MxMIndia

Category: TV

  • The event is centered on the region's biggest festival Chatt Pooja

    Big Magic Ganga to host another mega event in Jharkhand

    By A Correspondent

     

    Backed by the success of its last on-ground event Jai Baba Baijanath in Deogarh – Jharkhand BIG MAGIC Ganga, the regional entertainment channel from the Reliance Broadcast Network bouquet will launch its second on-ground property Jai Chatti Mai with bhojpuri superstar Nirahua. The event is centered on the region’s biggest festival Chatt Pooja and is yet another innovation from Jai Chatti Mai that will have devotional programming elements from 25th - 30 of October.

     

    Backed by the insight that religion and festivities rule the hearts and pulse of audiences, the special offering has been crafted to ensure an entertainment package with excellent appeal. Additionally, in keep with the learnings from a recently held on-ground show titled Jai Baba Baijanath with singing star Pawan Singh, which saw more 20,000 audiences engage with the on ground event and millions tuning to watch it on television.

     

    Commenting on this enormous exercise building local connect, Lavneesh Gupta, COO, Reliance Broadcast Network said, “As as leader, BIG Magic Ganga takes pride in connecting with the region’s largest festival, through the cultural ethos of the state. We are taking this bold initiative of organizing for the first time a live event on the banks of the Ganga, which shall be televised throughout the evening. Similar to the other popular events on the banks of Ganga, we hope this event representing the culture and identity of the region will grow in such magnitude over the next few years. We thank our partners, distributors and people of the region who have experienced our offerings and accepted it.”

     

  • If any Indian filmmaker, however big a stalwart, wants to make the greatest love story of Indian cinema, he would know his benchmark is set incredibly high, writes Shailesh Kapoor

    Shailesh Kapoor: DDLJ: A Thousand Weeks, A Million Memories

    By Shailesh Kapoor

     

    There’s little that can be written about Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) by the way of facts, that’s not commonly known or easily found. This month, the 1995 film completes 1,000 weeks at the box office, holding forte in the morning show at Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir for almost two decades now.

     

    DDLJ is the original NRI romance, of which we saw many versions for almost 15 years, till the overseas market saturated and Salman Khan changed the rules with his brand of homemade cinema with the likes of Wanted and Dabangg. Over years, DDLJ has influenced many directors, writers and actors, in both films and television. Earlier this year, Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt starred in a semi-spoof-semi-modernised version, called Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania.

     

    But nothing, it’s now well understood, would ever come close to the original. If any Indian filmmaker, however big a stalwart, wants to make the greatest love story of Indian cinema, he would know his benchmark is set incredibly high.

     

    I have lost count of how many times I have revisited the film, in whole and in parts. But I distinctly remember half a dozen visits to the theatre in October-December of 1995, many of them to the infamous Uphaar cinema in Delhi, which was a short ride away from the IIT campus.

     

    Even in those days, when film marketing was not an assault being unleashed on us through a mix of media, DDLJ had become an event film leading upto its release. I don’t remember what exactly would have led to it, but it just seemed the right follow-up film to the immensely popular family film Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (HAHK), which had released more than a year earlier but was still running strong in the theatres in late 1995.

     

    The second half of DDLJ was HAHK-like in many ways, in that it evoked the same family values and emotions that HAHK managed to. There was always a split verdict on which half was better, and over the years, the first half may have won that debate. But I firmly believe that it is the second half that brought the families to DDLJ, and created repeat value.

     

    DDLJ was re-released in 2005 on the completion of 500 weeks. Watching it in a half-filled multiplex was an odd experience, after many packed-house screenings a decade back. I’m not sure if classics should be re-released at all. It takes away from the house-fullness of it all, if there were a term like that.

     

    Sometime in 2011, I was at Mannat, waiting for SRK, who was running late for our meeting. It was Sunday night 9pm and Max started airing DDLJ. Watching the film for about two hours at SRK’s home is as surreal as it can get. If ever there was any element of ‘star-struck’ in me, I saw the last of it that night!

     

  • Presenting TAM data for Week 49 (November 30 to Dec 6, 2014) for various Hindi and Regional Entertainment Channels in select India markets

    TAM numbers for Hindi & Regional Channels in Week 49

    Namaskaar, Vannakkam, Hello. It’s that TAM, er, time, of the week when we bring you TAM ratings for the key GECs. So here we are presenting you TAM data for various Hindi and regional entertainment channels for Week 49 of 2014 – that’s November 30 to Dec 6, 2014.

     

    Note this list is not exhaustive and does not include some key and growing regional markets. Also, as you possibly know, this data is not sourced from TAM. So we’ve sourced it from a friendly subscriber. While we are confident that the numbers are correct, we urge advertisers and our readers in general to verify the data.

     

  • Anjana will be working in close coordination with the India Web Portal, Ditto TV and Zee Digital teams

    Anjana Kshetry is Head – Brand Solutions, Zee Digital

    By A Correspondent

     

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL) has announced the appointment of Anjana Kshetry as Head – Brand Solutions, Zee Digital. In her new role, Anjana will report to Debashish Ghosh, Chief Knowledge Officer, Essel Group.

     

    Anjana will be working in close coordination with the India Web Portal, Ditto TV and Zee Digital teams. She will also be responsible for leveraging the ZEE Sales team for integration of digital propositions with TV sales propositions in the most optimum manner. Furthermore, she will be looking at Brand integration opportunities in the digital arenas being explored with Essel Vision.

     

    Anjana was previously the Senior Vice President – Sales & Brand Solutions, heading the National Sales portfolio for Brand Solutions and Zee Khana Khazana. She has been associated with ZEE for about 14 years, and has worked with the organization in multiple capacities. She started in the Marketing Team for the Zee English cluster and subsequently led the national sales portfolio for Zee Music, Zee Café & Zee Studio and Zee Khana Khazana. She has spearheaded various client led sales initiatives for building client relations at the top levels by way of CRM activities.

     

  • The channel has brought on board music composers Salim Sulaiman to compose an upbeat and memorable audio composition

    Zee refreshes look, adopts core proposition of ‘Har Lamha Nayi Ummeed’

    By A Correspondent

     

    Punit Goenka

    At its recently hosted annual awards show – Zee Rishtey Awards, Zee TV announced an evolution in its core proposition from ‘Ummeed Se Saje Zindagi’ to ‘Har Lamha Nayi Ummeed’. Punit Goenka, ZEEL MD & CEO unveiled an all-new, vibrant and dynamic brand packaging that resonates with its core ethos, while staying relevant to the changing palate of its loyal audiences.

     

    Speaking on the occasion, Zee TV Business Head Pradeep Hejmadi said, “Zee TV’s core proposition of Ummeed se saje Zindagi was about a celebration and vindication of a woman’s emerging beliefs and a reflection of her changing hopes, dreams and optimism. This essence was embodied by each of our protagonists who emerged as role models and harbingers of hope for the masses. In that sense, Zee TV will always stand for Ummeed. It is the articulation that will change to reflect the changing times. Today, with India poised for growth, there is a feeling of ‘a new hope, every moment’.  Zee TV’s new slogan ‘Har Lamha Nayi Ummeed’ captures this spirit and its brand philosophy as also its content will reflect the same!”

     

    Pradeep Hejmadi
    Nitin Karkare

    Zee TV has rolled out a 360-degree marketing campaign across HSM to unveil the new identity. The creative agency FCB Ulka has conceptualized a simple visual device of ‘fingers crossed’ to bring alive the new proposition. The channel has also brought on board ace music composers Salim Sulaiman to compose a very upbeat and memorable audio pneumonic to bring alive the essence of the new brand proposition.

    Nitin Karkare, COO, FCB Ulka said, “Har Lamha Nayi Ummeed – the power of the moment that can bring hope/ummeed being the notion and tagline, the creative idea had to be something that not only sticks to people’s minds, promotes a telegraphic take-out of the message but also has a viral potential to become the talk of the town.”

     

  • Q&A with Pradeep Hejmadi, Biz Head, Zee TV as the 22-year-old GEC goes in for a brand refresh with a new identity and viewer proposition

    Zee TV will always stand for Ummeed

     

    If there’s one man in the broadcast sector who knows what works to generate a good, consistent score on the ratings roster, it’s the Pradeep Hejmadi, Business Head of Zee TV. Mr Hejmadi led the all-important S-Group at TAM, the audience measurement firm currently the sole player providing us TV viewership data.

     

    Having joined the Zee Entertainment flagship channel as Business Head, Mr Hejmadi got onto the act of building a new brand identity and packaging for the channel along with his marketing head Sorbojeet Chatterjee and the rest of the team. On Sunday evening, at the annual ‘Zee Rishtey Awards’ show, Zee Entertainment Managing Director and CEO Punit Goenka unveiled an all-new brand packaging that resonates with the channel’s core ethos, while staying relevant to the changing palate of its loyal audiences. The Zee logo turned to a deeper more in-your-face shade of blue and the look-and-feel got vibrant and younger. From the proposition of ‘Ummeed se saje Zindagi’, the new tagline of the channel changed to: ‘Har Lamha Nayi Ummeed’.

     

    Readers of MxMIndia would’ve read the news of the branding on December 15. But, now let’s hear the story from Pradeep Hejmadi himself. Excerpts from an exclusive interview with Pradeep Hejmadi:

     

    Zee TV has been doing very well in the crop of Hindi general entertainment channels (GECs).  Of the various fictions that took off in 2014, Zee shows had the best launch ratings. So, as they say, if it ain’t broke, why fix it? Why this relaunch? And would you say this is a repositioning as well?

    Our successful fiction launches this year and the consistent growth of our fiction programming speaks of a very special relationship we have closely cultivated with our audiences – one that has only evolved and strengthened over the years. It has grown due to our ability, as a broadcaster, to innovate and keep pace with the changing times and expectations. What we’re going in for is a brand refresh exercise and not a relaunch. Zee TV’s core proposition of ‘Ummeed se saje Zindagi’ was about a celebration and vindication of a woman’s emerging beliefs and a reflection of her changing hopes, dreams and optimism. In that sense, Zee TV will always stand for ‘Ummeed’. It is the articulation that will change to reflect the changing times.

     

    Today, with India poised for distinct growth, there is a feeling of ‘a new hope, every moment’. So, Zee TV adds another layer to its core proposition, making it even more relevant to everyday life scenarios that its viewers are faced with. Zee TV’s new slogan ‘Har Lamha Nayi Ummeed’ captures the prevalent spirit amongst the people and our brand philosophy as also our content will reflect the same.

     

    Would this also mean a renewed content focus?

    Our core proposition isn’t changing. As I said earlier, Zee TV will always stand for ‘Ummeed’ and our content has been a reflection of  this universal life truth. The brand refresh exercise is aimed at arriving at a more ‘here and now’ rendition of our core proposition, making it more relatable in our day-to-day lives. Naturally, our content will mirror the same.

     

    Can you take us through the entire exercise? What were the findings on the earlier look-and-feel and the logo and what it is now?

    The brand refresh exercise has been about dialling up a few aspects of our brand identity – it always stood and will continue to stand for Ummeed. It’s just about taking it to the next level and making the packaging more vibrant, assertive and dynamic.

     

    In terms of ratings and revenues, are there any specific targets of this exercise?

    None.  If there is a currency for affection, we’re gunning for it!

     

    Did the entire mood of ‘achche din aane waale hain’  influence your line of ‘Ummeed’ ?

    No. ‘Acche Din …’ is a more recent campaign. Zee TV adopted ‘Ummeed’ as its core proposition way back in 2011.

     

    The problem with words like ‘hope’ is they build an expectation and if the hopes are belied and not met with, then there is disappointment. Is that something that you factored in or does this have no real bearing on the repositioning?

    Expectations are raised when promises are made. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with fuelling hope. That’s what makes the world go round.

     

    When Zee was launched way back in 1992, it had a simple, snappy line of ‘Yeh Hai Zee TV’. Do you think stuff like the tag line or the brand’s promise work with viewers, because a GEC is a GEC is a GEC after all?

    Contextually, it was perfectly right to have a slogan like ‘Yeh Hai Zee TV’ because we were pioneers in 1992, paving the way for satellite television in India. Now, over a period of time, where Zee, as a broadcaster, has etched a distinct brand identity in the minds of the audience, our current positioning is a reflection of the way our content is treated and the impact it has on our audience.

     

    A version of this appeared in dna of brands dated December 15, 2014

     

  • One winner will see the video of his/her selfie being launched from the ground to space

    HBO announces ‘selfie’ contest for viewers

    By A Correspondent

     

    HBO is premiering the award-wining movie Gravity this December. To make it a grand affair, the channel has announced a ‘selfie’ contest where one lucky winner’s selfie will be sent to space.

     

    To take part, viewers will have to post their selfies on www.facebook.com/HBOindia or www.hbosouthasia.com/selfieinspace and one winner will see the video of his/her selfie being launched from the ground to space.

     

    DDB Mudra West has conceptualised and launched the campaign around the same.

     

  • He will strategize and implement growth drivers for the network

    Times TV appoints Sandeep Bharadwaj as Head Distribution

    By A Correspondent

     

    Times Television Network (TTN) has announced the appointment of Sandeep Bharadwaj as Head – Distribution, All Platforms. Based out of Gurgaon, Sandeep will lead and drive domestic Subscription Revenue and Carriage for the various Channels under the TTN portfolio. He will report directly to JagdishMulchandani, Chief Financial Officer, TTN.

     

    Speaking on the announcement, Jagdish Mulchandani, Chief Financial Officer, TTN said, “With his extensive experience in Subscription Revenue and Carriage, Sandeep is a welcome addition to the dynamic, motivated team at Times Television Network. We believe that with his skill-set, he will drive commendable growth for the network.”

     

    Sandeep joins Times Television Network after a successful stint at STAR India as Sr. Vice President where he was instrumental in increasing penetration of the channels whilst meeting annual revenue and collection objectives. Prior to STAR India, Sandeep was associated with companies like Adinos India (Onida), Media Pro, Star Den and IndusInd Media.

     

    Sandeep holds an MBA in Marketing from Pune University. With over two decades in broadcast distribution, subscription revenue and carriage, Sandeep will add great value to the growth of the Times Television Network.

     

  • The company is targeting people in the age group of 4-34, with an eye on expanding advertisers’ base and revenue

    Disney launches new reality-based content to target kids and young parents

    By Deepali Gupta

     

    It’s not just kids. When Disney launches new reality-based content on its kids channel shortly in India, it is targeting young parents as well.

     

    Every weekend, the flagship Disney children’s channel will air three hours of fresh content, created in association with production houses Optimystix, Cinevistas and The Troublemakers. The company is targeting people in the age group of 4-34, with an eye on expanding advertisers’ base and revenue. “We are now evolving to appeal to the progressive Indian family of today,” said Siddharth Roy Kapur, MD of Disney India.

     

    Disney has eight channels in India, including the Disney Channel that will soon complete 10 years. Of these, four cater specifically to the children’s segment: Disney Junior, Disney XD, Hungama TV and Disney Channel. Fresh content at the moment is for just the last one. “The channel enjoys high parental approval.

     

    We are now trying to turn it into parent engagement,” said Vijay Subramaniam, vice president for content-communications. The first new show – ‘Maan Na Maan Mein Tera Mehman’ – is about a family that finds a photo frame that brings to life the departed souls, who return with a task to complete.

     

    The second is a family drama and third of a 40-year-old school dropout who must pass to inherit wealth left behind by his uncle. Reach expansion is part of Disney’s global strategy to engage audience for 360-degree buying, such as Mickey merchandise that ranges from lunch boxes to neck ties for adults.

     

    The children’s segment in India generates annual advertising revenue of  Rs 300-350 crore and Disney India has a 36-42% market share, said a person familiar with market details.

     

    Source:The Economic Times

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

    Licensed to republish

     

  • Although there is no official intimation, it is reliably learnt that Mr Thakur was joining a movie studio at a senior position

    Ajit Thakur quits Life OK, may get into a film studio

    By A Correspondent

     

    Ajit Thakur

    He had wanted Life OK to be the No 1 Hindi GEC within the next six months. It could well happen, but only he has put in his papers as Business Head of Life OK. Since July this year, he was also holding additional charge of youth channel, Channel V.

     

    Although there is no official intimation, it is reliably learnt that Mr Thakur was joining a movie studio at a senior position. He is still serving notice and will be with Star India till February 2015.

     

  • As part of the Group CFO mandate, he will be overseeing all aspects of financial operations for the network

    Arun Aggarwal is back at ITV as Group CFO

    By A Correspondent

     

    It lost its Group CEO last fortnight, but it’s got a Group CFO in superquick time. The ITV Network has got on board Arun Aggrawal as the Group CFO. This is Mr Aggarwal’s second stint with the network, after he took for a short stint overseas for the launch of a 24×7 English News Channel. Prior to his overseas assignment, he was holding the same portfolio at ITV Network, for almost two years and was actively involved during the takeover of ‘NewsX’.

     

    As part of his mandate, he will be overseeing all aspects of financial operations for the network. The ITV Network has recently had many senior members of its top deck populated by former IBN Network CxOs.

     

    Welcoming Mr Aggarwal back, Kartikeya Sharma – Managing Director, ITV Network said, “The decades of experience that Arun brings with him is invaluable for ITV Network.  We are positive that Arun’s strong financial leadership in the media and entertainment sector, and his skills and relationships will surely help the network reach the next level.”

     

    On re-joining the network, Arun Aggarwal, said, “It gives me immense pleasure to be back with ITV Network. I am looking forward to an enriching experience again and I am confident to contribute to the growth of the network.”

     

  • YuppTV now delivers 200+ Indian TV Channels worldwide in 12 Indian languages, as Live TV, and 10 days of Catch-up TV

    YuppTV takes Zee TV to Singapore

    By A Correspondent

     

    YuppTV has launched ‘Zee TV’ for the Singapore region.  With this move, YuppTV now delivers 200+ Indian TV Channels worldwide in 12 Indian languages, as Live TV, and 10 days of Catch-up TV along with unlimited movies from various production houses. The languages in the Singapore region include Hindi, Bengali, Punjabi, Marathi, Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil, Gujarati and Kannada.

     

    “Meeting the high demand for Indian television in Singapore, we are pleased to take Zee TV, one of India’s most popular channels to multitudes of TV viewers in the Singapore region. We are confident that the Indian diaspora in Singapore will be delighted to watch their favourite shows on Zee TV in the comfort of their home,” said Mr. Uday Reddy, CEO of YuppTV.

     

    Sushruta Samanta, Zee TV’s Business Head – Asia Pacific, International Business  said, “With an aim to offer the finest entertainment to viewers in Singapore, we are excited to extend our partnership with YuppTV to offer Zee TV to subscribers in Singapore. We trust that viewers of South Asian content will enjoy the channels’ wide variety of offerings, created for different viewing segments.”