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Republic TV complains to TRAI, BARC on Times Now’s genre slotting
MUMBAI: The ever-competitive business of TV news is set to witness another round of slugfest. Republic TV has complained to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) of India about English news channel Times Now getting the channel re-slotted under Hindi news genre on distribution platforms, which may impact viewership data.
A letter written by Republic TV earlier this month, reviewed by Indiantelevision.com, accused Times Now of getting some of the distribution platforms to place the channel “among the Hindi news sub-genre” as some of the programmes broadcast had “substantial Hindi content” as claimed by Times.
“This is a confusing development as BARC will report Times Now [viewership data] as part of the English news channel list,” the Republic complaint highlighted, adding, “if its proximity/neighbourhood is significantly among the Hindi news channels, it stands to distort viewership data.”
Republic has also exhorted BARC India, which is set to release soon its fresh and updated television-related annual data, to take note of distribution changes relating to Times Now as not an English-language news channel but “preferably” a Hindi channel.
However, changing of genres to boost sampling among viewers or resorting to dual or multiple LCNs are some issues not new to the Indian broadcast business. Nor is the animosity. that has prevailed between Times Now, former employer of Republic TV’s chief editor Arnab Goswami.
When Republic TV debuted last year, a clutch of news channels, later backed by News Broadcasters Association (NBA), had alleged the new entrant was resorting to dual LCN or multiple feed tactic to boost viewership. BARC had also been petitioned to suspend publishing of Republic TV’s data.
Times Now had also taken Goswami, promoter of Republic TV’s parent company, to the courts to desist him from using the phrase `nation wants to know’ claiming IPR over it as it was started when the flamboyant news anchor was with the Times group. Though Republic TV later became a member of NBA, Goswami had taken a swipe at Times Now calling it a cry baby.
Since then both the TV news channels had been making news off-air, while slugging it out to corner viewers’ attention in a continuing see-saw battle.
Asked about the issue of multiple feeds-strategy used by TV channels, TV market research company Chrome Data Analytics and Media CEO Pankaj Krishna told Indiantelevision.com that the unethical tactic was “still very much prevalent” despite a directive against it by regulator TRAI.
“According to Chrome, there were some 1,433 instances of dual LCN across all genres across the country as of last week, Krishna explained, adding, “The practice is mostly seen during blockbuster events like presentation of Union Budget (for business news genre) and during new launches as part of a channel’s marketing exercise. But such tactics have limited time impact.”
TV Today Network managing editor Supriya Prasad was of the opinion if a TV channel was resorting to “unethical practices” to boost viewership, then it meant it didn’t have full faith in its own content. Aaj Tak is the leader of Hindi news genre as per BARC India Week 27 data.
Another industry observer felt as HSM or Hindi-speaking market is a big one, getting slotted in that category in the EPG “opens up reach of a channel”. However, the observer was critical of such attempts to boost reach and viewership: “If an English TV channel is present in the Hindi news genre, simply informing TRAI and the operator to keep within the right side of the law as it was doing small amount of Hindi content is cheating the system. It gains importance if BARC too is not made aware of such a development.”
It now remains to be seen how the regulator and BARC India will respond to the Republic TV complaint.
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.
