Research
Music channels see uptick in OTS in week 49
MUMBAI: From exit polls to winning speeches, week 49 should have been the week of news channels. However, the truth is far from it. According to the Delhi-based Chrome Data & Analytics which keeps a tab on around 73 million TV homes nationally in analogue cable TV, digital cable TV and DTH, it was the week for music.
Yes, you read it right. Music genre was the top gainer with a 1.8 per cent opportunity to see (OTS) gain. For week 48, in Hindi speaking markets (HSM), the OTS was 47.4 per cent and in the following week reached 48.2 per cent. The music genre recovered what it lost in the previous week.
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Second in line is the English movie channel genre which saw an increase of 1.6 per cent in the eight metros. The year is coming to an end and as most channels air the biggest blockbusters of the year to wrap up the year, one can say that there are a lot of movie fans in the metropolitan cities.
Next come the Hindi movie channels and religious channels with both seeing an increase of 0.4 per cent in the HSM. Star Gold continued to be the biggest gainer with 97.0 per cent OTS. In the religious genre, Aastha channel rose above all in the category with and OTS of 97.5 per cent.
As for the bottom four genres, English Entertainment channels saw the biggest drop with 2.5 per cent in the eight metros. Star World topped the chart with 82.0 per cent. Even with elections in five states, the English news channels should have continued to gain but the genre failed to do so and saw a drop of 0.3 per cent unlike the previous week (week 48) where it was the highest gainer. Times Now was the leader in the genre with 88.3 per cent OTS in the eight metros.
Next were Hindi GECs which dropped 1.0 per cent in HSM. The channel in the genre which saw the biggest drop is Colors; its OTS was 95.7 per cent in week 49 as compared to 97.3 in week 48.
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The kids’ genre across the country and Hindi news in HSM too saw falls of 1.0 per cent and 0.8 per cent, respectively. Cartoon Network caught children’s attention and ranked number one in the category with 85.9 per cent while ABP News was the highest gainer with 92.7 per cent in the genre.
The OTS numbers might be music for executives operating in certain genres, but let’s wait and watch how things unfold for them in the coming week.
MUMBAI: Food and travel are officially the ultimate power couple.
As National Tourism Day approaches, the Godrej Food Trends Report 2024 has spotlighted culinary tourism as the driving force behind a revolution in Indian travel. No longer a side dish to the main event, food has claimed centre stage, transforming vacations into unforgettable, flavour-filled journeys.
In 2024, Indians travelled more frequently and for longer durations, with vacation spending surging nearly 25 per cent. A significant chunk of this increase was fuelled by travellers seeking unique and immersive culinary experiences that connected them to local cultures. Whether exploring bustling spice markets or learning time-honoured recipes from community experts, food became the heartbeat of modern Indian vacations.
The Godrej Food Trends Report 2024, curated by Godrej Vikhroli Cucina with insights from over 190 food experts, revealed the top culinary trends shaping Indian travel:
1. Street food and market tours
With 94.1 per cent of experts highlighting their popularity, vibrant food streets and spice markets emerged as must-visit attractions. From the zesty flavours of pani puri to the aromatic whiffs of garam masala, travellers immersed themselves in the diverse culinary fabric of India.
2. Culinary site tours
Nearly 92.3 per cent of experts predicted continued interest in these immersive experiences, where travellers visited tea estates, artisanal cheese hubs, and other production sites. These tours offered behind-the-scenes glimpses into the craft of food making, adding an educational edge to the journey.
3. Home dining experiences and local expertise
Around 87.5 per cent of experts noted a surge in travellers booking home dining experiences. These intimate interactions with local experts allowed visitors to learn traditional cooking techniques, taste signature regional products, and gain a deeper appreciation for India’s culinary heritage.
“Food is no longer just a part of the travel experience, but its very essence,” said A Perfect Bite Consulting MD & the annual report editor Rushina Munshaw Ghildiyal. “Today’s travellers are not just seeking destinations but connections—immersive, authentic experiences that allow them to explore the heart of a place through its culinary heritage. Whether it’s walking through vibrant spice markets, learning traditional recipes from local experts, or savouring unique regional flavours, food has become the bridge that links people to cultures and stories,” she elaborated.
This surge in culinary tourism isn’t just reshaping Indian vacations; it’s creating opportunities for local communities and small brands to showcase their culinary culture. From bustling street vendors to small-scale producers, the movement is helping amplify India’s rich food heritage on a global stage.
As the country celebrates National Tourism Day, travellers are invited to embrace the fusion of food and travel—a blend that promises to redefine how people experience culture and destinations in the years to come.
The Godrej Food Trends Report 2024 is available for download at www.vikhrolicucina.com.
