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BARC week 22: Star Plus continues to reign pay platforms
Mumbai: Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC) Star Plus continues to maintain its hold on the top position in the list of channels on the pay platform, according to the Broadcast Audience Research Council of India (BARC) for Week 22 (29 May to 4 June).
The channel recorded an average minute audience of 2873.92, thanks to its show Anupamaa, which has remained a viewers’ favourite ever since it went live. Star Plus is followed by Sony SAB (2462.64), Colors (1511.73), and Sony Entertainment Television (1332.12) at the second, third, and fourth spots, respectively.
With an AMA of 1238.61, Zee TV bagged the fifth spot. The remaining channels in the list of Hindi GEC pay platforms are Star Utsav (884.02), Star Bharat (719.62), Sony Pal (598.04), Colors Rishtey (485.73), and Dangal (451.54).
Star Utsav topped the free platforms’ list with 1941.52 AMA, followed by Colors Rishtey (1096.41) and Zee Anmol (1013.33) in the second and third spots, respectively. The fourth spot was bagged by Sony Pal (938.99), while Dangal (762.41) got the fifth spot in the week 22 list released by BARC.
The remaining channels in the week 22 list of free platforms are The Q (660.49), Big Magic (336.32), Shemaroo TV (136.37), DD Retro (17.43), and DD National (16.79).
Star Utsav topped in the rural market with 2017.55 AMA, while Colors Rishtey bagged the second spot with 1134.63 AMA. Sony Pal (993.01), Zee Anmol (979.07), and Star Plus (944.35) bagged the third, fourth, and fifth spots respectively in BARC’s week 22 list in the rural market.
Other channels which found their top spots in the rural market are Sony SAB (800.46), Dangal (793.64), The Q (637.3), Colors (504.77), and Zee TV (497.23).
In the urban market, Star Plus bagged the top spot with 1943.01 AMA, followed by Sony SAB (1686.69), and Colors (1013.78) in the second and third spots respectively. The remaining channels in the list are Sony Entertainment Television (919.24), Star Utsav (808), Zee TV (743.53), Sony Pal (544.01), Star Bharat (499.21), Colors Rishtey (447.51), and Dangal (420.19).
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.
