News Broadcasting
Paresh Rawal’s ‘SMS’ buzzes with interactivity
For acclaimed actor turned debutante producer Paresh Rawal, interactivity is not just a buzzword. He takes it to a whole new level in what is his first production for Sahara TV – Shubh Mangal Savadhan (SMS).
In what is claimed to be a first, SMS has a website exclusively dedicated to the show. Created wholly in flash, yet quick to access, the website has a mix of information about the serial, insights into the cast, the usual freebie downloads, and a specially created videogame which can be played online. The idea of creating a website like this originally came to producer Hemal Thakkar (partner of Paresh Rawal), says Rawal.
The tri-weekly serial kicks off on Sahara on 15 July at 7:30 pm with the telecast days being Mondays through to Wednesdays.
News Broadcasting
Zee Business corners 74.2 per cent market share on Budget Day, BARC data shows
Channel extends lead as investors tune in for policy decoding and markets
MUMBAI: Zee Business tightened its grip on India’s business news audience on Union Budget Day, commanding a 74.2 per cent market share during peak coverage hours, according to data from Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC).
The numbers, tracked between 0800 and 1000 hrs in north India among NCCS ABC males aged 22 and above, underscore the channel’s dominance as investors and traders tuned in for real-time policy decoding and market reaction. The share was calculated across two business news channels.
Industry executives say the spike mirrors an earnings-call-style verdict from viewers: speed, clarity and conviction won the day. Zee Business has retained its leadership beyond Budget Day, topping the charts on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, signalling sustained audience loyalty rather than a one-off surge.
The ratings momentum carried into Budget Samvad 2026, the channel’s flagship post-Budget discussion, broadcast live from the Bombay Stock Exchange. The session was moderated by Zee Business managing editor Anil Singhvi, and featured market veteran Ramesh Damani, among other participants.
Viewers were drawn to wall-to-wall Budget analysis, sharp market calls and plain-English interpretation of policy measures: an approach that continues to differentiate the channel in a crowded news market.
“The 74.2 per cent share reflects viewer trust in timely and credible market insight,” Singhvi said, adding that the post-Budget forum was designed to move beyond headlines and unpack the implications for investors and the broader economy.
