KOLKATA: In week 20 of TAM TV ratings (11-17 May) when news channels across the nation were busy reporting and analysing election results, ABP Ananda gained highest in terms of gross viewership as compared to other Bengali news channels. The Kolkata-headquartered channel garnered 7,455 GVTs followed by 24 Ghanta with 5,117 GVTs. The GRP of ABP Ananda and 24 Ghanta stood at 185 and 127, respectively.

About ABP Ananda, a city-based media expert said, “The distribution of the channel is quite strong. Also, it could lead others as it organised very catchy programmes during the election. It covered West Bengal elections as a local channel and yet, beautifully and proficiently covers national politics too.”

It is learnt that 24 Ghanta and ABP Ananda are the most watched channels. Swaraj Mukherjee, a city-based media expert said, “Any channel which is pro-government does not enjoy popular support as people believe that correct news comes from those critical of the establishment or at the very least neutral and the others that are pro-government are not much trusted by viewers.”

According to Pulakesh Ghosh, a senior media analyst, “ABP Ananda maintained its leadership position. 24 Ghanta, another sought-after channel does not know any colour while presenting hard news full of facts and figures. Credibility of 24 Ghanta is the highest. News and views provided by the channel are never mixed up. ABP Ananda places more focus on panel discussion.”

Speaking of individual news programs on ABP Ananda, ABP Ananda Khabar got a TVT of 117 while ABP Ananda Program got a TVT of 20. Casebook got a TVT of 7. Ek Dozen Galpo got TVT 147and Jukti Takko garnered  74 TVTs. Kaar Dekhale Dilli received 74 TVTs and Kaar Dokhole Delhi Rajer Ray managed 9 TVTs. Modir Dakhale Dilli got 90 TVTs, while Mukhomukhi Maharathi (cartoon) got 42 TVTs. Nojore 9 TA garnered 103 TVTs and Runner got 64 TVTs.  Finally Xtra Time received 8 TVTs.

24 Ghanta’s news programs 10 Tar Khaass Khabar, 24 Ghanta News and 24 Ghanta News Program got 57, 24 and 0 TVTs, respectively. Aapnar Rai received 67 TVTs. Banglar 24 Ghanta got 121 TVTs and Bojho Thyala garnered 222 TVTs. That apart, Desher Ray managed 79 TVTs, Ek Jhalake got 375 TVTs. Lastly, Neel Aakasher Niche and Page 1 got 9 and 110 TVTs respectively.   

After ABP Ananda and 24 Ghanta, Focus Bangla, till recently NE Bangla, pipped Kolkata TV with a GVT of 1,866 and GRP of 46.

Kolkata TV, which was doing well a few weeks ago, garnered a GVT of 309 and GRP of 8.

All TAM findings take into account CS4+ for all the days in the state.