MxMIndia

Category: TV

  • The hashtag #FreeAJStaff has now had over 786 million impressions since it was launched during a day of action in Nairobi on 4th February

    Industry rallies behind jailed Al Jazeera staff

    By a correspondent

     

    News of Al Jazeera journalists being held captive by authorities in Egypt has grabbed headlines in the past few weeks. As a show of support, some of the world’s most prominent presenters from multiple news organisations have highlighted the importance of journalism by asking their viewers to “imagine a world where reality is distorted, imagine being kept in the dark about major world events, and imagine being silenced when speaking out could save your life”.

     

    The broadcast of the message comes ahead of the court appearance in Cairo on 24th March of three of the four Al Jazeera journalists who have been detained in Egypt for 85 days.

     

    The rare coming together of news organisations in one film features CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, ITN’s Mark Austin and Julie Etchingham, Channel Seven Australia’s Mark Ferguson, and Al Jazeera English’s Shiulie Ghosh. The 40 second film ends with a collage of photos of journalists around the world muted as part of the FreeAJStaff campaign. The hashtag #FreeAJStaff has now had over 786 million impressions since it was launched during a day of action in Nairobi on 4th February.

     

    Al Anstey, Managing Director of Al Jazeera English said: “We are very grateful to our colleagues around the world for their support of our staff detained in Egypt. Mohamed, Baher, and Peter are world-class journalists and are in detention for simply doing their job. We have seen massive support for them and for journalism from all corners of the globe, so the message of this film is clear – journalism matters and people have a right to be heard and to be informed.”

     

    The broadcast comes just days after Egyptian President and Chief Justice Adly Mansour sent a letter to the parents of Peter Greste, telling them he will “spare no effort to work towards the speedy resolution of the case”. Al Jazeera English journalists Peter Greste, Baher Mohammed and Mohammed Fahmy have been detained by the Egyptian authorities since December 29th 2013. Al Jazeera Arabic’s Abdullah Elshamy has been detained since August 14th 2013.

     

    The film (https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6yia76f4i0rs8ag/R-hOJuXlPJ ) is available for all media organisations and supporters to broadcast and upload online in support of media freedom worldwide.

     

  • The initiative reiterates bindass' brand philosophy of being an 'Enabler of Purposive Action'

    Facilitating changemakers the bindass way

    By a correspondent

     

    Youth brand bindass’ recent initiative ‘b for change’ is seeing support from many quarters as the channel encourages youngsters to become agents of change. Bollywood’s Youth Icon, Abhay Deol was the guest of honor at a special event held in the capital recently to felicitate a few young change makers, whose work has been featured on bindass earlier as a part of ‘b for change’.

     

    The initiative reiterates bindass’ brand philosophy of being an ‘Enabler of Purposive Action’ through engaging entertainment that can inspire the Indian youth. The hosts of the channel’s two marquee shows under the ‘b for change’ umbrella, Karan Tacker from ‘Halla Bol’ and Gurpreet Saini from ‘Change Aayega, Hum Laayenge’ were also present at the event to mark their support.

     

    The change makers who were felicitated at the event included Alisha Sharma from Mumbai, who started the ‘Chappal Marungi’ campaign, which encourages victims of eve teasing to fight back the molesters; Shreeya Parekh from Bangalore who spreads awareness about environmental issues through her blog ‘Green living’; Rashi Anand from Delhi started  ‘Lakshyam’, India’s first toy library for under privileged children; Mishika Singh from Delhi who was one of the founding member of ‘Besharmi Morcha’, a campaign to raise voice against the attitude of blaming rape or sexual harassment on any aspect of a woman’s appearance.

     

    “India is slated to be the youngest country in the world in the next couple of years. The youth in our country are brimming with positive energy evident in the self-motivated actions taken by youngsters like Alisha, Shreeya, Rashi and Mishika. ‘b for Change’ started with one of our strongest youth insights that our viewers are looking for platforms to channel their efforts. Our campaign aims to give them that platform. We hope that shows like ‘Halla Bol’ and ‘Change Aayega, Hum Laayenge’, will help route this positive energy of youth into actions that would yield the much needed change. Felicitating them is our way of encouraging many more such inspired youngsters to come forward and lead the efforts for a better tomorrow,” said Indrajit Ray, Executive Director – Content, Media Networks, Disney India.

     

  • DTH player Tata Sky has unveiled a series of ad campaigns explaining the concept of the newly launched service

    Now SOL with Tata Sky karaoke

    By a correspondent

     

    Having added another first to its name by launching a video-based karaoke service, DTH player Tata Sky has unveiled a series of ad campaigns explaining the concept of the newly launched service. Tata Sky’s karaoke service captures audience’s attention immediately with people singing out loudly off-beat songs. The service seeks to offer subscribers a world of options for singing and entertainment within their homes.

     

    While one of the ad films demonstrates a bunch of youngsters parting in their room, the other ad film demonstrates the whole family having some fun with karaoke singing. The ads showcase people from different age groups and different situations enjoying singing with Tata Sky karaoke. The message of ‘You don’t have to be a great singer to have fun, at least the lyrics will be right with Tata Sky Karaoke’ (Kum se kum lyrics toh sahi honge) is humorously scripted in both the ads. The ads capture the key features of Karaoke with identifiable situations of lives, bringing a smile to our face inevitably.

     

    Vikram Mehra

    Vikram Mehra, Chief Commercial Officer, Tata Sky said, “The love for singing and dancing is epitomized by Bollywood movies. Karaoke may be a new activity for a large part of India, but singing as an entertaining and collective activity was never an alien concept. Be it a family function or a night out with friends, singing our favorite Hindi songs in loud chorus adds tremendously to the fun factor of any evening. Capitalizing on this sentiment, the Karaoke ads capture the simplicity of tuning into the service any time of the day for non-stop entertainment.”

     

     

    Abhijit Avasthi

    Abhijit Avasthi, creative director, Ogilvy & Mather film stated, “Karaoke had to be pitched as a social activity in the realm of enjoyment. While the product was revolutionary we wanted people to see it as on obvious relevant product which seamlessly fits into, rather enhances an already existing moment in their life. Essentially, all we had to do was to let people know the key features of Karaoke that will make fun moments over singing, even more fun.”

     

  • Even as the censor board gets liberal with cinema, allowing fairly explicit content, albeit with an A-certificate, our television struggles. And the chances that such a channel will happen soon appear bleak, writes Shailesh Kapoor

    Shailesh Kapoor: Adult Television: A Matter of Time?

    Shailesh Kapoor’s ‘TV Trail’ column appears every Friday. Since he was travelling, the column due to feature last Friday (March 21) appears today. The next ‘TV Trail’ column will appear on Friday, March 28 – Ed

     

    By Shailesh Kapoor

     

    This week, Sunny Leone starrer Ragini MMS 2 opened to thundering audience response, especially in smaller towns across the country. Mastram, an adult-themed film based on the cult porn publication till about two decades ago, is set to release on May 1. Last year, an under-promoted BA Pass managed to find its audience and even critical appreciation. Sex is thriving in our cinema. Sunny Leone is a bigger star than the likesof Shahid Kapoor and John Abraham.

     

    But even as the censor board gets liberal with cinema, allowing fairly explicit content, albeit with an A-certificate, our television struggles. Star World chose to telecast the Koffee With Karan episode featuring Nargis Fakhri and Frieda Pinto at 11pm instead of the usual 9pm, because of explicit (verbal only) sexual references.

     

    About a decade ago, Zoom had launched Dangerous, a sex chat show at 11pm (again!), anchored by Kamal Sidhu and Sameer Kochhar. I was working with the channel at that time. Legal notices and complaint letters used to come in by the dozen. And then one day, we had to pull the content off air.

     

    In today’s age of the internet, where kids have access to the most explicit porn at the click on a button, adult content is a part of our lives. What could be so unnerving, then, about an adult channel, that stays away from any explicit nudity but covers erotica and sex awareness in equal measure, finding an audience that is currently seeking adult content elsewhere?

     

    The cinema argument is that when an audience goes to watch a film like Ragini MMS 2, they have made a choice by buying a ticket, while on television, you may just end up watching a channel involuntarily. But in today’s day of a la carte packaging, that argument does not hold true. An adult channel can be offered a la carte in the digital environment and cautious parents can exercise control features available with most digital service providers.

     

    But what are the chances that such a channel will happen soon? Bleak, on the face of it. For one, we are a country of protestors and it is easy for moral police to play spoilsport. More importantly, I can’t imagine a government challenging the status quo and belling the cat. It will take a really progressive Government to do that. And a party that supports Article 377 isn’t going to provide that.

     

    So, the idea may remain an idea for a while. But in an age when technology is challenging norms by the day, it’s only a matter of time. If not on the telly, then on the internet, we are sure to see India’s first 24-hour adult channel see the light of the day in the next few years. My bet is: Before 2020.

     

     

  • The sport needs to find its coolness back, writes Shailesh Kapoor. An overhaul may be required sooner than later

    Shailesh Kapoor: Cricket under threat from the Digital Generation?

    By Shailesh Kapoor

     

    There was a time, not too long ago, when India-Pakistan cricket would bring life to a standstill across the country. When India played Pakistan in the World Cup semi-final on March 30, 2011, the country was unofficially shut on a middle-of-the-week working day. A rivalry that started in real measure with the Australasia Cup final in Sharjah in 1986, when Javed Miandad hit that famous last-ball six off Chetan Sharma, has seen many highs over 28 years.

     

    But there are signs that the battle is losing its edge. The recent Asia Cup ODI between the two countries (Sunday, March 2) rated less than what a moderately successful Hindi GEC serial does night after night. The World Cup T20 contest last week, scheduled well into the primetime on a Friday, rated about the level of a regular Diya Aur Baati Hum episode only.

     

    When you begin to look at the ratings of other India matches, like India-Sri Lanka or India-New Zealand, the real reason is exposed. Cricket is not growing. There seems to be an audience that is moving away from the sport completely, irrespective of the format. This audience is the younger lot (12-24 years) in the big cities. This shift may have started happening over the last 4-5 years only, and is now resulting in real impact.

     

    I have written several pieces in this column about the power of cricket in India. Lest I should be misunderstood, it is important to clarify that cricket’s de-growth does not make the sport irrelevant any time in the near future. We are still a one-sport nation, with football being a distant second. Cricket has a huge plus in the patriotic element it brings to the table. That is unlikely to be challenged by any mass sport for a long time.

     

    But when you are the only one, your competition is with yourself. So cricket has to find ways of maintaining its viewer base. The big idea of 2008, IPL, is now under some real threat of disintegrating, because of power-hungry officials who care little about the future of the sport. As the audience that was brought up on cricket in the 1980s and ’90s grows older, they will begin to matter less and less in size. The new generation needs to be coaxed into watching the sport.

     

    Star Sports seems to have understood this better than BCCI. Their online presence has been given the stature of a TV channel, no less. With quality Hindi commentary, they have changed the elitist mindset with which cricket coverage was handled for decades in India. They have the best platforms to market the sport, and the ability to create persuasive messaging to achieve the desired impact.

     

    But when your target audience is a generation that is visibly high on distraction, and perpetually so, the task is a mammoth one. Cricket needs to find its cool-ness back. An overhaul may be required sooner than later. But do those who are running the sport have the will to do it?

     

    TV Trails is a weekly column written by Shailesh Kapoor, founder and CEO of media insights firm Ormax Media. He spent nine years in the television industry before turning entrepreneur. The views expressed here are his own. He can be reached at his Twitter handle @shaileshkapoor

     

  • The information and broadcasting ministry has asked six DTH operators, including market leaders Tata Sky and Dish TV, to pay over Rs 2,000 crore

    I&B ministry asks DTH operators to pay Rs 2,000 crore

    By Vijaya Rathore

     

    The information and broadcasting ministry has asked six DTH operators, including market leaders Tata Sky and Dish TV, to pay over Rs 2,000 crore, which the ministry said they collectively owe to the government in lieu of the licence fee.

     

    The ministry sent demand notices on Friday to Tata Sky, Dish TV, Sun Direct, Airtel Digital TV, Reliance Digital TV and Videocon D2H, asking them to pay up the sum within 15 days. This followed a ministry-ordered independent audit of the accounts of the six operators.

     

    “The ministry has given 15 days to all the operators to make the payment,” a person familiar with the development said. The calculation has been made on the basis of the gross revenue of each operator.

     

    The time period for calculating the arrears is from the day the licences were issued to each of them. “The I&B ministry sought the opinion of the law ministry before sending out the notices,” this person said.

     

    The issue relating to licence fee payment has been going on between the ministry and the operators for a few years now. The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) had in an 2010 order said that DTH operators should pay 10% of their adjusted gross revenue as licence fee.

     

    The ministry had taken the matter to the Supreme Court where the case is pending.

     

    Source:The Economic Times

    Copyright © 2014, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All Rights Reserved

    Licensed to republish

     

  • CNBC-TV18 and Mint have entered into a strategic content alliance enabling the two media entities to share content with each other on a daily basis and work together on various editorial initiatives through the year

    CNBC-TV18 and Mint into content alliance

    By A Correspondent

     

    CNBC-TV18 and Mint have entered into a strategic content alliance enabling the two media entities to share content with each other on a daily basis and work together on various editorial initiatives through the year. Starting today (April 1, 2014), every issue of Mint will carry exclusive content from CNBC-TV18 while Mint’s news and analysis will be available on CNBC-TV18 regularly. The partnership will also allow regular content exchange between the two digital assets, livemint.com and moneycontrol.com.

     

    Speaking about this development, R. Sukumar, Editor, Mint said, “At Mint, we have always focused on delivering clarity in business news and reaching our readers wherever they are. Our partnership with CNBC-TV18 will enhance our ability to do so.”

     

    Commenting on the alliance, Shereen Bhan, Managing Editor, CNBC-TV18, said: “At CNBC-TV18 we have always been committed to creating compelling content, and bringing to our viewers credible news and analyses, presented incisively and consistently. We believe Mint will be a great partner for us in furthering this objective.”

     

     

  • The start-up has acquired the music of films like Holiday, Humshakals, Bang Bang and Bombay Velvet

    Zee launches music co, acquires blockbuster content

    By A Correspondent

     

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) has announced its foray into the music label space with its latest venture, ‘Zee Music Company’ (ZMC). The ZMC has plans to acquire the music rights of over 20 major motion pictures in the financial year 2014-15.

     

    Punit Goenka

    Introducing the label, Punit Goenka, MD and CEO, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited stated “The music industry is a large playing field and there is scope for us to explore the opportunity in this market. Technology has also emerged as a key transformer of the music industry and digital revenues are driving growth in the market. Since we are a content company, it is essential to own intellectual property as content is the king.”

     

    Said Anurag Bedi, Business Head and EVP, Zee Music Company (ZMC): It’s a great space to be in, as music is something that is consumed universally. The Hindi film industry is currently in its best phase musically and there is a plethora of talent. We had been toying with this idea and finally we have entered this space.”

     

    Anurag Bedi

    Talking about the acquisitions, Mr Bedia said: “We are thrilled at having acquired the rights to the music of the Akshay Kumar-Sonakshi Sinha starrer ‘Holiday’ which is jointly produced by Reliance Big Entertainment, Sunshine Pictures and Hari Om Entertainment Company.”

     

    “We have also partnered with Fox Star Studios and signed the latter for the music of 5 of its Hindi releases for the year, including the Saif Ali Khan and Riteish Deshmukh starrer ‘Humshakals’, Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif starrer ‘Bang Bang’ and one of the most anticipated releases of the year ‘Bombay Velvet’ starring Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma”; Mr Bedi added.

     

    The music industry in India currently stands at a staggering figure of Rs 960 crore and projected figures for 2014 are Rs 1010 crore. The industry is expected to only grow over the years and reach Rs 1780 crore in 2018. Zee Music Company intends partnering with big players like Dharma Productions, Excel Entertainment and other top studios, a communiqué added.

     

  • Reliance Broadcast Network stable regional channel has inked a distribution deal with Dish TV, adding an 8 million subscriber base to its reach

    Big Magic Bihar & Jharkhand inks DTH deal with Dish

    By A Correspondent

     

    As part of its distribution-strengthening strategy, Big Magic Bihar and Jharkhand, the regional entertainment channel from the Reliance Broadcast Network stable, has inked a distribution deal with Dish TV. Available on the base pack, this move adds 8 million million Dish TV subscribers to the channel’s reach as it reaches out to a larger diaspora across India.

     

    “We are a leading player in the regional market and have delivered excellent performance. We see a huge opportunity in catering to a larger diaspora and our endeavor is to reach our content mix to the discerning audiences spread across the length and breadth of India. Dish TV is a perfect partner to begin the exercise with, from here-on we will increase footprint through strengthened distribution across platforms,” the channel said in a statement.

     

    Big Magic Bihar and Jharkhand is currently available on Hathway, Incable, Manthan, Digicable, GTPL, Siti Cable, Maurya, DEN and other independent operators.

     

  • NewsX has announced another addition to the content line-up with 'Mandate with Destiny'

    NewsX gets Vir Sanghvi to host ‘Mandate with Destiny’

    By a correspondent

     

    Having undergone a repositioning exercise recently, NewsX announced another addition to the content line-up with ‘Mandate with Destiny’. The show would be hosted by distinguished journalist and TV show host Vir Sanghvi.

     

    ‘Mandate with Destiny’ is a show that tells the story of the making of modern India through the elections that have shaped our country.

     

    Speaking on the occasion, Kartikeya Sharma, MD, iTV Network which owns and runs NewsX & India News said “We are happy to launch one of its kind show on NewsX. Vir’s understanding of Indian political landscape will provide invaluable insights as he takes us through a momentous journey of the historic elections that shaped modern India. I am confident that the show will generate a huge level of excitement amongst viewers”

     

    Written and presented by Vir Sanghvi, the show unites archival footage, personal insights and interviews with many of the key players to provide a gripping narrative that makes the complexities of Indian politics instantly accessible.

     

    ‘Mandate with Destiny’ goes on air from Friday, 4th April 2014. It will be a weekly show, every Friday 10 pm.

     

  • SITI Cable Network Ltd has achieved the landmark of 4 million digital customers as on 31stMarch 2014

    SITI eclipses 4 million subscriber mark

    By a correspondent

     

    SITI Cable Network Ltd has achieved the landmark of 4 million digital customers as on 31stMarch 2014. Encouraged by the significant improvement in the performance in FY13-14 and to support the aggressive growth plan to grow subscriber base to 10 million in FY 14-15, the promoters have invested additional Rs.2430 million in the business.

     

    As per the approval received from Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) in March 2013 to raise Rs. 3240 million from promoter entities, the company has already received first tranche Rs. 810 million in March 2013 and this is balance tranche fund of Rs. 2430 million. With this total promoter shareholding rises to 72.82 percent.

     

    The funds will be utilized primarily for Business expansion and to partially reduce debt.

     

    Subhash Chandra, Chairman, stated, ” The Indian television distribution industry is on the cusp of high growth value phase as it marches towards the digitization of balance phases of cable television in the country. With the change in leadership last year, SITI Cable has driven higher revenue and profitability through relentless focus on operational excellence despite uncertain environment. Our sustained investment in this sector will further accelerate the growth momentum and will serve the Digital Cable TV viewing needs of many more million Indians on SITI Cable Network”.

     

    Commenting on this development, V D Wadhwa, CEO of SITI Cable said “For the wider digitization roll out, the company needs to invest in upgrading its digital infrastructure further and enter into newer strategic markets. We plan to seed over 6 million set-top-boxes in phase-3&4 markets through organic and in organic growth. We believe that we are well poised to benefit from the ongoing digitization implementation and ready to penetrate the market at a faster rate.”

     

     

  • NDTV and Aircel announced the third season of Aircel NDTV 'Save Our Tigers' – the largest and the most comprehensive media campaign

    3rd edition of Save Our Tigers to highlight key issues

    By a correspondent

     

    Carrying forward the mission to ‘Save Our Tigers’ – the largest and the most comprehensive media campaign on tiger conservation till date, NDTV and Aircel announced the third season of Aircel NDTV Save Our Tigers. Launched in 2010, the campaign was successful in setting the tiger agenda for the Nation.

     

    The launch of the third season of Aircel NDTV Save Our Tigers initiative witnessed the coming together of well known personalities from different walks of life to participate in a panel discussion and set key focus areas for the season. Present on the occasion were Belinda Wright, Executive Director, WPSI, Anupam Vasudev, Chief Marketing Officer, Aircel; Dr. K. Ramesh from Wildlife Institute of India; S P Yadav, ADIG, NTCA; Dr. Anish Andheria, Director, Wildlife Conservation Trust; Bittu Sahgal, Editor of Sanctuary Asia; and was anchored by Vikram Chandra, Group CEO, NDTV Group.

     

    Anupam Vasudev, Chief Marketing Officer, Aircel said, “Aircel has been passionately working towards its initiative ‘Save Our Tigers’ with noted conservationists and organizations with an aim to create mass awareness on the plight of the magnificent tiger and rally efforts to save it. There is no denying the fact that ‘Tigers are Irreplaceable’ and are extremely crucial for securing the environment for our future generations. We are confident that like the past two editions, this year’s edition of Aircel-NDTV ‘Save Our Tigers’ campaign will further increase the level of participation and support for the cause.”

     

    Vikram Chandra

    Speaking on the occasion, Vikram Chandra, Group CEO, NDTV Group said, “NDTV is overwhelmed by the nationwide response received for the first 2 editions of the campaign. We are now coming up with the Tiger Agenda for the 3rd edition and will be looking at key factors such as reducing man-animal conflict, protecting tiger habitats, strengthening the forest department and more.”

     

    The current edition will focus on and highlight key factors – existing buffer zones and corridors to be clearly identified and control to be ensured by forest department; local community involvement; strengthening of forest department; human-animal conflict management solutions; bio-diverse forest areas to remain inviolate and push for political will.