MxMIndia

Category: MEDIA

  • With the debut of their 24×7 video channel – RC Studio

    Radio City launches on JioTV

    Radio City launches on JioTV, introduces 24×7 video channel under the banner of RC Studio.

    Through this association, Radio City will be able to reach out to JioTV’s massive audience base across the country. The JioTV mobile app – which has over 1,000 channels in more than 16 languages and 12 genres from over 200 broadcasters is available to all the Jio subscribes across the country.

    Ashit Kukian, CEO of Radio City, expressing his excitement, said: “In this exciting juncture of innovation and expansion, I am thrilled to announce the launch of our pioneering channel, RC Studio, on JioTV and JioTV+. The launch marks a historic point in our journey, reflecting our brand’s evolution and commitment to ‘Radigitalization’. Our RC Studio’s tagline, ‘Mast Raho’, encapsulates our dedication to crafting a comprehensive digital experience that caters to our existing and new audiences. Radio City has always been a frontrunner when it comes to innovative concepts, and with this launch on JioTV, we are forging the future of entertainment by providing a platform that ignites excitement and engages viewers and brands alike in ways like never before!”

  • Two Types of News Media: A Tale of Two Indias?

    Two Types of News Media: A Tale of Two Indias?

    Shailesh KapoorThe divide between linear TV and digital (OTT/ streaming) in India is well established now. IPL perhaps is the easiest way to explain it. Both in terms of viewership and revenue, linear and digital are in the 40-60% share bracket. This near-equal split aptly tells the story of two media.

    But in examples like the IPL, the story is primarily about audience size and monetisation, but never about the content. Because the content is essentially the same, barring some paraphernalia. This is also true for catch-up television, where digital may be generating 20-30% of audience size, but the content is again the same.

    But there’s one category where the divide is fundamental in nature, and extends to content: News. It’s election season, and news is the genre of the season, apart from the IPL. Till a few weeks ago, this election was being called a no-contest. But no election is, even if many feel the result is a foregone conclusion. Things have heated up, and not always in a good way. We are still another five weeks away from the results, and we can expect more fireworks, to use a mild word.

    If you watch news on TV channels (or their YouTube feeds/ channels), you will see a certain kind of coverage. But if you follow the elections in digital media, including YouTube, you will see something very different. It’s a tale of two Indias, so to speak.

    Last week, PM Modi made a highly controversial speech in Rajasthan, where he specifically singled out a religious community, and quite uncharitably so. The way this story has shaped up in linear TV news channels and digital media is remarkably different. The digital coverage is more analytical and evidence-based in nature, while that on TV is more dramatic and confrontational. Of course, it also means very different political stances on the speech, in the two media.

    And that’s true for all political news, in general, today. It’s not just the content, but even the tone, tenor, and treatment are poles apart. This segmentation of the news genre is compelling, but also tricky, because it means that the nature of the media is deciding the discourse!

    Digital news is nowhere close to linear TV news on monetisation. Almost all of it is free, and YouTube monetisation is hard to come by, unless you have big numbers. Some digital news platforms do not take advertising to make the larger point about free media. Relying on subscriber support can be hard, especially in a category where there are too many options available. But it’s a fundamental stance these platforms have taken.

    Hence, unlike the IPL, the share of viewership or monetisation is not in the 40-60% range, but closer to 20-80% or even 10-90%. If the content was the same, digital news would have been on the fringes, battling irrelevance. But because of the content contrast, it manages to breathe. At least for the moment.

  • IPL ads: Entertaining or Philosophising?

    IPL ads: Entertaining or Philosophising?

    With apologies to none at all

    By Vikas Mehta

    Vikas MehtaA friend last week commented about the Indian Premier League (IPL) last week in a WhatsApp group. He likened the matches to the Roman colosseum where gladiators entertained thousands of cheering spectators to some gory spectacle. I was amused at the description and when I see the likes of Head, Abhishek, Salt demolish the bowlers, I feel for the bowlers who seem to be like the fodder served up for the kill, so that the spectators enjoy them being torn apart.

    And I feel the same when I see the ads on IPL. I visualise the various brand teams saying, ah! The gladiator season is here. We have an opportunity. Tens of crores of Indians will be watching the gladiators from the comfort of their homes. One opportunity to catch maximum number of Indians for 7-8 weeks. So, let’s make ads. We have 15-20 second slots. These are breaks in between the gladiator entertainment. Let’s give them some philosophy in the breaks. They are saturated with entertainment so let’s make the ads philosophical. These will stand out in all that entertainment gore.

    That is how, my dear readers, we see ads with such deep philosophical messages. I mean, how do you explain a brand like Pepsi, which all about irreverence, being a rebel, thinking out of the box, who use a Bollywood celebrity like Ranveer Singh, whose personality fits the personality of the brand to a T, suddenly spout lines like jitna bhi loud ho duniya ka shor, sunen sirf dil ki. Kyonki yeh dil mange more. There is nothing else, just the beleaguered celebrity spouting these lines on a mobike. Seriously, is that what’s Pepsi is about? Is Pepsi happy giving this speech to the Gen Z?

    Or take Parle. It tries to be funny in its execution, sorry, not funny, but slapstick. But the message it is giving is that Parle is about quality. Parle is about variety. Parle is about bharosa. Parle is about kuch naya. Parle is about sabki pasand. I seriously think they should have a contest asking viewers writing in and suggesting some more attributes that can be stuck to Parle. Here is my contribution. Parle is boring. Parle is unexciting. Parle is a yawn. Parle puts me to sleep….

    And then we have category which I think excites Gen Z the most. Financial apps which help you invest and make money. Actually, this category scares me too. Since I interact regularly with MBA students across the country and also with MBA aspirants, I have been noticing that a huge majority of these students invest in capital markets. To understand this better, I did some simple research. Between mid of January to end-March I was in touch with 315 such students. A staggering 263 out of these boasted of investing in stocks, derivatives and in options. That’s more than 80%. And these were not just kids from big cities but were from towns like Bheemavaram, Jhansi, Siliguri, Erode, Jhalawar, Latur etc also.

    The interesting part was that many of these were not from any financial background. But YouTube Videos and financial influencers had enticed them into making a quick buck. They did not understand any financial terms. Many could not differentiate between asset and liability or debit and credit. And yet they were following graphs and charts on you tube. Suggestions and tips from influencers. And most of them were happy that they had made good money on amounts ranging from fifteen thousand to a lakh.

    So, tell me, will an app like Groww not be wanting to rope in such students who will soon be earning and who may want proper financial guidance? And what does Groww tell them? Jo Groww karte hain woh life mein grow karte hain. Doosron ki nazar mein bade ho jate hain. Khud ke pairon pe khade ho jate hain. (Those who use Groww, grow in life. Become big in the eyes of others. They stand on their own legs) Nice philosophy. Nice emotion too. But is that good enough? Is capital market investment just feeding into your ego of coming to age only. And isn’t that what all financial apps and YouTubers and influencers want you to think. Upstox, on the other hand. does not spout philosophy but makes a bold statement (catches the attention of Gen Z, I say old chap) Kit kit hatiye. Stop the chatter, invest in mutual funds through Upstox. Sorry to pick up on the line from Sholay, but what did they think. Gen Z khush ho jayega, shabashi dega aur Upstox mein invest karega?

    If a brand like Pepsi was disappointing another brand which didn’t disappoint but actually shocked was Cadbury’s Dairy Milk. A brand which changed the way Indians looked at and consumed chocolates. A brand which gave us the hugely entertaining kya swad hai zindagi mein. A brand which made us include chocolates as a part of our sweet tooth habit with kuch meetha ho jaye (a popular idiom which means let’s have dessert). A brand which took CSR to another level with use of technology during Diwali in the last 3-4 years with Kuch meetha ho jaye, kuch accha ho jaya. That brand made such a flat, uninspiring and philosophical ad like #Thankyoufirstcaoch. The idea is not bad but the execution is very unlike Cadbury.

    Please, someone also explain to me what does the sound of India means? Jindal Steel has an ad which shows the various use of steel. From big to small. But then comes the philosophy of sound of India. The steel of India. Let me guess. Sound of India is construction happening all over India? India’s infrastructural boom? That makes sense but the ad shows even small things like hair clip or a nail or even a dancer’s headgear. So, what’s the sound of India? Philosophical nationalism for the sake of nationalism. I would any day still swear by Tata Steel’s We also make Steel or SAIL India’s There is a little bit of SAIL in Everybody’s Life. Not seen these? Watch here.

    And this philosophy mania has rubbed on some old advertisements being re telecasted during IPL too. Even the much-reviled apology of the pan masala ad featuring Sehwag and Gavaskar now spouts a line at the end which says har generation ka alag hai andaaz lekin sabke anokhe swad ka ek hai rang. Loosely translated: Every generation has a different style but in terms of taste it has the same colour.

    Am sure by now you are done with my pessimism. But it’s not all gloom and doom. I have already mentioned in the past about the Dream11 ads. I was also impressed with Rupay UPI Link credit card as well as the Make My Trip ads. These not only continue to entertain but have distinct messaging. You haven’t seen these yet? Go watch. And then of course, don’t miss the new Cred ad too, starring Warner with Rajamouli

    Thank God for some advertisers wanting to still give some gladiatorial entertainment and not spouting philosophy.

  • Customers can get popular OTT apps along with their TV subscription pack

    Dish TV Smart+ Services launched

    Dish TV has launched ‘Dish TV Smart+’ Services offering TV and OTT on any screen, anywhere.

    Commenting on the new proposition, Manoj Dobhal, CEO of Dish TV India Limited, said: “Since its inception, Dish TV has transformed the entertainment consumption landscape, pioneering new ways for people to enjoy their favourite content. With this new proposition, we are poised to make an even greater difference, setting a new standard for immersive and accessible entertainment experiences. The launch of ‘Dish TV Smart+’ Services represents more than just a proposition; it embodies the vision to redefine entertainment consumption in India, which is getting smarter and bigger. In a market flooded with options, customers often find themselves overwhelmed. We aim to simplify their choices by offering a holistic and complete entertainment solution. We firmly believe that both traditional television and OTT platforms are indispensable in today’s age, and with our proposition, we aim to reaffirm their equal importance.”

    Added Sukhpreet Singh, Corporate Head of Marketing, Dish TV & Watcho: “With ‘Dish TV Smart+’ Services, we’re not just introducing a new proposition; we’re leading a paradigm shift in entertainment consumption. Through our multi-channel marketing approach, we are committed to directly engaging with consumers, ensuring broad awareness and adoption. As a brand, we prioritize staying ahead of trends and adapting to evolving audience preferences. Customer satisfaction is at the heart of our strategy, and we are committed to delivering unparalleled entertainment experiences that cater to their diverse preferences and lifestyles.”

  • Our outrage specialists are so caught up in the elections, that terrible news is ignored, writes Ranjona Banerji

    Ranjona Banerji: Shhhhhhhhh!

    Ranjona BanerjiCriticism of Narendra Modi is now seen as… Okay strike that sentence. Try this: Anything that is possibly, elliptically, circuitously, remotely, vaguely critical of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unacceptable in the ‘Mother of Democracy’ as Modi ji himself likes to refer to the electoral autocracy of his own making.

     

    In pure democratic behaviour, one more foreign journalist is asked to leave India because her reported “crossed a line”. Avani Dias works with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and it was a programme on allegations of possible Indian involvement in the assassination of pro-Khalistani activists in Northern America which riled the Modi government.

     

    https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/australian-broadcasters-india-chief-of-bureau-leaves-india-abruptly-as-visa-is-denied/article68099124.ece

     

    At least 30 foreign journalists who work in India have written an open letter asking the Indian government to facilitate their work, rather than target them: “Foreign journalists in India have grappled with increased restrictions on visas for journalism permits for those holding the status of Overseas Citizen of India. The circumstances of Ms Dias’s departure are further cause for concern.”

     

    What are these lines which may not be crossed?

     

    We see in the ongoing elections that Modi and the BJP to some extent but mainly Modi have no restrictions and no lines. All the restrictions set by the Election Commission and its Model Code of Conduct apply to Opposition parties. Oddly though, some of the lies and misinformation put out by Modi on the campaign trail have been fact-checked and corrected by “new” channels which normally bow down at the mere sound of his name. I have heard from reliable sources that Sudhir Chaudhary of Aaj Tak broke from the norm and exposed Modi’s lies about former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. This is totally out of character for him and his channel.

     

    Other “news’ channels sent their TV stars out to interview people on the street and were forced to hear some unpalatable opinions about their dearest Prime Minister. The poor TV stars, so used to endless praise of their lord and master, had to cover their outrage with pasted-on embarrassed smiles against an angry electorate.

     

    I am not suggesting anything at all here, so please don’t suggest that I have crossed any lines. Rather, I’m carefully tiptoeing along because I know very sensitive we are about everything and anything that may hurt our sentiments.

     

    But it is odd is all I’m saying…

     

    Luckily for sanity, the general trend of worship continues. The more the PM lies and misrepresents, the more the media carries his words verbatim, minus context or correction. His statements get more and more outrageous: The Congress will steal your mangalsutra, the Congress will take away your money and give it to Muslims, the Congress will introduce inheritance tax, the Congress will sell the country… it doesn’t matter what he says, the media is unlikely to question him. So in the larger perspective, it’s business as usual. Which in a way makes the aberrations even more difficult to comprehend. You cannot even accuse them of being influenced by “cross the line” foreign journalists, because there is hardly any anger amongst this section of the journalistic community when journalists are treated badly by Government. Now if Rahul Gandhi and nowadays even anyone from AAP is even rude to a journalist, we have huge conniptions and angry explosions.

     

    Meanwhile, our outrage specialists are so caught up in the elections, that terrible news is ignored. Of course I am being unfair, no one really cares about the environment. But the recent report about Himalayan glaciers melting from the World Meteorological Organisation means chilling consequences for India’s Himalayan states and for our water future. But global warming and climate change are only worth discussing when everyone hops off to some foreign land to make large promises and smooth excuses.

     

    If you’re voting today, please stay hydrated and keep your head covered. Next time, the media can maybe petition the Election Commission to use a little brain matter and schedule the elections better.

     

    Ranjona Banerji is a senior journalist and commentator. She writes on MxMIndia on Tuesdays and Fridays. Her views here are personal.

  • … and made a few anodyne comments, Ranjona Banerji writes on the News18 interview of the Prime Minister

    Ranjona Banerji: He spoke, they listened…

    Ranjona BanerjiThe Prime Minister of India is “interviewed” by three people who work for News18, one of India’s top TV channels which occasionally succumb to showing a bit of news. To call it an interview is a bit of a stretch. All right, I am unfair. Questions were asked, sort of, and long monologues were received in response. But an interview by journalists? Now that’s another sort of an animal. Compare an encounter between a caged tiger in a zoo and a tiger in the wild. The News18 interview was between a cage and a Master of Manipulation and Deflection. No contest. Or context for that matter, which was what I typed as the last word in the last sentence and then corrected.

     

    I heard one worthy ask Narendra Modi the secret of his strength. I didn’t bother to listen to the answer but he did say that he was placed here by God so some such soon after the question. This was early on in the interview. Aah, you might of thought to yourself, the interviewer was soft-soaping the victim, trying to lull him into being comfortable before pouncing.

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    Sorry, I had to stop and laugh at my own stupidity for a bit. Forgot my own cage metaphor there.

     

    Anyway, Modi made his usual claims of his own greatness (God-given, duh) and of the various nefarious ways in which the Congress and the opposition was going to destroy India if they ever came to power. He reiterated his oft-repeated lie about how the Congress was going to steal the gold and jewellery of women. Not one of the other three people questioned him on this claim or asked him where this appeared in the Congress manifesto.

     

    Much as manifestoes have become a bit of joke in the last few elections in India, the Congress manifesto for Lok Sabha 2024 has been much discussed. By contrast almost no one has had much comment on the BJP manifesto. I suspect that’s because the manifesto is Modi himself. But still, not one of three questioned Modi about his lies. He was essentially therefore not interviewed. He spoke, they listened and made a few anodyne comments.

     

    Meanwhile, a horrific story has emerged about serial sexual abuse and assault of hundreds of women by a Janata Dal (Secular) Lok Sabha candidate, Prajwal Revanna. The JD (S) has tied up with the BJP in Karnataka – this is former PM Deve Gowda’s party and Revanna is his grandson. Revanna has apparently run from India and is now in Germany. Investigations by The News Minute has shown how gag orders were used stop reporting of the many complaints by women against Prajwal Revanna. There is a pen drive doing the rounds of these very disturbing videos of serial rape and assault. A letter by a member of the BJP advising against giving a ticket to Revanna for this very reason has also emerged.

     

    Would this not be something to question the BJP about, if not the Prime Minister himself? But apparently not. Some obscure remark by Rahul Gandhi (or any of his ancestors), some past transgression by Arvind Kejriwal, some law and order issue in Bengal under Mamata Banerjee, these are all far more important than anything the BJP does and does not do, lies about, covers up…

     

    If Modi and the BJP can brazen through, it is thanks to the media.

     

    O, I forgot to mention Manipur. It’s still there. Remember that place? Because the mainstream media’s pretty much forgotten about it.

     

    Ranjona Banerji is a senior journalist and commentator. She writes on MxMIndia on Tuesdays and Fridays. Her views here are personal.

  • To enhance growth trajectory

    Ex-WPP Nidhee Kekre joins Whisper Media’s Advisory Board

    Nidhee Kekre
    Nidhee Kekre

    Whisper Media, the tech-driven media company, has appointed Nidhee Kekre to its advisory board. Kekre joins Whisper Media following a successful tenure as the WPP Client Lead for Unilever, South Asia.  Before her tenure at WPP, Kekre worked with Kantar, JetAir, Essar Aegis and Godrej.

    LS Krishnan
    LS Krishnan

    Said LS Krishnan, CEO & Director, Whisper Media: “We are delighted to have Nidhee on our advisory board. Her proven track record in driving business strategies and nurturing client relationships aligns perfectly with our vision of being a valuable client partner. We look forward to leveraging her insights to drive transformative initiatives and enhance our offerings in the FMCG sector. Nidhee’s extensive experience in business strategy, coupled with a deep understanding of consumer dynamics, makes her a valuable addition to Whisper Media’s advisory board,”

  • Brings premium and award-winning shows and movies

    Prime Video launches MGM+ on Prime Video Channels

    Prime Video has launched MGM+ on Prime Video Channels bringing premium and award-winning shows and movies.

    Said Vivek Srivastava, Head – Prime Video Channels, Prime Video, India: “We’re thrilled to launch MGM+ as a Channel for our customers in India, offering an extensive library of blockbuster, much-loved, and premium content at a single destination – Prime Video. Since launch, our objective with Prime Video Channels has been to provide our customers with increased choice, improved accessibility and greater convenience of watching their favourite content all within a single app. In a short span of time, Prime Video Channels has offered increased reach to both local and global streamers to expand their footprint in India, allowing them to connect with a vast and diverse audience across the country. We are certain that with its vast library of iconic movies and series, MGM+ will entertain and delight Indian customers.”

    Added Michael Katzer, head of MGM+ International: “We’re excited to partner with Prime Video India to deliver exceptional entertainment to Indian audiences through MGM+. The streaming service brings a huge range of premium quality, successful movies, much-loved series as well as ageless classics, spanning multiple genres including sci-fi, suspense, action-thriller, romance, and much more. The expansion of MGM+ in India further cements Amazon’s commitment to invest in and grow the MGM+ channel internationally, while enhancing the content offering available to subscribers.”

  • As Head of Marketing & Insights of Core News Brands

    HT Media Group names Saurabh Sharma

    Saurabh Sharma
    Saurabh Sharma

    HT Media Group has named Saurabh Sharma as Head of Marketing and Insights for its core news brands for both print and digital.Under Sharma’s leadership, the marketing teams for Hindustan Times and Hindustan will align, streamlining operations and maximizing synergies.

    Notes a communique: “This organisational change underscores the Group’s commitment to sustained growth and agility, providing meaningful career advancement opportunities within the organisation.”

  • To continue the legacy of 10 years of Timeless Films

    Sony Max 2 completes a decade…

    Sony Max 2, the Hindi movie channel from Culvert Max, is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

    Said Neeraj Vyas, Business Head, Hindi Movie Channels: “We are humbled and honoured to mark 10 years of Sony Max 2, a channel that has become a cherished part of audiences’ lives.  The last decade has been a remarkable journey of showcasing the golden era of Hindi cinema, and we are committed to continuing our legacy of showcasing the very best of rich Hindi cinema.”

  • Advertising Rocks is back with another exciting edition at Goafest 2024

    ‘Advertising Rocks’ scheduled for Goafest24@Mumbai

    Goafest 2024 is set to bring back ‘Advertising Rocks’, an initiative that offers a platform for India’s advertising, media, and marketing community to showcase their musical talent. The organising committee has invited solo performers to submit their entries. Selected participants will get an opportunity to perform.

    There will be two solo categories – Indian and International. Four shortlists from each category will perform for a distinguished jury and delegates.  The ultimate champions will be determined through a combination of jury evaluation and live voting by Goafest attendees

    Winners in each category will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 50,000, while the first runner-up will receive Rs 25,000.

    Mohit Joshi
    Mohit Joshi

    Said Mohit Joshi, CEO, Havas Media Network India and Goafest 2024’s Co-chair: “Advertising Rocks is back with another exciting edition at Goafest 2024 to celebrate the musical talents of our fraternity. As a fellow music enthusiast, I can’t wait to witness the exceptional performances this year. Looking forward to this unforgettable showcase of talent.”

    Subhash Kamath
    Subhash Kamath

    Added Subhash Kamath, former CEO of BBH and curator of ‘Advertising Rocks’: “Advertising Rocks was a big hit at Goafest last year and we’re hoping we’ll have a lot more participation in 2024. There’s so much musical talent in our industry. They deserve a platform to perform and Goafest is the perfect place for it.”

    The deadline for submitting entries for Advertising Rocks is May 15, 2024. Entries by solo performers only belonging to the advertising, media, and marketing fraternity will be considered.

  • Summer Diaries: Elections, Cricket & More

    Summer Diaries: Elections, Cricket & More

    Shailesh KapoorWe are hitting peak summers, and elections are generating their share of heat too. Having watched election coverage over the years, it is impossible to not experience déjà vu. With all the growth in technology, election rallies continue to be a prominent election feature since the 1950s. I first remember watching election rallies in the late 80s, and visuals from the current elections look remarkably similar, just better in video quality.

    Elections are one place where the poor and the rural population, otherwise ignored by media for most part, comes into the mainstream, simply because each vote carries equal value, and the numbers are heavily stacked up outside the big cities and the affluent classes. And this hasn’t changed over decades now.

    But one thing that has changed is the use of the word “manifesto”. Over so many elections, one got a feeling that the term was moving out of election lexicon, and there didn’t seem to be even basic awareness about it among the general voters. But the Congress manifesto being targeted by BJP has stirred up things, and it is hard to find any political speech or interview where the M-word is not uttered.

    We are less than halfway into these long elections, and still four-and-a-half weeks away from June 4, which is the results day. June will be the more interesting month compared to May, as results lead to headlines, irrespective of how emphatic or fractured the mandate is.

    Interestingly, the T20 World Cup kicks off in the same week, and India play their first game on June 5, followed by a marquee clash with Pakistan on June 9. Even the T20 World Cup is month-long now, extending from June 2 to June 29. The venue may be West Indies and USA, but BCCI’s might ensures all India games are 8PM IST. After all, there’s an IPL slot to fill!

    India looks for its first World Cup win in this format since the nobody-saw-it-coming win in the inaugural edition in 2007. But irrespective of whether that happens or not, we are in for a double bill of politics and cricket in June.

    Meanwhile, Malayalam cinema is making waves, and setting all kind of crazy records, which deserve a separate piece of its own someday. After a euphoric 2023, the theatrical business has been tepid so far this year, but for the astonishing performance of Malayalam cinema, which is set to cross its 2023 annual number in just 4.5 months in 2024!

    And since I frequently rant in this column about the lack of innovation in Hindi GEC content, I should take a moment to acknowledge a trend that surprised me, and very pleasantly so. My colleagues Keerat Grewal and Aakriti Bhatia have put together this report on how Hindi GEC women are not housewives anymore. It’s a crazy trend, and even if you have no interest in GECs, I highly recommend reading it, just as a showcase of how data can be so powerful in revealing trends, and in such a simple manner too.