Star and Zee biggest gainers in Bengali GEC market, too

It is pertinent to note that during the TAM blackout period, the market witnessed closing of an important player in the GEC space on November, 7; the channel, Sananda TV, was owned by Anandbazar Patrika Group, one of the biggest media conglomerates in the state.

The Bengali general entertainment channels have managed to hold on to viewership figures, despite the incomplete digitisation in Bengal in the first phase of digitisation, and also the shutting down of one player, Sananda TV, owned by the ABP group. As per the data provided by one of the TAM subscribers, the total number of GRPs did not show significant downfall; the ranking is mapped over C&S 4+, West Bengal market.

While STAR Jalsha remained the leader of the flock, it may also be noted that Jalsha and Zee Bangla were the only two channels whose average GRPs rose during Week 41 (October, 7 to October, 13) to Week 52 (December, 23 to December, 29), which was the time of the TAM blackout, vis-à-vis Week 27 (July, 1 to July, 7) to Week 40 (September, 30 to October, 6).

STAR Jalsha maintained the No. 1 spot garnering 520 average GRPs during Week 41 to Week 52, against an average of 498 GRPs during Week 27 to Week 40. The channel garnered a relative share of 46.6 per cent during Weeks 49-52.

At No. 2, Zee Bangla stood with an average of 430 GRPs during Week 41 to Week 52, as compared to 382 average GRPs during Weeks 27-40. Zee Bangla registered 40.7 per cent relative share over Weeks 49-52.

ETV Bangla took the third position, registering an average of 95 GRPs (Week 41-52), vis-à-vis an average of 123 GRPs during Week 27 to Week 40. The channel garnered relative share of 7.4 per cent during Weeks 49-52.

Interestingly, Sananda TV, which stood at No. 4 position, had to shut shop on November, 7 (Week 45). Prior to that, the channel had an average of 73 GRPs, during Week 27 to Week 40. The channel garnered 18 average GRPs during Week 41 to Week 52.

At No. 5, Rupashi Bangla registered an average of 35 GRPs during Week 41 to Week 52, against 41 average GRPs during Week 27 to Week 40. At last position, Aakash Bangla marginally increased its ratings, clocking 22 GRPs from Week 41 through Week 52, as compared to 21 GRPs between Weeks 27-40.

Rupashi Bangla acquired a relative share of 3.1 per cent and Aakash Bangla gathered 2.1 per cent across Weeks 49-52.