News Headline
DD’s Sahyadri has 50% of Top 60 in Marathi homes
MUMBAI: DD-10 (Sahyadri) channel is giving the private broadcasters a run for their money as Marathi programmes are creating a revolution of their own. In the TAM ratings dated 12-18 January 2003, statistics reveal that Sahyadri has excelled in Mumbai as well as in Maharashtra. More than 50 per cent of the Top 60 programmes watched by Maharashtrian households belong to Sahyadri channel. The Top 60 list also includes other general entertainment Hindi channels and English channels.
DD-10 Sahyadri dons the mantle of being a public service broadcaster but has done a fairly good job of mixing commercial elements with interactive and informative news/views programmes.
Doordarshan Mumbai station director Mukesh Sharma adds: “In the TAM India data for 12-18 January 2003, Sahyadri has done very well. The Tam ratings for 12-18 January 2003 state that DD-10 Sahyadri has forged ahead of its competitors. Out of the top 60 programmes (not necessarily Marathi channels) watched in all TV homes in Maharashtra, DD Sahyadri’s share is 31 programmes.”
DD-10 Sahyadri channel has a fair mix of soap operas, interactive programmes, news and views based content: Bandhini, Damini, Gharkul are the top soaps; Chitrahaar and Antakshari are the music based programmes; Ghatna Chakra and Mahacharcha deal with issues and current affairs by inviting viewer feedback (dial in and dial out); Hello Sakhi and Hello Doctor are interactive shows. Hello Sakhi, an interactive Marathi serial on DD-10 Sahyadri gets a large number of calls from woman viewers.
DD-10 Sahyadri is a major revenue spinner for Prasar Bharati Mumbai and its programmes are getting substantial advertising support.
Channel penetration – percentage weekly cumulative reach in Mumbai and rest of Maharashtra (source Tam India)
Sahyadri
Alpha
ETV
All homes
Mumbai
50.9
27.4
25
Maharashtra
73.7
20.6
23.5
C&S homes
Mumbai
42.2
35.8
32.6
Maharahstra
58.6
47.1
53.8
“In Mumbai, the average weekly time spent on DD-10 Sahyadri is 61 minutes as compared to 32 minutes (Zee Alpha) and 20 minutes (ETV Marathi). In rest of Maharashtra, the average weekly time spent on DD-10 Sahyadri is 181 minutes as compared to 16 minutes (Zee Alpha) and 12 minutes (ETV Marathi). In fact, the weekly audience shares for Sahyadri are 6 per cent in Mumbai and 21 per cent for Maharashtra,” adds DD’s Sharma.
Consider the following statistics:
All homes 4 years plus
Tam India 12-18 January 2003
Date
Day/Time
Programme
Ratings
18 Jan
Saturday
3:30 pm
Maaza Chakula
3.53
12 Jan
Sunday
4:00 pm
Ghanachakkar
3.07
12 Jan
Sunday 6:30 pm
Laurel and Hardy (Marathi)
2.56
12 Jan
Sunday 1:02 pm
Chhaya Geet
2.54
16 Jan
Thursday 4:30 pm
Damini
4.68
16 Jan
Thursday 5:00 pm
Gharkul
4.58
Tam India 12-18 January 2003
All India NCS 4 years plus
Date
Day/Time
Programme
Ratings
12 Jan
Sunday
4 pm
Ghanachakkar
7.11
18 Jan
Saturday 3:30 pm
Maaza Chakula
6.96
12 Jan
Sunday 6:30 pm
Laurel and Hardy (Marathi)
6:01
12 Jan
Sunday 1:02 pm
Chhaya Geet
5.61
16 Jan
Thursday 4:30 pm
Damini
4.68
16 Jan
Thursday 5:00 pm
Gharkul
4.58
16 Jan
Thursday 7:14 pm
Dum Dama Dum
4.45
12 Jan
Sunday 7:00 pm
Batmya
4.35
Tam India 12-18 January 2003
” Programmes such as Sunday feature film, Saturday feature film and Laurel and Hardy (Marathi dubbed) contribute to a major chunk of the revenues,” says Universal Communications Padmakar Nandekar who markets several programmes on DD.
The programmes marketed by Nandekar include the feature films on Saturday and Sunday and the dubbed Laurel Hardy show on Sunday.
“Cable operators in places such as Ahmednagar, Nasik, Nagpur don’t offer the consumer much choice as they realise that the consumer will not pay the bouquet charges for receiving C&S offerings. Since DD-10 Sahyadri is free to air, they prefer to place it on the prime band,” says Nandekar.
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.
