News Headline
Radio Mirchi, Radio City burning up Delhi, Mumbai respectively: Study
MUMBAI: With all the controversy over the payment of license fees hanging like a sword over FM radio stations The Times Group and Star India have something to smile about. They have left the competition in the dust in Delhi and Mumbai respectively.
The data is contained in the first wave of the research study Indian Listenership Track (ILT) 2004, conducted by Media research Users Council (MRUC) and AC Nielsen ORG Marg. ILT 2004 was designed on a day after recall (Dar) methodology which would provide yesterday listenership data. As per this Radio Mirchi and Radio City has awareness levels of over 96 per cent for Delhi and 90 per cent for Mumbai respectively. Red has awareness levels of 81 per cent in Delhi and 62 per cent for Mumbai.
Where Radio Mirchi scores big is in Delhi. It came out on top with a spontaneous awareness level of 87 per cent. For Mumbai it was 64 per cent. Radio City has done better in Mumbai at 68 per cent but in Delhi it is 71 per cent. Red is way behind in third spot at 34 per cent for Delhi and 24 per cent for Mumbai. The share of the likes of BBC and Air is not much. Mirchi again scores in the top of the mind (Tom) awareness category at 53 per cent for Delhi. Radio City, however, does better in Mumbai with a Tom awareness of 41 per cent as opposed to Mirchi’s 26 per cent. Radio City has also fared the best in Mumbai in terms of reach among all the SEC’s, while Mirchi has boasted the same for Delhi.
As far as reach of the best 20 slots is concerned, Radio Mirchi is ahead at 19 per cent while City is at 15 per cent. Once again Red has been left in the lurch at with just three per cent.
Interestingly SEC C, D and E account for 50 per cent of all radio listenership. At the same time there is some good news for the public broadcaster Vividh Bharati. It managed 81 per cent awareness in Mumbai. In fact while 39 per cent said that they listened to radio out of that 34 per cent said that they listened to FM. The five per cent gap means that Mumbaikars are also tuning in to Vividh Bharati. That is not the case in Delhi where listening to radio basically means FM.
In addition, subscribers to ILT will also be able to map listening habits with other activities like watching films, holidaying, consumer durables owned and internet access.
While all this data is well and good it remains to be seen as to how advertisers and media planners react. As a representative of Radio City, who was present at this evenings MRUC meeting, pointed out the next challenge is to convince the ad fraternity of the veracity of the data just as they are convinced of Tam for television.
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.
