GECs
Star Utsav scripts a blockbuster comeback on FTA turf
MUMBAI: Star Utsav is on a ratings roll, clinching the top Free-to-Air (FTA) spot for the eighth consecutive week since its high-voltage return. The channel has struck gold with its heady mix of nostalgia, daily drama, and culturally rooted storytelling that’s kept the Hindi heartland hooked.
Powered by prime-time juggernauts like Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin and Rabba Ve, Star Utsav hasn’t just topped the FTA charts—it’s also rubbing shoulders with pay TV biggies in the Hindi-speaking markets.
“The strong reception to Star Utsav’s return validates the power of compelling storytelling. Our curated content strategy focused on family-driven narratives has enabled the channel to swiftly reclaim leadership in the FTA space. We remain committed to delivering scale and value to both audiences and advertisers alike,” said a Star Utsav spokesperson.
What’s really driving viewership? A trio of relatable female leads—Sai, Akshara, and Khushi—who bring sass, strength, and substance to the small screen. They’ve emerged as icons for young Indian women, particularly in the 15–30 age group, where the channel leads the pack.
And just when viewers thought it couldn’t get more nostalgic, Star Utsav unleashed Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, with Smriti Irani’s Tulsi returning to living rooms and melting hearts anew.
With a heady cocktail of mythology, romance, drama, and legacy soaps, Star Utsav is proving that when it comes to storytelling, tradition still sells—especially when it’s served with a side of prime-time flair.
**Source: BARC, 15+,HSM U+R, Week 14-21’2025
GECs
Sony Pictures Networks India pulls off a slick April Fool’s Day prank and we can’t keep calm
The broadcaster dangled a fake “confidential” leak across a ten-slide carousel, reeling in curious followers before delivering the punchline
MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India had a little fun with its audience on Tuesday. The broadcaster posted a ten-slide Instagram carousel that opened with a bold red “CONFIDENTIAL — For internal use only” cover slide, tagged with its Go-Beyond branding, and the cryptic caption: “In light of recent developments, we felt it was important to address this subject.”
What followed was a masterclass in slow-burn trolling.
Slide by slide, the post built the tension methodically. There had been “a lot of chatter,” it warned. Some of it had “confused” people; others had “strong opinions.” The company was “not planning to address this publicly yet,” it teased, before conceding that “things seem to be moving faster than expected.” By the midpoint, the carousel was practically daring followers to keep swiping and they obliged, hunting for the scoop, connecting dots that, as the post dryly noted, “may or may not exist.”
The final slide landed the blow. “And right now, they realise this is just an April Fool’s Day prank.”
The post carried the hashtags #SPNI, #GoBeyond and #TellStoriesBeyondTheOrdinary, a neat reminder that the whole exercise was, in itself, a piece of brand storytelling.
No leak. No announcement. No bombshell. Just Sony, very much in on the joke.
