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4 Star and 3 Zeel channels most watched across genres
BENGALURU: Four channels from the Star India network, three channels from Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) and one channel each from Sony Pictures Network India (SPN), the Sun TV Network, and Viacom 18 comprised the list of the top 10 channels across genres for week 49 of 2018 (Saturday, 1 December to Friday, 7 December 2018, week under review). From the genres perspective, Broadcast Audience Research Council of India (BARC) weekly list of top 10 channels across genres (across genres list) had seven Hindi GECs two Telugu GECs and one Tamil GEC.
At its normal first rank in week 49 of 2018 was Sun TV with 1,027.961 million weekly impressions as compared to 995.022 weekly impressions in week 48 of 2018. Sun TV also led BARC’s weekly list of top 5 Tamil channels in the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry market and four programmes in BARC’s list of top 5 Tamil programmes during primetime in these markets based on average rating across all airings (original and repeat) in the week under review were aired on Sun TV.
Continuing on at its previous week’s second rank in week 49 of 2018 was Zeel’s free to air (FTA) Hindi GEC Zee Anmol with 849.099 million weekly impressions as compared to 874.788 million weekly impressions in week 48. Zee Anmol was also ranked first in BARC’s weekly list of top 10 Hindi GECs in the combined urban and rural Hindi speaking markets or HSM (U+R) and HSM (R) and was ranked eighth in HSM (U). The Balaji Telefilms produced soap Kumkum Bhagya was ranked first in BARC’s list of top 5 Hindi GEC programmes during primetime based on average rating across all airings (original and repeat) in the week in HSM (U+R) and HSM (R). Another two programmes aired on the channel – Mahek and Ek Main aur Ek Tu were ranked second and fourth respectively in HSM (R).
Moving up a place to third rank in week 49 of 2018 was Star India’s flagship Hindi GEC Star Plus with 785.322 million impressions in week 48 of 2018 as compared to 772.967 million weekly impressions in week 48. Star Plus was ranked second in BARC’s weekly lists of top 10 Hindi GECs in HSM (U+R) and was ranked first in HSM (U) and eighth in HSM (R). The 4 Lion Films soap Kulfi Kumar Bajewala aired on Star Plus was present in BARC’s weekly list of top 5 Hindi GEC programmes in HSM (U) at third rank during primetime based on average rating across all airings (original and repeat).
Zeel’s flagship Hindi GEC Zee TV moved down a place to fourth rank in week 49 of 2018. Zee TV garnered 780.033 million weekly impressions during the week under review as compared to 804.282 million weekly impressions in week 48. Zee TV was ranked fourth in BARC’s weekly list of top 10 Hindi GECs in HSM (U+R) and second in HSM (U), and was ranked sixth in HSM (R). Two programmes that were aired on Zee TV- Kumkum Bhagya, and its spinoff Kundali Bhagya were at fifth and second ranks respectively in BARC’s list of top 5 Hindi GEC programmes during primetime based on average rating across all airings (original and repeat) in the week in HSM (U+R) and fourth and first respectively in HSM (U).
Star India’s second pay-TV Hindi GEC Star Bharat retained its previous week’s rank of 5 with million 750.394 weekly impressions in week 49 of 2018 as compared to 742.567 million weekly impressions in week 48. Star Bharat was ranked third in BARC’s weekly list of top 10 Hindi GECs in HSM (U+R), fourth in HSM (R) and was ranked fifth in HSM (U). The Hindi mythology Radhakrishn on the channel was ranked fourth and fifth in BARC’s weekly list of top 5 Hindi GECs programmes during primetime based on average rating across all airings (original and repeat) in the week in HSM (U+R) and HSM (U) respectively.
Star India’s flagship Telugu GEC Star Maa also retained sixth rank in week 49 of 2018 with 702.918 million weekly impressions as compared with 677.237 million weekly impressions in week 48. Star Maa was ranked first in BARC’s weekly list of top 5 Telugu channels in the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana market. Five programmes that were aired on Star Maa were present in BARC’s weekly list of top 5 Telugu programmes during primetime based on average rating across all airings (original and repeat) in the week in the same market.
Star India’s FTA Hindi GEC Star Utsav also maintained the previous week’s seventh place in week 49 of 2018 with 641.354 million weekly impressions as compared to 627.637 weekly impressions in week 47. Star Utsav was ranked fifth in BARC’s list of top 10 Hindi GECs in HSM (U+R) and HSM (U) and was ranked fourth in HSM (R).
Viacom18’s flagship Hindi GEC Colors re-entered BARC’s across genres list in week 49 of 2018 with 575.390 million weekly impressions at eighth rank. Colors was ranked sixth in in BARC’s weekly list of top 10 Hindi GECs in HSM (U+R) and HSM (U) and was ranked tenth in HSM (R). The third season of the Balaji Telefilms produced supernatural drama Naagin 3 was ranked third and second in BARC’s weekly list of top 5 Hindi GECs programmes during primetime based on average rating across all airings (original and repeat) in the week in HSM (U+R) and HSM (U) respectively.
Zeel’s flagship Telugu GEC Zee Telugu also retained its previous week’s ninth rank in week 49 of 2018 with 545.402 million weekly impressions as compared to 599.109 million weekly impressions in week 48. The channel was ranked second in BARC’s weekly list of top 5 Telugu channels in the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana market.
Dropping two places to tenth place in week 49 of 2018 was SPN’s women focused Hindi GEC Sony Pal with 545.020 million weekly impressions as compared to 626.473 million weekly impressions in week 48. Sony Pal was ranked seventh in BARC’s weekly list of top 10 Hindi GECs’ in HSM (U+R), third in HSM (R) and was ranked ninth in HSM (U). The sitcom Tarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashmah on Sony Pal was ranked fifth in BARC’s weekly list of top 5 Hindi GEC programmes during primetime based on average rating across all airings (original and repeat) in the week in HSM (R).
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
