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Republic TV curiosity factor wanes, NBA channels data absent in week 21
BENGALURU: Has the curiosity factor for Republic TV started dipping? The channel topped Broadcast Audience Research Council of India (BARC) ratings for the third week in a row since its inception, albeit with much lower ratings when compared to those obtained during its debut week. Republic TV’s victory can be termed a pyrrhic victory at the best. Conspicuous by its absence was data for the other major Indian English News channels from the weekly top 5 English News channels list for week 21 (Saturday, 20 May 2017 to Friday, 26 May 2017).
Republic TV could obtain just 1,014 Weekly Impressions (000s) Sums for week 21. This was just about 48 percent of the Weekly Impressions that the channel had garnered in week19. It ratings in week 21 were even lower than the ratings obtained by the second placed Times Now which had weekly impressions of 1,148 (000s) Sums in week 19. In its first week of operations (BARC week 19), Republic TV had a viewership share of 52 percent and 2,117 Weekly Impressions (000s) Sums, which fell to 49 percent in BARC week 20 with 1,703 Weekly Impressions (000s) Sums. Week 21 data be termed irrelevant, considering that the data for the channels that Republic TV challenged, and channels that can offer stiff competition in the genre is absent.
It may be recalled that in a coordinated move, English News channels had pulled out of BARC on 18 May, only to return to the BARC fold from midnight of 26 May. English News channels backed by the News Broadcast Association had stripped their signals of BARC audio watermarks. The NBA had requested BARC not to publish Republic TV’s ratings, alleging that the channel had resorted to rampant multiple LCN placements on cable TV networks across the country, which the ratings agency had refused to comply with. In the absence of ratings data for channels such as Times Now, India Today Television, CNN News Today, etc., other channels found places in BARC’s top 5 channels list for the genre of week 21.
Following far behind Republic TV, at second place was BBC World News with just 190 Weekly Impressions (000s) Sums. BBC World News reappeared in BARC’s top 5 channels for the English News genre after it had held fifth rank in week 18 with 128 Weekly Impressions (000s) Sums. BBC World News has been present in the top 5 English News channels list for 17 of the first 21 weeks of 2017, though never at the second rank.
At third place was Wion with at 68 Weekly Impressions (000s) Sums, followed by NewsX HD with just 1 Weekly Impressions (000s) Sums. NDTV 24×7 came in at fifth place with ratings of just 0.21 Weekly Impressions (000s) Sums.
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.
