MUMBAI: The pecking order of the Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC) genre, which has remained unscathed since the launch of KBC (Kaun Banega Crorepati) on Sony Entertainment Television (Set), is expected to shake up once again after two weeks.
As per TAM data for the week ended 24 September (HSM, C&S, 4+ years), Star Plus continues to lead (289 GRPs) with Set in hot pursuit (270 GRPs). At the same time, the gap between Set and number three player Colors (211 GRPs) has widened to 59 GRPs.
However, the order might change soon as the GECs are either going to launch new shows or are tweaking their programming - some are even doing both.
Colors, for instance, is launching its big-ticket reality show Bigg Boss 5, starting 2 October. The show will this time have two hosts – Salman khan and Sanjay Dutt – to pull audiences. The channel at the same time is axing its non-performing show Mukti Bandhan while Laagi Tujhse Lagan and Na Aana Is Des Laado, two primetime shows, are being pushed to afternoon slots.
Meanwhile, Star Plus’ dance reality show Just Dance is coming to an end on 1 October and will be replaced by the second season of MasterChef India sans Akshay Kumar.
Set is also beefing up its primetime. So far the channel is having a dream run with KBC, which is giving it an average weekly TVR of 5.4. It will launch a romantic drama show, Kuch To Log Kahenge, an adaptation of Pakistani television drama Dhoop Kinare, starting 3 October. Notably, Set’s dependence on non-fiction has dramatically come down and more dailies are getting good eyeballs for the channel. These include Bade Acche Lagte Hain, Crime Petrol and Saas Bina Sasural. With Kuchh Toh…, the channel is expecting a similar response.
Zee TV is aunching a new reality show, Star Ya Rockstar, after the completion of Saregamapa L’il Champs. Zee TV will also be launching a couple of fiction shows in October.
Even Sab, which is hoping to cross 200 GRPs by end of the fiscal, is axing its non-performing show Ammaji ki Gali and replacing it with the male-protagonist show – Don’t Worry Chachu.
At present, Zee TV has settled at number four and closed the week with 176 GRPs, ahead of Sab (123 GRPs). Imagine TV registered 78 GRPs followed by Star one and Sahara One with 39 and 33 GRPs respectively.
