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Ad FCTs slump by 26% in week 14: BARC-Nielsen report
NEW DELHI: For the first time in COVID-19 period, ad FCT has seen a slump, as revealed in the fourth edition of the BARC-Nielsen report, which compares data from the post-COVID period in January on a weekly basis with the current numbers. Overall FCT dropped from 28 million seconds to 20 million seconds, a dip of 26 per cent, in week 14.
The slump was evident even after 72 per cent of the advertisers remaining active during the COVID-19 period.
The drop has been observed across genres, with music taking the biggest hit of 58 per cent, followed by youth recording a dip of 52 per cent and movies and kids slumping by 43 per cent.
The dip was constant across languages when it comes to GEC but EEC recorded a growth of 19 per cent. The biggest drop was noticed on Tamil GECs with a 52 per cent dip. Bangla GEC was next with 47 per cent drop in ad FCTs.
In movies, English films remained the least impacted with a one per cent slump in ad FCTs. The highest drop of 58 per cent was noted in Punjabi movies, followed by Tamil movies (-57 per cent), and Punjabi movies (-54 per cent).
Among the ad sectors, social ads have grown exponentially during COVID-19 period. Even essential products are showing signs of growth.
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.
