ITV

Tag: Star Utsav

  • Q1 FY26: JioStar smashes profit records as IPL juggernaut drives Rs 11,222 crore revenue surge

    Q1 FY26: JioStar smashes profit records as IPL juggernaut drives Rs 11,222 crore revenue surge

    MUMBAI: JioStar has delivered a blockbuster first quarter, posting record revenues of Rs 11,222 crore and profits that soared 154 per cent to Rs 581 crore, powered by what the company calls the “biggest ever IPL in terms of viewership and monetisation.”

    The media behemoth’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation jumped to Rs 1,017 crore from Rs 774 crore in the previous period, whilst EBITDA margins expanded to 10.6 per cent from 8.1 per cent.
    The stellar performance was underpinned by IPL 2025, which shattered viewing records with 1.19 billion viewers across television and the JioHotstar platform. The tournament’s final match became the biggest T20 match ever on digital, reaching 237 million viewers with a peak concurrency of 55.2 million—obliterating the previous IPL record of 35.9 million.

    JioHotstar’s dominance was on full display during the quarter, with the app hitting 1.04 billion downloads on Android and averaging 460 million monthly active users. The platform reached 652 million viewers during IPL—a staggering 28 per cent year-on-year growth—whilst television delivered 514 billion minutes of watch-time.
    Beyond cricket, JioStar consolidated its entertainment stranglehold with a commanding 35.5 per cent share of TV entertainment viewership. Star Plus retained its Hindi general entertainment channel leadership with six of the top 10 shows, whilst regional powerhouses Star Pravah, Star Jalsha, Star Maa and Asianet maintained their number one positions in respective markets.

    The quarter also saw strategic moves in the free-to-air space, with Star Utsav and Colors Rishtey relaunching on DD Free Dish. Star Utsav became the number one channel from day one, reshaping the FTA Hindi GEC landscape.

    JioHotstar’s content strategy bore fruit beyond sports, posting its highest-ever monthly entertainment watch-time in June 2025. The latest season of Criminal Justice scored the strongest opening for any OTT original in 2025, according to Ormax Media, whilst Kesari 2 emerged as the year’s biggest movie across all languages on the platform.

    International content remained a key differentiator, with Captain America: Brave New World debuting as the quarter’s second most-watched film and Mufasa: The Lion King becoming the most-watched international movie ever on JioHotstar.

    The company’s subscriber base swelled to 287 million during IPL on JioHotstar, whilst reaching over 800 million people on television during the quarter—cementing its position as India’s undisputed entertainment colossus.

  • Star Utsav scripts a blockbuster comeback on FTA turf

    Star Utsav scripts a blockbuster comeback on FTA turf

    MUMBAI: Star Utsav is on a ratings roll, clinching the top Free-to-Air (FTA) spot for the eighth consecutive week since its high-voltage return. The channel has struck gold with its heady mix of nostalgia, daily drama, and culturally rooted storytelling that’s kept the Hindi heartland hooked.

    Powered by prime-time juggernauts like Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin and Rabba Ve, Star Utsav hasn’t just topped the FTA charts—it’s also rubbing shoulders with pay TV biggies in the Hindi-speaking markets.

    “The strong reception to Star Utsav’s return validates the power of compelling storytelling. Our curated content strategy focused on family-driven narratives has enabled the channel to swiftly reclaim leadership in the FTA space. We remain committed to delivering scale and value to both audiences and advertisers alike,” said a Star Utsav spokesperson.

    What’s really driving viewership? A trio of relatable female leads—Sai, Akshara, and Khushi—who bring sass, strength, and substance to the small screen. They’ve emerged as icons for young Indian women, particularly in the 15–30 age group, where the channel leads the pack.

    And just when viewers thought it couldn’t get more nostalgic, Star Utsav unleashed Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, with Smriti Irani’s Tulsi returning to living rooms and melting hearts anew.

    With a heady cocktail of mythology, romance, drama, and legacy soaps, Star Utsav is proving that when it comes to storytelling, tradition still sells—especially when it’s served with a side of prime-time flair.

    **Source: BARC, 15+,HSM U+R, Week 14-21’2025

  • Star Utsav snatches crown from Dangal in FTA showdown

    Star Utsav snatches crown from Dangal in FTA showdown

    MUMBAI: Star Utsav has stormed back into the Free-to-Air (FTA) arena, snatching the No. 1 spot from long-time leader Dangal and catapulting itself to fourth place overall across the Hindi-speaking market, both pay and FTA, in urban and rural India.

    Having rejoined DD Free Dish on 1 April, Star Utsav wasted no time making its presence felt—reaching 111 million viewers within just 11 days of its comeback.  The channel says it managed to get 102 GRPs against Dangal’s 97 in BARC week 14 HSM U+R.

    With heavy-hitters like RadhaKrishn, Rabba Ve, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin, the channel seems to have found its old rhythm and then some.

    “Star Utsav has risen to become the new  no1 FTA channel, ushering in a transformative era in Hindi entertainment. This is just the beginning of a revolution in FTA television, reshaping India’s viewing habits for the future,” said the network’s advertising sales team in a post on Linkedin.

    The timing couldn’t be better. With rising data costs, patchy rural internet, and pricey pay-TV packs, FTA TV is looking more attractive than ever. Add to that a boom in electrification and cheaper TV sets, and it’s a recipe for ratings gold.

    The return of legacy FTA giants—Star Utsav, Sony Pal, Colors Rishtey and Zee Anmol—has breathed new life into DD Free Dish, Prasar Bharati’s free DTH service. As per the FICCI-EY report, FTA homes are set to rise from 49 million in 2024 to 57 million by 2030. And with ad revenues already north of Rs 2,000 crore, there’s more than just eyeballs at stake.

    Star Utsav’s re-entry has shaken up the pecking order—and with more homes plugging in every year, the FTA slugfest has only just begun.

  • Star Utsav returns with a bang and 111 million hearts in just 11 days

    Star Utsav returns with a bang and 111 million hearts in just 11 days

    MUMBAI: Star Utsav has pulled off a prime-time power move, clocking a staggering 111 million viewers in just 11 days of its 1 April 2025 return to Free Dish, reclaiming its spot as India’s No. 1 Free-to-Air (FTA) channel. The comeback couldn’t have been scripted better driven by its beloved lineup of shows including RadhaKrishn, Rabba Ve, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, and Ghum Hai Kisi Ke Pyaar Mein.

    The channel now proudly wears the crown of the top FTA network and sits as the 4th biggest channel overall in Hindi Speaking Markets (HSM) combining both Pay and FTA viewership across urban and rural audiences.

    “We are humbled by the overwhelming response received for Star Utsav. With our strong portfolio of professionally generated and brand-safe content, we are proud to bring families together through inspiring and entertaining stories. We are committed todelivering the best of entertainment to our audiences and look forward to continuing this incredible journey on DD Free Dish with even more compelling content and meaningful connections,” said a Star Utsav spokesperson.

    Star Utsav’s magic lies in its diverse mix from sweeping mythological epics to modern dramas, all deeply rooted in Indian ethos. These stories have once again proved their universal appeal, cutting across regions and age groups.

    As part of the JioStar family, Star Utsav continues to blend nostalgia and novelty reinforcing its treasured place in living rooms across the country. With storytelling that strikes an emotional chord, the channel’s FTA resurgence is not just a ratings win, it’s a cultural encore.

    Looks like India’s favourite Utsav is back, and this time, it’s festival season all year round.

  • Broadcasters pay premium in DD Free Dish auction, total revenue hits Rs 208 crore

    Broadcasters pay premium in DD Free Dish auction, total revenue hits Rs 208 crore

    MUMBAI: Leading broadcasters have secured slots in Prasar Bharati’s 85th e-auction for DD Free Dish, with the public broadcaster earning Rs 208.10 crore from eleven slots in the first two days of bidding.

    In the premium Bucket A+ category for Hindi general entertainment channels, Zee Anmol led the bidding at Rs 18.60 crore, followed by Star Utsav at Rs 18.25 crore and Big Magic at Rs 17.25 crore. Sony PAL, Colors Rishtey, and Sun Neo secured their slots at Rs 18.55 crore, Rs 18.35 crore, and Rs 18.50 crore respectively.

    The movie channel category (Bucket A) saw Star Utsav Movies securing a slot for Rs 16.95 crore, whilst Colors Cineplex Superhits, Sony Wah, and Zee Anmol Cinema followed with bids of Rs 16.50 crore, Rs 16.60 crore, and Rs 16.55 crore respectively.

    In the news category (Bucket C), NDTV India, now owned by the Adani Group, secured the first slot for Rs 14.35 crore, followed by Republic Bharat at Rs 14.20 crore. These rates marked a significant drop from last year when news channels paid between Rs 16.35 crore and Rs 18.95 crore.

    Notably, several channels including Zee Anmol, Star Utsav, Sony PAL, and Colors Rishtey returned to the platform after a three-year hiatus. The secured slots will be valid from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

    The robust bidding came despite a recent TRAI directive requiring pay-TV channels on DD Free Dish to become free-to-air across all platforms, demonstrating broadcasters’ continued interest in the platform’s extensive rural reach.

    (Some of these numbers have been accessed from The Economic Times)

  • Sun TV becomes most-watched channel in week 14: Barc

    Sun TV becomes most-watched channel in week 14: Barc

    Mumbai: Sun TV displaced Star Utsav to become the most-watched channel with 2462.15 AMA in week 14 (2 April to 8 April) according to data released by Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc).

    Star Maa and Star Sports 1 Hindi were at second and third spots, with 2436.38 and 2354.46 respectively.

    Star Plus, Dangal, Sony SAB, Star Vijay, Star Pravah, Zee Kannada, and Colors followed.

    The mega cities and South markets were ruled by Sun TV at 434.64 and 2455.56 AMA, respectively.

    It was followed by Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Plus, Sony SAB and Sony Vijay in the mega cities. The South market had Star Maa, Star Vijay, Zee Kannda and Zee Telugu in the remaining four positions.

    Among the regional markets, Maharashtra/Goa was led by Star Pravah at 1465.01 (‘000s), West Bengal by Star Jalsha at 1123.02, Odisha by Tarang (465.05), Karnataka by Zee Kannada (1349.6), Rajasthan and UP/Uttarakhand by Dangal at 159.45 and 456.67 respectively. 

  • Star Utsav retains top slot in week 13: Barc

    Star Utsav retains top slot in week 13: Barc

    Mumbai: Star Utsav was once again the most-watched channel with 2882.4 AMA in week 13 (26 March to 1 April) according to data released by Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc). Tamil GEC Sun TV jumped from No. four in week 12 to number two with weekly ratings of 2448.39. Star Sports 1 Hindi was the new entrant at number three with 2270.12 AMA.

    Star Plus, Star Maa, Star Vijay, Zee Telugu, Sony SAB, Dangal, and Star Pravah followed.

    The mega cities and South markets were ruled by Sun TV at 433.93 and 2441.6 AMA, respectively. It was followed by Star Plus, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Colors, and Sony SAB in the mega cities. The South market had Star Maa, Star Vijay, Zee Telugu, and Zee Kannada in the remaining four positions.

    Among the regional markets, Maharashtra/Goa was led by Star Pravah at 1396.25 (‘000s), West Bengal by Star Jalsha at 1195.05, Odisha by Tarang (450.48), Karnataka by Zee Kannada (1313.33), and Rajasthan and UP/Uttarakhand by Star Utsav at 335.91 and 508.89 respectively.

  • Star Utsav topples Star Maa in week 12: Barc

    Star Utsav topples Star Maa in week 12: Barc

    Mumbai: Replacing Star Maa, Star Utsav became the most-watched channel with 2738.73 AMA in week 12, according to data released by Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc). The Hindi GEC was at number four last week.

    Hindi movie channel Dhinchaak, which was recently renamed Goldmine Movies, secured the second position with 2487.3 AMA. Star Maa stood third at 2447.26.

    Sun TV, Star Plus, Sony SAB, Colors Rishtey, Star Vijay, Colors, and Star Pravah followed.

    The mega-cities were ruled by Sun TV at 419.03 AMA. It was followed by Star Plus, Colors, Sony SAB, and Star Vijay.

    Star Maa maintained the lead over the South market for the third consecutive week with weekly ratings of 2385.45. Sun TV, Star Vijay, Zee Telugu, and Zee Kannada grabbed the other four slots.

    Among the regional markets, Maharashtra/Goa was led by Star Pravah at 1445.64 (‘000s), West Bengal by Star Jalsha at 1232.89, Odisha by Tarang (449.38), Karnataka by Zee Kannada (1310.38), and Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh/Uttarakhand by Star Utsav at 280.32 and 481.61 respectively.

  • Star Maa maintains lead in week 11: Barc

    Star Maa maintains lead in week 11: Barc

    Mumbai: Star Maa maintained its lead over the All India and South markets for the second consecutive week as per Barc data for the period of 12 to 18 March 2022. The Telugu GEC had replaced Sun TV from the top position in these markets in week 10. In week 11, it garnered average ratings of 2772.45 (All India, 2+) and 2705.83 (South, 2+).

    Sun TV was second with 2446.61 AMA, while Star Plus finished third at 2324.76.

    Star Utsav, Dhinchaak, Sony SAB, Star Vijay, Dangal, Star Pravah and Sony Pal grabbed the remaining slots.

    Sun TV maintained its hold over the megacities with 408.76 AMA. Star Plus, Colors, Sony SAB and Star Vijay followed in that order. The remaining four slots in the south market were grabbed by Sun TV, Star Vijay, Zee Telugu and Zee Kannada.

    Among the regional markets, Maharashtra/Goa was led by Star Pravah at 1434.9 (‘000s), West Bengal by Star Jalsha at 1280.67, Odisha by Tarang (456.17), Karnataka by Zee Kannada (1300.55), and Rajasthan and UP/Uttarakhand by Star Utsav at 243.19 and 393.68 respectively. 

  • Star Maa replaces Sun TV as most watched channel in week 10: Barc

    Star Maa replaces Sun TV as most watched channel in week 10: Barc

    Mumbai: With 2541.6 AMA, Star Maa was the most watched channel in week 10 (5 to 11 March), according to Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc) data. Last week’s top channel Sun TV was pushed back to second spot, with 2435.4. At 2373.94, Star Plus finished at third place.

    Star Utsav, Dhinchaak, Star Vijay, Sony SAB, Star Pravah, Colors and Zee TV grabbed the remaining slots.

    While Sun TV maintained its hold over the mega cities with 428.66 AMA, it lost the South market to Star Maa which garnered weekly ratings of 2481.35. Star Plus, Colors, Star Vijay and Sony SAB were other top performers in the mega cities.

     

    The remaining four slots in the south market were grabbed by Sun TV, Star Vijay, Zee Telugu, and Zee Kannada.

    Among the regional markets, Maharashtra/Goa was led by Star Pravah at 1447.35 (‘000s), West Bengal by Star Jalsha at 1282.68, Odisha by Tarang (470.85), Karnataka by Zee Kannada (1332.53), and Rajasthan and UP/Uttarakhand by Star Utsav at 234.37 and 389.36, respectively.