News Headline
IPL 10 catapults Sony Max to second place across genres
BENGALURU: The Indian Premier League (IPL) has helped Sony Pictures Network India Private Limited (SPN) channels rake in the ratings during each of the seasons that that the network has purchased rights to beam the cricketing bonanza event to Indian homes for.
This year, IPL’s season 10 is no different. It has catapulted the network’s Hindi movie channel Sony Max to the second place in terms of ratings across genres for week 14 (Saturday, April 2017 to Friday, 7 April 2017) of 2017. IPL 10 started on 5 April, 2017. So, it must be borne in mind that only three days of IPL broadcast – 5, 6, 7 April numbers are included in week 14’s ratings.
The mega cricketing event has also pushed Sony Max to the pole position in the Hindi Movies, Hindi Movies Rural and Hindi Movies Urban genres. IPL programmes are also the most watched programmes in the Hindi Movies, Hindi Movies Rural and Hindi Movies Urban markets as well as the Sports genres.
Three channels from Network 18 (Viacom 18), two each from SPN, the Sun Network and Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (Zeel) and one channel from Star India made it to the top 10 most watched channels across genres list for week 14 of 2017. To group it into languages – six Hindi, 3 Telugu and 1 Tamil language channels made it to the top 10 channels across genres list in week 14 of 2017.
Broadcast Audience Research Council of India (BARC) data for week 14 – Top 10 Channels Across Genre: All India (U+R): 2+ Individuals, show that the long reigning Tamil language channel Sun TV from the Sun Network was still numero uno across genres with 12,06,478 Impressions (000s) Sums in week 14. Sony Max, which made its place in the weekly top 10 channels across genres list for first time in calendar year 2017, was a distant second with 8,53,494 Impressions (000s) Sums. In third place was the Hindi GEC and Hindi GEC Urban markets’ leader Star India’s Star Plus with 7,48,745 Impressions (000s) Sums.
The Sun Network’s Telugu GEC Gemini TV was at fourth place with 6,41,089 Impressions (000s) Sums followed by Network 18’s Hindi GEC Colors with 620414 Impressions (000s) Sums. SPN’s Hindi GEC channel Sony Pal was at sixth place with 6,07,407 Impressions (000s) Sums followed by Zeel’s flagship GEC Zee TV at seventh place with 5,23,858 Impressions (000s) Sums.
Two channels from the Network 18 stable – the networks second GEC – Rishtey and its Telugu GEC – ETV Telugu were eighth and ninth in week 14 of 2017 with 4,99,400 Impressions (000s) Sums and 4,71,237 Impressions (000s) Sums respectively, followed by Zeel’s Telugu GEC Zee Telugu with 4,53,361 Impressions (000s) Sums at tenth place.
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.
