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BARC week 25: ABP News back in combined urban & rural top 5 list
BENGALURU: The ABP Group’s Hindi news channel ABP News made a reappearance in Broadcast Audience Research Council of India (BARC) weekly list of top 5 Hindi news channels in the combined urban (U) and rural (R) Hindi speaking market or HSM (U+R) in week 25 of 2019 (Saturday, 15 June 2019 to Friday, 21 June 2019, week or period under review). The channel was last present in the HSM (U+R) list in week 22 of 2019. ABP news also re-appeared in BARC’s weekly list of top 5 news channels in HSM (U) at fifth rank. In both the cases – HSM (U+R) and HSM (U), the entry of ABP News in BARC’s weekly lists of top 5 Hindi news channels resulted in the exit of Republic Bharat from them. Further Zee News re-entered the HSM (R) list during the week under review.
BARC’s treatment of the landing page and outliers since week 23 of 2019 as well as the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) World Cup 2019 in England & Wales continued to impact viewership ratings of Hindi news channels. The timings of the ongoing cricket tourney overlap primetime of most channels, including Hindi news channels. The combined viewership of the top 5 Hindi news channels which had dropped in week 24, plunged even further to a new nadir in individual HSM (U) and HSM (R) as well as the combined HSM (U+R) during week 25 of 2019.
Hindi news in HSM (U+R)
Aaj Tak retained its numero uno position in HSM (U+R) in week 25 of 2019 with 112.678 million weekly impressions as compared to 115.088 million weekly impressions in week 24. Also, continuing at second rank was News18 India with 85.899 million weekly impressions in week 25 as compared to 93.594 million weekly impressions in week 24 of 2019.
At third rank was India TV with 84.554 million weekly impressions in week 25 of 2019 as compared to third rank and 87.293 million weekly impressions in week 24. Zee News climbed up one place to fourth rank in HSM (U+R) in week 25 of 2019 with 82.955 million weekly impressions as compared to rank 5 and 80.790 million weekly impressions in the previous week. As mentioned above, ABP News entered the HSM (U+R) list in week 25 of 2019 with 77.011 million weekly impressions.
Hindi news in HSM (R)
In HSM (R) also, Aaj Tak retained first rank with 48.518 million weekly impressions in week 25 0f 2019 as compared to 49.718 million weekly impressions in the previous week. ABP News held onto its second spot in HSM (R) in week 25 of 2019 with 35.559 million weekly impressions as compared to 35.906 million weekly impressions in week 24.
India TV jumped up two ranks to third place in week 25 of 2019 in HSM (R) with 31.897 million weekly impressions as compared to fifth rank and 33.370 million weekly impressions in week 24. As mentioned above, Zee News re-entered BARC’s weekly list of top 5 Hindi news channels in week 25 of 2019 at fourth rank with 31.053 million weekly impressions. Completing the quintet in HSM (R) at rank was Republic Bharat in week 25 of 2019 with 30.818 million weekly impressions as compared to 34.764 million weekly impressions and rank three in week 24.
Hindi news in HSM (U)
In the case of BARC’s weekly list of top 5 Hindi news channels also, Aaj Tak retained first rank with 64.160 million weekly impressions in week 25 of 2019 with 64.160 million weekly impressions as compared to 65.370 million weekly impressions in week 24. Also retaining its previous week’s second rank was News18 India in HSM (U) in week 25 of 2019 was News19 India with 55.102 million weekly impressions as compared to 59.873 million weekly impressions in the previous week.
India TV also retained its third rank in week 25 of 2019 in BARC’s weekly list of top 5 Hindi news channels in HSM (U) with 52.657 million weekly impressions as compared to 53.913 million weekly impressions in week 24. Continuing on at rank 4 in week 25 of 2019 in HSM (U) was Zee News with 51.902 million weekly impressions as compared to 50.028 million weekly impressions in week 24. ABP News re-entered the HSM (U) list week 25 of 2019 with 41.452 million weekly impressions.
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.
