Alpha
Marathi claims a preference share that's equivalent of Star
Plus' in Mumbai |
An ongoing Indica Research study commissioned by Alpha Marathi,
the results of the first phase of which are just trickling in, indicates
that the channel is only the second in terms of preference to Star
Plus. While Star Plus has a preference channel share of 23 per cent
in Mumbai, Alpha Marathi has an equivalent 23 per cent, while 31
per cent of sampled Maharashtrian viewers said Alpha Marathi was
their 'most favourite channel' and 34 per cent opted for Star Plus.
Favoured
next only to Star Plus? |
The Alpha Marathi brand, with its canny mix of satire, soap and
spot news has catapulted the channel far ahead of regional rivals
as also flagship Zee TV. The research, conducted among 1500 Marathi
speakers in the age group of 15-44 in Mumbai, Thane and Pune in
the first phase, says the channel only lags a little behind Star
Plus in the 'favourites' game in Pune too. 22 per cent of those
sampled averred that Alpha was their 'most favourite' channel after
Star Plus which garnered 27 per cent votes. The statistics show
that Alpha has a preference share of 20 per cent as against Star
Plus' share of 22 per cent.
The Maharshtrian
heartland ranks Alpha over Marathi channel rivals, the study
claims |
Closest Marathi rival ETV Marathi and Doordarshan's Sahyadri channel,
according to the research studies lag behind in the stakes. ETV
has a preference share of 13 per cent in Mumbai and 14 per cent
in Pune, while Sahyadri has a preference share of 11 per cent in
Mumbai and 13 per cent in Pune.
The results of the study were used to rejig programming like bringing
back the comedy series Hasat Chakatfu which was drawing in
viewers even in its re-run phase. The new series will start airing
from 29 December, says Alpha Marathi business head Nitin Vaidya.
Another show, Pimpalpan, which was based on well known Marathi
literary works, has been shifted to the Sunday afternoon slot based
on the findings of the study.
Shows like Avantika, a popular soap and Shriyut Gangadhar
Tipre, a cross-genre show with noted artiste Dilip Prabhavalkar
in the lead, are the ones that are drawing in key audiences for
Alpha Marathi currently, while a daily half hour spoof on current
affairs, Ghadlay Beeghadlay, telecast at 7.30 pm and 10.30
pm daily (a slot when even Maharashtrians usually tune into Kyunki
Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi), has been raking in good ratings.
The first week's figures sourced from TAM show that the programme
drew an average of 1.0 TVR in metros as well as the rest of Maharashtra,
proving Vaidya's contention that the Marathi viewer is only waiting
for quality Marathi language programming to wean him away from staple
Hindi fare.
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