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TV homes up by 7.5%, total TV viewership up by 12%
MUMBAI: The Broadcast Audience Research Council of India (BARC) has released the findings of its Broadcast India (BI) 2018 Survey, based on a sample study of 3 lakh homes in the country. As per the latest findings, TV homes in the country has seen a 7.5 per cent jump, outpacing the growth of homes in India which grew at 4.5 per cent.
India currently boasts of 298 million homes, of which 197 million have a TV set, having an opportunity of almost 100 million more TV homes in the country.
Two big takeaways from BI 2018 survey is the rise of the middle class and the increase in the number of flat TV screens. As per the survey, with 123 million TV homes belonging to the middle class, NCCS B & C accounts for 63 per cent of TV homes in India.
Together NCCS ABC or the affluent TV owning homes form 84 per cent of TV homes in the country. The fact that homes falling under the low-socio economic class (NCCS D/E) have seen a 13 per cent drop, highlights the improving disposable income of an Indian home and is in line with the rising economic growth and prosperity.
BARC India CEO Partho Dasgupta said, “With BI 2018 we have been able to showcase the changing face of India. However, what hasn’t changed is the fact that TV remains the most effective platform for both content creators and advertisers to reach their audiences. This years’ survey is also special to us since we have been able to bring it in-house. We have been investing heavily on technology and talent and moving this almost entirely in-house is a proof of our capabilities.”
Some interesting trends that have emerged with BI 2018 Survey are:
· Number of TV viewing individuals grew by 7.2 per cent to 836 million from the previous 780 million. However, viewership increase in week 29 vs Previous 4 weeks is 12 per cent.
· TV homes in urban and rural India grew by 4 per cent and 10 per cent respectively. Viewership uptake in urban India is 10 per cent, while that in rural India is 13 per cent.
· The average time spent (ATS) by TV viewing individuals too has seen a 3 per cent growth and currently stands at 3 hours 44 minutes. This is driven by urban which has seen an increase of 5 per cent in ATS (4 hours 06 min), ATS in rural India has grown by 2 per cent and stands at 3 hours 27 minutes.
· Both HSM and South markets have seen a spike in viewership. HSM saw an increase of 12 per cent, while South grew by 10 per cent in week 29.
· The male-female split of TV owning individuals as per BI 2018 is: 429 million-407 million. Male viewers grew by 6.9 per cent, while female viewers saw a growth of 7.5 per cent over BI 2016.
· In terms of viewership, in week 29, male viewership has seen a 11 per cent growth, while female viewership has increased by 12 per cent.
· Viewership contribution of the affluent class (NCCS AB) grew by 15 per cent.
· The daily TV tune-ins in week 29 saw a healthy growth of 8 per cent and currently stands at 614 million viewers. The previous 4-week average was 569 million viewers.
“As for the trends, BARC India has maintained that India is a country which is driven by family viewing and this shows in the increase in the number of TV households. With a penetration of just 66 per cent, there is still a huge scope of growth in the space,” Dasgupta added.
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.
