Mumbai and Delhi, which account for the highest number of covid-19 cases in Indian cities, witnessed the highest growth in television viewership during the nationwide lockdown.
The average time spent on television grew by an hour and 42 minutes in Mumbai during the fifth week of disruption, compared to the pre-covid period, while Delhi’s viewership rose by an hour and 26 minutes, according to the fifth report by the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) and data measurement firm Nielsen. In contrast, television time in Kolkata and Hyderabad grew by only 48 minutes and one hour, respectively, said the report, which considered January as the pre-covid period.
News consumption on television grew by 251% and 177% in Mumbai and Delhi, respectively, while movies grew by 107% and 78%, and general entertainment channels (GECs) by 10% and 35%, respectively.
Overall, viewership grew by 40% in the fifth week of the disruption, compared to the pre-covid period, with individuals watching television on all seven days rising from 32% to 48%. Hindi-speaking regions account for 46% of the overall growth, while south India witnessed a 29% rise.
News as a genre continues to grow, having recorded a 195% increase in week five, followed by movies at 67% and infotainment at 48%.
