(6 October 2005 8:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Sahara One Television, which has been witnessing a steady upswing in its fortunes, now claims to have gone ahead of Zee TV in the critical weekdays prime time band.

Quoting TAM ratings for the week ending 24 September, Sahara asserts it has satayed ahead of Zee TV during the weekday (Monday–Thursday) 8 pm to 11:30 pm band amongst CS 4+ homes.

According to a company statement, Sahara One registered a 14 per cent viewership lead over Zee TV by garnering a GRP of 23 as against Zee's GRP of 20, followed by Star One at 13, in the above time-slot.

The channel attributes its growth to efforts to introduce new formats and experiment with new concepts.

The key channel contributors include driver show Woh Rehne Waali Mehlon Ki, produced by Rajshri Productions, along with Hare Kkaanch Ki Choodiyan.

Sahara One Television COO Purnendu Bose said, "These encouraging numbers only go to prove that we are in the right direction and in the coming days it would be our endeavor to maintain this trend and achieve many more new heights."

The channel recently introduced a new suspense thriller Kohinoor and also revamped Dial One Aur Jeeto. A host of new movies are also lined up on the channel this year.