News Headline
Dishum plans to break even in 3 yrs & a network soon, says Vishal Gurnani
MUMBAI: Vishal Gurnani-owned Dishum Broadcasting has announced the launch of its first Bhojpuri general entertainment channel Dishum. The channel will go live on 15 August.
“To cater to 220 million population in India which understands and speaks Bhojpuri, there is only one GEC channel, that is Big Ganga. Other channels are not considered as GEC channels as they mostly air movies,” Gurnani said.
“There is a clear need gap for great content to be delivered to this large audience base. Hence, there was an opportunity to have a GEC channel in that market,” said Dishum Broadcasting director Vishal Gurnani.
Dishum will be a free-to-air channel. “We don’t believe that audience should pay for content,” said Gurnani.
The channel will have a mix of fiction and non- fiction content which will have programmes across genres such as mythology, horror, drama, kids shows, etc. catering to all members of a family. “We plan to have a 150 hours per month of original content. Focused primarily on reality and non-fiction shows, we will also telecast blockbuster Bhojpuri movies seven days a week,” informed Gurnani.
The channel has acquired exclusive telecast rights of the Yashi Films property IBFA which is scheduled to take place in London on 30 July, 2017. The channel is also working with Keylight Production for shows although it is also looking to produce shows in-house.
Although the channel’s prime time will be 6pm – 10pm, it will also be airing shows in the morning time band of 6.30am- 10am — which will include mythological shows.
The channel will be available across platforms including DTH and major MSOs. “We will be targeting 65 million households from the first day,” Gurnani said.
About the response from advertisers, he said, without disclosing names, “The response has been great. All the major and marquee FMCG, healthcare brands, telecom and pan masala brands are keen to associate with us.”
Industry estimates that Dishum Broadcasting would be investing around Rs 100 crore over the next two years towards programming and distribution costs. A 10-sec ad rate slot for prime time is be put at Rs 600-1000.
“Generally, every channel takes three years to break even, and we too are looking at a similar plan. At present, our focus will be on the Bhojpuri channel, but, going forward, we are planning to have a network of channels across genres,” asserted Gurnani.
Also Read :
Bhojpuri Cinema now available on Tata Sky and Den Network
Big Ganga shows now available on ZEEL’s OZee
“Our aim is to get into the Top 5 this year”: Tarun Katial
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.
