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GEC viewership drops with IPL & election fever on a high
Updated: 5:30 PM
MUMBAI: With the IPL and elections on everyone’s mind, it is the Hindi general entertainment channels (GECs) that are at the receiving end.
In the week 19 of TAM TV ratings, the IPL fever took Max to greater heights. It witnessed a huge hike and reported 540,911 GVTs, up from 457,415 GVTs.
The week saw all the GECs taking a plunge. Though, Sab saw a minor gain.
Despite shedding numbers, Star Plus maintained its hold on number one position 732,585 GVTs, down from 746,025 GVTs. All its fiction properties have seen a drop too in the ratings. Thus, its chart topper Diya Aur Baati Hum scored 10,525TVTs, down from 12,233TVTs. Saathiya Saath is the second highest rated show for the channel which rated 8,507TVTs, down from 8,885TVTs and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai scored 7,257 TVTs, down from 7,573 TVTs.
Zee TV held onto the second position with 394,786 GVTs, down from 409,010 GVTs. Its experiment t in the comedy space Gangs of Haseepur did not seem to grab eyeballs and lost numbers in the third consecutive week and registered 1,688 TVTs, down from 1,916 TVTs. The channel’s historical series Jodha Akbar also saw a drop in its viewership and registered 8,450 TVTs, down from 9,139 TVTs. Its other fictional offerings like Do Dil Bandhe noted 4,328 TVTs, down from 5,179 TVTs.
Colors occupied the third place with 375,641 GVTs, down from 396,193 GVTs. All its popular fictional offerings have witnessed a rise in the ratings. Madhubala recorded 3,216 TVTs, up from 2,925 TVTs; Balika Vadhu noted 4503 TVTs, up from 4,440 TVTs, and Uttaran garnered 3,648 TVTs, up from 3,254 TVTs.
On the other hand, the channel’s reality shows didn’t work wonders for the channel. Thus, Comedy Nights with Kapil reported 6,923 TVTs, down from 7,198 TVTs, Khatron Ke Khiladi five scored 4,923 TVTs, up from 6,570 TVTs and Mission Sapne recorded 1946 TVTs, down from 2,769 TVTs.
Life OK stays happy at number four with 347,802 GVTs, down from 360,213 GVTs. The channel’s most popular series Shapath recorded 2,533 TVTs, down from 2,852 TVTs. Savdhan India saw a rise and noted 2,603 TVTs, up from 2,480 TVTs and Tumhari Pakhi stood at 2,489 TVTs, up from 2,445 TVTs.
At number five remains Sony which registered 286,202 GVTs, down from 290,948 GVTs. Jee Le Zara scored high and reported 1,390 TVTs, up from 1,297 TVTs, Maharana Pratap garnered 2,697 TVTs, down from 2,858 TVTs. Its crime property Crime Patrol saw a decrease in the number of viewers and stood at 2,281 TVTs, down from 2,680 TVTs.
Lastly, Sab scored 268,051 GVTs, up from 267,113 GVTs. Its chart topper Taarak Mehta noted 5,198 TVTs, down from 5,880 TVTs. Balveer reported 2,774 TVTs, up from 2,734 TVTs.
In the movie genre: Zee Cinema reported 189,889 GVTs, up from 188,125 GVTs; Movies OK scored 132,426 GVTs, down from 143,794 GVTs; &pictures garnered 88,319 GVTs, up from 82,537 GVTs and Zee Anmol earned 72,968 GVTs, down from 74,074 GVTs
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.
