Trivandrum: Asianet News, the leading Malayalam News channel has created television history by becoming the first news channel to beat general entertainment channels (GECs) in popularity ratings. This unprecedented record notched up by Asianet News is based on ratings data released by BARC in week 28 of 2017.
The channel’s flagship one hour-long program News Hour broke all records during the week by capturing more than 50% of viewership by any news channel.
According to the BARC data for week 28, Under Male AB 22+ category in Kerala Urban+Rural market, Primary Entertainment Channel Asianet has delivered 843 GRPs and topped the charts as market leader in totality. Asianet News surprised everybody with its historic feat of scoring 309 GRPs and became the No. 2 channel in overall. Manorama Group owned MazhavilManorama has scored 273 GRPs and stood at No. 3. Asianet Movies at No. 4 scored 264 GRPs. Surya TV with 256 GRPs became No. 5.
The nearest competitor for Asianet News in the News, Current Affairs and Infotainment space was Manorama News that delivered 174 GRPs and stood at No. 7 in the overall rating chart while the next big contender in Kerala Market Mathrubhumi News stood at No. 8 with 162 GRPs.
The feat notched up by Asianet News in Keala market is also a tribute to the enviable media literacy of Kerala, India’s most literate state with the highest indices in human resources development.
Asianet News remains as the unquestioned leader in Malayalam television market ever since it was founded more than two decades ago and this occasion is yet another landmark in its history marked by its high standard of Journalism.
The chart showing eight-week average share of Malayalam News Channel shows that Asianet News commands 41% share in Malayalam News and Infotainment space while Manorama News and Mathrubhumi News hold 24% and 21% respectively.
The Newly launched News18 Kerala from Network 18 and People enjoy 6% share each and the most controversial Mangalam News Channel hold just 2% share.
Male AB 22+, Kerala U+R, 8 wksavg share as on ending wk 28