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BARC week 3: News channels’ toppers continue to lead despite viewership dip
MUMBAI: Even after witnessing a decline in ratings, Times Network’s news channels Times Now and ET Now secured the leadership position in English and English Business news genres respectively.
While Hindi and Hindi Business news genres leaders Aaj Tak and CNBC Awaaz recorded lower ratings compared to last week but continued to dominate their respective genres in week 3, according to Broadcast Audience Research council (BARC) India data.
English News
Times Now continued to rule the English news genre. Though the channel saw a fall in ratings, it led from the top with 420 (‘000s) as against 473 (‘000s) in the previous week. Following it was India Today Television, which climbed to the second place with 240 (‘000s). NDTV 24×7 moved to the third position with 213 (‘000s), while CNN-IBN was in fourth place with 175 (‘000s). BBC World News stood at number five with 120 (‘000s).
English Business News
ET Now, too continued to dominate the English business news genre but declined in ratings with 251 (‘000s) as against 372 (‘000s) in week 2, followed by CNBC TV18 with 210 (‘000s) in the second place. NDTV Profit and NDTV Prime stayed put at the third position with 85 (‘000s), while Bloomberg TV maintained its place in the fourth slot with 16 (‘000s).
Hindi News
Aaj Tak retained its lead with 80671 (‘000s) followed by India TV, which garnered the second position with 63055 (‘000s). ABP News stood at number three with 48081 (‘000s). Zee News bagged the fourth position with 47652 (‘000s), followed by India News with 47594 (‘000s) in the fifth slot.
Hindi Business News
Though CNBC Awaaz witnessed a fall in ratings, it led the genre with 1043 (‘000s) as against 1608 (‘000s) followed by Zee Business, which also saw a massive dip in ratings this week as it grabbed the second slot with 560 (‘000s) as against 901 (‘000s) in week 2.
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.
