While STAR Plus increases the lead over Zee (345 GRPs to 212 GRPs, CS 4+, HSM, TAM Week 15), the fight for the number three spot continues to intrigue. NDTV Imagine (88 GRPs) has pipped Sony (84 GRPs) to wrest the 3rd spot, while 9X (77 GRPs) continues its steady march.
In the younger demographic (15-24, HSM, TAM), 9X (93 GRPs) is a nose ahead of Sony (92 GRPs) with Imagine not far behind at 86.
The battle hots up as both NDTV Imagine and 9X have announced new prime time programming (Junoon, a music based reality show from the former and Jai Maa Vaishnodevi from the latter).
Meanwhile, STAR Plus’ Paanchvi Pass with SRK as anchor launches on April 25 and the Indian Premier League begins on April 18.
Ex STAR TV execs Peter Mukerjea and Sameer Nair together form a formidable force now, with their two channels, 9X and NDTV Imagine, totting up 165 GRPs (CS 4+) and 179 GRPs (15-24) within six months of the launch of the two channels.