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Sony Max returns to top-10 channels in across genre list
BENGALURU: After a hiatus of a week, Sony Pictures Network India (SPN) Hindi Movies channel Sony Max returned to Broadcast Audience Research Council’s (BARC) list of the top-10 channels across genre (All India [U+R] : 2+ Individuals). Six Hindi GEC channels, two Telugu GEC channels and one each of Hindi Movies and Tamil GEC channels made up the top-10 across genre list for week 4 of 2018 (Saturday, 20 January 2018 to Friday, 26 January 2018). From the network’s perspective, the top-10 channels across genre were three Star India Pvt Ltd (Star India) channels, two channels each from the Sun Network Ltd, SPN and Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) and one channel from Network 18. Four of the channels in the list were free-to-air (FTA).
The Sun Network’s flagship Tamil GEC Sun TV held onto to its first rank in the list in week 4 of 2018 with 1,047.704 million weekly impressions. Sun TV was also the most watched Tamil channel in the Tamil Nadu/Puducherry markets according to BARC’s weekly list of top-five Tamil channels during the week under review. All the top-five Tamil programmes during prime time were from Sun TV.
Zeel’s FTA channel Zee Anmol also retained its second rank with 722.702 million weekly impressions. Zee Anmol was also the most watched Hindi GEC in the Hindi Speaking Urban + Rural (HSM (U+R) and HSM rural [HSM (R)] markets. The Balaji Telefilms produced family drama series Kumkum Bhagya and the Grazing Goat Pictures-produced soap Jamai Raja were among the top five most watched Hindi GEC programmes during primetime in HSM (U+R) and HSM (R). These programmes were aired on Zee Anmol.
Star India’s FTA Hindi GEC Star Bharat also retained its previous week’s third rank in week 4 of 2018 with 697.485 million weekly impressions. The Qissago Telefilms-produced serial Nimki Mukhiya was among BARC’s five most watched Hindi GEC programmes in the HSM (U+R) markets during primetime.
Sony Max was ranked fourth in week 4 of 2018 with 639.675 million weekly impressions. The channel also topped BARC’s top five Hindi Movies channels weekly list in HSM (U+R) and HSM (U). The sequel of SS Rajamouli’s magnum opus – Bahubali 2: The Conclusion was among the five most watched movies in HSM (U+R), HSM (U) and HSM (R). Hindi feature film (HFF) Sooryavansham, that was aired on the channel in week 4 was amongst the five most watched programmes in HSM (U+R) and HSM (U). Another HFF that was aired on the channel, Bhairava, was also among the top-five Hindi movies in HSM (U).
SPN’s women focused FTA Hindi GEC Sony Pal was ranked fifth in week 4 of 2018 with 600.018 million weekly impressions. Sony Pal was also ranked second in BARC’s top 10 Hindi GEC channels list in HSM (R). Balveer and Tarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashmah aired on the channel were among the most watched Hindi programmes in HSM (R) during prime time.
Zeel’s flagship Hindi GEC Zee TV was ranked sixth in week 4 of 2018 with 595.585 million weekly impressions. Kumkum Bhagya and its spinoff Kundali Bhagya that were aired on Zee TV were BARC’s top two Hindi GEC programmes during primetime in HSM (U+R) and HSM (U).
Network18’s (or Viacom18 if you may) flagship Hindi GEC Colors was ranked seventh in week 4 of 2018 with 583.116 million weekly impressions. Colors was the most watched Hindi GEC channel in the week in HSM (U). The Rashmi Sharma Telefilms-produced story of a transgender, Shakti – Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki, was among the top five Hindi GEC programmes during primetime in HSM (U).
Another Star India FTA Hindi GEC, Star Utsav, was ranked eighth in week 4 of 2018 with 569.417 million weekly impressions. Star India’s Telugu GEC Star Maa was ranked ninth during the week under review with 532.247 million weekly impressions. The channel was the most watched Telugu GEC in the AP/ Telangana (U+R): NCCS All : 2+ Individuals market. Two programmes that featured on Star Maa – Kumkuma Puvvu and Koyilamma were among the top five Telugu programmes during primetime.
The Sun Newtork’s Telugu GEC Gemini TV completed BARC’s list of top-10 channels across genre list in week 4 of 2017 with 522.878 million weekly impressions. Gemini TV was the second most watched Telugu GEC programme in AP/Talengana.
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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.
