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TV ownership increased by 14% in 2017: IRS
MUMBAI: After a gap of four years, the Indian Readership Survey (IRS), which documents the growth of the media industry, has been released for 2017. The survey methodology was criticised in 2014 and, therefore, was halted for an upgrade. This time, the sample size has been increased by 34 per cent to 3.2 lakh households. The entire process was audited by E&Y.
The study found that there has been an overall 14 per cent increase in TV ownership in Indian households. TV ownership, according to the 2011 census, stood at 47 per cent but the IRS study found it to be 61 per cent in 2017. Tamil Nadu had the highest TV penetration with 93 per cent followed by Kerala at 90 per cent. Punjab and the National Capital Region of Delhi tied at third position with 88 per cent. The census numbers for these states were 87 per cent, 77 per cent, 83 per cent and 88 per cent, respectively. The lowest reach, as per the IRS, was of Bihar with 22 per cent and 15 per cent as per census. TV ownership was lowest in Tamil Nadu with less than 10 per cent. The number of no TV homes was highest in Bihar with more than 75 per cent.
The percentage reach for TV in the last one month in the age group of 12 + (L1M) was 75 per cent, 10 per cent higher than IRS’ 2014 study. In this, urban reach was 88 per cent, 3 per cent higher than 2014 and rural reach was 68 per cent, 14 per cent higher.
The DTH or digital TV market was up from 26 per cent to 45 per cent. Punjab leads with close to 55 per cent homes with DTH followed by Himachal Pradesh with 50 per cent.
Colour TV ownership stood at 61 per cent in 2017 up from 55 per cent in 2014.
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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.
