Zee TV returns to No 1 – just

Chris Forrester



Zee TV achieved the Number 1 position last week in India. Normally this sort of story wouldn’t raise too many eyebrows, but Zee’s achievement meant that it dislodged the usual occupant Star Plus off its long-held perch. But there’s also a new Viacom-backed channel in the lists, and it is giving Zee and Star more than a few headaches.

Zee TV last week accumulated 243.1 gross ratings points, while Viacom’s Colors managed 242.8 GRPs. Star Plus achieved 218.5 GRPs. Star Plus has dominated the ratings for the best part of ten years, with Zee TV almost always nipping at its heels.

“We are overwhelmed by the viewer’s response for all our shows,” said Nitin Vaidya, chief operating officer of Zee Entertainment, as well he might, having struggled to regain the top spot after so many years.

Colors, owned by Viacom-backed 18-Media, only launched in July last year, and itself occupied the top slot just a month ago. The channel now sees itself as a catalyst for change at the top, with Rajesh Kamat, its CEO, predicting that there will now be much greater volatility at the top of India’s ratings.