GECs
Sony makes headway with ‘Fame Gurukul’ in 8:30 – 9 pm slot
MUMBAI: Sony’s reality soap opera Fame Gurukul may not be anywhere near working wonder numbers which its predecessor Indian Idol did, but it is on a slow upward curve.
And it is waking up a dead slot on the channel. Aired at 8.30-9 pm, the show has moved up from its debut rating of 1.4 TVR in week 27 to 2.2 TVR in week 32 (HSM; CS4+) according to Tam data. This is still far below industry expectations. But the slot was clocking an average rating of 0.8 TVR prior to the launch of the show.
Sony had to battle against Star Plus’ four-year running blockbuster soap Kasautii Zindagi Kay. Earlier efforts with Ayushmaan had flopped miserably. With Fame Gurukul, the channel is trying out a counter programming strategy. As it has done with CID Special Bureau and Crime Patrol post 10 pm.
Explains Sony’s EVP and business head Tarun Katial, “The effort of Sony has always been to provide differentiated content. Fame Gurukul is a classical example of counter programming whether one looks at style, treatment or genre as well as reality TV Vs a daily soap. The attempt has also been to expand the category and bring in new viewers.”
The performance of Fame Gurukul has seen some growth (see table below).
Fame Gurukul’s performance till date
Show Period TVR Slot
Fame Gurukul Week 27 1.4 8:30 – 9 pm
Fame Gurukul Week 28 1.3 8:30 – 9 pm
Fame Gurukul Week 29 1.8 8:30 – 9 pm
Fame Gurukul Week 30 1.9 8:30 – 9 pm
Fame Gurukul Week 31 2.4 8:30 – 9 PM
Fame Gurukul Week 32 2.2 8:30 – 9 PM
Source : TAM data; HSM; CS4+; Monday to Thursday
Interestingly, Star Plus’ Kasautii Zindagi Kay (KZK) has seen a dip, if one looks at week 31 and 32.
Show Period TVR Slot
Kasautii… Week 27 11.4 8:30 – 9 PM
Kasautii… Week 28 12.3 8:30 – 9 PM
Kasautii… Week 29 11.5 8:30 – 9 PM
Kasautii… Week 30 11.9 8:30 – 9 PM
Kasautii… Week 31 9.5 8:30 – 9 PM
Kasautii… Week 32 8.6 8:30 – 9 PM
Source : TAM data; HSM; CS4+; Monday to Thursday
If one were to analyse KZK’s week 31and 32 performance, the fall may be attributed to the repeat episode aired in week 31, on account of the rains. Star, however, dismisses this as “minor fluctuations.”
As for Sony, Katial claims Fame Gurukul has managed to draw in audiences from the lower SECs. According to TAM data, the show received its peak TVRs from SEC DE with 4.8 TVR (HSM; week 27 -32), followed by females at 4.3 TVR. “This is quite encouraging for Sony which is generally skewed towards the upper SECs,” says Katial.
The process of broadbasing Sony’s audience base started with Indian Idol. Katial further explains that Fame Gurukul’s growth is organic in nature and the shows ratings will rise further only to peak in the last five to six weeks.
For now, at least, it seems to be following the trajectory he has in mind. Now to sustain it and make it climb further is the task that Katial has cut out for him.
GECs
Sony PAL to air Sankat Mochan Hanuman from May 4 at 9 PM
Mythological series brings Lord Hanuman’s tale of devotion and courage back to TV
MUMBAI: Sony PAL is set to bring back the timeless mythological series Sankat Mochan Hanuman, with its premiere scheduled for May 4 at 9 PM. The show revisits the legendary journey of Lord Hanuman, offering viewers a chance to reconnect with one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures.
Centred on themes of devotion, courage and righteousness, the series traces Hanuman’s unwavering loyalty to Lord Ram and his fearless stand against evil. With its mix of dramatic storytelling and visually rich sequences, the show aims to deliver both entertainment and spiritual resonance, appealing to audiences across age groups.
The narrative unfolds as a larger-than-life saga, positioning Hanuman as the ultimate protector and a symbol of strength and selfless service. His journey, rooted in faith and duty, continues to strike a chord with viewers, making the series as relevant today as ever.
The cast features Gagan Malik as Lord Ram, Debalina Chatterjee as Sita, Nirbhay Wadhwa in the titular role, and Saurav Gurjar as Raavan. Their performances bring depth and authenticity to characters deeply embedded in Indian cultural memory.
With its return to television, the show is positioned as more than just a rerun. It taps into a renewed appetite for mythological storytelling, blending nostalgia with timeless values.
As audiences increasingly seek content that resonates beyond entertainment, ‘Sankat Mochan Hanuman’ offers a familiar yet powerful narrative, reminding viewers that stories of faith and courage never really go out of style.
