GECs
AXN beats Star World and Zee English in the numbers game
MUMBAI: Though it does not exactly function in the same space that Star World and Zee English occupy, AXN does form a trio with the two in the category of English channels other than movie and news channels. And it is beating those two hollow in the numbers game.
According to Emediaplan, amongst AXN, Star World and Zee English, TAM data for the top 25 programmes (all markets CS 4+) for the week starting 23 November 2003, gives AXN the lead by a long way.
While the channel hogs the rankings on 22 places including the first 11 positions, Star World makes a first appearance on the twelfth position with The Simpsons followed by the international annual beauty pageant’s sub contest Miss World You Decide, which figures at number 16.
According to the results, the 23 November episode of The Simpsons, which registered a TVR of 0.13, fetched Star World a market share of 0.62 while market viewership is pegged at 0.09 million.
The 23rd and 24th slots are again taken by Star World’s TNA Wrestling and Focus Asia respectively. That’s about all the appearances that Star World manages to make in that week.
What is surprising about the results is that Zee English does not figure anywhere in the top 25.
On AXN, the most popular show during the week is clearly Guinness World Records. The programme walks away with the first slot as also the fourth and fifth. It leads the race with a market TVR of 0.26 on 23 November, generating a channel share of 1.69 and market viewership of 0.18 million.
The second lead is taken up by On The Spot, which fetches AXN a channel share of 0.88 and market viewership of 0.14 million. The show registered a TVR of 0.2 on 26 November.
Close on its heels, on the third spot is again AXN’s Relic Hunter with a TVR of 0.19 and a channel share of 0.72.
Vegas Showgirls, Wild On, Eff Barb Wire, Fear Factor and Music Xpress, all from the AXN stable, figure at the sixth to tenth spots in that order.
It’s clearly Advantage AXN all the way in the English language general entertainment space.
GECs
Sony PAL to air Sankat Mochan Hanuman from May 4 at 9 PM
Mythological series brings Lord Hanuman’s tale of devotion and courage back to TV
MUMBAI: Sony PAL is set to bring back the timeless mythological series Sankat Mochan Hanuman, with its premiere scheduled for May 4 at 9 PM. The show revisits the legendary journey of Lord Hanuman, offering viewers a chance to reconnect with one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures.
Centred on themes of devotion, courage and righteousness, the series traces Hanuman’s unwavering loyalty to Lord Ram and his fearless stand against evil. With its mix of dramatic storytelling and visually rich sequences, the show aims to deliver both entertainment and spiritual resonance, appealing to audiences across age groups.
The narrative unfolds as a larger-than-life saga, positioning Hanuman as the ultimate protector and a symbol of strength and selfless service. His journey, rooted in faith and duty, continues to strike a chord with viewers, making the series as relevant today as ever.
The cast features Gagan Malik as Lord Ram, Debalina Chatterjee as Sita, Nirbhay Wadhwa in the titular role, and Saurav Gurjar as Raavan. Their performances bring depth and authenticity to characters deeply embedded in Indian cultural memory.
With its return to television, the show is positioned as more than just a rerun. It taps into a renewed appetite for mythological storytelling, blending nostalgia with timeless values.
As audiences increasingly seek content that resonates beyond entertainment, ‘Sankat Mochan Hanuman’ offers a familiar yet powerful narrative, reminding viewers that stories of faith and courage never really go out of style.
