News Headline
BARC week 5: News channels see mixed bag on ratings front
MUMBAI: The news space saw some players gaining ratings, while some others lost a major chunk of viewership in week 5.
Times Now remained the undisputed leader in the English News genre, whereas CNBC TV18 maintained its clasp on the top spot in the English Business news genre.
Meanwhile, the Hindi News channels space saw Aaj Tak in the lead with Zee News falling off the charts this week. The two Hindi Business news players saw a spike in ratings even as the pecking order remained unchanged according to Broadcast Audience Research council (BARC) India ratings in week 5.
English News
Multiple changes were seen in the English News channels space in week 5. While Times Now saw a drop in ratings with 271 (‘000s) as compared to 422 (‘000s), it managed to hold on to its number one place in the pecking order.
India Today Television, which was in the fourth rung last week, picked up itself to perch on the second spot with 253 (‘000s) in week 5.
On the other hand, NDTV 24×7 with 234 (‘000s) dropped down from its second position in week 4 to come in third in week 5.
CNN IBN with 125 (‘000s) dropped to the fourth place as compared to its third position with 199 (‘000s) in week 4. BBC World News was the new entrant this week with 113 (‘000s) in the fifth place. Last week’s fifth position holder News 9 made an exit this week.
English Business News
CNBC TV 18 was perched in the number one spot and saw a spike in ratings with 296 (‘000s) in week 5 as compared to 183 (‘000s) in week 4. ET Now in second place too saw a ratings rise with 274 (‘000s) as compared to 181 (‘000s) in week 4.
At number three, there was a major spurt in ratings even for NDTV Profit & NDTV Prime with 104 (‘000s) as compared to 49 (‘000s) in week 4. Bloomberg TV with 18 (‘000s) was in the fourth place.
Hindi News
The Hindi news channels genre saw some change in week 5. While Aaj Tak with 77708 (‘000s) and India TV with 64572 (‘000s) continued to hold the first and second spot respectively, India News jumped up to the third spot with 61915 (‘000s) in week 5.
In fourth place was ABP News with 49434 (‘000s), whereas News Nation with 45319 (‘000s) made an entry this week in the fifth spot.
Zee News, which was in the fourth place in week 4 dropped off the charts in week 5.
Hindi Business News
With a spike in ratings, CNBC Awaaz maintained its place as the top channel in the genre with 1093 (‘000s) in week 5 as compared to 927 (‘000s) in week 4. Zee Business too saw an increase in ratings this week with 706 (‘000s) as it stood in the second slot in BARC HSM (U+R): NCCS AB: Males 22+ Individuals.
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.
