News Headline
Movies Now 2 replaces HBO; Discovery rules again
MUMBAI: HBO made an exit this week making way for Movies Now 2 in the English Movies genre. Movies Now sustained its number one position in the English movies’ space. The channels in the English entertainment genre witnessed mixed ratings with Comedy Central dominating the space.
According to the week 49 ratings data of Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India, Discovery Channel, after several weeks, jumped up to the number one position replacing History TV18 in the infotainment space.
Living Foodz stood at the number one position in the lifestyle genre. Apart from FYI TV18, all the rest players observed a decline in the ratings this week.
English Entertainment
Comedy Central with a decrease in its ratings dominated the genre with 342 Impressions (‘000s) as compared to 366 Impressions (‘000s) in week 48. AXN jumped to the number two slot with 214 Impressions (‘000s) followed by Star World with 198 Impressions (‘000s). Zee Café was at the fourth position with 168 Impressions (‘000s) while Colors Infinity SD sustained at the fifth spot with 103 Impressions (‘000s).
English Movies
Movies Now toppled Star Movies taking the number one position with 2857 Impressions (‘000s). Star Movies with 2724 Impressions (‘000s) stood at the number two position. Sony Pix with 2663 Impressions (‘000s) grabbed the third position followed byZee Studio at the fourth position with 1922 Impressions (‘000s). Movies Now 2 took the fifth place with 1353 Impressions (‘000s).
Infotainment
Discovery Channel toppled History TV18 to dominate the genre with 5177 Impressions (‘000s). History TV18 stood at the second spot with 5149 Impressions (‘000s). National Geographic with 2552 Impressions (‘000s) and Animal Planet with 2494 Impressions (‘000s) took the third and fourth position respectively. Nat Geo Wild stood at the fifth position with 2110 Impressions (‘000s).
Lifestyle
Living Foodz grabbed the number one position with decreased ratings from 1754 Impressions (‘000s) in week 48 to 1680 Impressions (‘000s) this week. Food Food took the second berth with 798 Impressions (‘000s) followed by Fox Life with 736 Impressions (‘000s). TLC with 505 Impressions (‘000s) and FYI TV18 with 492 Impressions (‘000s) bagged the fourth and fifth position, respectively.
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.
