EDITOR’S DESK

dk-mahendra11[1] There has been quite some action in Bengali GECs space in recent times. The recent launch of Mahuaa Bangla channel and a new GEC planned by the ABP Group, slated for launch in October, has stirred up a lot of excitement in the market. Bengal seems to be new market, which is on the radar of every one. Despite Hindi being the common language of communication, Bengali-language channels hold the three leading slots, in terms of market share, amongst the top 10 channels in the GEC with a combined share of over 32 %. And if the top 10 programmes in the last four weeks across all channels are anything to go by, Bengali-language channels have established a near monopoly. One of the reason, why Bengali channels are doing well, and it won’t be wrong to say that it’s even giving the Hindi GEC a good run for money, is that it has indigenous programmes, which suits the audience. According to a survey by aMap analysis, the Bengali GEC has grown over the last two and a half years. Zee Bangla, Aakash Bangla and ETV Bangla have been the oldest players, but it’s Star Jalsha, which changed the market scene.With the launch of Mahua Bangla, the number of Bengali channels have increased to 14, and with two more in the pipeline, it’s a testimony of the fact that they are on an increasing curve with each day.