Category: DAS KA DUM

The question is self-explanatory, so let’s dive straight in to what Dr Bhaskar Das writes in the December 26 edition of Das ka Dum. Read on…

If you wish to access the archives, please go to the Das Ka Dum tab on the website’s top navigation bar or click here: https://www.mxmindia.com/category/columns/das-ka-dum/

Q. So the Roys have exited NDTV. We’ve asked you questions on NDTV in the past, but now that it’s a done deal, do you see the network scaling new highs? Or…?

A. I am not a futurologist. So can’t predict with authenticity about how consumers would respond to a genre, when they have plethora of choices.

Over the years, I have observed that news as a genre is an insignificant per cent of the overall viewership of TV audience, but they attract disproportionate attention due to their topicality. With more than 400 news channels (including regional languages), the whole genre appear to be heterogeneously homogeneous with different levels of stridency and polarisation on issues. The war of winning TRPs (though largely inconsequential for media planning and buying but useful for rate negotiation), have intensified the competitive spirit to outcompete other channels in terms of breaking stories. Hence one channel scaling new heights (I don’t know what it means because I am not a journalist) might be quite a challenge. But if the new management of NDTV can achieve that, it would be a great service to the genre and good for the news viewers.

When you ask a question like this, you are asking for a trouble. But our Wizard with Words was thankfully not too unkind to us. Here’s Dr Bhaskar Das in the December 27 edition of Das ka Dum. Read on…

If you wish to access the archives, please go to the Das Ka Dum tab on the website’s top navigation bar or click here: https://www.mxmindia.com/category/columns/das-ka-dum/

Q. MxMIndia’s ‘Mediaperson of the Year 2022’ saw a no-show. As in, no one from the Indian advertising and media was found to be suitable for the title. You agree?

A. You could’ve been a tad lenient. In an age of ambient pessimism emanating from global and local forces, some sunny side up (however hyperbolic) news can uplift the spirits of the players of the game. You can always revisit your decision. See how The Economist has chosen Ukraine as the country of the year for its heroism against an aggressor. Come to think of it, the media industry has shown exceptional resilience in the face of a variety of challenges for the last two years. And the award can go to….  But I am not the Boss.

We thought we could provoke him into a naughty answer one last time this year, but then you can’t do that with our Wizard with Word. Here’s Dr Bhaskar Das in the December 28 edition of Das ka Dum. Read on…

If you wish to access the archives, please go to the Das Ka Dum tab on the website’s top navigation bar or click here: https://www.mxmindia.com/category/columns/das-ka-dum/

Q. Clearly the merger of Sony & Zee nearly coming through is the standout event of 2022. But anything in the business of entertainment that was the highlight of the year for you?

A. The merger of Zee and Sony is itself a harbinger of changing times in terms of coopetition and collaboration. It’s a fact that the Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC) category has been facing some challenge (may read as churn) in viewership in major markets mainly due to the prolonged Covid-induced lockdown that had forced most people to remain indoors. It has changed the consumption habits due to lack of fresh content. But that’s history, hopefully. Now, the upward trend of consumption thorough Connected TV and OTT streaming (not to forget the revised NTO regime) could pose some fragmentation of viewing habits. I am sure that in terms of sheer numbers, in the Indian context, Linear TV would still win the day and for some time both would coexist. At the same time, the strategists of GEC channels have to remember the arrival of Gen Z and penetration of 5G along with increasing penetration of smartphones could pose a different consumption behaviour amongst the audience. Don’t forget, only paranoids survive.

We thought we could provoke him into an answer on this one, but he’s actually philosophised on it, and set us thinking. Well, here’s Dr Bhaskar Das in the December 29 edition of Das ka Dum. Read on…

If you wish to access the archives, please go to the Das Ka Dum tab on the website’s top navigation bar or click here: https://www.mxmindia.com/category/columns/das-ka-dum/

Q. As the year comes to an end, a question: when you watch a news channel on TV do you think the news is politically balanced? Or is imbalance the new normal?

A. Imbalance can also be a new balance. See, balance or imbalance is a state of mind, depending on which prism one observes a news item. It is difficult to define absolute neutrality or absolute balance as in the age of all-pervading social media, nano opinions also have followers. If you have doubts about it, check the current experiences of Elon Musk, a self-described free speech absolutist, is getting increasingly concerned by left-wing scolds. So, I feel free speech isn’t the problem. The problem is with listening. No one wants to listen to another perspective. It’s my way or highway. A basic tenet of democracy is hospitality to a multiplicity of perspectives and tolerance to an opposable mind (not opposing mind for sure). Hence, I feel form your perspective by evaluating facts from your perspective and maintain your balance. Don’t seek balance from outside sources. That’s a loss of your independence.

It’s not just a Friday question… it’s the last question of the calendar year. Without any further ado, here’s Dr Bhaskar Das in the December 30 edition of Das ka Dum. Read on…

If you wish to access the archives, please go to the Das Ka Dum tab on the website’s top navigation bar or click here: https://www.mxmindia.com/category/columns/das-ka-dum/

Q. On this the second-last day of the year, with the threat of a recession and a possible pandemic looming large, your sentiments?

A. I have a mixed feeling- I want to say goodbye to 2022 with all its volatilities- adverse or otherwise- and welcome 2023 with lots of optimism. But in a dark corner of my mind, a cautious optimist warns me that the chaos isn’t going to be over. Too many issues of the past year would spill over to the new year too, as time doesn’t understand the difference between December 31 and January 1. Time only flows relentlessly and we as custodians of the times, albeit temporarily, get hide bound by the myopia of self-interest and the short-term. Unless with a magic wand the geopolitical tension would vanish from the world for recreation of a new balance of power, or the health scare would wither away, or climate change with its catastrophic impact would be a thing of the past, or recession would be replaced by prudent fiscal and economic policies to have a balanced global economy etc etc. There are other issues too like the increasing global divide of the super- rich and the poor, the rise of hyper-sensitive nationalism and state surveillance.

The above are all realities and I pray that as temporary occupants of the earth, we get authentic leadership to reverse all the dystopian thoughts that are coming to our minds evaporate and we move towards a more empathetic, compassionate and sustainable world for our promising future.

Given his worldview of things, we thought it would be good to ask him this question. Without any further ado, here’s Dr Bhaskar Das in the January 3 edition of Das ka Dum. Read on…

If you wish to access the archives, please go to the Das Ka Dum tab on the website’s top navigation bar or click here: https://www.mxmindia.com/category/columns/das-ka-dum/

Q. Your predictions for Calendar Year 2023?

A. I am not a crystal grazing expert. So, predicting is not one of my strengths. Having said that, I must admit that some things won’t change:

a) Russian and Chinese efforts to alter the current global power balance would not vanish any time soon. It has its impact, directly or indirectly, on our lives in some form of other, as we are all connected, whether we like to believe or not,

b) there would be a difference trend/ movement towards ‘LEFT’  worldwide as the bottom of the pyramid are smarting under the growing gap between the super rich and poor and inequitable distribution of wealth,

c) state surveillance would increase,

d) GDPR kind of regulations for data and consumer privacy would grow to control the hegemony of the tech giants,

d) Trust deficit amongst consumers would deepen. So organisations have to earn it on a sustained basis,

e) Green consciousness would go beyond lip service,

f) there would be more work and less jobs,

g) moonlighting/ side hustle would not have pejorative connotations, but conditions would apply,

h) ChatGPT would gain wider acceptance (new challenges for freelancers),

i) more AI assistants could manage our life,

j) streaming/ OTT and Connected TV would further fragment the viewing habits of consumers,

k) periodic health scare would happen due to climatic and lifestyle habits,

l) sports in India would expand beyond cricket,

m) Life-long learning would not be a cliche anymore: surrender or perish

n) the new women workforce would break many stereotypes of male dominance in jobs and finally,

o) consumer activism would gain momentum and that would compel corporates to act more responsibly.

Disclaimer: these are an individual’s perceptions and can’t be taken as gospel truth

Okay, we know it’s an unfair question, but it’s not that unfair. Let’s read what Dr Bhaskar Das has to say in the January 4 edition of Das ka Dum. Read on…

If you wish to access the archives, please go to the Das Ka Dum tab on the website’s top navigation bar or click here: https://www.mxmindia.com/category/columns/das-ka-dum/

Q. Having made your predictions yesterday, the one thing that you would like to see happen this year?

A. Areduction of gap between the rich and the poor for an equitable society. It would have far-reaching effects on the emotional health of the population.

We know it’s another unfair question, but it’s a question that we are sure it’s cropped in the minds of people. Let’s read what Dr Bhaskar Das has to say in the January 5 edition of Das ka Dum. Read on…

If you wish to access the archives, please go to the Das Ka Dum tab on the website’s top navigation bar or click here: https://www.mxmindia.com/category/columns/das-ka-dum/

Q. Would you say that it’s the beginning of the end of the way the Indian (and global) media will be?

A. Not at all. All beginnings have to start from the end. That’s healthy. Indian and global media have already realised the unfolding reality of their partners and have started transforming them. It’s a continuous effort and can’t have a full stop. And of course it cannot wait for a new year, for heaven’s sake.

A Friday question, and, well, a Friday answer. Here’s Dr Bhaskar Das in the January 6 edition of Das ka Dum. Read on…

If you wish to access the archives, please go to the Das Ka Dum tab on the website’s top navigation bar or click here: https://www.mxmindia.com/category/columns/das-ka-dum/

Q. You are a voracious reader, watch films and webseries, track sports. Anything that you would recommend to our readers, as a must-consume this year?

A. You have chosen the wrong person. I am not an avid consumer of all that you have described. Seriously. No modesty.  The only thing I can suggest is that individuals would follow their own tastes and preferences across a slew of options. Why should someone else have to recommend?! If at all they can engage with their preferred communities with shared values.

A looong and self-explanatory question, and a great answer as well. Here’s Dr Bhaskar Das in the January 9 edition of Das ka Dum. Read on…

If you wish to access the archives, please go to the Das Ka Dum tab on the website’s top navigation bar or click here: https://www.mxmindia.com/category/columns/das-ka-dum/

Q. In a world where social media can make or mar reputations, shouldn’t large legacy organisations like Air-India realise how one mishandling of a case can lead to a hundred thousand memes lampooning the carrier. Your suggestion to top corporations on perception management.

A. The Air-India matter is very unfortunate and it is symbolic of our times. Reputation management must be a continuous affair as nano moments of truth (true or agenda-ised) can make or break corporate reputation. After all a company’s reputation is someone else’s opinion.

The advantage with the Tata group is its impeccable reputation across various sectors where they are present and it is tested over time. So they would overcome this crisis too.

In general, corporations all over the world are used to managing paid and owned media very well as they are under their control. In the age of ubiquitous existence of social media, management of earned media (24×7) has assumed tremendous significance as one doesn’t know when a problem would erupt. So social listening capabilities have to honed and attended to as a core activity of a Corporation. The skill would be to anticipate a crisis and nip it in the bud.

A tricky question to answer, but our Wizard with Words doesn’t duck it. Here’s Dr Bhaskar Das in the January 10 edition of Das ka Dum. Read on…

If you wish to access the archives, please go to the Das Ka Dum tab on the website’s top navigation bar or click here: https://www.mxmindia.com/category/columns/das-ka-dum/

Q. Soon GroupM and Madison will release their forecasts for AdEx growth or degrowth in 2023. Would you like to hazard a guess on what it could be?

A. I can’t guess but my common sense says that there would be overall growth as GDP growth is predicted anywhere between 6 to 7 %. As they say, if there is winter, can spring be far behind. So, advertising growth would be anywhere between 15% and 20%.

Having said that, I must mention that growth per cent by media format would be different. The pecking order might hence be digital, including gaming, TV, print, outdoor, radio, cinema etc. At different bases, the % growth over the last financial year would vary for different media formats.