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BARC ratings: 3 Telugu channels among top 10 across genres
BENGALURU: Three Telugu GEC channels–Star India’s Star Maa, Sun Network’s Gemini TV and the Network 18 associated ETV Telugu—were present in Broadcast Audience Research Council of India’s (BARC) list of top 10 channels across genre: All India (U+R) : 2+ Individuals list for week 3 of 2018 (Saturday, 13 January 2018 to Friday, 19 January 2018). Besides one Tamil GEC–Sun Network’s Sun TV–the other six channels, including four free-to-air (FTA), were Hindi GECs.
Three channels from Star India, two channels each from Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel), Network 18 and Sun Network and one channel from Sony Pictures Network India (SPN) made up the top-10 channels across genre list for week 3 of 2018.
Sun TV was at its regular first place in the across genres list for week 3 of 2018 with 1,147.85 million weekly impressions. Sun TV also topped BARC’s top 5 Tamil channels (Tamil Nadu/Puducherry (U+R): NCCS All: 2+ Individuals) list and all the five top Tamil programmes in the same markets during primetime were from Sun TV. Sun TV was the most watched GEC across the country.
Zeel’s FTA Hindi GEC Zee Anmol was ranked second in week 3 of 2018 with 738.873 million weekly impressions and was the most watched Hindi GEC across genres. Zee Anmol topped BARC’s top 10 Hindi GEC channels in the Hindi-speaking urban and rural or HSM (U+R) and the HSM (R) markets. Balaji Telefilms-produced Kumkum Bhagya aired on Zee Anmol was among the top 5 Hindi GEC programmes during primetime in these markets.
Star India’s FTA Hindi GEC Star Bharat was ranked third in week 3 of 2017 with 697.496 million weekly impressions. Qissago Telefilms-produced Nimki Mukhiya, which aired on Star Bharat, was among the top-five Hindi GEC programmes during primetime in HSM (U+R).
Star Maa was ranked fourth in week 3 of 2018 with 649.550 million weekly impressions. The channel was placed second in BARC’s top-five Telugu channels list in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and the world television premiere of Telugu feature film Raja the Great aired on it was the most watched Telugu programme during primetime in the week.
Zeel’s flagship Hindi GEC Zee TV was ranked fifth in week 3 of 2018 with 643.361 million weekly impressions. Kumkum Bhagya and its spinoff Kundali Bhagya aired on Zee TV were among BARC’s top 5 Hindi GEC programmes during primetime in HSM (U+R) and HSM (U).
Network 18’s flagship Hindi GEC, Colors, was ranked sixth in week 3 of 2018 with 642.897 million weekly impressions. The grand finale of Endemol Shine India’s Bigg Boss season 11 aired on Colors on January 14 was among BARC’s top 5 Hindi GEC programmes list during primetime in HSM (U+R) and
HSM (U).
Gemini TV was ranked seventh in BARC’s across genre list in week 3 of 2018 with 642.270 million weekly impressions. The channel topped BARC’s top-five Telugu channels list and the world television premiere of the Telugu feature film Jai Lava Kusa was the second most watched Telugu programme during primetime during the week according to BARC data.
SPN’s FTA women focused channel Sony Pal was ranked eighth in week 3 of 2018 with 616.602 million weekly impressions. The sitcom Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma and C.I.D aired on Sony Pal were among BARC’s top Hindi GEC programmes list in HSM (R).
Another Star India FTA Hindi GEC–Star Utsav was ranked ninth in week 3 of 2018 with 553.165 million weekly impressions in BARC’s across genre list. ETV Telugu completed the top 10 channels across genre list in week 3 of 2018 with 513.852 million weekly impressions. The channel was ranked third in BARC’s top 5 Telugu channels list. Two programmes aired on ETV Telugu, Swati Chinukulu and Manasu Mamata were among BARC’s top-five Telugu programmes list during primetime.
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.
