GECs
New Sahara Samay regional channels in May, July
MUMBAI: Buoyed by the enthusiastic initial response to its news channels, Sahara intends to adopt a novel strategy of pulling in day time viewers with interesting news features attractive to the housewife.
According to Sahara Media and Entertainment head Sumit Roy, Sahara Samay (which has dropped the name Sahara from its logo after initial reports that the logo looked huge, but plans to revert to the old one), will outsource shows to Miditech, Karan Thapar, Vinod Duas company. Even Bihar heavyweight Laloo Prasad Yadav will anchor a show to bring in the additional viewers during non prime time.
With two of its channels launched, the month of May 2003 should see the launch of the Bihar and NCR channels while Mumbai, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh channels will launch by July.
“The strategy that has been employed in the first regional channel (Uttar Pradesh) of using common people to air their voices rather than experts, politicians and columnists, will be slowly deployed among the other channels too,” says Roy.
“Ten ad brands are already on board,” says a relaxed, optimistic Roy, just containing himself from expounding on initial reports that have given Sahara Samay a better report than competitors.
“The soon-to-be-launched periodicals across the country will only enhance the Sahara brand and make it a complete media experience,” Roy says.
Distribution wise, the channel is now making efforts to improve connectivity and push itself up the prime band, though Roy would rather stress on quality of content to promote and sell the channel. “In Mumbai, we are already there in more than 80 per cent households. Barring a few pockets, distribution is not a problem,” Roy says.
Well, there is a lot of hard work yet to be done to face cut-throat competition in the news channel segment.
GECs
Sony PAL to air Sankat Mochan Hanuman from May 4 at 9 PM
Mythological series brings Lord Hanuman’s tale of devotion and courage back to TV
MUMBAI: Sony PAL is set to bring back the timeless mythological series Sankat Mochan Hanuman, with its premiere scheduled for May 4 at 9 PM. The show revisits the legendary journey of Lord Hanuman, offering viewers a chance to reconnect with one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures.
Centred on themes of devotion, courage and righteousness, the series traces Hanuman’s unwavering loyalty to Lord Ram and his fearless stand against evil. With its mix of dramatic storytelling and visually rich sequences, the show aims to deliver both entertainment and spiritual resonance, appealing to audiences across age groups.
The narrative unfolds as a larger-than-life saga, positioning Hanuman as the ultimate protector and a symbol of strength and selfless service. His journey, rooted in faith and duty, continues to strike a chord with viewers, making the series as relevant today as ever.
The cast features Gagan Malik as Lord Ram, Debalina Chatterjee as Sita, Nirbhay Wadhwa in the titular role, and Saurav Gurjar as Raavan. Their performances bring depth and authenticity to characters deeply embedded in Indian cultural memory.
With its return to television, the show is positioned as more than just a rerun. It taps into a renewed appetite for mythological storytelling, blending nostalgia with timeless values.
As audiences increasingly seek content that resonates beyond entertainment, ‘Sankat Mochan Hanuman’ offers a familiar yet powerful narrative, reminding viewers that stories of faith and courage never really go out of style.
