News Broadcasting

Sahara One breathing down Sony’s neck

Published

19 years ago

March 1, 2007

MUMBAI: While Star Plus’ KBC wars engage television audiences, prime time viewership has been undergoing yet another churn. The rejuvenation of Zee TV has seen its ascent as a very strong No 2 while Sony Entertainment is looking increasingly insecure in the third position.

The channel is now seeing stiff competition and it’s coming from a rather unsuspecting source! Sahara One has sneaked up in the ratings, almost unbalancing the Sony network’s flagship channel Set. The question is, will it manage a complete coup?

A few numbers to mull over: A look at Sahara One’s channel share shows a gradual increase from 5 per cent in Jul-August ’06 to 9 per cent at year ending. (15 Dec – 30 Dec TG CS 4+ Yrs Market: HSM). Sony, meanwhile, has seen its channel share fluctuate between 12 and 13 per cent in the same period.

The latest Tam data for Jan ’07 pegged Sony’s channel share at 11 per cent with a further decline at 9 per cent (1 Feb – 17 Feb) while Sahara One is pegged at 7 per cent, a increase in one per cent over the past month. (1 Feb – 17 Feb TG CS 4+ Yrs Mkt: HSM).

The consistent feature of Sahara One’s rise has been the prime time show Woh Rehne Wali Mehlon Ki, the channel’s flagship show launched in May 2005. The show took a 20 year leap in mid 2006 and has since seen increasing viewership.

In fact Tam ratings for Week – 28/01/07 to 03/02/07 saw WRWMK peak with a 2 TVR (TG CS 4+ Yrs) and appear twice in the Top 100 while Sony is nowhere in the picture. The next week (04/02/2007 to 10/02/2007) it fared even better, registering four times in the Top 100 while Sony was again nowhere in the picture. Data for the latest week (11/02/2007 to 17/02/2007) however, sees Sahara’s lead soap dipping to 1.9 TVR and Sony clawing its way back into the Top 100 thanks to old warhorse CID with a 1.8 TVR.

Says Sahara One programming head Kalyan Sundaram, “If you look at the ratings post the 20 year leap, we have managed a slow and steady rise. What we have also noticed is a spillover from the 9 pm show to the 9:30 pm slot which features Ghar… Ek Sapna.”

In fact many of the long running shows like Kitu Sab Janti Hai and Sati Satya Ki Shakti, which started out as ‘strong women protagonist’ stories, were also revamped since the channel realized that “once the plot revealed that women were free of troubles and could handle their own life, our target audience seemed to lose interest and we lost our viewer,” says Sundaram.

Sundaram points out that the moment these shows were infused with conflicts and twists, they started picking up again. He picks the shows that have been gradually picking up in terms of ratings with an average TRP ranging between 1.1 to 1.3 – WRWMK, Solah Singar and Suno… Har Dil Kuch Kehta Hai.

When asked why these shows which perform well individually are not reflecting in the Tam ratings, Sundaram says, “It has been difficult to wean away audiences from the other channels. We have now managed to do that with our prime time shows and are relooking and re working each show. Sooner or later you are bound to see them doing well.”

Sony, on the other hand, announced their 10 to 11 pm slot with much fanfare in a bid to stem the Star juggernaut in the same time slot. While the channel insists it’s still early days to measure the response for these shows, the fact is that prime time on Sony isn’t looking very good either.

Says Sony Entertainment chief creative director Sandiip Sikcand, “We have been concentrating on our two new shows that we launched in February Durgesh Nandini and Jeete Hai Jiske Liye and the initial response has been good. The prime time band has seen a decline in viewership but we are taking a re-look at them and we should be adding some new twists and drama to get the audience engaged once again.”

The channel had in fact announced a re look at its primetime band once the 10 to 11 pm slot had settled down. In fact, it is only old guard CID that is raking in any worthwhile numbers for the channel. One after the other – soaps such as Kulvadhu, Thodi Khushi Thode Gham, Ek Ladki Anjaani Si have failed to impress the ardent soap watcher.

Meanwhile, Sahara One, which has recently dabbled in non fiction programming with the launch of Gold Safe in the 7 pm slot and Comedy Champs in the 10:30 pm slot, is also looking at two more non fiction shows, one each in the weekday and weekend category, to be announced in a couple of weeks.

Adding to its list of drama genre would be the Aruna Irani production Doli Saja Ke again slotted for the prime time band, although the timings haven’t been decided upon as yet.

Still, Sahara may yet have to watch its back as Sony brings back its mammoth Indian Idol 3 to the screens this season.

Says Sikcand, “Indian Idol 3 launches in May and we are sure we’ll get a good response, but we are not going to wait until then. In another two weeks you will see a few changes on the channel and hopefully it will reflect in the ratings as well. Besides the more immediate worry is the World Cup, which will affect all general entertainment channels.”

The ICC World Cup 2007 could sure act as a party spoiler for the GEC. While the channels will still battle it out with each other on non match days, viewership of most shows is likely to be dented, the most harm being done on India match days.

To sum up, as improbable as it may have sounded just a few short months ago, today the battle lines are drawn between Set and Sahara One.

Related Topics:Ghar... Ek Sapna Kitu Sab Janti Hai Sahara One Sati Satya Ki Shakti Sony's neck WRWMK

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News Broadcasting

Barc forensic audit in TRP row awaits as Twenty-Four probe gathers pace

Published

1 week ago

February 4, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

KERALA: A forensic audit commissioned by the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India has emerged as the centrepiece of the government’s response to fresh allegations of television rating point manipulation involving a regional news channel in Kerala, with both the audit findings and a parallel police investigation still awaited.

Replying to a query in the Lok Sabha, minister of state for information and broadcasting L Murugan, said Barc had appointed an independent agency to conduct a forensic probe into the conduct of senior personnel allegedly linked to the case.

The move followed media reports claiming that a Barc employee had accepted bribes to manipulate viewership data in favour of a regional television news channel.

“The report from BARC is still awaited,” Murugan told Parliament, signalling that the forensic exercise remains ongoing.

Industry specialists say forensic audits are crucial in alleged TRP fraud cases, as they examine internal controls, data access trails, panel household integrity, staff communications and financial transactions. The outcome could determine whether the alleged manipulation was an isolated breach or a deeper systemic weakness in India’s television measurement framework.

Running alongside the audit, the Kerala Police has formed a special investigation team to probe the allegations. The ministry has sought a preliminary report from the state’s director general of police, including details of action taken on the first information report. That report, too, is yet to be submitted.

The episode has revived long-standing concerns over the vulnerability of India’s TRP system, particularly in regional news markets where competition for ratings is fierce and advertising revenues hinge on weekly viewership rankings.

India’s sole television audience measurement body Barc, has faced scrutiny before, most notably during the nationwide TRP controversy involving news channels in 2020. While tighter compliance norms were introduced in the aftermath, the latest allegations suggest enforcement challenges may persist.

On regulatory consequences, the government said any punitive action against television channels, including suspension or cancellation of uplinking and downlinking permissions, would be governed by the Policy Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Television Channels issued in November 2022, and would depend on investigation outcomes and due process.

The ministry also pointed to ongoing efforts to overhaul the ratings ecosystem. Television measurement continues to be regulated under the Policy Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies, 2014. Draft amendments were released for public consultation in July 2025, followed by a revised version in November 2025, aimed at tightening audit mechanisms and improving transparency and representativeness.

In November 2025, Barc said it had taken note of allegations aired by Malayalam news channel Twenty-Four, which linked an internal employee to irregularities in audience measurement. The council said it had engaged a “reputed independent agency” to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit, underscoring the seriousness of the claims.

The ratings system sits at the heart of India’s broadcast advertising economy, shaping billions of rupees in annual ad spends. With trust in audience data once again under strain, advertisers, broadcasters and regulators are closely watching the outcome of the investigations.

Barc has urged industry stakeholders and media organisations to exercise restraint while the probe is underway, calling for an end to “unverified or speculatory claims” and reiterating its commitment to integrity and accountability.

Until the forensic audit and police findings are submitted and reviewed, the government said it would refrain from drawing conclusions.

News Broadcasting

Rajat Sharma defamation row: Delhi court summons Congress leaders Ragini Nayak, Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh

Published

1 week ago

February 4, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court has ordered the summoning of senior Congress leaders Ragini Nayak, Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh in a criminal case filed by veteran journalist Rajat Sharma, sharpening a legal battle over alleged defamation and doctored digital content.

The order was passed on Monday by Devanshi Janmeja, judicial magistrate first class at Saket Courts, after the court found prima facie grounds to proceed under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including forgery, creation of false electronic records and defamation.

Sharma, chairman and editor-in-chief of India TV, had approached the court over allegations made in June 2024 that he had used derogatory language against Congress spokesperson Ragini Nayak during a live television debate. He denied the charge, claiming it was fuelled by a manipulated video circulated online.

According to the complaint, a clipped version of the broadcast carrying superimposed captions, which were not part of the original programme, was first shared on social media platform X by Nayak and later amplified through retweets and public statements by Khera and Ramesh. Sharma said the viral spread caused serious reputational harm and personal distress.

The court took note of forensic science laboratory findings that pointed to visible post-production alterations in the video, including added titles and captions. It also cited witness testimonies from those present during the live broadcast, who stated that no abusive or objectionable language had been used.

In a related civil matter, the Delhi High Court had earlier observed a prima facie absence of abusive remarks and directed the removal of the disputed social media posts.

With criminal proceedings now set in motion, the case adds to mounting scrutiny around political messaging, digital manipulation and accountability on social media platforms.

News Broadcasting

Mukesh Ambani, Larry Fink come together for CNBC-TV18 exclusive

Reliance and BlackRock chiefs map the future of investing as global capital eyes India

Published

1 week ago

February 4, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: India’s capital story takes centre stage today as Mukesh Ambani and Larry Fink sit down for a rare joint television conversation, bringing together two of the most powerful voices in global business at a moment of economic churn and opportunity.

The Reliance Industries chief and the BlackRock boss will speak with Shereen Bhan, managing editor of CNBC-TV18, in an exclusive interaction airing from 3:00 pm on February 4. The timing is deliberate. Geopolitics are tense, technology is disruptive and capital is choosier. India, meanwhile, is pitching itself as a long-term bet.

The pairing is symbolic. Reliance straddles energy transition, digital infrastructure and consumer growth in the world’s fastest-expanding major economy. BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, oversees more than $14 tn in assets and sits at the nerve centre of global capital flows. When the two talk, markets tend to listen.

Fink’s appearance marks his third India visit, a signal of the country’s rising strategic weight for the Wall Street-listed firm, which carries a market value above $177 bn. His earlier 2023 trips included an October stop in New Delhi, where he met both Ambani and Narendra Modi.

India is now central to BlackRock’s expansion plans, notably through its joint venture with Jio Financial Services. Announced in July 2023, the 50:50 venture, JioBlackRock, commits up to $150 mn each from the partners to build a digital-first asset-management platform aimed at India’s swelling investor class.

The backdrop is robust. BlackRock ended 2025 with record assets under management of $14.04 tn, helped by $698 bn in net inflows, including $342 bn in the fourth quarter alone. Scale gives Fink both heft and a long lens on where money is moving.

He has been openly bullish on India. At the Saudi-US Investment Summit in Riyadh last year, Fink argued that the “fog of global uncertainty is lifting”, with capital returning to dynamic markets such as India, drawn by reforms, demographics and durable return potential.

Expect the conversation to range beyond balance sheets, into technology’s role in finance, access to capital and the mechanics of sustainable growth in a fracturing world order. For investors and policymakers alike, it is a snapshot of how big money is thinking about India.

At a time when capital is cautious and growth is contested, India wants to be the exception. When Ambani and Fink share a stage, it is less a chat and more a signal. The world’s money is still looking for its next big story, and India intends to be it.