News Headline
Factual infotainment genre observes hike in viewership
MUMBAI: The factual entertainment genre has witnessed some action in the past week. After the launch of Sony BBC Earth, media observers believe that the genre is all set to grow. According to the week 9 ratings data of Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India, players in the infotainment genre observed substantial increase in its ratings except Nat Geo Wild. The genre continued to be led by History TV18.
Colors Infinity made a comeback in the Top 5 English Entertainment genre channels list making way for the exit of FX. Comedy Central emerged as the leader in this week’s data. The other players observed hike in the viewership this week. Zee Café dominated the genre.
In the English Movies space, Movies Now 2 entered in the Top 5 bracket leading to the exit of Zee Studio. Players in the space witnessed mixed ratings this week.
Living Foodz continued to dominate the Lifestyle space, with other channels observing mixed ratings this week.
English Entertainment
Comedy Central replaced Zee Café this week with 358 Impressions (‘000s). Zee Café came second with 262 Impressions (‘000s). Star World came down to the third position with 198 Impressions (‘000s). Colors Infinity SD returned on the fourth place with 194 Impressions (‘000s). AXN continued at the fifth rank with 149 Impressions (‘000s).
English Movies
Star Movies with an increase in ratings continued to dominate the genre this week with 3001 Impressions (‘000s) compared to 2639 Impressions (‘000s) last week. Sony Pix climbed up the ladder, grabbing the second spot with 2952 Impressions (‘000s). Movies Now with 2477 Impressions (‘000s) took the third position followed by HBO at the fourth position with 1757 Impressions (‘000s). Movies Now 2 took the fifth place with 1354 Impressions (‘000s).
Infotainment
History TV18 with a hike in its ratings sustained the number one position with 5695 Impressions (‘000s) as compared to 5567 Impressions (‘000s) last week. Discovery Channel continued at the second spot with 4986 Impressions (‘000s). National Geographic Channel was at the third place with 3202 Impressions (‘000s). Animal Planet stood at the fourth position with 2928 Impressions (‘000s) while, Nat Geo Wild was at the fifth place with 2319 Impressions (‘000s).
Lifestyle
Living Foodz sustained its number one position with increase in its ratings from 1383 Impressions (‘000s) in week 8 to 2020 Impressions (‘000s). Fox Life stood at the second berth with 1221 Impressions (‘000s) followed by Food Food with 842 Impressions (‘000s). FYI TV18 with 701 Impressions (‘000s) and TLC with 631 Impressions (‘000s) bagged the fourth and fifth position, respectively.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
