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BARC separates Rural and Urban viewership data; Zee Anmol & Colors lead in each
MUMBAI: Channels run on their popularity and reach more than anything else, and BARC is the ladder to measure that. Week 19 of BARC rating has yet again delivered a game-changing data break-up by dividing ratings into rural and urban categories.
In week 19, Broadcasters’ free to air channel (FTA) have madetheir its presence in top five channels across Rural Hindi speaking market (HSM) where Zee Networks’ FTA Zee Anmol topped the chart.
Rural HSM Data
Zee Anmol garnered the first position with 397738 Impressions (000’s) followed by Sony Pictures Network’s free to air channel Sony Pal with 386861 Impressions (000’s) and Star India’s FTA channel Star Utsav with 355620 Impressions (000’s) stood at number three.
Zee Networks’ Hindi GEC channel Zee TV bagged the fourth spot with 283082 Impressions (000’s) while another FTA Rishtey grabbed fifth spot with 282625 Impressions (000’s).
Colors stood at sixth spot with 233354 Impressions (000’s) followed by Star Plus at number seven with 202257 Impressions (000’s) and Life OK at number eight with 170238 Impressions (000’s).
In rural data, Big Magic stood at number nine with 139427 Impressions (000’s) and Sab TV with 109515 Impressions (000’s) grabbed tenth spot.
Urban HSM data
On the other hand, in Urban HSM, Colors lead the Hindi general entertainment channel (GECs) with 431346 Impressions (000’s) followed by Star Plus with 413580 (000’s) on second slot and Zee TV with 311583 Impressions (000’s) at third place.
Life OK, Sab TV and Sony Entertainment Channel bagged fourth, fifth and sixth position with 287442 Impressions (000’s), 241700 Impressions (000’s) and 207012 Impressions (000’s) respectively.
On the other hand, &TV made its entry in top ten channels across Urban HSM with 119686 Impressions (000’s) at number seven while Sony’s free to air channel Sony Pal grabbed eighth spot with 115399 (000’s) and Zee Anmol at ninth with 101704 Impressions (000’s).
Star Utsav stood at number ten with 95186 Impressions (000’s)
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.
