News Broadcasting
Star completes clean sweep of Top 50
MUMBAI: It had to happen some day! Star Plus has completed a clean sweep of the Top 50 shows for the first time.
Star’s supreme dominance has been highlighted in the ratings for the week 26 January – 1 February for C&S 4+, eight cities + UP, one million plus towns.
Consider the sheer domination of the top programmes: Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi features eight times; Shaka Laka Boom Boom features five times; Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Kasautii Zindagi Kay, Shagun, Bhabhi, Kaahin Kissi Roz feature four times; Kumkum features three times, Shararat, Krishna Arjun, Kumkum, Khichdi, Kyun Hota Hai Pyarrr, Kashmeer, Ssh …Koi Hai, Karishma Ka Karishma, Son Pari, Kuch Kar Dikhana Hai, Sanjivani, Khullja Sim Sim, Kehta Hai Dil, Des Mein Nikla Hoga Chand feature once.
Mindshare Fulcrum MD Vikram Sakhuja says: “Star TV spent the year 2002 in expanding its audience base and increasing it to a certain pre-determined critical mass. They persisted with the saas-bahu themes in order to attain their objectives. The next step involved the process of guiding this mass and exposing them to different programming genres or options. In the beginning of the year, Star launched an intelligent mix (cache) of new programmes – game shows, kids’ shows, variety shows, amongst others. The impressive results simply demonstrate that their strategy is succeeding.”
A Salomon Smith Barney report released in January 2003 says that Star Plus’ dominance is commendable, considering the fact that the channel broadcasts several one-hour shows from Monday to Friday. The channel could have fewer entries from its Monday – Friday prime-time slot in the TAM Top 100 programme list; whereas Zee and Sony have more opportunities because they have 30-minute shows pitted against Star.
Des Mein Nikla Hoga Chand, Kehta Hai Dil, Khullja Sim Sim, Sanjivani, Ssh…Koi Hai, Kashmeer are the shows which have a duration of one hour plus.
However, Star could gain phenomenally if it beefs up its marketing and communication efforts in the southern markets as this could complement the dominance in the western belt, say industry sources.
Till someone comes up with an innovative concept or theme, it looks as if Star is going to be quite lonely at the top.
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
