Mumbai: STAR Parivaar Awards pulled in the highest number of viewers across general entertainment television in India in two years, as the ratings reinforced the annual event as the most popular on the small screen.

The Awards ceremony telecast on Saturday, March 24th garnered 6.4 TVR - the most for an event in 2011 & 2012 (Source: TAM, TVR%, Events, HSM, CS 4+, Week 1 ?11 ? Week 12 ?12)

Nitin Vaidya, Business Head, Hindi Channels, STAR India, said, ?Over the years, our characters have established an amazing bond with the audiences. STAR Parivaar Awards is the celebration of these ties. The ratings of the event only confirm the viewers? love towards STAR Plus. Offering a visual delight for the first time in India, the event was telecast using 3D mapping technology that added a completely new dimension to the viewing experience.?

Besides various on-air promotions, the event was also promoted through several on-ground activities like Gudhi Padwa melas and rallies in Mumbai. In a first-of-its-kind innovation, the show was also promoted on the digital platform through twitter jockeys and by providing real time trivia of the event and pictures on twitter.

MUMBAI: Star Plus, India?s No 1 Hindi Entertainment Channel, has been adjudged the best in its class at the prestigious CNBC Story Board Awaaz Awards 2011.

Star Plus topped viewers? choice in a pan-India survey of over 5,500 viewers in the country. According to the survey conducted by CNBC Awaaz and AC Nielsen in the run up to the awards, STAR Plus emerged a clear leader with maximum viewership in the country and was voted as "The Most Recommended Television Channel of the Year" in the Entertainment Category.

"Viewers are at the core of STAR Plus?s content. They are the force that drives us to constantly raise benchmarks with shows that set a social agenda, while simultaneously improving on the viewing experience through HD channels and Apps that make content available on-the-move," Nitin Vaidya, Business Head, Hindi Channels, STAR India said, thrilled by the recognition. He added: "To be voted as the most favorite channel is a huge compliment and an honor. We, at STAR, are humbled at receiving the CNBC Story Board Awaaz Awards 2011."

The channels refreshed brand philosophy "Rishta Wahi, Soch Nayi" is not just a tag line but the operating brand philosophy which is best expressed through the actions of its progressive protagonists. These iconic women characters, reflects India, what?s changing and what?s reassuringly remaining the same. STAR Plus continues to seek to inspire and entertain through strong and stirring content that reflects and propels India forward in its path to fulfillment. It is this vision that has made STAR Plus the leading Entertainment Channel in India, touching the lives of 300 MM viewers a week and earning the place as the most loved channel brand for viewers.

STAR Plus, STAR India Pvt ltd.?s flagship channel, reaches more than 300 mn viewers weekly. The channel has redefined the Hindi GEC space by retaining its leadership position in the Hindi GEC space for more than a decade and introduced innovations like HD recently, consolidated its position as the leading Hindi broadcaster in India. With discerning and distinct fiction content, iconic characters, unparalleled non-fiction formats & events to its credit, STAR Plus continues to set the agenda for the Hindi Entertainment genre in India.

Mumbai: STAR Parivaar?s brightest stars will soon pop out of the small screen to shine on the real world, meeting and making the day of loyal fans as far away as London and New York during this festival season.

STAR Parivaar Live, a first of its kind initiative where TV stars will connect with their show?s audience, is aimed at renewing relationships with viewers living far and wide. The event will showcase live performances by the leading artistes from the STAR Network properties.

The inaugural event at London?s Wembley Arena on 16th October will see some of TV?s biggest celebrities -- Geet from Geet Huyi Sabse Parayi, Ishaan; Suhaana from Sasuraal Genda Phool; Naitik and Akshara from Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai; Rehmaan and Roshni from Comedy Ka Mahamukabla -- performing live on stage, along with the legendary Ustaad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

STAR Plus idols, Rajni and Inder of Sasural Genda Phool will arrive at New York on Oct. 2 to launch the Western Union ?Main Bhi STAR? contest at the Association Of Indians in America (AIA)?s 24th Annual South Street Seaport Deepavali Festival, New York. Two lucky contest winners will get an all expense paid trip to Mumbai and a chance to share the frame with their favourite artistes by appearing on a STAR Plus show.

Commenting on the pioneering initiative Nitin Vaidya, Business Head ? Hindi Channels, STAR India Pvt. Ltd. said, ?It?s an opportunity for us to tell our viewers abroad that we care what they think, and by connecting with them, we?ll be able to bring content that?s closer to their hearts.??

That?s after all what STAR resonates globally: ?Rishta Wahi, Soch Nayi?.