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Zeel channels most watched Hindi channels across genres
BENGALURU: Two Hindi GECs from the Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) stable – free-to-air or FTA Zee Anmol and flagship pay TV channel Zee TV were once again the second and third most watched channels across genres in 2018 in week 48 (Saturday, 24 November 2018 to Friday, 30 November 2018). Broadcast Audience Research Council of India (BARC) data for the week shows that the Sun TV Network’s flagship Tamil GEC Sun TV was the most watched channel across genres during the week under review. This makes Zee Anmol and Zee TV the most watched Hindi channels during the week – be they GEC or Hindi movies genres.
According to BARC data for week 48 of 2018, four Star India channels, three channels from Zeel, two channels from Sony Pictures Network India (SPN) and one channel from the Sun TV Network made up the list of top 10 channels across genres. There were seven Hindi GECs, two Telugu GECs and one Tamil GEC in the list of top 10 channels across genres.
At its normal first rank in week 48 of 2018 was Sun TV with 995.022 million weekly impressions as compared to 990.104 weekly impressions in week 47 of 2018. Sun TV also led BARC’s weekly list of top 5 Tamil channels in the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry market and four programmes in BARC’s list of top 5 Tamil programmes during primetime in these markets based on average rating across all airings (original and repeat) in the week under review were aired on Sun TV.
Also at its previous week’s second rank in week 48 of 2018 was Zeel’s free to air (FTA) Hindi GEC Zee Anmol with 874.788 million weekly impressions as compared to 842.236 million weekly impressions in week 47. Zee Anmol was also ranked first in BARC’s weekly list of top 10 Hindi GECs in the combined urban and rural Hindi speaking markets or HSM (U+R) and HSM (R) and was ranked ninth in HSM (U). The Balaji Telefilms-produced soap Kumkum Bhagya was ranked first in BARC’s list of top 5 Hindi GEC programmes during primetime based on average rating across all airings (original and repeat) in the week in HSM (U+R) and HSM (R). Another two programmes aired on the channel – Mahek and Ek Main aur Ek Tu were ranked second and fifth respectively in HSM (R).
Climbing up two ranks from the previous week to third place was Zee TV, as mentioned above. Zee TV garnered 804.282 million weekly impressions in week 48 of 2018 as compared to 728.191 million weekly impressions in week 47. Zee TV was ranked second in BARC’s weekly list of top 10 Hindi GECs in HSM (U+R) and HSM (U), and was ranked fifth in HSM (R) during the week under review. Two programmes that were aired on Zee TV- Kumkum Bhagya, and its spinoff Kundali Bhagya were at third and second ranks respectively in BARC’s list of top 5 Hindi GEC programmes during primetime based on average rating across all airings (original and repeat) in the week in HSM (U+R) and fourth and second respectively in HSM (U).
Retaining its previous week’s fourth rank was Star India’s flagship Hindi GEC Star Plus with 772.967 million impressions in week 48 of 2018 as compared to 748.250 million weekly impressions in week 47. Star Plus was ranked fourth in BARC’s weekly lists of top 10 Hindi GECs in HSM (U+R) and was ranked first in HSM (U) and ninth in HSM (R). The 4 Lion Films soap Kulfi Kumar Bajewala aired on Star Plus was present in BARC’s weekly list of top 5 Hindi GEC programmes in HSM (U) at fourth rank during primetime based on average rating across all airings (original and repeat).
Another Star India pay-TV Hindi GEC Star Bharat dropped two ranks to fifth place in week 48 of 2018 with 742.567 million weekly impressions as compared to 765.704 million weekly impressions in week 47. Star Bharat was ranked third in BARC’s weekly list of top 10 Hindi GECs in HSM (U+R), fourth in HSM (R) and was ranked fifth in HSM (U). The Hindi mythology Radhakrishn on the channel was ranked fifth in BARC’s weekly list of top 5 Hindi GECs programmes during primetime based on average rating across all airings (original and repeat) in the week in HSM (U+R).
Star India’s flagship Telugu GEC Star Maa climbed up a rank to sixth place in week 48 of 2018 with 677.237 million weekly impressions as compared with 676.362 million weekly impressions in week 47. Star Maa was ranked first in BARC’s weekly list of top 5 Telugu channels in the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana market. Five programmes that were aired on Star Maa were present in BARC’s weekly list of top 5 Telugu programmes during primetime based on average rating across all airings (original and repeat) in the week in the same market.
Star India’s FTA Hindi GEC dropped a rank to seventh place in week 48 of 2018 with 627.637 million weekly impressions as compared to 719.252 weekly impressions in week 47. Star Utsav was ranked sixth in BARC’s list of top 10 Hindi GECs in HSM (U+R), third in HSM (R) and was ranked seventh in HSM (U).
Climbing up two ranks to eighth place in week 48 of 2018 was SPN’s women focused Hindi GEC Sony Pal with 626.473 million weekly impressions as compared to 617.770 million weekly impressions. Sony Pal was ranked fifth in BARC’s weekly list of top 10 Hindi GECs in HSM (U+R), second in HSM (R) and was ranked eighth in HSM (U). The sitcom Tarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashmah on Sony Pal was ranked fifth in BARC’s weekly list of top 5 Hindi GEC programmes during primetime based on average rating across all airings (original and repeat) in the week in HSM (R).
Zeel’s flagship Telugu GEC Zee Telugu re-entered BARC’s weekly list of top 10 channels across genres after a long hiatus with 599.109 million weekly impressions in week 48 of 2018 at ninth rank. The channel was ranked second in BARC’s weekly list of top 5 Telugu channels in the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana market.
Dropping a rank to tenth palace was SPN’s flagship Hindi GEC Sony Entertainment Television or SET in week 48 of 2018 with 597.242 million weekly impressions as compared to 627.218 million weekly impressions in week 47. SET was ranked seventh in BARC’s weekly list of top 10 Hindi GECs in HSM (U+R) and was ranked third in HSM (U). The reality show Indian Idol was ranked third in HSM (U)in in BARC’s weekly list of top 5 Hindi GEC programmes during primetime based on average rating across all airings (original and repeat) in the week in HSM (R).
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.
