MxMIndia

Category: TV

  • At this rate, the distinction between the Bollywood news channels (where I recently saw a full account of why Ranbir Kapoor's driver quit his job) and mainstream news channels can blur very soon, writes Shailesh Kapoor

    Shailesh Kapoor: Want A Controversy? Dial A Celebrity

    By Shailesh Kapoor

     

    Till fairly recently, entertainment content was the domain of non-news channels and magazines. News media would rely on political, global, social, crime and sports to fill their airtime or pages. Celebrity news was limited to a weekend entertainment show, or to channels and print supplements delivering entertainment gossip.

     

    In what can only be described as a further dumbing down of the news media, celebrity news is now taking primetime headlines. This has been achieved using the rather interesting route of combining celebrity news with the relevant socio-political themes running in the news at any point of time. So you juxtapose a Shah Rukh Khan or an Aamir Khan with intolerance, and you have content that has the ability to spark off a million Whatsapp jokes. Which probably means it’s newsworthy enough!

     

    Anyone who has seen the full videos of what the two Khans said, and in what context, should be wondering what the fuss is all about. Celebrities have been accused for years for not taking stands on relevant social themes, and of being dumb and unaware of their country (something Alia Bhatt smartly made a virtue of). So when a celebrity indeed takes a view, one should see it as a welcome change from how celebrities behave in general. Whether you agree with the view itself is irrelevant in this context.

     

    Yet, what happened in the Aamir Khan case, in particular, underlines the problem at hand. Almost everyone got the news as “Aamir Khan said he wants to leave India because of intolerance”. Some got it as “Aamir Khan’s wife suggested that they should leave India because of intolerance.” These headlines ran on primetime news for almost a day, with a short byte. Some channels showed a slightly longer version of the byte. But the context was set: “Aamir wants to leave India. Is he justified? Discuss.”

     

    So anyone who got the news (Whatsapp and Facebook are key sources in urban India today), got it with an inbuilt conclusion about the man’s patriotism. If you agreed with his view, you may as well be called unpatriotic yourself. Not too many would actually see the full video, but even if they did, they would see it with a conclusion already in their head.

     

    Calling celebrities to events like literature festivals, leadership summits and business summits is itself a questionable idea. Seasoned event curators know that a celebrity face drives media attention and sponsorships. It’s a glamorous shortcut to making an event more saleable. Most such events have heavyweights (political or media) backing them, and getting a big star or two can be just a phone call away.

     

    Earlier, you would get them to speak about their life, or inspire the audience with their success story. Over time, such content has been served in plenty and lost its relevance. The political questions make for better copy. Articulate stars will be articulate enough to give good copy anyway.

     

    The reactions to the Aamir Khan byte, fuelled by limited information and a herd mentality, have been dangerous and silly at the same time. Snapdeal has been caught in the crossfire. The suggestion that he said this on purpose to promote Dangal shows limited understanding of the media business in general and Aamir Khan in particular.

     

    At this rate, the distinction between the Bollywood news channels (where I recently saw a full account of why Ranbir Kapoor’s driver quit his job) and mainstream news channels can blur very soon.

     

    Or has it already?

     

  • Earlier this year – in end-June to be precise, the two broadcasters had announced their decision to part ways with effect from January 2016. There were very active rumours of CNN inking a tie-up with Zee Media Corporation Limited.

    CNN, IBN/TV18 bhai-bhai, again!

    By A Correspondent

     

    TV18 and CNN International have announced the extension of their collaboration on CNN-IBN. Earlier this year – in end-June to be precise, the two broadcasters had announced their decision to part ways with effect from January 2016. There were very active rumours of CNN inking a tie-up with Zee Media Corporation Limited. In fact, soon after this development, Zee even announced the English news channel and appointed an Editor-in-Chief. While Zee Media never confirmed the possibility of a tie-up with CNN, according to sources talks were on at an advanced stage.

     

    The fact remains that by using the CNN prefixing the channel, IBN gained much credibility in the early days to ward off competition from NDTV,  in later years, other than the name of the channel, IBN really hasn’t gained much from the alliance. Save the children’s entertainment genre, the Turner/CNN network has had a mixed record in India.

     

    Announcing the extension, Adil Zainulbhai, Chairman, Network18 said, “We are delighted to announce the renewal of this extremely cherished partnership between two most respected brands in journalism. In this second term of our collaboration, we aim to present a brand new CNN-IBN that will bring news with even greater speed, accuracy, clarity and credibility and keep the viewers tuned in to the latest news and developments much ahead of others. We also intend to cut through the noise and clutter that is currently present in the Indian television news space and offer best practices of journalism that will lead to better understanding of issues. The channel will organize meaningful debates and raise issues that touch the lives of our viewers. With this renewed partnership, we will enhance the process of newsgathering and delivery to our viewers in an informative and enlightening manner.”

     

    Speaking on the occasion, Rani Raad, Chief Commercial Officer, CNN International, said, “We are really excited about the future of CNN-IBN and together with the new management at TV18, are going to build upon the success we have already achieved. I look forward to the brand continuing its lead in the dynamic Indian news industry and am delighted that CNN IBN is staying in our family of CNN-branded channels around the world that include CNN Turk, CNN Chile, CNN Philippines, CNN Indonesia and CNN Greece.”

     

  • HBO programming to debut on Star Network from Ist January, 2016

    Star partners HBO for exclusive programming content

    By A Correspondent

     

    Star India and HBO have announced an exclusive programming agreement that will take HBO Original content to a wider audience via both, the hotstar digital platform and the English channels on the Star India network.

     

    Star India is again set to redefine the viewing experience on one of the world’s fastest growing digital content platforms namely hotstar and for its viewers across India, with the very best of HBO’s Original programming including series like ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘True Detective’.

     

    Uday Shankar

    Commenting on the deal, Uday Shankar, CEO, Star India, said, “Star is delighted to partner with HBO to bring world class HBO Originals programming for Indian viewers. Star will become the exclusive destination for screening HBO content in India – once again resetting the benchmark for quality and depth of content offering for its viewers. Fans will be able to watch their favourite HBO Original programs on hotstar on the same day as the telecast in the United States. Viewers will also be able to see the HBO Original programming on Star’s English channels.”

     

    Jonathan Spink, HBO Asia CEO, said “HBO is delighted to enter this new chapter in India with Star. Through the first release of our shows on Hotstar, Indian Audiences will now have unprecedented flexibility in how they consume HBO’s much loved premium programming.”

     

    Forthcoming series of popular HBO Originals that fans can look forward to include the popular Game of Thrones; True Detective; Silicon Valley; Veep; and Leftovers as well as new HBO  Original series in the forthcoming season which will include the Scorsese series Vinyl scheduled to air on 14 Feb and Westworld. In addition library favourites such as Entourage, Band of Brothers, The Sopranos and Curb Your Enthusiasm will also be available.

     

  • Star India has announced the integration of the broadcast business of MAA Television Network

    Star India can now officially say ‘Meri Maa’

    By A Correspondent

     

    Star India has announced that it has successfully completed the integration of the broadcast business of Maa Television Network. With this integration, Star India enhances its outreach to South India markets, specifically Telugu-speaking viewers.

     

    With a bouquet of four channels, namely maa, maa Music, maa Movies and maa Gold, the Maa TV Network has a formidable presence in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. However, it may be noted that as per BARC Week 47 ratings, ETV Telugu is a clear numero uno in the Telugu GEC genre. Maa is second with Zee Telugu a close #3.

     

    Said Star India CEO Uday Shankar in a statement: “We are pleased to announce the completion of the integration of the broadcast business of Maa Television Network, a journey that we had embarked upon in February, earlier this year. We are very impressed by the solid creative core and quality and depth of the management team at Maa Television Network and are delighted to welcome them to the Star family. The acquisition fills a critical gap in our portfolio and will allow our advertisers targeted access to the large Telugu speaking population. We plan to invest further in this important market to fundamentally change the content quality paradigm. I am confident that team Maa under the leadership of K. Madhavan will transform the content experience for Telugu viewers.”

     

  • 'Pro Wrestling League' (PWL) is a partnership between the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and Pro Sportify Private Limited (PPL)

    MSM rolls out campaign for Pro Wrestling League

    By A Correspondent

     

    Multi-Screen Media (MSM) which has bagged the broadcast rights of the ‘Pro Wrestling League’ for the next five years,  is all set to roll out its marketing campaign ‘Khel Fauladi’ for the inaugural edition of the Indian wrestling tournament across its three channels – Sony MAX, SIX and PAL. Touted as the first home grown league in the realm of wrestling in India, ‘Pro Wrestling League’ (PWL) is a partnership between the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and Pro Sportify Private Limited (PPL). The league will air on the above specified channels of the MSM network from December 10th to December 27th.

     

    Sony MAX’s PWL campaign builds the league as the one true, tough sport that has fascinated audiences for years on-ground and now will be see on television featuring the best wrestlers not only from the Indian soil but from across the world. The campaign comprises of two 15 seconder and two 40 seconder TVCs featuring both male and female wrestlers and taps into the insight that male audiences are fascinated and drawn to true strength, toughness and endurance. The multi-media campaign comprising of television, print, radio and outdoor promotions will be taken across all Hindi speaking markets and will have key players such as Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, Babita Kumari, Geeta Phogat, Vinesh Phogat, Amit Dahiya, Narsingh Yadav, Bajrang Punia, Mausam Khatri and Rahul Aware amongst others fronting the campaign.

     

    Neeraj Vyas

    Neeraj Vyas, Senior EVP, Sony MAX & Sony MAX2 said: “This is the first time a league like this has been organized to promote one of the oldest sport rooted in the ethos of Indian culture and a sport that has helped India bag the gold, silver and bronze medals at the Olympics. By gaining the broadcast rights to ‘Pro Wrestling League, we consider it an honor to help popularize this sport and in turn give its due recognition and glory.”

     

    Vaishali Sharma

    Vaishali Sharma, Senior VP, Marketing & Communications, Sony MAX & MAX2 added: “With the campaign Khel Fauladi, our intent is to laud the toughness and endurance that the sport of wrestling demands of its players. The campaign positions wrestling as the most brutal strength of mind and body and promises a never before viewing experience.  Wrestling as a sport has its roots well set in India and with this league; there is an opportunity to make it aspirational and larger than life”.

     

    PWL will see six teams fight it out to win the champion’s title. Witnessing a total of 18 ties including 2 semi-finals and the grand finale based on best-of-nine bouts, the tournament which will be contested in accordance with Olympic wrestling rules will travel to six venues, namely, Bengaluru, New Delhi, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana.  Each team will comprise of nine wrestlers – five men and four women – with a maximum cap of four foreign wrestlers on the team roster.

     

  • Here are BARC's urban + rural ratings for Week 47 of 2015 (Nov 21-27, 2015)

    Star Plus, Zee Anmol & Colors rule Week 47

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Week 47 ratings from BARC (for Nov Nov 21-27, 2015) sees a lot of the old and some new. But the all-hyped Hindi GEC rankings of the Top 3 continue to be the same.

     

    Note these numbers are combined for urban and rural audiences, and subscribers to the data will know how the rankings are dramatically different for urban audiences.​ And ditto for rural or free-to-air audiences.

     

    Enjoy!​​

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Shailesh Kapoor and Ranjona Banerji comment on how the news media has handled the Chennai deluge

    Two views on news on Chennai

     

     

    Shailesh Kapoor: For our Media, Chennai is no Mumbai or Delhi

     

    By Shailesh Kapoor

     

    Call it nature’s fury or a man-made calamity, or indeed a combination of the two, Chennai is reeling under one of the most severe crises a big city in India has seen in many years. And it doesn’t seem to be getting over in a hurry, despite great support from various constituencies, ranging from the Army to the social media.

     

    News of incessant rains in Chennai began to come in about two weeks ago itself. It was given the status of an also-ran headline, getting 30-second coverage in non-primetime, or a cursory mention in the inside pages of national newspapers.

     

    Earlier this week, when it became clear that the crisis is only deepening than solving itself out, media reluctantly began to cover Chennai. It was still outside the main hours and the front pages. Only about Wednesday (just two days ago) did Chennai become the main story in the Indian media. Ironically, the social media had taken up the subject at least two days before that.

     

    Chennai is no North-East. It’s not that obscure part of India that people have barely heard about, and have no social or commercial connect with. It’s a big city, traditionally classified as one of the four metros in India.

     

    But the media treatment of Chennai rains would make you believe something happened in Nagaland or Lakshadweep (not to say that these places do not deserve media coverage). It was news from the outside, through the lens of a media that operates out of Delhi and Mumbai, and looks at rest of India as if it’s only a matter of completion.

     

    Remember July 26, 2005? One day of rains and the resultant situation made the media follow the story full-throttle, for at least a week. Even this week, Delhi’s pollution story has competed with Chennai for coverage on most Hindi news channels.

     

    When it comes to showing and seeing Tamilian (or “Madrasi”) characters as caricatures in our entertainment content, most of us don’t bat an eyelid. But when it comes to covering a big story from Chennai, another section of the same media can develop cold feet. And “forced” to cover it, they carry headlines like “India stands united with Chennai”. What does that even mean? Chennai is a part of India. Why does India have to show its unity for one of its own?

     

    I call this the ‘Head Office (HO) Bias’. The editorial team tends to give naturally high weightage to stories from the city it is based in, or runs major operations from. There are two reasons for this. One, you see the story around you, e.g. if you are based out of Delhi, you can feel the pollution in the air. Two, you have some of your best journalists placed in these cities, especially the HO. So you are likely to get better stories and exclusives from there.

     

    Some would even give the ratings argument, such as Hindi news channels not being watched down South, and the story being of limited public interest in the rest of India. I would normally support that argument for a conventional political story, but when it comes to national crisis, a different lens can surely be applied. Or is that too much to ask for?

     

    		  

    Ranjona Banerji: Thankfully, the national media woke up to Chennai’s plight in December

     

    By Ranjona Banerji

     

    Tamil Nadu has been battered by rain for most of November. The city of Chennai has been particularly ravaged. Close to 150 people died from rain-related crises in November. But for the national media, especially television, all we saw was raging and fury over why Delhi chief minister Arvind Kerjiwal hugged former Bihar chief minister Lalu Yadav and how dare actor Aamir Khan’s wife express an opinion.

     

    It is unfair to claim this was just a north-south divide that we have seen in the media for decades. There was something more on display here. It was that sort of hysterical mindless race to find the subjects that could generate the most sound and fury that seems to have become the rule these days. It also demonstrated an obsession with politics and playing upon the political divide. When people’s lives and homes are being destroyed by unprecedented rain, you cannot really have a good noisy debate of Sambit Patra versus Sanjay Jha.

     

    One can grant them that many other things were happening. Paris suffered one more terrorist attack. The prime minister was travelling and meeting his overseas fan clubs. The climate was visiting the global stage once more. Election results had to be discussed threadbare. Artists and intellectuals continued to express distress. Rain, no matter how much damage it caused, was obviously not exciting enough.

     

    Thankfully, the terrible surge in rainfall in Tamil Nadu in December suddenly got the media’s attention. Newspapers had it on their front pages and news channels gave us 24 hour coverage. All of them were relatively sober in their coverage and until Thursday night had not descended into a political blame game. Massive efforts were made to coordinate with rescue services and to highlight the efforts being made by voluntary organisations and concerned citizens to help affected people in any way possible.

     

    Full marks must be given to all those reporters and camerapersons who braved rain and flood water to bring us their stories. It is they who are the backbone of this celebrity-driven TV media we are now surrounded by. TV has changed the dynamics of a newsroom to the extent that viewers cannot see beyond the anchors and young wannabe journalists only aim for that perceived fame and glory without realising background work that goes into making a story a success. Yeah, end of lecture and please watch Network (the film) if you haven’t already.

     

    But you have to feel for newsrooms here, even when it comes to getting politicians to comment on just about everything. We in India appear to have a shortage of experts who are well-known enough or articulate or can be easily located. It sounds odd to write this but it is something experienced firsthand when I was part of several edit page teams. We have partitioned our lives in such strange ways that academia is often aloof and also unwilling to communicate in a manner than non-experts will understand.

     

    Especially now when it comes to the environment and climate change and technology, we need public intellectuals to come forward and explain and share. If they don’t, we’re going to be stuck with Sambit Patra holding forth on everything…

     

    **

     

    December 1 was World Aids Day. There was cursory coverage in most newspapers and the horror story is that India, having done so well, is now back to the edge of disaster in controlling HIV/Aids, government funding having been cut and foreign funding having dried up. The best coverage of this impending horror came from the comedy group AIB, on their new very watchable show on Star World. Ya I know, but really. Go figure.

     

    Image courtesy: Press Information Bureau

     

  • Indian advertiserscan reachmore than 200 million viewers worldwide on B4U Network and Zee Bangla

    Amagi expands network to other continents

    By A Correspondent

     

    Amagi has announced the expansion of its India ad network to key international markets – North America, Canada, Africa, Australia and Asia. Amagi will now offer an advertising platform to Indian advertisers with B4U Network and Zee Bangla in these international markets. The company’s landmark move will now enable Indian advertisers to reach more than 200 million viewers onthese channels.

     

    Amagi’s global ad network allows advertisers to target audiences across regions, while optimizing ad budgets and increasing their return on investments. Advertisers can buy ad spots through Amagi across its international network and target consumers across markets.

     

    The company’sad network will now be extended to Zee Bangla and the entire B4U network including B4U Movies, B4U Music, B4U Plus and B4U Aflam. This opens up doors for several brands within India to expand their advertising footprint across the globe in markets of their choice. While this will instantly help in expanding the consumer base of Indian brands, television networks will also benefit from increased ad revenues.

     

    One of the first Asian channels to pioneer Bollywood entertainment worldwide, B4U Network caters to the Asian diaspora worldwide and covers some of the important markets including USA, Canada, Middle East, and North Africa. The network’s collaboration with Amagi will attract several Indian brands to its platform. Zee Bangla, the first Bengalisatellite channel, will also allow Indian advertisers to target the channel’s viewership base in Bangladesh through Amagi’s network.

     

    KA Srinivasan, co-founder and head of global operations at Amagi,said, “Our endeavor is to serve as a global TV ad platform for brands within India, helping them to penetrate and capture international markets essential for business growth; and collaborating with widespread networks like B4U and Zee Bangla, who are our long-standing partners, allows us to do just that. Indian advertisers, who were earlier restricted to Indian audiences alone can now advertise worldwide and reap the benefits of global exposure. Amagi hopes to see more such partnerships with TV channels and continue to bring more Indian brands on board for international advertising.”

     

  • Ramesh Kumar and Sambit Bal are taking on expanded roles in the ESPN's business in India and beyond

    Ramesh Kumar, Sambit Bal take on expanded roles for ESPN in India

    By A Correspondent

     

    As ESPN expands its presence in India through the recently announced collaboration with SONY for co-branded SONY ESPN channels and digital media, Ramesh Kumar and Sambit Bal are taking on expanded roles in the ESPN’s business in India and beyond.

     

    Kumar will take on the new role of Vice President, Head of ESPN India and South Asia. In his new role Kumar will oversee all day-to-day operation of ESPN’s multimedia future in India and help drive the strategic growth of ESPN in India and the subcontinent. That includes oversight of ESPN’s leading digital properties including ESPNcricinfo, ESPN FC and the forthcoming local edition of multisport ESPN site and app in India. He will report to Russell Wolff, Executive Vice President, ESPN International and will continue to be part of ESPN’s regional Asia Pacific leadership team, working for Mike Morrison, Vice President, ESPN Asia Pacific.

     

    “Ramesh has been a strong business leader who understands the richness and complexity of India and the competitive marketplace and product dynamics across the subcontinent,” said Wolff. “Under Ramesh’s leadership, our business in India has continued to evolve and grow, serving Indian fans in new ways, while also becoming an important part of ESPN’s business regionally and globally.”

     

    Kumar, who joined ESPNcricinfo 15 years ago, has most recently been Head of ESPNcricinfo and ESPN India, overseeing the ESPNcricinfo.  In that role he oversaw the operation of ESPNcricinfo, the world’s leading digital cricket destination, globally – collaborating with ESPN teams in multiple regions and business units. Kumar also played an important role in developing ESPN’s agreement with SONY.

     

    Sambit Bal has been, arguably, the leading cricket journalist in the world for years, serving as Editor of ESPNcricinfo since 2003. In his new, broader role, Bal will now serve as Editor-in-Chief, ESPN India/South Asia. In the role, he will continue to be responsible for all ESPNcricinfo editorial content (written, video and audio) while also overseeing all editorial content for the new India multisport ESPN.com site and app (launching June 2016). Bal will also take a leading role in growing ESPN’s global coverage of tennis.  He will report to both Kumar and Patrick Stiegman, Vice President and Editorial Director, Digital and Print Media.

     

    “Sambit’s strong editorial background, voice and journalistic distinction, combined with an acute eye for great talent and content, make him a perfect fit for this role,” said Stiegman. “He has been instrumental in establishing ESPNcricinfo as the most trusted and comprehensive source for news, commentary and information around cricket, and will now be instrumental in delivering the same level of excellence to our coverage of multiple sports for fans in India and beyond.”

  • Mobile Video traffic in India is poised to grow exponentially in the next three years

    Sony LIV launches its movie subscription service

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sony LIV has announced its foray into the movies subscription service with blockbuster movie content. With this initiative, Sony LIV continues to expand its content offerings from catch-up content to sports, to music to original exclusive series and now, to the movies subscription service.

     

    India, besides its large market size, is among the countries with the fastest smartphone growth in Asia. Mobile Video traffic in India is poised to grow exponentially in the next three years and Sony LIV, the first Video on demand service by a broadcaster in India, is seeking to bolster its foothold in the online video space. Globally, SVOD is poised to become the largest revenue source in 2020, overtaking OTT advertising. But in India the market is at a nascent stage with a huge growth potential in future. (Source: Digital TV Research)

     

    Sony LIV will let consumers stream all mega blockbuster movies at a very nominal price. The service will be accessible to consumers through its website or via the Sony LIV app available on Google Playstore (for Android users) and Appstore for (iOS users). With the latest and a vast range of movies from across the genres, users can pay for the subscription through multiple e-payment options such as credit card, debit card, Internet banking and direct billing services.

     

    Uday Sodhi, EVP and Head -Digital Business said, “The movie subscription service is a convenient and affordable way for film lovers to enjoy their favorite blockbuster hits on their preferred digital devices. We have a wide assortment of cinematic treats on offer that users can access in a single click. The different subscription models ensure that they pay as per their consumption levels. The move is targeted towards making the digital platform the only destination that consumers need to turn to in order to fulfill the entire spectrum of their entertainment needs.”

     

  • Prior to the new assignment, Subha was the Senior Editor & National Head – Special Projects at Times Network

    Subha Chatterjee appointed Group Editor -Special Projects at Network18

    By A Correspondent

     

    Subha Chatterjee

    Network18 announced the appointment of Subha Chatterjee as Group Editor –Special Projects. This is his second stint with the company, after a period of seven years. In the new role, he will drive special interest and customized properties across all platforms which help organizations connect with their target customers, trade and influencers in an innovative way.

     

    “I am pleased to welcome Subha to Network18 Group. Not only does he bring with him extensive experience in broadcast media, but he also excels in strategic and creative leadership which I believe will help in steering key projects within the group,”said GirishNaik, Chief Human Resources Officer, Network18.

     

    Prior to the new assignment, Subha was the Senior Editor & National Head – Special Projects at Times Network where he played a pivotal role in creating multiple revenue streams across programming genres through unique customized conversations, contributing significant revenue to the Network. He has over 15 years of award-winning experience in the media industry and is a British Chevening Scholar from the London School of Economics.

     

    Commenting on his new role, Subha says, “I am delighted to take on the new role with Network18. The world of branded and new media content will open up a world of exciting opportunities and Network18 with its unique content offerings across platforms will be an exciting hub for new ideas and conversations”.

     

  • The new name reflects an integrated brand alignment as it allows us to leverage the strength of the Sony parentage, says CEO NP Singh

    It’s now official. The Sony network will be called Sony Pictures Network

    By A Correspondent

     

    Even before it started in 1994, as journalists we would call it Sony TV. But the flagship entertainment channel was called Sony Entertainment Television, and in those days when there was no Set Wet gel, it took us some time to get used to referring to the channel as SET. Nahiiiiiiiiin!

     

    And then somewhere along its 21-year journey, the company was called Multi Screen Media, and us in the mainstream media (MSM again) were are asked to call it MSM. Some would even refer to it as MSM Sony. When the IPL happened in the late 2000s, SET Max was referred to as Sony Max, as it will now be called we understand.

     

    Why it was called Multi Screen Media in the first place, one wonders. Well, whatever be the reason, from now, Sony is going to be called Sony.  And the Bravia will also be prefixed with that.

     

    Here’s what NP Singh, CEO, Sony Pictures Networks India has said in a statement:

    “After 20 years of successfully experimenting with many firsts including redefining how cinema and cricket are viewed on Indian television, Multi Screen Media (MSM) has renamed itself as Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN).  The new name reflects an integrated brand alignment as it allows us to leverage the strength of the Sony parentage. Naturally, we are guided by a new wave of optimism as we set forth on a journey of exploring new vistas of entertainment.  Sony Pictures Networks India will continue to serve its audiences across geographies. More channels, more genres, more content, more movies, more digital and more television. This is our 6-fold path to serve the multitude of viewers whose hopes and expectations, we are aiming, to exceed. Our focus will remain on becoming the first choice in television and digital entertainment in the country.”

     

    Hmmm. This is the time to celebrate the new name getting official. Ay, Soniye, let’s bring out the bubbly.