GECs
Tam increases number of peoplemeters to 6917
MUMBAI: Ratings measurement service Tam is in expansion mode. Earlier this month it came out with an Elite Panel for Mumbai and Delhi. The aim is to measure what the creme de la creme consume.
Now it has increased the number of peoplemeters in the country. The number of meters have been increased from 4800 to 6917, a 44 per cent rise. The aim is to deepen the coverage to more towns.
This Peoplemeter Update marks the second stage of the TAM expansion project. The first stage was executed to broaden the coverage from 5 states to 12 states but within the existing reporting stratum (0.1 Mn+ population stratum). The second stage is to deepen the coverage to more towns within the less than 0.1Mn+ stratum for all markets covered in stage 1.
This expansion marks the conclusion of the second step of the entire expansion plan.
In addition, improvements have been made in the design to take into account the changing demographic and media landscape that results in a higher precision of the viewership estimates.
The number of cities Tam covers has grown from 73 to 151. In terms of expansion in the Metros are as follows: while earlier there were 450 homes measured in Mumbai now there are 495; in Kolkata the number has risen to 330 from 265. In Delhi it has risen from 425 to 470; in Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad it has grown from 255 homes in each of them to 280.
In terms of how the sample sizes across markets were determined, Tam India CEO LV Krishnan says, “A range of factors influence the sample size allocation of the overall sample across markets. These include the desired depth of analysis, availability of sufficient sample sizes for commonly analysed target groups and a desired level of statistical precision.
“While markets are analysed by two strata (1 million+ and 0.1 – 1 million) for sampling purposes the 0.1-1 million is broken into 0.1-0.5 mn and 0.5 mn – 1 mn. For the expansion, the 0.1-0.5 mn was broken up further into 0.1-0.2 mn and 0.2-0.5 mn.”
In terms of the SEC distribution, 33 per cent of the sample homes measured in Delhi are SEC A. In Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai it is 25 per cent. The representation of SEC D and E is highest in Mumbai and Kolkata at 32 per cent. At an all India level it is 28 per cent for SEC D and E. SEC A and B have a 25 per cent representation each. SEC C has a 21 per cent representation.
The presence of children was included as a new control parameter for the expansion. This paramater, Tam says, ensures that the proportion of homes in the sample with kids 4-9 years and 10-14 years matches that of the universe. In terms of new markets being introduced in the new Tam panel data, two changes have been seen at a market level.
Firstly West Bengal 1mn+ is a new market strata that has emerged due to towns moving up to the 1mn+ population bracket. Then Rajasthan, which was earlier reported as Rajasthan 0.1mn+, has now split into a two market strata i.e. Rajasthan 1mn+ and Rajasthan 0.1-1 mn.
MUMBAI: Lights, camera… connection because this time, the game isn’t just about winning, it’s about who’s with you. Sony Pictures Networks India is gearing up to launch a new reality game show, Tum Ho Naa, expanding its unscripted slate with a format that promises both emotion and engagement.
The show will premiere soon on Sony Entertainment Television and stream on Sony LIV, with Rajeev Khandelwal stepping in as host. Known for his measured screen presence and selective choices, Khandelwal’s return to television adds a layer of familiarity and credibility to the upcoming format.
While specific details of the gameplay remain under wraps, the positioning suggests a reality format that leans as much on emotional resonance as it does on competition, an increasingly popular blend in Indian television, where audiences are gravitating towards content that offers both stakes and storytelling.
Khandelwal, reflecting on his return, noted that his choices have often been guided by instinct rather than convention, describing Tum Ho Naa as a project that feels “close to the heart”. His association also signals Sony’s continued focus on anchoring new formats with recognisable faces who bring both relatability and depth.
The launch comes at a time when broadcasters are doubling down on original non-fiction formats to drive appointment viewing, even as digital platforms expand parallel reach. By placing the show across both linear television and OTT, Sony appears to be aiming for a dual-audience strategy capturing traditional viewers while engaging digital-first consumers.
As the countdown to premiere begins, Tum Ho Naa positions itself not just as another game show, but as a reminder that sometimes, the biggest prize on screen isn’t the jackpot, it’s the journey shared along the way.
