MxMIndia

Category: TV

  • It's Zee's boldest venture thus far: a premium all-India Hindustani GEC with 'Made in Pakistan' (and elsewhere) fictions. An interview with ZEEL MD & CEO Punit Goenka

    Nothing wrong in airing Pak content: Punit Goenka

     

    It’s Zee’s boldest venture thus far: a premium all-India Hindustani GEC with ‘Made in Pakistan’ (and elsewhere) fictions. Launching on June 23, it is targeted at, as a communiqué notes, family viewing with today’s Indian sensibilities of wanting to balance household responsibilities and at the same time, creating one’s identity, the channel is set to infuse fresh storytelling to the Indian television industry.  An interview with ZEEL Managing Director & CEO Punit Goenka.

     

    Bold move to launch a channel like Zindagi?

    You have to do something every couple of years, to keep the blood rushing.

     

    Hmmm, since when has this been in the making?

    We’ve been working in the concept for a long time, but truly, about 15 months.

     

    Do you anticipate any problem given that Pakistani serials in India are not official aired in India. It’s not a done thing to be showing Pakistani serials.

    Well, there’s no law that says you can’t do it. I’ve received all my permissions. I’ve got everything in order. We’ve acquired all content on legal basis through legal entities. So my view is that if Hollywood content or content from the West can be brought here, why not content made in Pakistan? As long as it’s nothing to do with anti-India sentiments, there should be no reason why any entertainment content can’t be brought here.

     

    Given that there’s over rising hatred towards Pakistan and you have the likes of the Shiv Sena creating a lot of fuss about Pakistan, do you anticipate trouble. You may be on the right side of the law, but is there a fear or worry?

    No, it’s not a fear or a worry.

     

    And have you taken any one into confidence….

    No, I don’t think I need to take anybody into confidence, I’m doing what I believe is a good for the business and a good thing for the country also. I think, at the end of the day I’m entertaining and also bringing about a change which would allow people see the similarity in our cultures is so much that the reason for hatred is only select people. So, hate those select people. Don’t hate a country! That’s my view.

     

    Pakistani serials have been very popular in India in the last 25-odd years. I remember how they were huge even in the early days of the video wave. How old or new are the shows that you will be airing?

    They’re in the last two to three years’ range. Nothing older. Everything is as recent as the last two years.

     

    And are these among the top shows from Pakistan?

    Our barometer for selection was not how they’re performing in Pakistan. But the category we want to create is of the progressive mindset. While the predominant viewer is female here, the mindset of the female is progressive; not traditional… unlike what we offer through normal GECs that exist today. Therefore we handpick shows on that basis, irrespective of the fact of what the ratings were in Pakistan.

     

    Is the handpicking of shows been done by you or do you have somebody in Pakistan helping you..

    We have a team in Pakistan also and those are more outsourced kind of people. But largely it is our team in India.

     

    Would you also look at freshly produced content at any point?

    We’ve already started. We’ve already commissioned 12 telefilms that we’re producing and we’ve identified shows that we will be producing going forward. So it won’t be just syndicated content…

     

    How much of originai content will we see?

    Within a year I think we should be doing about 10 hours a week of original production.

     

    How much new programming every day?

    Four to start with, per day.

     

    Your press statement says that the footprint of the channel is all-India and you are also targeting South India? Are we going to see the channel dubbed in South Indian languages?

    No, it’s not dubbed. It’s going to be in Hindi and we do believe that the progressive mindset will consume Hindi, even down South, irrespective of the fact that it might not be their mother tongue. Our research has shown there are enough audiences available in different states, but therefore we deliberately chose to make it an all India launch.

     

    This is a significant difference from the audiences regular Hindi GECs have always looked at?

    Because they focus on the mass. This focuses on the premium mass. We’ve defined a new category which doesn’t exist today. My research tells me the premium mass are willing to accept content, irrespective of the language. They have to make a connect with the content rather than the language.

     

    In terms of distribution will it be part of the Zee package?

    Yes, absolutely, it will be in the Base Tier.

     

    So no extra money to be paid for this?

    Well, I think they should be charging extra for a premium channel like this. If they don’t pass on the cost to the customer, that’s the platform’s choice. But I do believe this gives them the opportunity to increase prices.

     

    Have you tested the concept with advertisers?

    We’re getting reasonably good response from them as well. So, I’m quite hopeful that we will have some sponsors and tie-ups on board before we launch the channel.

     

    Coming back to the original shows,  would you look at syndicating to Pakistani channels too?

    Why not?

     

    Zee TV is already available in Pakistan, now will it officially available?

    No, we cannot be officially available. Even Zee TV isn’t officially available in Pakistan. Pirated signals go, but officially we can’t sell it there.

     

    You mentioned that a year from now there will be 10 hours of original content. Would there be reality shows also or..

    No reality shows on this channel. It will predominantly remain fiction based.

     

    Any reason for this?

    I think the USP is the fiction part which we want to highlight. There are many reality shows which are already being done. So we didn’t want to bring in another element here. It helps us focus on the TG we’ve targeted and reality shows go away from the core and try and target a lot more than your bread and butter. So, we want to focus on the bread & butter rather than get garnished sprinkled on top of it.

     

    In the past we have had instances of popular shows being moved to the flagship channel of the network? Could that happen here too?

    No, that will not happen. How does it matter to me if tomorrow Zindagi becomes my flagship? Should it matter?

     

    Over the years, the second GEC hasn’t done well

    Zee Next.

     

    And before that, EL TV

    Well,  EL TV did very well. In fact Zee got scared of EL and therefore had it converted to a news channel (laughs)

     

    On a serious note, the second channel across networks hasn’t done well. Life OK took off well, but is still not up there. What is the Zee Network’s commitment to Zindagi?

    My view is that if we as a network were not sure about giving this a full shot, I wouldn’t be sitting here doing these interactions. I think we’re very clear on what has gone wrong. We can debate that till the cows come home! The fact is, have we plugged all those holes? Have we made sure that our go-to-market strategy is right or not? I think we’ve covered all grounds. The success, the viewer will decide. I’m no one to decide that. I have to make sure that I’m available. I’ve made the consumer aware of the product and then I’ve to get him or her to sample it and like it.

     

    Would you at some point also look at Bangladeshi content or from other markets in newer channels?

    I haven’t studied that market yet. But I do remember we were discussing the possibility of getting Bangladeshi movies which could run on the Bangla channel. But we haven’t studied it in that much detail. We’ve studied this market. It’ll be 15 months by the time we launch. A lot of work has gone in to get it to this stage and get it ready to launch. But definitely, we’re not closed to that. We can study that market also and if we find there is some proposition that can work, why not!

     

    And would you look at other cross-border content coming into Zindagi?

    I must add, in Zindagi itself we’ve identified content that we’ll be sourcing from markets like Turkey, Egypt and some of the Latin American countries where it’s not that we’ve just picked up shows, dubbed them and are going to be running them. We’re actually remaking those shows in Hindi. That’s part of the 10 hours of content I talked about. So, it’s not just Pakistan…

     

    You mentioned Hindi, but these are shows in Urdu, right. It may be a little tough for some to understand the language….

    This was one of the key parameters in my research. To my pleasant surprise, it came out that people appreciated that fact! Rather than making it a negative. They said that while some words are difficult to understand, in a conversation or sentence, as long as you get the gist of it, it’s fine. And the Urdu that was in existence 20 years ago when we watched PTV or Lahore TV has simplified. Quite like the way our Hindi was 20 years back to what it has become today. So, from that perspective I don’t think it will be such a big issue that it gets rejected. I’m quite hopeful that people will appreciate it and that will be one of the USPs. The dialect is so soothing to the ears unlike the tu-tadaak that you see here on our GECs today.

     

    Would you also at some pint of time look at other cross border content on your other channels? Like with your food channel Khana Khazana given the similarities between food in India and across the border? Do we see a Khana Khazana Pakistan?

    That’s quite possible. Definitely. Why not? We’ll definitely explore all that. Thank you for a business idea!

     

    With Zindagi and the rest of the offerings you have, what is the direction you’re looking at for the Zee Network over the next year?

    We’re definitely looking at outward growth for the Zee Network going forward. And as you know we love to beat the market projections every time. And that’s the endeavour for us. If the market is growing at X, how can we grow at 1.5X…

     

    Any specific targets for Zindagi?

    Yes, we have all those targets in place. The investment levels and all those things have been done to keep those parameters in mind. I wouldn’t want to pre-empt what my targets are right now, but I can tell you that they’re definitely aggressive.

     

  • Sony SIX has exclusively brought on board Bollywood star John Abraham to leverage the build-up to the big extravaganza

    Sony SIX urges fans to ‘Live the Magic’

    By a correspondent

     

    Sony SIX has announced its new marketing campaign for 2014 FIFA World Cupâ„¢ called ‘Live the Magic’. The marketing campaign sees the star studded support of John Abraham in a whole new football avatar encouraging viewers to join in the party to catch the ultimate footballing extravaganza on SIX. The inspiration of the campaign has been drawn from the global obsession of viewers assembling to catch the most anticipated international tournament in the world of football. The term ‘Live the Magic’ was coined to ignite the fervour and the passion for football fanatics, as well as to call out to non-sport enthusiast to join the party.

     

    The campaign is shot with the idea of replicating the carnival atmosphere surrounding Brazil. The opening scene shows John Abraham donning the avatar of Brazil’s beloved and sensational strikerNeymar Jr. exiting onto the town street. He is joined by fellow town football fans donning the avatar of Portugal’s superstar- Cristiano Ronaldo, Argentina’s footballing Maestro – Messi and France’s lightning bolt – Ribery. The film takes on from here where the characters mosey through town and arejoined by their entourage and ensemble of sports fans replicating the feel of the Brazil’s trademark carnival parade. Showcasing colours from several popular international teams, the film emits a grandeur experience signifying an important message on how viewers come together to celebrate and watch the sport of football. The commercial exudes Brazil in its beach, narrow streets, music and carnival-like atmosphere.

     

    This intent of the campaign emanates from the channel’s endeavour to capture sports enthusiasts and urge non-sports viewers to come together and enjoy the international football extravaganza. Further the campaign aligns itself to the channels continued commitment of bringing in high quality sports content for viewers across the nation.

     

     

  • With a culture and heritage as rich as ours, we should be bursting at the seams with reality show ideas but in reality, as Shailesh Kapoor notes, the reality shows genre is facing imminent decline

    Shailesh Kapoor: Reality Shows: Trendy No More?

    By Shailesh Kapoor

     

    When KBC first launched in 2000, the term “reality show” was not a part of this country’s lexicon. The long-running Sa Re Ga Ma Pa (1995) was then referred to as a singing talent show, not a reality show. But by end 2004, reality shows were emerging as a formidable force, fuelled by the launch of Indian Idol and India’s Best Cinestars Ki Khoj that year.

     

    The amount of activity this category saw in 2004-08 made one believe that its share of viewership would continue to rise year-on-year. But the reality shows genre in India has flattered to deceive. In 2008, 21% of viewers named a non-fiction show as their favorite GEC program. In 2014, this number remains in the 20-25% range, and that includes Comedy Nights With Kapil, which contributes to more than half the share.

     

    Why did the category stagnate? This summary of 2014 tells a story:

     

    1. Khatron Ke Khiladi Season 5 (arguably the best season of the show since season 1) ends this weekend.

     

    2. Dance India Dance, currently airing in the Li’l Masters variant, is into its ninth cumulative season, if you could the main show (4 seasons) and variants such as Li’l Masters, Super Mom and Doubles (5 seasons).

     

    3. Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Season 7 is slated to launch this June.

     

    4. KBC 8 is calling for entries currently, and is slated to launch around August.

     

    5. As an aberration, only the second season of Zee TV’s Cinestars Ki Khoj is scheduled for a mid-year launch, coming back after a decade.

     

    6. Bigg Boss Season 8 should go on-air around October, like every year.

     

    7. Being an annual fixture, India’s Got Talent is likely to be on-air this year too, in what will be Season 6.

     

    You get the trend? All these properties are at least five years old.  All, barring one, are into their fifth to ninth seasons. We have fallen into a pattern. And the viewer is not exactly pleased with this turn of events.

     

    Except the two Zee TV formats, all other formats are imports. Four out of seven are talent show formats. Clearly, India’s ability to create original, homegrown reality show formats is highly suspect. Many attempts have been made, but have been largely unsuccessful. Imagine’s unofficial adaptation of The Bachelor got good attention, especially in the first season with Rakhi Sawant. But overall, it has been a tough ride for the industry.

     

    Doordarshan and Zee TV have been creating reality show formats even before the imports descended upon us. From Meri Awaz Suno in the 90s to Saanp Seedi, Antakashari, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and DID, these channels had a lot to offer, though most of it was in the talent and games show space. When the industry showed growth and the market became ready to import foreign formats, it emerged as a low-risk option to go for. In the process, the homegrown formats began to get step treatment from most channels, in terms of attention and budgets provided to them.

     

    Today, the reality shows genre is facing imminent decline. The audiences who grew up watching these formats would have recently got married or are likely to get married soon. The impact of marriage on TV content preferences can never be overstated. And no young generation likes to inherit what the “oldies” liked. They want to create their own trends, their own hits.

     

    With a culture and heritage as rich as ours, we should be bursting at the seams with reality show ideas. The time can never be more right!

     

    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 agency wins mandate to promote the Telugu version of popular game show format Kaun Banega Crorepati

    Orchard wins mandate to promote ‘Meelo Evaru Koteeshwaru’ on MAA TV

    By A Correspondent

     

    Orchard Advertising has been assigned the mandate of promoting the launch of Meelo Evaru Koteeshwaru, the Telugu version of Kaun Banega Crorepati on Telugu entertainment channel MAA Television Network Limited. Going on air from mid-June 2014 and hosted by South Superstar Nagarjuna, MAA TV aims to raise the bar in the Telugu TV general entertainment space.

     

    Ratnakar Rao, CEO of MAA TV said, “Having known Leo Burnett for many years and looking at the agency’s track record in promoting KBC and other big shows, the obvious choice for us was to work with them on this project. We have been working with Orchard, Leo Burnett’s entity based in Bangalore for a while now and for our latest show, the fit seemed right and it didn’t take long before we signed up with them.” Adding further he said, “The team at Orchard came up with an insightful and relevant concept that connects the essence of the program’s benefit with the aspiring participants of the show. We are working with Orchard on an integrated campaign for the two phases – one to promote participant registrations and two, the viewership build up.”

     

    Neha Contractor, Branch Head and Vice President, Orchard Advertising, Bangalore added, “We are very excited about this partnership. We have put together an extensive mass media campaign that has been designed using all media platforms like TV, newspaper, radio, hoardings, digital and social media to promote the show in every nook and corner of the state. Ratnakar himself is a veteran from the advertising world and it has been wonderful working with him in co- creating this successful campaign.”

     

    MAA TV has received 1.2 million calls for entries already through the initial reveal and CFE ads executed by Orchard Advertising.

     

  • Uday Shankar will address the audience at The Paley Center for Media, which is an exclusive, invitation-only membership community for entertainment, media, and technology industry executives

    Star India’s Uday Shankar to speak at Paley Center for Media

    By A Correspondent

     

    Uday Shankar

    Star India CEO Uday Shankar will achieve a new milestone when he becomes the first Indian CEO from the M&E industry to speak at the Paley Center for Media, the premier institution dedicated to advancing the understanding of media and its role across cultures and societies. Uday Shankar will be addressing a breakfast session, which will be moderated by Bobby Ghosh, Editor Time International at Paley Dialogue on Friday, May 30 in New York. He will be introduced to the distinguished guests by James Murdoch, Co-COO, 21st Century Fox.

     

    The Paley Media Council is an exclusive, invitation-only membership community for entertainment, media, and technology industry executives and provides an independent forum for top industry leaders. Featuring candid conversations with the best minds in the industry, this year’s Paley Media Council will see an exclusive gathering in presence of the most distinguished guests from major American business organizations, foreign press organizations and leading social organizations.

     

    At this global media platform, CEO Uday Shankar will discuss the journey of STAR India and how the company has become India’s leading media business by using its programming to spark national discussions on a range of social and political issues. Most notably, the series ‘SatyamevJayate’, STAR’s hit talk show about India’s pressing social concerns, has become the premier platform through which Indians can discuss social issues. This achievement, combined with STAR’s track record of cultivating forward-thinking programming, casts STAR as a model for what a 21st century media business should look like—one that harnesses the power and reach of television to touch lives and create meaningful change.

     

    Since 1995, the Paley International Council Summit has provided an independent forum that brings together chief executives of the world’s most important media, entertainment, and technology companies to advance the exchange of ideas and to foster community among them. Informal and organized discussions cover a wide range of critical issues that define the media industry and its role in society for generations to come.

     

  • Amagi is the leader in geo-targeted advertising enabling advertisers to optimize their ad spends effectively

    Jitesh Rajdeo joins Amagi Media as Director

    By a correspondent

     

    Leading TV ad network Amagi Media has announced the appointment of Jitesh Rajdeo as Director of Sales & Alliances, India & neighbouring countries to lead its growth.

     

    Amagi is the leader in geo-targeted advertising enabling advertisers to optimize their ad spends effectively. Amagi has been expanding at a fast pace and was recently recognized by Deloitte as the fastest growing media & entertainment company in APAC in 2013.

     

    For more than two decades, Jitesh has built and led high-performance sales teams in the media industry. Jitesh is known for aggresively growing market share and revenues in his previous stints. Jitesh’sprevious stint was at Zee Media Corp as its Chief Sales Officer. Prior to that Jitesh has been in various sales leadership positions with Zee group for more than a decade.

     

    Speaking on his appointment, Jietsh said, “I am convinced that Geo-targeting is the future of television and Amagi is set to occupy the centre stage in this evolving media space. I am excited to join Amagi at this crucial juncture and look forward to scaling its revenues as Amagi expands its horizons.”

     

    “I am confident that Jitesh will add the much needed impetus to our revenue growth ambition in the coming years,” said LS Krishnan, Business Head, Amagi. “Jitesh has the skill set,calibre and resolution to make Amagi a high growth company focussed on delivering value to all stake holders.”

     

  • 10 things that the new information and broadcasting minister must achieve… in Mediaah!

    Tasks for the new I&B Minister

     

    When news came in late last week that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was keen on integrating similar ministries, I expected the progressive, media and more importantly one of the most digitally savvy politicians in the country, to integrate the ministries of I&B, telecom and I&T. While each may have areas that need special attention, there is need to look at communication of all kinds in a focussed manner.

     

    Prakash Javdekar was appointed Minister of State with independent charge of information and broadcasting. But along with that he was given charge of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. Also shared charge of Parliamentary Affairs. One learns that environment etc will be taken away as and when someone suitable is found.

     

    Here are 10 things that we would like Minister Javadekar to achieve in his tenure:

     

    #1 Only self-regulation

    Successive governments are known to tinker with the content freedom for news and current affairs, TV fiction and advertising. One hopes that Mr Javdekar will not succumb to these pressures and like Ambika Soni will keep all the sensitive souls at bay.

     

    #2 Ban paid content

    It’s a toughie and very difficult to police, but if the BJP is keen on rooting out corruption then it must wipe out all forms of paid content. It may mean taking on the big and mighty in media, but it’s got to be done.

     

    #3 Don’t interfere in Doordarshan and All India Radio

    Doordarshan will celebrate its 55th anniversary this year, but is a sleepy giant. And All India Radio is a forgotten one. Sadly, both entities reach out to more people in the country than all the private channels. The government must allow them to run independently and allow them to run without commercial pressures.

     

    #4 Push for news on FM Radio.

    There are a countless news channels and even more cable TV set-ups so one really doesn’t understand why news on FM is not allowed. By insisting on only AIR news to be carried is pointless. The minister must allow news on FM radio and let the medium flourish.

     

    #5. Clear the mess on distribution

    The TRAI has had to work overtime on distribution and the previous regime did some good work on digitization though with some mess in execution in between. The entire country is not digitized yet, so the minister needs to push things there. Then there is the issue of carriage fees which continues to be a matter of dispute between broadcasters and distributors

     

    06. New rules of social media

    Given that the social media has seen an explosion in the last five years, UPA-2 saw it embroiled in a few controversies around the social media and whether or not it should be policed. While there can be no denying the fact that one can’t condone defamation and unfair practices online in the name of freedom of expression, the government would do well to exercise caution before taking any action.

     

    07. Don’t get bullied by Big Media

    The problem with every successive government is that they buckle under pressure from the big media players. Whether it’s on DAVP rates or land at lower rates, the government would do well to ensure a level playing field for all media entities

     

    08. Promote low budget films

    The multiple and television revolution has helped the lot of film-makers who do not have access to big money. The government must do its bit to help in supporting those without access to big monies

     

    09. Content on telecom

    While we do not like the government to interfere in industry, it must ensure that content providers get their due from telecom players who have ensured that they keep the lion’s share of revenues

     

    10. Leave the business alone!

    Measurement, 10+2 ad cap, regulation… all issues that the I&B ministry has been busy with over the last few years. These should be best left to the industry players and associations. No need for the government to poke its nose

     

  • After nearly a decade a TAM and leading the crucial S-group, Praddy is expected to arm Zee with all the intelligence to be the numero uno Hindi GEC

    Pradeep Hejmadi to be Business Head, Zee TV

    By A Correspondent

     

    Pradeep Hejmadi, Senior Vice President at TAM Media, is set to join Zee Entertainment as Business Head of the flagship channel, Zee TV.

     

    While his decade-odd stint at TAM – especially the S group which was engaged in the consulting operations of the measurement company – will ensure that he steers Zee TV to the top of the heap of general entertainment channels, Mr Hejmadi or Praddy, as he is known in the trade, is no newbie in broadcast. He has held key portfolios at Discovery, Nickelodeon and Turner Broadcasting.

     

    At TAM, he reported to LV Krishnan. He is likely to take charge at Zee by mid-June, 2014

     

  • Having worked with the group for over 14 years and propelled it to the status it enjoys today, Sai has been part of all key ventures of the group

    Network18 loses Group CEO Sai Kumar, COO Ajay Chacko

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sai Kumar

    It’s been doing the rounds for a while. That post the elections, there would be a huge churn at leading media conglomerate Network18.

     

    This one though is huuuuge. B Sai Kumar, Group CEO, has put in his papers. Having worked with the group for over 14 years and propelled it to the status it enjoys today, Sai has been part of all key ventures of the group. From business channel CNBC to the jv with Viacom, the partnership with A+E Networks, the formation of IndiaCast, the licensing deal with Forbes and the very ambitious digital foray. He was also on the board of the Group’s various joint ventures. In his role as Group CEO, Sai charted out the company’s business turnaround and return to profitability.

     

    Raghav Bahl

    Commenting on the development Raghav Bahl, Founder & Editor of Network18 said; It’s not easy to describe Sai’s role and contribution to the Group. He has been one of the key pillars of the Network18 story. I am truly privileged to have been able to work with someone like Sai who has, I daresay, given the prime of his life to the growth & development of our baby called Network18, right from the days when it was a fledgling single channel operation to its evolution as one of India’s largest and most diversified and respected media companies. But there comes a time in  life when one takes a heed to one’s calling and wish Sai all the best for that.

     

    Said Sai: “Network18 has been an extension of my family. I take with me very good memories and I will always cherish the time spent here. It has been a tremendous learning ground and I thank all my colleagues for the support, passion and hard work they brought to work every day. While all good things come to an end, I see it as a new beginning and I am positive and hopeful that Network18 scales new heights here on.”

     

    Ajay Chacko

    Meanwhile, it is learnt that Network 18 COO Ajay Chacko has also handed in his papers. There are rumours that IBN Editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai may also be leaving the organisation, though there is no confirmation of the same.

     

  • The last six days have been wildly engaging, writes Shailesh Kapoor who doesn't remember a week that offered so much to watch and talk about

    Shailesh Kapoor: A Week To Remember: Politics, IPL & More

    By Shailesh Kapoor

     

    Television weeks can be fairly routine, except in periods like the Elections recently, or the week of a big-ticket cricket series. An odd launch here and there, like Satyamev Jayate, can spike interest. But in most weeks, it is the staple diet that dominates.

     

    In contrast, the last six days have been wildly engaging. I don’t remember a week that offered so much to watch and talk about, driven by politics but certainly not restricted to it. The gossip around the shift in power at Network18 has provided the off-screen masala too. But I shall restrict myself to on-screen material only. Here are my picks of TV events that dominated the week that was:

     

    1. The Swearing-In Ceremony: Swearing-in ceremonies can be dreadfully boring. But the upbeat mood around the new Government ensures that anything involving them gets people interested. The Monday that went by kept the news channels busy, first with conjectures on portfolio allocation, then with the informal but actual list of portfolios, and finally with the live telecast of the actual ceremony. The entertainment was provided by an alert President, who rebuked two ministers for skipping the oath-taking protocol.

     

    2. What A Match: The Mumbai-Rajasthan game last Sunday provided such a big dose of entertainment, it may have over-compensated for a low-key IPL. I don’t remember seeing a match ever, where a team won despite not meeting the originally-announced target. The math of it had most commentators stumped, even though it was fairly elementary, and in fact, should have been a part of the talk even while the chase was going on. The IPL is in its last leg this week, and game last Sunday will ensure this year’s IPL ends on a high – something we were not so sure about a month ago.

     

    3. Ministers In Office: In a first, media has covered ministers in the new Government taking charge better than ever before. A more pro-active Prime Minister and a young, media-savvy Council of Ministers has helped. If this week is anything to go by, we seem to have found our most media-friendly Government ever.

     

    4. Zindagi and Indo-Pak diplomacy: It can be termed as uncanny and highly coincidental. Zee’s new channel Zindagi, which plans to air content from Pakistan, was formally launched last week. As the campaign gained momentum this week, events engineered by our new PM led to Nawaz Sharif making a much-discussed India trip. Zindagi is bound to benefit from the sentiment of hope that Indo-Pak relationships may indeed improve under Modi. The photo-op between Sharif and the Essel Group Chairman Subhash Chandra was an icing on this rather intriguing cake.

     

    5. The Smriti Irani controversy – Much ado about nothing: The Congress party has started the witch-hunt for chinks in the new Government’s armour. If their attempts at creating controversy around Smriti Irani are anything to go by, they will do well to take a break from these desperate measures. Smriti Irani, the youngest member of the Modi Cabinet, has all the makings of a great minister. Her rise from a TV star to a political heavyweight may just turn out to be one of the most fascinating political anecdotes of modern India.

     

    6. Congratulations Tulsi: Did you see the Star Plus ads congratulating “hamari Tulsi”? A class act, in both idea and execution. That’s how leader brands grab opportunities that come their way.

     

    What a week!

     

    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

     

  • Mr. Maheshwari takes over from Roshini Bakshi who has resigned from the company to pursue other interests

    Abhishek Maheshwari to lead Disney Consumer Products in India

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Walt Disney Company India has announced the appointment of Mr. Abhishek Maheshwari as Vice President and Head, Disney Consumer Products. Mr. Maheshwari takes over from Roshini Bakshi who has resigned from the company to pursue other interests.

     

    “Abhishek has been a key member of our management team since 2012. Over this time, he has worked closely on the integration of Disney and UTV, on identifying local growth initiatives for the company and on formulating our long-term strategy in India,” said Mr. Siddharth Roy Kapur, Managing Director, The Walt Disney Company India. “Abhishek brings to this role a deep understanding of our businesses along with a diverse set of leadership skills, and he is well placed to help us continue to grow our consumer products business in India.”

     

    In addition to focusing his energies on leading Disney’s Consumer Products business, Mr. Maheshwari will continue to oversee Corporate Strategy and Business Development for the Company in India.

     

    Before joining Disney, Mr. Maheshwari worked in various management roles for Kubera and prior to that with McKinsey & Company at their Mumbai and Stamford, Connecticut offices. Abhishek received a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with distinction from Columbia Business School and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi.

     

  • Sony AATH would offer Bengali language feed for the first time ever on satellite television for an international sporting event

    Sony AATH to broadcast FIFA World Cup matches in Bengali

    By A Correspondent

     

    In its bid to cater to the football lovers in West Bengal, Sony AATH will broadcast live the 2014 FIFA World Cup with Bengali commentary. The channel will telecast 56 FIFA matches in Bengali, and provide its audience with a unique viewing experience that has never been done before on satellite TV. As a strategic move, Sony AATH aims to expand its reach through this custom offering to the vast Bengali speaking audience of the country.

     

    Speaking on this unique initiative, Tushar Shah, Senior Vice President Multi- Screen Media, who also manages the operations of Sony AATH, said, “The one factor that unifies Sony AATH with the people of Bengal is our love for football. It is this love that has inspired us to offer 2014 FIFA World Cupâ„¢ to the people of Bengal in their very own language. Sony AATH’s endeavour is to captivate this passionate audience by  creating a holistic football experience by providing high quality sports content in a language which, they love.”

     

    NP Singh

    Speaking on the occasion N.P. Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Multi- Screen Media, said, “At MSM, we attempt to draw the consumer with differentiated content. Providing the viewer with live Bengali feed is just another testimony of our commitment to understanding what the viewers’ wish to see and offer them. We hope every football loving Bengali enjoys 2014 FIFA World Cupâ„¢ on Sony AATH.”

     

    The 2014 FIFA World Cup will kick off on 12th June 2014.  The tournament will be in two stages; group stage will feature 32 nations and will be played from June 12 to June 26. The knockout stage will start from June 28 and conclude with the FIFA World Cup™ Final match on July 13.