MxMIndia

Category: TV

  • The Hindi movie genre shrunk a bit in Week 21 of 2015 (May 17 to 23, 2015), as per analysis done by the S-Group, the strategic consulting arm of TAM Media Research

    Hindi movie channels shrinks a bit in Week 21: TAM

    The Hindi movie genre shrunk a bit in Week 21 of 2015 (May 17 to 23, 2015), as per analysis done by the S-Group, the strategic consulting arm of TAM Media Research

     

     

    :: In Wk 21 – 2015 (17th – 23rd May), Hindi Movie Genre shrunk by 3% as compared to Wk 20. This drop comes in the wake of IPL entering the play-offs week.

     

    :: While genre Reach has remained stable at 78.3%, it was a drop in Time Spent by Viewers by 10 Minutes that led to the decrease.

     

    :: However, this loss was only observed on Sony Max. The other two channels in the top 3, Star Gold and Z Cinema, benefited and crossed the 100 GRP mark, a first for Star Gold in 2015, which also managed to hold on to its second position in the genre.

     

     

    :: Total TV increased marginally and the movie genre obtained a share of 22%.

     

    :: Only &Pictures lost viewership in Wk 21, decreasing by 1 GRP. Other channels in the Top 6 held on to their viewership as well as their genre rankings.

     

    :: With only four days of the week seeing IPL-action, Sony MAX saw a drop during Prime-time as well as Off-Prime. The largest drop was observed on Saturday as it was IPL-free.

     

    :: Z Cinema and Star Gold, on the other hand, saw an increase across day-parts.

     

     

    :: While Star Gold raked in 19 GRPs through two airings of ‘Baby’ on Sunday and Saturday, Z Cinema relied on its consistent performers – ‘Ramaiya Vastavaiya’ and ‘Main Tera Hero’ to bring in 13 GRPs.

     

    :: ‘Baby’ on Star Gold was the highest rated movie of the week on the genre.

     

     

  • The changes include new positions for Robi Stanton and Vishal Dembla, as well as the appointment of Voo Chih Yeong

    Turner APAC announces changes in top deck

    By A Correspondent

     

    Voo Chih Yeong

    Turner Asia Pacific has announced several changes to its management team to support growing demand in Southeast Asia, Australia and Pacific markets. The changes include new positions for Robi Stanton and Vishal Dembla, as well as the appointment of Voo Chih Yeong.

     

    This move comes on the back of several new brand launches, including the addition of Oh!K and World Heritage Channel to Turner’s portfolio, and the relaunches of Warner TV and Boomerang.

     

    Robi Stanton

    As part of the expansion, and emphasizing the importance of the Australia market, Robi Stanton has been promoted to General Manager – Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Territories. She will oversee all of Turner’s commercial business relationships in these markets, including ad sales, content sales and network distribution.

     

    Appointed Vice President – Southeast Asia, Voo Chih Yeong will assume responsibility for all affiliate partnerships in key markets such as Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Mr. Voo joins Turner from Sony Pictures Television Networks Asia effective June 3.

     

    Vishal Dembla

    In addition, Vishal Dembla has been promoted to Vice President – Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, with a remit that includes Hong Kong, Thailand and Indochina. Dembla recently spearheaded a number of initiatives including the launch of Toonami, Boomerang and POGO in Thailand, and was part of the team that developed Oh!K, the region’s newest Korean entertainment channel.

     

    “Turner’s rapid expansion across Southeast Asia and the significance of the Australia market has triggered this important change,” said Phil Nelson, Turner’s Managing Director and Senior Vice President for North Asia and Southeast Asia Pacific. “We work with demanding, world-class partners and they deserve the best team to support their business. I’m confident that our outstanding brands and this new-look, high-caliber team can meet these growing needs.”

     

  • This announcement also marks a significant investment by SONY SIX towards the growth of wrestling programming across the Indian market

    Sony Six announces Hindi feed of popular show TNA

    By A Correspondent

     

    SONY SIX has announced the launch of the Hindi feed for their premier wrestling entertainment property – Total Non-stop Action (TNA).  Starting 6th June, 2015, every weekend at 9pm, the channel will air 2 hours of the best of wrestling entertainment in Hindi across India. The announcement comes as a major development in response to the growing popularity of Mahabali Shera, the first-ever Indian wrestler on TNA. This announcement also marks a significant investment by SONY SIX towards the growth of wrestling programming across the Indian market.

     

    The televised show hours will be encapsulated under the branding ‘Shera ki Kahaani’ that will feature India’s very own Mahabali Shera aka Amanpreet Singh and follow his storyline right from his entry in TNA, a major step forward towards bolstering Shera’s following in the country. The development follows the recent announcement of TNA and Sony SIX having signed a long-term deal that will make the channel the exclusive home for all TNA-based content until 2022.

     

    To garner viewer interest, the channel has initiated an on-air campaign, including promos inviting viewers to catch his story exclusively on SONY SIX. Through this initiative, the channel aims at expanding their current programming reach amongst the vast Hindi-speaking population which also follows combat sports keenly.

     

    Prasana Krishnan

    Speaking on the announcement, Prasana Krishnan, Business Head, SONY SIX and SONY KIX commented, ‘‘We are really excited to announce the launch of an alternative language feed for TNA as with this initiative we move into the next phase of expanding the popularity of TNA in India. This endeavour aligns with our commitment to constantly innovate and offer localized content to appeal to the taste of our Indian viewers. Shera’s introduction has managed to further Brand TNA in the country, and now with the launch of local feed, we aim to further expand the sampling of the sport amongst the mass viewership demographic in India.”

     

  • As BARC India rolled out its Individual Viewership data starting Week 21, Zee TV swa

    Zee, India Today big gainers as BARC India releases individual ratings

    By A Correspondent

     

    Joint industry body BARC India has rolled out its first set of data on individual viewership starting with Week 21 of calendar year 2015. That’s Saturday, May 23 to Friday, May 29, 2015. Starting Week 21, of BARC India will get both – household and individual viewership ratings data on their BARC India Media Workstation (BMW) user software.

     

    The following are the highlights from Week 21 of the data release:

    :: Among Hindi GECs, Zee TV moves up to No 3 position in Individual ratings data from its earlier No 4 position in Household ratings data (HSM 1L+ C&S)
    :: CNBC TV 18 is the clear leader amongst English Business News Channel (All India 1L+ C&S). This is important given the major ads by rival ET Now claiming supremacy
    :: IPL 49.4 mn individuals in 20.7 mn homes spent average of 1hr 8 mins watching the IPL Final. This corresponds to 11.24 mn Rat’000s (Between 7:30pm to 1:00am) (All India 1L+ C&S) – Combined for Sony Max, Sony SIX, Sony Six HD. BARC India categorises Max as a sports channel given the IPL telecast.
    :: Even as Times Now leads the English news category, India Today with its new brand name (from Headlines Today) has higher Reach and is No 2 this week (All India 1L+ C&S)
    :: Colors is primetime Hindi GEC leader in Individual ratings, ahead of Star Plus (7:00pm to 11:30pm) (HSM 1L+ C&S)
    :: Star Plus is leading Hindi GEC channel of the country (HSM 1L+ C&S)
    :: Sun TV is a dominant leader in Tamil Nadu market (1L+ C&S)
    :: Colors Kannada is the market leader in Karnataka market (1L+ C&S)
    :: Pogo is the market leader in Kids category (All India 4-14 yrs 1L+ C&S), marginally ahead of Nick.
    :: Discovery is the leader in the infotainment category (All India 1L+ C&S)
    :: Zee Telugu is a dominant leader in AP/Telangana market (1L+ C&S)

     

    Said Partho Dasgupta, CEO, BARC India:“While all Broadcasters were using the household data to their benefit – now with individual data releasing, media planners, buyers and advertisers will make the most of it too. This is the next launch in series of phased launches for the world’s largest and most modern audience measurement system.”

     

    FIRST LOOK AT DATA FOR WEEK 21 – SATURDAY 23rd TO FRIDAY 29th MAY 2015.

     

    1. Hindi GEC – Top 10

    Top 10 Channels

    HSM (1 Lac+ C&S Individuals)

    Hindi GEC

    Wk 21

    Rat´000 {Sum}

    Star Plus

    406,152

    Colors

    361,133

    Zee TV

    232,395

    Life Ok

    224,480

    Sony Sab

    187,228

    Sony Entertainment Television

    135,127

    &TV

    77,090

    Zee Anmol

    37,058

    Rishtey

    32,943

    Star Utsav

    32,265

     

    2.  Hindi GEC – Top 3 (Prime Time)

    Top 3 Channels (1900 – 2300)

    HSM (1 Lac+ C&S Individuals)

    Hindi GEC

    Wk 21

    Rat´000 {Sum}

    Colors

    212,418

    Star Plus

    206,654

    Zee TV

    131,215

     

    3. Hindi Movies – Top 3

    Top 3 Channels

    HSM (1 Lac+ C&S Individuals)

    Hindi Movies

    Wk 21

    Rat´000 {Sum}

    Zee Cinema

    175,798

    Star Gold

    170,535

    Movies OK

    124,634

     

    4. Tamil GEC – Top 3

    Top 3 Channels

    TN /Pondichery (1 Lac+ C&S Individuals)

    Tamil GEC

    Wk 21

    Rat´000 {Sum}

    Sun TV

    273,090

    KTV

    98,006

    Star Vijay

    82,015

     

    5. Telugu GEC – Top 3

    Top 3 Channels

    AP/ Telangana (1 Lac+ C&S Individuals)

    Telugu GEC

    Wk 21

    Rat´000 {Sum}

    Zee Telugu

    105,282

    Gemini TV

    95,704

    Maa TV

    90,063

     

    6. Bangla GEC – Top 3

    Top 3 Channels

    West Bengal (1 Lac+ C&S Individuals)

    Bangla GEC

    Wk 21

    Rat´000 {Sum}

    Star Jalsha

    73,916

    Zee Bangla

    47,864

    Jalsha Movies

    15,104

     

    7. Marathi GEC – Top 3

    Top 3 Channels

    Mah/Goa (1 Lac+ C&S Individuals)

    Marathi GEC

    Wk 21

    Rat´000 {Sum}

    Zee Marathi

    84,084

    Zee Talkies

    38,266

    Colors Marathi

    21,620

     

    8. Sports – Top 3

    Top 3 Channels

    All India (1 Lac+ C&S Individuals)

    Sports

    Wk 21

    Rat´000 {Sum}

    Sony MAX

    256,640

    Sony SIX

    51,286

    Ten Sports

    41,773

     

    9. Hindi News – Top 3

    Top 3 Channels

    HSM (1 Lac+ C&S Individuals)

    Hindi News

    Wk 21

    Rat´000 {Sum}

    Aaj Tak

    26,410

    ABP News

    22,898

    India TV

    22,487

     

    10. English News – Top 3

    Top 3 Channels

    All India AB Males 22+ (1 Lac+  C&S Individuals)

    English News

    Wk 21

    Rat´000 {Sum}

    Times Now

    497

    India Today

    175

    CNN IBN

    155

     

    11. Kids – Top 3

    Top 3 Channels

    All India 4-14 yrs (1 Lac+ C&S Individuals)

    Kids

    Wk 21

    Rat´000 {Sum}

    Pogo TV

    57,262

    NICK

    57,226

    Disney Channel

    39,161

     

    12. Infotainment – Top 3

    Top 3 Channels

    6 Mega Cities AB (1 Lac+ C&S Individuals)

    Infotainment

    Wk 21

    Rat´000 {Sum}

    Discovery

    5,776

    Animal Planet

    4,996

    History TV18

    4,100

     

    13. English Business News – Top 3

    Top 3 Channels

    All India AB Males 22+ (1 Lac+  C&S Individuals)

    English Business News

    Wk 21

    Rat´000 {Sum}

    CNBC TV 18

    127

    ET Now

    94

    NDTV Profit & NDTV Prime

    28

    Like earlier, BARC India will be releasing data for 1 lakh+ Cable and Satellite (C&S) markets which corresponds to a sample size of 47,293 Individuals and 10,760 Households utilising 12,000 Households data.

    Individual viewership ratings data will now be available in following cuts:

     

    Gender: Male, Female

    NCCS – The New SEC: New SEC A, New SEC B, New SEC C, New SEC D/E

    Life stages will be reported through relevant age cuts as follows:

    Kids (4-8 yrs), Tweens & Schoolers (9-14 yrs), Youth (15-21 yrs), Young Adults (22-30 yrs), Adults (31-40 yrs), Peak (41-50 yrs), Mature (51-60 yrs), Seniors (61 yrs+)

     

    Facts About BARC India for a recap:

    • Phase I: 1L+ C&S HHs – Empanelled – 12,000, Reporting – 10,760 households (1L+ C&S). Household universe is 54.99 mn and corresponding Individual Universe will be 231.67 mn.

     

    • Phase II: Including Less than 1 Lac – Urban + Rural – Empanelled – 22,000 HH, Reporting – 20,000 HH
    • 6 control variables -  Population Class, NCCS,  Gender, Education of Individuals, Mother Tongue, Household Size

    ·  Reporting Parameters are as follows:

    o   Minute by Minute Data

    o   Weekly Reporting

    o   Week Definition – Saturday to Friday

    o   Release Day – Thursday

    o   Reporting at Individual and Household Level

     

     

  • With the stakes very high, the innovative brains that we have in the Indian media and entertainment sector have dreamed up a new strategy. Ensure that your channel figures in the EPG more than once

    Unfair or Fair Play? Reach & ratings drive channels to ask for multiple pushpoints on EPG

    By A Correspondent

     

    What do you do when you are launching an all-new channel or just wish to ramp up the reach of your existing network?

     

    Spend top dollars on distribution, of course.

     

    While quality content is important, the key factor in the popularity of a channel and ensuring good ratings for a channel is distribution (and hence availability).

     

    In the good old days, there was carriage fee. Pay the cable operators in sackfuls, and you are sure of your channel being carried in the prime band or alongside the leading channels.

     

    But with digitisation and EPGs getting on to our screens, the game has changed. While carriage fees have reduced, the EPG has made things a little complex. Yes,  you can always ask for good placement, but that’s not a sureshot way to rope in viewers. With the stakes very high, the innovative brains that we have in the Indian media and entertainment sector have dreamed up a new strategy. Ensure that your channel figures in the EPG more than once.

     

    Aur dikhao, aur dikhao!

     

    So, if you are an English news channel , while you’ll find your name amongst the news channels of that language, you can also get yourself among the GECs. Next to a Star Plus, Colors and Zee. How does this happen? Dollops of dosh, of course.

     

    Is it the right thing to do? No, it isn’t. Are the industry associations doing anything about it? No, they aren’t. Will the TRAI do something about? Most likely it will.

     

    The move has sent shockwaves in the industry, but the last mile cable companies are delighted that it’s one more source of revenues from reach-hungry channels as other channels are reportedly mulling a similar move. Said the head of one distribution firm on anonymity: “Yes, I have already been approached by some channels, and I have had to put my foot down in saying that we can’t corrupt the system.” Any more, we may add.

     

    There’s no stopping an all-new channel or a channel that is relaunching or attempting a fresh promotion strategy to have its name figure a dozen times in the EPG.

     

    A 10-plus-year-old channel attempted this recently on its relaunch, following the footsteps of another channel which had done this, albeit in a small way a few years back. The channel that did this earlier has reportedly done it again to counter its recently-recharged competition. MxMIndia has in its possession a list of headends where multiple pushpoints have been provided on the EPG. Needless to say, these are in zones that have maximum viewership for certain genres.

     

    An industry analyst we spoke to said the move is reprehensible and must be nipped in the bud asap. “While viewership and not reach is the variable that eventually matters, the proliferation is unhealthy and must be stopped.”

     

    A channel marketing executive however said there is no need for the TRAI or the industry bodies to step in. “Do you stop the promotion of a soap which is displayed in multiple locations at a supermarket? This is a legitimate marketing practice and it’s not that channels are breaking the law to do it.”

     

    Next is what? A channel-block on your EPGs?

     

  • Even as new fiction struggles, non-fiction continues to make some impact. The latest season of India's Got Talent is by far its best and the first two episodes of The Voice India were impressive, writes Shailesh Kapoor

    Shailesh Kapoor: Getting Used to BARC

    By Shailesh Kapoor

     

    The new (BARC) ratings are settling in and individual-level data is now available as well. As the market adapts to a new measurement system, there is a hint of confusion in the air. And there’s one dominant reason for it – the constant comparison between the old (TAM) and the new measurement systems.

     

    No two designs of a large sample study give similar results, especially when there are several conceptual changes in their design, like that of the NCCS being adopted instead of the SEC system. At best, one can compare ranks. For example, it is reasonable to expect that the No 1 channel in a category would not be different in the two systems, especially if there was a wide gap between the Top 2 in the old system.

     

    BARC has been built on the premise that it is more robust, secure and future-ready compared to the old system. It was created because there were widespread concerns about the old system. A comparison exercise, then, becomes a contradiction in itself. Hopefully, the dust will settle soon, and the focus will shift on the new data than its comparisons with the old. And there will be enough and more to unravel.

     

    The Hindi GEC programme ratings of the latest week (as well as recent weeks) tell their own story. The Top 5 programmes last week were Saathiya, Ashoka, Sasural Simar Ka, Balika Vadhu and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. Except Ashoka, which launched earlier this year, the other four are old horses, with an average lifespan of five-and-a-half years!

     

    There’s a clear consumer statement in this rather simple, back-of-the-envelope data point. More than 150 new fiction shows have launched over the last five years. Yet, the audiences have stayed with their staple primetime diet over half a decade! That’s less a comment on the high quality of the staple and more a comment on how the new attempts have not managed to take the offering to the proverbial next level.

     

    Even Diya Aur Baati Hum, which would have made it to the list in another week, is a 2011 show. What exactly happened to Hindi GEC fiction content in 2012-14? Equally importantly, because large proportion of viewership of the top shows isdriven by habit and nostalgia, wouldn’t there be viewership attrition (if and) when these shows are off-air? We would need many more Ashokas to keep the fiction flag flying high.

     

    Meanwhile, even as new fiction struggles, non-fiction continues to make some impact. It may not feature in the Top 5 this week, but the latest season of India’s Got Talent is by far its best. There’s little to fault in this reality show that combines outstanding talent with great production, and a jury that should get full marks for their chemistry alone.

     

    I was also impressed by the first two episodes of The Voice India. The format is strikingly different from other singing shows, and the casting of the four coaches makes it a near-coup. I’m curious to see how the show shapes up, especially once the team selection process, the current differentiator, is over.

     

    Yes, there’s enough to talk about on the content front, once we shift focus from TAM vs. BARC.

     

  • Vital data and comparison of IPL8 and IPL7 viewership as also the top brands and endorsement this season. Data courtesy TAM Sports

    The IPL8 wrap-up from TAM

     

    By Our Research Editor

     

    Although TAM is not being officially followed by most top broadcasters and media agencies, the fact is that many still look at it with reasonable intent.

     

    And until there’s some historic data available with BARC, comparisons with programming of yore is impossible. Given this, it makes sense to compare IPL 8 viewership data with that of the previous edition.

     

     

    What the TAM Sports PowerPoint Screenshare here offers is:

    Comparison of IPL 8 and IPL 7 viewership:

    • Top 10 matches of IPL 8
    • Match wise rating of IPL matches
    • Audience Profile of IPL 8
    • Top 3 metros and Top 5 states contributing to IPL 8 viewership

     

    A look at Advertising: 

    • Count of brands in IPL 8 and IPL 7
    • Top 10 brands in Commercial, On-screen and Instadia Advertising
    • Rank shift of top 10 categories in commercial advertising (IPL 8 vs. IPL 7)
    • Celebrity endorsement during IPL 8 commercial breaks
    • Celebrity endorsement trend since IPL 4

     

    Read on.

     

  • On Thursday, as per the BARC data for Week 22, India Today had stolen a march over Times Now with a wide margin but as per TAM data for Week 23 released the same data, Times Now continues to be the leader

    As BARC data puts India Today as #1, Times Now goes back to TAM to claim supremacy

    By Our Research Editor

     

    It may be laughed at as a ‘chance pe dance’, or smart thinking to claim an upper hand. Times Now is now quoting TAM figures to claim supremacy over India Today Television.

     

    On Thursday, June 11, as per the BARC data for Week 22, India Today had stolen a march over Times Now with a wide margin.

     

    This happened on a day, when it was announced that Times Now star anchor and editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami will now be President – News and Editor-in-Chief, Times Now and  ET Now. Other than Goswami,  CFO Jagdish Mulchandani was also elevated to President – Finance and Distribution

     

    As per BARC ratings released for Week 22, its launch has been nothing short of extraordinary, said an India Today communiqué. “India Today Television has maintained an extremely healthy sampling that’s 73% over Times Now in 6 megacities and 48% above Times Now in All India (22+ M AB). The maximum number of viewers in Prime time also watched India Today Television, double the number of Times Now viewers in 6 Megacities and 57% more than Time Now in All India (Mon-Fri, 1900-2400, 22+ M AB). Programming-wise, India Today Television also topped the charts with 4 out of top 5 programmes (22+M AB, All India).”

     

    However, as per data that was released by TAM, Times Now continues to be the leader and India Today doesn’t even figure in the Top 3. Times Now does not currently advertise on MxMIndia, but our attention was drawn to a mailer doing the rounds that carries TAM data. Times Now, we learn, continues to be a subscriber of TAM data although many networks have opted out.

     

    A media analyst we spoke to said this is bound to happen and one can expect to see more of it in the coming months. Channel managers must realise that buyers of advertising do not get swayed by claims made in advertising, said the analyst who spoke anonymously.

     

    As reported by MxMIndia earlier, other than a very aggressive promotional blitz, the India Today reach has also leapfrogged thanks to usage of dual frequency. But, of course, India Today was not the only channel indulging in what is referred to an unfair trade practice. Accrording to a report in Business Standard, while India Today has used dual frequency in 70 cable networks, Times Now has done that in close to half that at 29 networks.

     

    Time for IBF and the NBA to act on the matter. Anyone listening?

     

  • Even if it's not intended, the same progressive English news channel companies and those who run it are stereotyping women into what they quite definitely are not

    Mediaah! It’s time English News TV ecosystem stops being sexist and considers women viewers watching Eng news + BARC Data Watch

    By Pradyuman Maheshwari

     

    The news channels keep debating about how women get a raw deal in our country. How India is a male-dominated society. Anchors and activists get your blood to a boil, an Arnab Goswami makes kheema out of anyone even talking about women in the negative.

     

    But these very broadcasters and their advertisers and media agencies who buy advertising on these channels keep pushing a regressive perception that only men watch English news channels and that advertisers buy spots on English channels because men watch them.

     

    This belief also suggests that women are typically not viewers of English news channels, that they don’t consume serious content and current affairs etc. Even if it’s not intended, the same progressive English news channel companies and those who run it are stereotyping women into what they quite definitely are not.

     

    A quick look at the English news channel viewership data from BARC  for Week 22 and Week 21 clearly indicates that women can’t be dismissed in terms of viewership numbers of English news channels (See Table Below). In fact, Times Now has an equal number of female and male viewers. India Today Television has women scoring a little less than men and even in the other channels it’s not that women form a miniscule viewership.

     

    Time that English news television ecosystem takes our women viewers seriously!

     Data Source: BARC

     

  • India tops global poll for increased concern about global issues (84%) and use of global news coverage for making decision about how to protect family (58%)

    BBC maps changing attitudes in international affairs via new study

    By A Correspondent

     

    BBC World News announced the findings of a new global survey* into changing attitudes towards international affairs. The study showed that in India, 84 per cent of people are more concerned about world events now than they have ever been before. The figure was the highest of all countries surveyed and well above the global average of 69 per cent.

     

    On average, in the countries polled, the main areas of concern were news stories about terrorism (70 per cent), war/conflict (59 per cent), health (55 per cent) and the environment (52 per cent). Terrorism was the main concern in five of the eight countries, including India, where 71 per cent of people surveyed saying it is something they are concerned about.  People from India were more likely than any of the other nations polled to be concerned about the environment (62 per cent). Health (63 per cent), corruption (60 per cent) and human rights (52 per cent) also scored strongly in the country. Only 1 per cent of respondents in India said they were not concerned about any global news stories.

     

    Globally, the study suggests that global news plays an important role in making people feel informed about what’s going on in the world (68 per cent) and understanding it (62 per cent). It shows that Indians feel particularly strongly about the importance of global news, with figures considerably higher than the global average – 73 and 70 per cent respectively.

     

    Globalisation is driving interest and behavioural change, with more than half of those surveyed globally saying that they pay more attention to global news (55 per cent) and that they discuss international news with friends and family as a result of seeing global news stories (58 per cent). Again, India polled higher with 69 per cent saying they had spoken to friends and family about a global news story, considerably higher than the all market average.

     

    Across all markets, around a third of people (36 per cent) use global news coverage to make decisions about how to protect their family but, in India, this rose to more than half (58 per cent), which was more than any other country surveyed. Globally, around a quarter (28 per cent) find it useful for making financial choices but almost half (46 per cent) of Indians use it for this purpose.

     

    Jim Egan, CEO of BBC Global News Ltd, which owns BBC World News and BBC.com/news, said, “These results show the increasing impact and relevance of news events to people across the world.  At a time when many news providers are cutting their international coverage and opinion and propaganda are being touted as fact, audiences want to cut through the noise in search of information they can use to inform their understanding and decisions.  As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, access to accurate, impartial news, whether on TV, radio, online or social media, is more important than ever.”

     

    Recent figures** show that figures for the BBC’s international news services have grown across all three of its platforms – TV, radio and online have grown over the past year. BBC Global News Ltd’s audience has grown to 105 million with BBC World News TV’s up by 12 per cent, and bbc.com/news growing by 16 per cent.  For the first time, television (148m) overtook radio (133m) as the most popular platform for BBC international news. The BBC World Service’s audience has increased by 10 per cent and now stands at 210m, with the biggest boost coming from new World Service TV news bulletins in languages other than English.

     

    (*Source: All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.

     

    Study conducted by YouGov on behalf of BBC World News between 13th and 25th March 2015. Respondents were nationally representative, online or urban samples from USA, Germany, Japan, South Africa, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and India.  Total sample size was 7,691 adults.

     

    Total sample size in India was 1005 adults. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of the urban population of adults in India (aged 18+).

     

    **Source: The BBC Global Audience Measure)

     

  • Relative to pre-IPL weeks, the genre finds itself on a stronger footing thanks to the work of high TSV, genre reach having seen a drop from 77% pre-IPL to 76% in Week 23, as per analysis done by the S-Group, the strategic consulting arm of TAM Media Research

    Hindi movie channels more robust in Week 23 vis-a-vis pre-IPL weeks: TAM

    Relative to pre-IPL weeks, the genre finds itself on a stronger footing thanks to the work of high TSV, genre reach having seen a drop from 77% pre-IPL to 76% in Week 23, as per analysis done by the S-Group, the strategic consulting arm of TAM Media Research.

     

     

    :: With IPL completely out of the picture in Wk 23 – 2015 (31st May – 6th June), Hindi Movie Genre went down by 6% as compared to Wk 21.

     

    :: Top 6 channels of the genre have all been on an increasing trend; Movies OK emerging as the star performer being one of the three channels in the Top 6 to have increased their viewer base post-IPL. It breached the 40% Reach mark in Wk 14 (for the second time in 2015) and has stayed above that since then. The other two channels to have grown in terms of Reach are Sony Max and UTV Movies.

     

    :: Movies OK has seen its Reach and TSV growing hand-in-hand with each other over the past 10 weeks. There are a select group of titles that provide high ratings on a consistent basis, like ‘Kick’, ‘Jai Ho’, ‘The Real Jackpot’, ‘Singham’ series; all of these belonging to Action genre.

     

    :: Across editions, IPL hasn’t disturbed the movie genre in a major way. In fact, this year, the genre (comprising of 16 channels, excluding Sony Max) grew during IPL weeks and this growth has continued in Wk 23.

     

     

    :: In Wk 23 – 2015, gap between the genre leader and second ranked channel has dropped to 7 GRPs and the competition is expected to get fiercer in coming weeks. Other rankings remain the same.

     

    :: Z Cinema and Star Gold saw a rise during Prime-Time. Z Cinema got 20 of its 40 Prime-Time GRPs from the premiere and repeat airing of ‘Lingaa’. Star Gold aired Action movies during evening prime-time all seven days of the week and reaped benefits mainly from South Dubbed titles like ‘Jeene Nahi Doonga’ and ‘The Real Jackpot’.

     

    :: Growth of UTV Movies can be attributed to ‘Bhool Bhulaiya’ and ‘Khiladi 786’ during prime-time and ‘ABCD (Any Body Can Dance)’ during rest-of-day-part.

     

    :: Apart from Sony Max, UTV Action saw a high drop, decreasing during Prime-Time as well as Off-Prime. In Wk 18 ’15, the channel had ventured into the Action/Thriller space by introducing the dubbed version of ‘NCIS Los Angeles’ at 2000 Hrs. However, the slot viewership has more than halved since then.

     

    :: Weekend continues to rule the top rating list with ‘Lingaa’ and ‘Heropanti’ grossing the highest ratings.

     

     

  • Addition of premium sports channel further strengthens Discovery's portfolio across the region

    Setanta Sports acquired by Discovery Networks

    By A Correspondent

     

    Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific (DNAP), a division of the #1 pay-TV programmer Discovery Communications, announced its acquisition of Setanta Sports Asia Limited, a premium sports channel specialising in rugby.

     

    Reaching more than 42 million homes across 16 countries, Setanta Sports Asia is one of the fastest-growing sports channels in Asia. It super serves passionate fans with some of the best rugby league and union events from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The acquisition is bolstered by Setanta’s five-year renewal of SANZAR  (South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby) rights, including all home international matches, plus Super Rugby – both of which represent some of the most sought-after rugby union properties. In addition to the SANZAR rights, key programming includes European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup, National Rugby League, Aviva Premiership and Guinness Pro 12.

     

    “The acquisition of Setanta Sports Asia is an important investment for Discovery as we further build scale and expand our business in Asia. Just over a year ago, Discovery gained a controlling interest in Eurosport – a bold play that took our company into the exciting arena of sports,” said JB Perrette, President of Discovery Networks International. “Similar to the strategy we have adopted for Eurosport, we will look to build on the strengths of Setanta and fortify its leadership as a must-have sports channel across Asia.”

     

    In total, Setanta Sports Asia airs more than 500 rugby matches per season on HD and SD feeds across the region. The channel’s multi-device player, Setanta Sports Plus, is widely accessible through online, tablets and smartphones.