GECs
Nat Geo airs docu on air traffic controllers
MUMBAI: Ever wondered about the ease with which we travel by air, without the added concern of traffic or safety? Ever wondered how some of the busiest airports in the world bid farewell and simultaneously welcome thousands of people in the same breath? Ever spared a thought for the person responsible for the safety of millions? Well there’s more to the mere thoughts than meets the eye. National Geographic Channel (NGC) takes its viewers on an eye-opening journey into the world of Air Traffic Control with its half-an-hour special show titled Inside ATC that premieres on 10 November at 6:00 pm.
National Geographic and FOX International Channels VP marketing Debarpita Banerjee said: “With each of our shows, we try to get our viewer to reflect on the world around them with a fresh perspective – a perspective that challenges them to think more, know more, engage more. With Inside ATC, the viewer gets a never-seen-before insider’s access to the hectic world of Air Traffic Control. With this half-an-hour special, our viewers would catch a glimpse of the time and effort that goes into guaranteeing the safety of all those who are air-bound.”
Known for its innovative content and programming that inspires viewers to broaden their imagination and think out of the box, NGC, in association with the Airport Authority of India, gives viewers yet another riveting show that captures the world of Air Traffic Control in India. The half-an-hour special coverage tells the story of a dedicated team of controllers, stationed at 80 control towers across India, with a single agenda on their mind – avoiding mishaps at any given point of time, be it in air or on the ground.
AAI chairman V P Agrawal said: “The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is entrusted with the responsibility of creating, upgrading, maintaining and managing civil aviation infrastructure, both on the ground and air space in the country. With Inside ATC, we are glad to provide viewers a close look at the functioning of the ATC; and showcase the dedication and precision with which these controllers function. AAI is proud to be associated with the country’s leading infotainment channel – National Geographic Channel – to develop and present this special show.”
GECs
Zee tops fiction charts across six languages with strong show lineup
Broadcaster secures nearly half of top 10 spots as fiction strategy pays off
MUMBAI: Fiction is proving to be Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd’s winning script. The broadcaster has emerged as the dominant force in television fiction, occupying an average of five spots in the top 10 charts across six major language markets.
Across Hindi (Pay), Marathi, Bangla, Odia, Kannada and Telugu general entertainment channels, the company commands a 48 per cent share of the top 10 fiction rankings, according to BARC data for weeks four to seven of 2026 among urban audiences aged 15 and above.
The strong showing reflects the company’s renewed focus on storytelling driven by cultural insight and local relevance. With family viewing still centred around prime time, Zee continues to attract more than 20 per cent viewership share across genres in this high engagement window, outperforming competitors.
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd, chief content officer Raghavendra Hunsur, said the results underline the effectiveness of the company’s sharply defined multilingual content strategy.
“The achievement is a firm testament to our content strategy across languages, which is clearly resonating with viewers,” Hunsur said. “Fiction shows remain the heart of entertainment. We will continue building both fiction and non fiction offerings that are authentic, engaging and rooted in local storytelling.”
The company’s Hindi flagship channel Zee TV has placed four relatively new launches among the top 10 shows in the Hindi Pay GEC category. These include Tumm Se Tumm Tak, Ganga Mai Ki Betiyan, Vasudha and Lakshmi Nivas, all introduced within the past 18 months.
Regional markets are delivering equally strong performances. Zee Marathi has recorded a 470 basis point rise in market share to 34.7 per cent in January 2026 compared with January 2025. Four of its shows, Kamli, Taarini, Veen Doghatli Hi Tutena and Lakshmi Nivas, feature among the top 10 in the Marathi GEC genre.
In eastern India, Zee Bangla has reclaimed leadership in the Bangla GEC segment in week seven of 2026, driven by five shows in the top 10 including Parineeta, Taare Dhori Dhori Mone Kori, Jowar Bhata, Amader Dadamoni and Chirodini Tumi Je Amar. The top ranked show Parineeta draws inspiration from Gen Z insights, reflecting changing audience sensibilities.
Zee Sarthak continues its five year leadership streak in the Odia GEC space with shows such as Sathi Sata Janmara, Suna Jhia, Tu Khara Mu Chhai, Tuma Bina and Bhagya Rekha occupying the top positions.
In the south, Zee Kannada maintains its long standing dominance, leading the Kannada GEC market for seven consecutive years. Seven fiction titles including Karna, Lakshmi Nivasa, Annayya, Amruthadhaare, Naa Ninna Bidalaare, Adi Lakshmi Purana and Brahmagantu form the top 7 shows in the category.
Zee Telugu is also gaining ground, emerging as the biggest channel across genres in Hyderabad while strengthening its position in the Telugu GEC segment across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Shows such as Jagadhatri, Meghasandesam, Jayam and Chamanthi occupy four of the top 10 spots.
With its regional channels gaining traction, Zee says it will continue sharpening its content playbook, focusing on stories that reflect everyday lives while tapping into evolving viewer preferences across markets.
