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Sab TV steadily increasing channel share
MUMBAI: Sab TV’s faith in the comedy genre is reaping some dividends. Sab’s brand of comedy, that includes sitcoms and slapstick, has been gaining steadily as far as its channel shares are concerned.
Tam data cited by Sab TV for the period between 23 August and 20 September, shows interesting growth in channel shares per half-hour band.
Sab TV, which is consciously concentrating on comedy, recently repositioned itself as an ‘All Smiles, No Tears’ channel. Bolstered by the upswing in the viewerships, the channel will soon be launching two new sitcoms – one of which is called Sri Sifarishi Lal by Ashwini Dheer.
Tam surveyed viewership of the channel among females above the age of 15 years and males above 25 years in SEC ABC. The survey revealed some interesting trends:
* In the 7 to 7.30 pm slot: The gross rating points (GRPs) of daily show Toba Meri Toba had gone up steeply, from 0.6 and 0.5 viewership on 23 August to 13 and 0.9 on 20 September (females and males respectively).
A still from ‘Dhaaba Junction’
* 8-8:30 pm: This band – which shows Hassi Woh Phassi on Mondays and Tuesdays, Doli Leke Ayee Hai on Wednesdays and Thursdays, Zabaan Sambhal Ke on Fridays and Office Office on weekends – has grown from 1.3 and 2.1 GRPs to 2.7 and 3.4 (female and males respectively).
* 8:30-9 pm: This band – which shows Bade Miya Chhote Miya (on Monday-Tuesday), Yes Boss (Wednesday, Thursday and weekends) and Abhi To Main Jawan Hoon (Friday) – too has grown within one month. Its GRP has risen from 1.8 and 3.1 to 4.5 and 4.6 (female and male respectively).
* 9-9:30 pm: GRPs of Dhaaba Junction (Monday-Tuesday), Sajan Tum Jhuth Mat Bolo (Wednesday-Thursday) and Hamare Papa Kahate Hain (Friday to Sunday) have grown steeply from 1.6 and 2.2 to 4.1 and 3.6 (female and male respectively) within the month .
A still from ‘Sahib Biwi Ke Gulam’
* 9:30 – 10 pm: Sahib Biwi Ke Gulam (Monday-Tuesday), Shrimaan Shrimaati (Wednesday -Thursday), Biwi To Biwi, Sala Re Sala (Friday to Sunday), has grown from 2.4 and 2.1 to 4.3 and 4 (female and male respectively).
* 10-10:30 pm: This slot shows – Office Office (Monday-Tuesday), Public Hai Sab Janati Hai (Wednesday-Thursday), Akting Akting (Friday) and Mirch Masala (Sat-Sun). Its GRPs have grown from 2.1 and 2.5 to 4.5 and 5 (female and male respectively).
The Tam survey was conducted between 20 August and 23 September, among the north and west audiences.
The survey reveals other interesting points. The GRPs have shown erratic dips and rises signifying viewership fluctuation. For two weeks after the twin bomb blasts (on 25 August), viewership in almost all the time bands dipped sharply but soon ascended again.
According to a Sab TV spokesperson, “In the last week of August and first week of September, the news channels viewership had shot up due to the bomb blasts and the fall of the Mayavati government in UP. But as interest in news waned, Sab started regaining its audience. And it is evident in the week ending September 20, when all the prime time slots generated higher GRPs than its previous weeks.”
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.
