GECs
IRS 2002 topline findings released; Top 10 TV channels list changes
MUMBAI: The topline figures of the Indian Readership Survey (IRS) 2002 (round 10) were released today. The findings reveal that the Top 10 list for TV channels has undergone quite a few changes in terms of new entrants climbing up the ladder.
IRS 2002 is the largest continuous media survey ever conducted (sample size of 229,000 individuals) providing a single-source database for demographics, media habits and product / brand usage across 986 towns and 2858 villages in India. The survey was conducted over two rounds with the field work between November 2001 and November 2002.
This all-india survey conducted jointly with the Media Research Users’ Council (MRUC) also provides product / brand penetration information for over 50 different products allowing one to link media habits and product usage data for adults and children from the age of 12 years.
IRS 2002 indicates that Doordarshan (DD) National channel continues to dominate and has recorded the maximum viewership in urban and rural India. Due to low penetration of the cable & satellite (C&S) channels in rural India, DD Metro is the second most watched channel in the country.
There are some surprises too – Living Media group’s Aaj Tak is the only news channel to feature in the top 10 list and there are no sports channels in the list. ETV Eenadu seems to be doing well in urban+rural markets but lags behind Sun TV and Gemini in the urban market.
IRS 2002 Top 10 list for TV channels
| Ranking | All India (Urban and Rural) | Reach in per cent | Urban India | Reach in per cent |
| 1 | DD National | 31.4 | DD National | 31.4 |
| 2 | DD Metro | 13.9 | Star Plus | 25.1 |
| 3 | Star Plus | 7.8 | DD Metro | 19.5 |
| 4 | Sony TV | 5.5 | Sony TV | 17.4 |
| 5 | Zee TV | 4.7 | Zee TV | 14.8 |
| 6 | ETV Eenadu | 4.5 | Zee Cinema | 10.9 |
| 7 | Sun TV | 4.5 | Aaj Tak | 10.4 |
| 8 | Gemini TV | 4.4 | Sun TV | 9.1 |
| 9 | Zee Cinema | 3.5 | Gemini TV | 5.8 |
| 10 | Aaj Tak | 3.3 | ETV Eenadu | 5.6 |
The following channels feature in the “Top 10 list for channels tuned in”: DD1, DD Metro, Star Plus, ETV Eenadu, Sony, Star Sports, Discovery, Sahara TV, Zee Cinema and Star Movies.
The following channels feature in the “Top 10 list for channels received”: DD1, DD2, Star Plus, Zee TV, Sony TV, Star Sports, Discovery, Sahara TV, Zee Cinema, Star Movies.
The field research for IRS 2002 was conducted by research agency NFO-MBL. Recently, unconfirmed media reports indicated that NFO-MBL, the field research agency for the IRS will cease to be associated with the study after the release of the current round and Hansa Research, the research wing of RK Swamy BBDO, will take over from round 11.
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
