StarPlus
Template:Short description Template:About Template:Redirect Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Indian English Template:Infobox television channel
StarPlus is an Indian Hindi-language general entertainment pay television channel owned by JioStar, a joint venture between Reliance Industries and Disney India. Its programming consists of family dramas, romantic comedies, youth-oriented reality shows, shows on crime and television films.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref>
History
When it was first launched on 21 February 1992,<ref name=":0" /> StarPlus was an English language entertainment television channel, broadcasting international television shows from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, with Zee TV being the Hindi-language counterpart.<ref name="WSJ 2001">Template:Cite news</ref>
After Star ended its relationship with Zee TV on 30 June 2000, StarPlus was transformed completely into a Hindi-language channel from the next day - 1 July 2000 (from April 1996 to June 2000, StarPlus was a bilingual TV channel consisting of Hindi and English programmes),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> with Star World becoming the network's English-language counterpart channel.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The company's CEO Sameer Nair and programming chief Tarun Katial introduced a number of new shows, which helped solidify the channel's position as a large influence in Hindi-language television broadcasting.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The channel launched in the United States in November 2004.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The channel's high-definition feed was launched on 15 April 2011.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
StarPlus HD was set to launch in both the United Kingdom and Ireland by the end of 2011,<ref>Star Plus UK to launch HD Channel – http://media247.co.uk/bizasia/newsarchive/2011/02/exclusive_star_5.php</ref> but it was delayed until 5 July 2012.<ref>Star Plus HD UK date confirmed – http://www.media247.co.uk/bizasia/star-plus-hd-to-launch-in-july-in-uk Template:Webarchive</ref>
On 6 October 2017, Canada's ATN Channel lost rights to Star programming, with viewers directed to the new streaming service Hotstar, which was recently introduced into the Canadian market.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On 4 January 2019, Star similarly shut down its linear channels in the United States, in favour of Hotstar.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 14 September 2023, Dish Network and Sling TV relaunched Star Plus and other Disney Star channels in the United States.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Rebranding
On 14 June 2010, it underwent a rebranding along with a change from the blue rectangular logo to a ruby red star with the tagline "Rishta Wahi, Soch Nayi" (Same Relationship, New Thinking).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The signature tune was composed by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy and rendered by Shreya Ghoshal.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On 7 November 2016, it underwent a rebranding with the tagline "Nayi Soch" (New Thinking).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On 27 May 2018, it underwent a rebranding with Alia Bhatt as the face of the campaign with the red crystal star with gold swoosh along with the tagline "Rishta Wahi, Baat Nayi" (Same Relationship, New Conversations), and signature song composed by A. R. Rahman.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On 30 December 2020, Disney announced that the Star branding in the Netherlands would be replaced with Utsav from 22 January 2021. On 22 January 2021, StarPlus became Utsav Plus in the UK and Europe.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Reception
In 2000, StarPlus was at third position in terms of revenue and viewership after Zee TV and Sony Entertainment Television while none of the series were in top 10.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite web</ref> With the launch of Indian Hindi version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, Kaun Banega Crorepati, hosted by Amitabh Bachchan, emerged as a major blockbuster, becoming the number one show in 2000 followed by the launch of Ekta Kapoor's Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, on the same day which became the second most watched show in 2000, which soon beat KBC after the new year to the number one position, held for the next 6 years, while StarPlus emerged as the most watched channel.<ref name=":3" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> This followed Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii in October 2000 and later Kasautii Zindagi Kay a year after it and many more produced under Balaji Telefilms which made StarPlus to achieve the highest viewership during that time, making it the channel at No. 1 position since.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Most of the series (80-90%) aired in the channel during that period were produced by Balaji Telefilms.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 70% of the revenue for the production house was obtained from Star then.<ref name=":1" /> After 2006, their top rated shows started to decline in viewership and were axed one by one by the channel.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Later Sapna Babul Ka...Bidaai became the first Hindi GEC to beat Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi to the top position at that time garnering 5.28 TVR during first week January 2008.Template:Citation needed Until March 2008, it shuffled in and out of top ten shows.<ref name=":8" /> In March 2008, it got 6 TVR on one of the leads Sadhana and Alekh's wedding track. Since April 2008 to September 2008, it was consistently the number one series except twice in June 2008, when it was pushed to second by Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Star Parivaar Awards.<ref name=":8">Template:Cite web</ref> In the week during 5 to 11 October 2008, it was second most watched after Balika Vadhu with 6 TVR.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Its highest rating garnered in the year was 8.8 TVR for the Taj Mahotsav sequence in October 2008.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In November 2008 overall, it was the second most watched Hindi show with averaging between 5 and 6 TVR.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However, during 2008, differences arouse between Star India and Balaji due to termination of their serials over declining ratings, cancellation of joint venture for regional content in South India and as a result the agreement of Balaji buying Star's stake was terminated.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Both suffered some downfall after it.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, after two years, they patched up and Tere Liye was the show produced after it in 2010.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> During the slight downfall in viewership in the end of the 2000's the No.1 position dominated by it for nine years continuously was beaten by the rival channel Colors TV in April 2009 for the first time pushing it to second position.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> During last week of May 2009, it was beaten by Zee TV for the first time in nine years, pushing it to third position and only Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai had maintained its ratings among the list of the Top 10 shows.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai maintaining its ratings among Top 10, few other shows like Saath Nibhaana Saathiya, Diya Aur Baati Hum, Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?, Yeh Hai Mohabbatein and Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya helped StarPlus to regain their position into Top 10.<ref name=":0"/>
On week 12 of 2020, while it dropped to fifth position in Hindi GEC while overall at sixth position in India, the following week the channel did not even feature in top ten Indian channels owing COVID-19 pandemic when production and new episodes broadcast were halted and reruns began.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Post first lockdown, in 2020, a new line-up of shows like Anupamaa, Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 2,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Imlie<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Pandya Store<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> helped StarPlus regain their position.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Programming
Template:Main From 2 October 2022, StarPlus extended its fiction airtime band to seven days a week.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> All shows aired everyday since then.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>