BARC Wk 16: Aaj Tak continues lead; ‘Poochta Hai Bharat’ garners 20% share

News and Movies continue to drive TV viewership growth in Week 16, even though their share started to taper from Week 12. Both the genres still continue to operate at 2x share, compared to the pre-COVID-19 times.

According to the 6^th edition of BARC-Nielsen’s report on ‘TV & Smartphone Consumption During Crisis’, the News genre recorded a growth of 164 per cent.

BARC’s PrimaVu data shows that at 29 per cent, News enjoys a higher share in Megacities in Week 16 in the Premium Panel. News viewership during prime time across Megacities is at higher – in the rural market, the 8-9 pm time-band is at significantly higher levels than the pre-COVID-19 period. The drop in news viewership post 9 pm in rural market is due to movement of viewers to ‘Ramayan’ on DD National and then early wrap up of the day.

In the morning time band, viewers tuned into News, Kids and Music. In the prime time, viewers preferred more GEC and Movies. Most viewers who shifted to other GEC channels, preferred Mythological dramas.

As per the BARC-Nielsen report, marginal decline is seen in Hindi and English News in Week 16.

Hindi News

As per BARC data for Week 16 [Saturday, 18th April 2020 to Friday, 24th April 2020], Aaj Tak continues to lead the Hindi News genre, recording a gross viewership of 295,700(000) [HSM (U+R) : NCCS All : 15+ Individuals].

Republic Bharat becomes the No. 2 channel this week, garnering a gross viewership of 244,354(000). The channel’s prime show ‘Poochta Hai Bharat’ has been gaining in traction ever since its launch. In week, the show garnered a 20.92 per cent share and saw the highest growth with 12,366(000) weekly GVTs [NCCS ABC M 15+ | HSM | Wk16’20 | Weekdays | 1900-2000]. ‘Poochta Hai Bharat’ has got the largest market share compared to any leading show in their respective time band.

Placed in the third spot is India TV, which has recorded a gross viewership of 233,017(000), followed by ABP News at No. 4 with a gross viewership of 211,859(000), while Zee News is placed in the fifth spot with a gross viewership of 211,294(000).

English News

Republic TV’s run as the numero uno English News channel continues unbroken in Week 16 as well. The channel has garnered a gross viewership of 1,884(000). Republic TV captured a 67 per cent market share in Super Prime Time viewership, well ahead of other channels in this genre [NCCS AB M 22+ | India | Wk 16’20 | Week Days | 2100-2300].

Placed in the second spot is Times Now with a gross viewership of 861(000). In Super Prime Time viewership, the channel’s share stands at 11.1 per cent in Week 15.

Following close behind is India Today Television, which has recorded a gross viewership of 837(000). The channel’s market share in terms of Super Prime Time viewership stands at 10.1 per cent this week.

CNN News18 is placed at No. 4 in Week 16 with a gross viewership of 508(000) and a market share of 8.8 per cent in Super Prime Time viewership.