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Marathi GECs see a surge in viewership
MUMBAI: In an era when Hindi and English GECs are favoured by the audiences, good times are seen to be rolling for Marathi channels as there has been a gradual increase in viewership for the genre in the past eight weeks. According to the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) data, the Marathi GEC genre has grown by 145 per cent in viewership during the period thanks to substantial numbers in week 50 of 2017.
Marathi GEC genre has surprisingly turned out some of the most viewed channels in the television space during this time. In week 41 in 2015, the genre had registered 242 million impressions, whereas in week 50 of 2017, the viewership has grown by 145 per cent to touch 594 million Impressions.
The growth is driven by viewers in Maharashtra and Goa’s rural areas spread across 10-75 lakh towns. Of the total Marathi GEC genre, these states’ urban sector contributes to 57 per cent of viewership, while rural contributes to 43 per cent.
Rural viewership has grown by 203 per cent from 91 million impressions in week 41 of 2015 to 277 million impressions in week 50 of 2017, whereas there has been a growth of 156 per cent in the urban viewership.
Now the question arises, what worked in week 50 with Marathi GECs genre?
According to BARC data, Zee Marathi channel had a special event telecasted Zee Marathi Disha on Sunday which garnered 1609 impression (000s) sum, pulling up the slot by 30 per cent as compared to week 49.
Colors Marathi network had also aired a special event Shindeshahi Bana on Sunday which garnered 1.47 million impressions, thus improving the viewership by 27 per cent. Zee Yuva had a double premiere ofBoyz on Sunday which garnered 2.74 million impressions in total. The first airing pulled up the slot by six times whereas the second show pulled it up by 2.6 times as compared to week 49.
Star Pravah has been operating at a higher level post week 48 which is majorly because of the new show Nakalat Saare Ghadle launched in week 48 and the already existing show Goth.
The emergence of Marathi GECs genre in week 50 with a gradual boost in its viewership has left everyone surprised. The growth of the rural sector has added wings to the Marathi genre to fly high. Whether it sustains the momentum in the next week and year it highly awaited.
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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.
