GECs
Highest rated Hindi GEC primetime programmes in rural India
BENGALURU: In an earlier paper, we have discussed the highest rated Hindi GEC programmes in the Hindi Speaking Markets (HSM) – this included the urban and rural HSM markets, based on the weekly viewership ratings of the top 5 primetime programmes published by Broadcast Audience Research Council of Indi (BARC) during the first 39 weeks of 2017.
It must be noted that the ratings (impressions) mentioned for the programmes in this paper may not represent the actual ratings during the first 39 weeks of programmes. The ratings in the paper are a sum of the ratings garnered by a programme only when it has appeared in BARC’s top 5 programmes list. Hence the actual ratings could be higher.
As is common knowledge, rural viewership preferences are different from urban, BARC’s data for the top 5 Hindi GEC primetime (1830 to 2130 hours) NCCS HSM (U+R): 2+ individuals is not homogenous across markets. There is lumpiness, preferences vary within the urban as well rural audiences depending upon geography. While in the overall HSM markets Kumkum Bhagya on Zee TV was the most watched programme during the first 39 weeks of 2017, followed by Naagin 2 on Colors, rural HSM markets preferred the Supernatural to the family drama – Naagin 2 was the most watched programme in the Hindi HSM rural market during the 28 weeks it was there in the top 5 primetime programmes in the HSM rural market list in the first 39 weeks of 2017. The programme scored 184.395 million impressions during the 28 weeks in the top 5 programmes in the rural market list.
Nagin 2 was followed by the Akshay Kumar – Ashwini Yardi – Meenakshi Sagar produced family drama Jamai Raja on Zee Anmol as the second watched programme during the 27 weeks it was present in the top 5 programmes in the rural market list with a score of 165.376 million impressions in the first 39 weeks of 2017.
Optimystix Entertainment’s children’s Superhero series Baal Veer scored the third highest ratings of 162.266 million impressions during the 31 weeks it was in the top 5 programmes list in the first 39 weeks of 2017. The show earned these ratings on Sony Pictures Network India Private Limited (SPN) women focused Hindi GEC Sony Pal. Also on Sony Pal was the sitcom Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma at fourth place with 102.036 million impressions during the 20 of the first 39 weeks of 2017 that it was on the top five programmes list.
Zee TV’s Balaji Telfilms Limited produced KumkumBhagya was the fifth most watched programme with 88.325 million impressions during the 17 of the first 39 weeks of 2017 when it was in the top 5 HSM – rural market list. Please refer to the figure below.
Unlike their urban brethren, rural India does not prefer reality television if one were to go by BARC data for top 5 primetime programmes in the HSM rural market.
Soaps include all sub-genres such as family drama, comedy drama, sitcoms, mythology drama, supernatural drama. Reality includes music, dance, shows such as Fear Factor, Kaun Banega Crorepati, Bigg Boss, etc. Comedy includes shows such as The Kapil Sharma show, etc., Awards means award shows such as Star Screen Awards.
GECs
Samsung TV Plus launches Kings of Comedy channel
New free FAST channel brings iconic Hindi comedy shows to millions of Samsung Smart TV owners.
MUMBAI: Samsung TV Plus has just turned up the laughter volume and it’s completely free. The leading free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service in India has launched Kings of Comedy, a premium comedy channel featuring some of the country’s most beloved primetime shows. Available exclusively on Samsung TV Plus, the channel delivers back-to-back hits including Comedy Nights with Kapil, Khatra Khatra Khatra, and Comedy Nights Bachao, with no login or subscription required.
The launch marks a milestone for free streaming in India, offering audiences a dedicated comedy destination directly from their Samsung TV home screen. It arrives as Samsung TV Plus India celebrates its 5th anniversary, during which the service has grown its monthly active users by 42 per cent and more than doubled its total viewing hours. The platform now offers over 180 free channels across 14 languages.
Samsung TV Plus India general manager and head of business development Kunal Mehta said, “Comedy is the heartbeat of Hindi entertainment, and Kings of Comedy brings together the shows Indians already love, completely free on their Samsung TV. Our focus remains the same take the content people know and make it effortless to access.”
Globally, Samsung TV Plus has surpassed 100 million monthly active users across more than 4,500 channels, solidifying its position as one of the world’s leading free streaming services.
Kings of Comedy is now available on all compatible Samsung Smart TVs. For viewers seeking non-stop laughter without any cost, this new channel delivers a royal treat proving that sometimes the best entertainment really does come with no strings (or subscriptions) attached.
