Fine balance between fiction and non-fiction in 2017

The list of most-watched shows in 2017 on Hindi general entertainment channels (GECs) had a fine balance of both fiction and non-fiction shows. Four out of the top 10 shows in the combined (U+R) markets were fiction shows/ properties. Three out of the 10 shows were from Zee TV, two each from Colors and Sony, while Star Plus, Star Bharat and Rishtey could list one show each in the top 10 list of shows in the combined markets.

In the HSM urban markets, the ratio was 50:50, with five shows being non-fiction programmes. The list was led by Kaun Banega Crorepati, a popular quiz show on Sony Entertainment Television that returned to the screen after three years. Zee TV, Sony and Colors could each grab three positions in the top 10 shows in the urban markets, while one position was taken by Star Plus.

Rural markets completely defied this trend since none of the non-fiction properties were in the top 10. All the shows listed in this market were from the FTAs, except for Zee TV’s Kundali Bhagya that was No. 7.

The common shows in the two lists in the combined and urban markets were KundaliBhagya, Kumkum Bhagya, Naagin-2, Fear Factor Khatron Ke Khiladi, Kaun Banega Crorepati, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champs and Filmfare Awards.

The trend is against what was painted in 2016, when Super Dancer was the only reality property in the top 10.

Top shows in combined (U+R) markets

In the combined markets (U+R), HSM 2+, as per BARC data, Zee TV’s Kundali Bhagya became the most-watched show with 11.162 million average Impressions in 2017 (weeks 8-52). Following closely is the channel’s original fiction show Kumkum Bhagya, from where Kundali Bhagya was a spin off. Kumkum Bhagya earned 10.970 million average Impressions. The second season of Colors’ most popular show Naagin, Naagin-2 was listed as the third most-watched show in the combined markets garnering 10.776 million average Impressions, followed by the channel’s reality show Fear Factor Khatron Ke Khiladi that clocked 9.575 million average Impressions.

Sony Entertainment Television’s biggest bet this year was on bringing back Kaun Banega Crorepati after a hiatus of three years. The quiz show appeared as the fifth most-watched show in the year with 9.073 million average Impressions. Zee TV’s reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champs followed with 9.002 million average Impressions.

Star Bharat, the refurbished avatar of Life OK, from Star India was a surprise success in the Hindi GEC genre. The channel’s Kya Haal Mr Panchaal has geared up in number charts on most weeks after its launch and stands at No. 7 in the combined markets list in 2017, clocking 8.495 million average Impressions. Sony Entertainment Television’s telecast of Filmfare Awards garnered 8.308 million Impressions in 2017. The event property has moved on to Colors for its telecast rights, starting 2018, after staying with Sony for over 15 years.

Star Plus’ Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai gained 8.287 million average Impressions, followed by Rishtey’s repeat telecast of Naagin-2 also ranked in the top 10 at the trailing end with 8.037 million average Impressions.

Top shows in urban markets in 2017

There is not much change in the shows in the urban markets, compared to the combined markets, though the rankings are different. Sony Entertainment Television’s Kaun Banega Crorepati got 7.076 million average Impressions. Second is also a reality show from Colors, Fear Factor Khatron Ke Khiladi, which garnered 6.706 million average Impressions. Colors’ another popular property, Naagin-2, was the third most-watched show in the urban markets with 6.667 million average Impressions.

The two successful fictions of Zee TV, Kundali Bhagya and Kumkum Bhagya, were ranked as the fourth and fifth most-watched shows in the market, clocking 6.525 million and 6.438 million average Impressions, respectively. Filmfare Awards, which had its last run on Sony Entertainment Television in 2017, stood at No. 6 with 5.998 million average Impressions. Zee TV’s singing talent hunt show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa was the seventh most-watched show with 5.922 million average Impressions.

Star Plus’ only property to list in the top 10 in urban markets was Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai that garnered 5.840 million average Impressions, followed by Colors’ Shakti-Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki that clocked 5.356 million average Impressions. Sony’s popular dance reality show Super Dancer Chapter 2 was the 10th show in urban markets with 5.302 million average Impressions.

Top shows in rural markets in 2017

All the shows listed in the top 10 in the rural markets in the HSM market in 2017 were fiction properties from FTA channels. These channels show reruns of the shows that are telecast on the main GECs, except for Star Bharat, which has original programming, despite being an FTA. Rishtey’s repeat telecast of Naagin-2 garnered enough viewership to make it a No. 1 show with 6.129 million average Impressions. At No. 2, Zee Anmol’s Jamai Raja got 5.793 million average Impressions. Sony Pal’s Baalveer grabbed the third position among the top 10 shows in the rural markets (HSM) by clocking 5.622 million average Impressions. Zee Anmol’s Kumkum Bhagya grabbed the fourth spot with 5.267 million average Impressions, followed by Sony Pal’s Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah that earned 5.230 million average Impressions.

Zee Anmol’s another fiction show Kaala Teeka was ranked the sixth most-watched show in the rural markets, garnering 4.894 million average Impressions. Star Bharat’s only property to list in the top 10 in rural markets was Kya Haal Mr Panchaal at No. 7 that garnered 4.824 million average Impressions, followed by Zee TV’s Kumkum Bhagya clocking 4.491 million average Impressions. Zee TV is the only pay channel to have listed its show in the rural top 10 list. Star Utsav’s Is Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon earned 4.091 million average Impressions, followed by Tere Naal Ishq on Rishtey with 4.398 million average Impressions.

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