR from 6.7 TVR in the preceeding week.
Colors shed 14 GRPs but is still the second most watched channel in the genre backed by its fiction shows like ‘Balika Vadhu‘ (5.5 TVR), ‘Parichay‘ (2.6 TVR) and ‘Madhubala‘ (2.5 TVR) that have seen increase in eyeballs. The channel collected 244 GRPs for the week ended 1 September. Colors might see the performance bettering next week because it‘s launching Sahara-One‘s singing reality show ‘Sur-Kshetra‘ on 8 September.
Holding on to the No.3 position is Zee TV which lost 10 GRPs to end the week with 227 GRPs. The reason for the loss in numbers could be the fall in ratings of its newly launched shows like ‘Ramayana‘ and ‘Dance Ke Superkids‘. The epic show, which had opened with 2.7 TVR, had ratings of 1.3 in the week. Meanwhile, ‘Dance Ke Superkids‘ fell from 5.6 TVR to 4.4 TVR.
Sony Entertainment Television (Set) lost a GRP to record 210 GRPs. The grand finale episode of Indian Idol-6 that ran for almost two-and-a-half hours clocked 3.3 TVR on Saturday. Its most watched fiction show ‘Bade Ache Lagte Hai‘ rated 3.4 TVR (last week 3.3 TVR). The channel is launching its biggest game show, ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati -6‘, on 7 September. Hosted by Amtibach Bachan, the show is expected to up Sony‘s ratings and hierarchy in the Hindi GEC pecking order.
Life OK with 132 GRPs (last week 126) is the next in the ladder while just a GRP away is Sab with 131 GRPs (last week 126). Sahara One with 35 GRPs (last week 37) follows.
Brands
Uidai partners with Google to help users locate Aadhaar centres
Verified Aadhaar centres to appear on Maps with services and access info
MUMBAI: Finding an Aadhaar centre may soon be as easy as finding your favourite café. In a move aimed at making public services more accessible, the Unique Identification Authority of India has partnered with Google to display authorised Aadhaar centres on Google Maps. The feature, expected to roll out in the coming months, will allow residents to locate verified centres quickly and confidently.
More than 60,000 Aadhaar centres, including state of the art Aadhaar Seva Kendras, will be mapped. When users search on Google Maps, they will be directed to authorised facilities rather than unverified listings, helping curb misinformation and confusion.
The listings will do more than drop a pin. Users will be able to see the nature of services offered at each centre, whether it is adult enrolment, child enrolment, or limited to address and mobile number updates. Details such as operating hours, parking availability and divyang friendly infrastructure will also be shown wherever applicable.
Uidai CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar, said the collaboration is part of the authority’s continued effort to improve ease of living for Aadhaar holders by making authorised centres simpler and faster to navigate.
The partnership will deepen in its next phase, with Uidai using Google Business Profile to manage information and respond directly to public feedback. Looking ahead, the two organisations are also exploring the option of enabling appointment bookings through the Google Maps interface, potentially allowing residents to plan their visits with greater efficiency.
Google India country head, strategic partnerships Roli Agarwal, said integrating verified Aadhaar centres would help millions access trusted services with confidence, bringing essential government infrastructure closer to the people who need it most.
If all goes to plan, a routine Aadhaar update may soon begin not with a queue, but with a search bar.
