Star Plus has continued its dominance of the television ratings among the general entertainment channels in the cable and satellite space into the new year, even as the contribution from its main channel driver Balaji Telefilms continues to slip.

For the week ending January 25, Star has swept 47 out of the top 50 slots on the TAM rating charts with Sony bagging the other three spots. In fact, the domination by Star is complete with Sony occupying the slots at number 43, 44 and 45.

Incidentally, Balaji Telefilms has conceded a significant portion of its marketshare from among the top 50 slots and the production house now contributes just 18 programmes to Star India's overall performance.

The Ronnie Screwvala-promoted United Television is the second biggest contributor to Star's success with a contribution of 15 positions out of the top 50 slots.

Balaji Telefilms hold on the overall positions has been gradually slipping since January 2002 when it occupied 38 out of the top 50 slots on the TAM charts and has given way to a host of new television producers, the likes of UTV, Bag Films, Contiloe Films and Cinevista.

Significantly, on a relative basis in January last year, Star occupied 30 out of the top 50 spots while Sony accounted for 12 and Zee Telefilms the other 8 spots.

However, Star has gone on to completely dominate the ratings while at the same time derisking its programming content by having a more wide range of producers.

Also at a time when most other channels have been wary about launching new programming initiatives, Star India has been adventurous enough to launch 6 new shows on its channel in January, four of which have made it to the top 50.

Among the new shows -- Karishmaa Kaa Karishmaa, Kuch Kar Dikhana Hai, Shararat and Kashmir have made it to the charts in the first week itself.

However, despite the fall in the overall share of Star India's performance, Balaji Telefilms' serials, Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki and Kyonki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi still firmly ensconced among the top eight slots according to the TAM ratings.