MxMIndia

Category: TV

  • History Channel is now available on Mobile TV across major operators and has drawn a strong positive response in social media.

    History being made on Digital platforms

    By A Correspondent

     

    History, the world’s leading factual entertainment channel, which debuted its India edition on October 9th, 2011 and reached out to 45 mn viewers within a month of its launch, is now available on the Mobile Platform. The channel has taken a step further to offer thrilling and action packed content from its channel to the viewers across the country.

     

    History will be available on both platforms – Live Streaming as well as Video On Demand on GPRS enabled mobile phones. To access the application, the user will have to send the keyword “HISTORY” as an SMS to 51818. The user can chose to either view the channel or key episodes from a particular show.

     

    This service is available via Mobile TV across all leading mobile operators on such as Vodafone, Airtel, Idea, Aircel, BSNL, MTNL, Reliance, Tata Docomo and Tata Indicom. There will be different subscription charges based on the package viz. daily (Rs. 7/-) or monthly (Rs. 150/-) based on the user’s choice. The service will soon be available in other Indian languages as well.

     

    Said Ajay Chacko, President, A+E Networks I TV18, “It is our endeavour to ensure that our innovative and cutting edge content reaches every possible audience with access to a screen – be it a TV screen, a computer screen or a mobile phone screen. By making HISTORY available on the mobile platform, we have once again taken a step in the direction of broad basing and growing this genre in India.”

  • Ten Sports has entered into a long term partnership with the International Hockey Federation to acquire the broadcasting rights for the major FIH Championships till 2014. As part of the agreement Ten Sports will be broadcasting over 50 India playing matches the next four years from major men’s hockey tournaments from around the world.

    Ten Sports gets hockey deal till 2014

    By A Correspondent

     

    Ten Sports has entered into a long-term partnership with the International Hockey Federation to acquire the broadcasting rights for the major FIH Championships till 2014. As part of the agreement Ten Sports will be broadcasting over 50 India-playing matches the next four years from major men’s hockey tournaments from around the world.

     

    Atul Pande, CEO Ten Sports, said, “Our long-term agreement with FIH reaffirms our commitment to bring  the best sports action to our viewers, and this new agreement for telecast of the best of men’s hockey, Champions Challenge and Champions Trophy, reaffirms our commitment to grow the sports business and consolidate our position as the leading sports broadcaster.”

     

    Leandro Negre, FIH President, added, “We’re delighted to extend our long-term partnership with Ten Sports for a further four years.  This deal is of unprecedented value to FIH, not only in terms of the record license fee, but also for us to guarantee hockey fans and FIH sponsors unparalleled exposure for the world’s best hockey events on the subcontinent’s most-watched sports channel.”

  • Sports content provider ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) has announced the promotion of Sanjay Kailash to Executive Vice President & Head of Sales (India) for its India operations, ESPN Software India (ESI).

    Sanjay Kailash is ESPN’s EVP, Head of Sales (India)

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sports content provider ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) today announced the promotion of Sanjay Kailash to Executive Vice President & Head of Sales (India) for its India operations, ESPN Software India (ESI).

    Mr Kailash will have an expanded role with the overall responsibility of delivering revenue for various streams of the business including Advertising, Affiliate Sales, Digital Media and Event Management Group. He will continue to report directly to ESI’s Managing Director, Aloke Malik.

    Said Mr Malik: “As we further scale up our business in the market with new networks and offerings, we see great potential in bringing more synergy across different revenue functions. This will allow us to explore more opportunities and develop focused propositions for our business partners. Sanjay’s in-depth knowledge and cross-industry experience will help ESPN Software India further reinforce and broaden its business in the sub-continent, and I believe the organization will benefit from his contributions through this new role.”

    Mr Kailash has been with the company for over 10 years, having made significant and consistent contributions to the Ad Sales function. Most recently, Mr Kailash led the ICC Cricket World Cup Ad Sales effort and set new benchmarks in the media industry. In addition to Mr Kailash’s Ad Sales experience, he has developed a deep understanding of the various facets of this business, and forged strong relationships with clients and key associates over the years. He has been keenly involved in the Programming & Scheduling aspects of the business and contributed to the start-up of the Event Management Group in India, as well as growing the Digital Media business for the company.

    T S Panesar will continue to head Affiliate Sales including both Cable & DTH business and Ad Sales will be led by Anup Govindan, both of whom will report to Sanjay Kailash.

    ESPN STAR Sports India’s content line-up includes major sports events across the globe, such as the top cricket rights for premium International Cricket Council events, the successful Champions League Twenty20 as well as international and domestic cricket from Cricket Australia and the England & Wales Cricket Board; Grand Slam tennis events including the season-opening Grand Slam of the Asia/Pacific in the Australian Open along with the iconic Wimbledon Championship; top quality football in Barclays Premier League; premium motorsports events in Formula 1 and MotoGP; the Golf Majors such as The Masters, US Open and The Open Championship, in addition to the highly-anticipated London 2012 Olympic Games scheduled to begin in July next year.

  • MSM appoints Ms Smriti Krishna as Sr Vice President & Head of Human Resources for the network.

    Smriti Krishna is MSM’s Sr VP, HR Head

    By A Correspondent

    In their continuing efforts to get the best talent on board MSM, the network has announced the appointment of Ms Smriti Krishna as its Senior Vice President and Head of Human resources.

    Ms Krishna recently relocated to Mumbai from Singapore where she was Vice President and Head of HR for NBC Universal Asia Pacific. Prior to Singapore, she has worked in New York, Tokyo and India with the General Electric Company (GE) and its affiliates in significant HR leadership roles.

    Ms Krishna has a rich background in Human Resources and has been recognized for her work on driving many leadership-based, talent development practices and establishing HR as a strategic and integral part of the organization.

    She started her career with Xerox India before joining GE in 2000. She has an MBA from IMI, New Delhi and is a BA in Psychology Honours from Lady Shri Ram College, New Delhi.

    Commenting on Ms Krishna’s appointment, Mr Man Jit Singh, CEO MSM said, “We are glad to welcome Smriti Krishna to the MSM family. We are confident that Smriti’s experience in Human Resources and her global perspective will contribute to the growth of our network and our people. We wish her all the best for her new role.”

  • The entrepreneurial bug seems to have cast its spell on yet another industry veteran as Nikhil Mirchandani, the business head (TV) at RNBL has decided to move on.

    Nikhil Mirchandani quits RBNL, turns entrepreneur

    By A Correspondent

     

    The entrepreneurial bug seems to have cast its spell on yet another industry veteran as Nikhil Mirchandani, the business head (television) at Reliance Broadcast Network Limited (RBNL) has decided to move on and turn entrepreneur. While details of his venture are not known, senior sources at RBNL have confirmed the move.

     

    Mr Mirchandani, who started his career with GE Capital as a business manager, has held several senior posts across major networks. Mr Mirchandani has served as the EVP & GM at Star One, the Hindi general entertainment channel. Prior to that he was Managing Director of NGC Network and Fox International Channels.

  • NDTV released their quarter results which ended on September 30, 2011. NDTV consolidated income rose to Rs 114 crore from Rs 86 crore in the same quarter last year, an increase of 32 percent.

    NDTV shows growth in quarter results

    By Akash Raha

    NDTV released their quarter results which ended on September 30, 2011. NDTV consolidated income rose to Rs 114 crore from Rs 86 crore in the same quarter last year, an increase of 32 percent. Consolidated expenses have fallen to Rs 133 crore from Rs 152 crore in the same quarter last year. There is also a Sharp growth in NDTV’s lifestyle, digital and consultancy businesses.

    The operating loss this quarter stands at Rs 19 crore, compared to a loss of Rs 66 crore same quarter last year. NDTV 24×7 continues to enjoy market leadership in the English news genre. According to the latest study conducted by GfK Mode, with a sample size of 12,224 viewers across 14 cities, NDTV 24×7 is watched by 56% of the viewers (SEC AB, Male 25+).

    NDTV Good Times, the flagship channel of NDTV Lifestyle is the number 1 lifestyle channel in the country as per TAM ratings. Advertising revenue has seen a substantial jump in the second quarter of the year. NDTV Convergence, which operates www.ndtv.com, witnessed a jump of 66% in page views. With an average of 12 million unique visitors a month, this makes NDTV one of the most formidable news sites in India.

    NDTV Worldwide continues to strengthen its client base every quarter by providing solutions and media consultancy to more than 15 clients, across India and the world.

  • What’s-On-India’s distribution reaches 40 million, with 15 million homes added in October.

    What’s-On-India reaches its 40 million target

    By A Correspondent

    The What’s-On-India Channel – India’s premier TV guide and preview channel – is continuing to steadily strengthen its audience reach nationwide. With a view to further expand its horizons; the channel has now announced its launch on two of India’s most reputed DTH platfoms, DD Direct, Channel No 34, Reliance DTH Channel No 101 along with other reputed analog operators across India. The current addition with its existing distribution on Airtel DTH, DISH TV, Hathway, Digicable, and 1200+ cable operators now totals close to 40 million homes across India.

    Commenting on the development, Abrar Shaikh, General Manager, What’s-On-India, said: “We are happy to announce that our channel is now available on DD Direct, Reliance DTH and our distribution is now close to 40 million homes. We had stated 40 million as our target number in the beginning of the year and we are happy to be welcoming the promised new audiences into our fold.”

    A release from the company stated, “The six hundred plus channels strong Indian TV industry has more than one hundred news channels, over 50 movie channels and general entertainment channels, music channels, sports, infotainment and children’s channels, not to mention ultra specialist channels in genres such as Food, Crime, and Education. In that respect, Indian television has come of age in terms of the content offering to consumers. However this explosion of choice poses a serious challenge for consumers and that is to get to the right content. What’s-On-India is one of the first models in the country that is committed to bringing viewers closer to the shows and programs they seek based on their tastes and interests. “

     

  • History channel has made its mark in the very first week itself, with 19.8 million viewers across India tuning in.

    History chalks up high in 1st week

    By A Correspondent

    Making History from the launch week

    Factual entertainment channel History, which debuted its India edition on October 9, has made its mark in the very first week itself, with 19.8 million viewers across India tuning in. With a connectivity of 50 million households across on leading cable TV platforms, History cuts across segments and demographics, and took the Factual Entertainment Genre up by 24 percent in just the first week. History also garnered significant market share in the launch week across market clusters. In All India 1mn+ (including Metros), History ranks as a strong No 2 with 24 percent market share vis-à-vis Discovery (32 percent) and Nat Geo (18 percent) and ahead of the other factual entertainment channels. In 6 metros, History with 29 percent market share vis-à-vis Discovery (32 percent) and Nat Geo (14 percent) further reduces the gap between existing players and fortifies its entry into the genre.

    History also leads the factual entertainment pack in time spent per viewer with 32 mins vis-à-vis Discovery (20 mins) and Nat Geo (16 mins) which is an indication of differentiated programming and the stickiness quotient of History’s content.

    Source: TAM, Week 42’11, CS AB 15+, all India 1 Mn+, 0600-2400 hrs

  • The line-up has a collection of enthralling, nerve wrecking and entertaining movies this October

    PIX brings you Dynamite Diwali

    By A Correspondent

     

    PIX is amping up the Diwali excitement with its Diwali Dynamite throughout October, 11pm onwards. Pix has planned laughter, suspense, drama and action, right from the sensuous murder mystery Basic Instinct to the outrageously funny Grown Ups.  Diwali Dynamite will include blockbusters like Social Network, Jurassic Park, Gladiator, Nacho Libre, Mighty Heart, Salt, Road Trip and Mini’s First Time.

  • A week of surprises and a Diwali extravaganza airs from October 17 to October 21 at 6:30pm on Star Plus

    Diwali fun on Star Plus

    By A Correspondent

    Star Plus is treating viewers to a week-long Diwali celebration that ends on October 21, with drama, laughter and performances by some favourite television artists in Diwali Rishton Ki Mithas – Peedhiyan Anek, Tyohaar Ek.

     

    The  celebrations kick-started on October 17 with Lakshmi Pooja that showcased dance performances and aerial stunts, then for Bhai-Duuj there is shor-sharaba with some light-hearted moments between reel life siblings —Ahem-Kinjal and Ayush-Navya, and Antakshari between Suhana-Ishaan and the Kashyap family. King Khan and his chammak challo will make a special appearance with their latest track from Ra.One.

     

    The celebrations get louder as the television jodis and families get together to celebrate their happiness while commemorating the season of festivity by lightening everybody’s spirits.

  • Viewers will see Hollywood’s best in four special themes from October 3 to October 27 at 9pm

    WB to light up TV screens this Diwali

    By A Correspondent

    WB has a line-up of Hollywood movies throughout the month, packaged as a series of specials to help families celebrate the Festival of Lights. Titled Festival of Lights, the specials are running for four weeks under four themes commencing October 3 until October 27, every Monday to Thursday at 9pm. The line-up showcases Hollywood’s best in action, sci-fi, and adventure.

     

    Festival of Lights will kick off with the action-adventure genre movies such as The Tuxedo, Enter the Dragon, Blade II, Tekken and Superman II and also includes a line-up of movies in the ‘monster’ genre —Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed On, the fantasy genre — Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and action-packed films such as Torque and Speed Racer. Festival of Lights is co-presented by Nokia and Axe, in association with Airtel, Nivea, Tata Sky, Reebok.

     

    Viewers will also get to see some of WB’s best action movies featuring mind-boggling gadgets, explosions, kung fu, and adventure as part of its Diwali Heat special Fridays to Sundays at 9pm and 11pm.

     

    Ms Monica Tata, General Manager, Entertainment Networks, South Asia, Turner International India, said, “We are happy to be showcasing the best of international film content to our audiences.”

  • Travel Channel announces a new travel talk show, ‘Livewire With Ash’.

    Explore launches travel talk show

    By A Correspondent

    Explore Travel channel, India’s first travel channel, has announced ‘Livewire with Ash’, a first-of-its kind talk show on travel, hosted by Indian travel industry stalwart Mr Ashwini Kakkar.

    Indian travellers are discerning when it comes to travel plans.  More and more Indians are travelling not just within the country but overseas too for work, pleasure, quick breaks and shopping.  They seek information that is relevant, reliable and practical.

    ‘Livewire with Ash’ is a relevant programme for the Indian traveller to get first-hand topical and reliable information while making decisions on travel. ‘Livewire with Ash’ is also an opportunity to hear the travel greats from Airlines, Hotels, Travel Operators and Tourism Boards on how they view the Indian traveller and their future plans for India.

    Guests on the show include Mr Subodh Kant Sahai (Union Minister for Tourism), Mr Raymond Bickson (CEO, IHCL and Taj Hotels Group Worldwide), Mr Adel El Masry (Director of the Egypt Tourism Authority, Asia), Ms Catherine Oden (Director of Atout France), Mr Michael Maedar (MD of Switzerland Tourism), Mr Sriram Narayan (Deputy Commercial Manager, South Asia, British Airways), Mr Randall Tan (Regional Director of Singapore Tourism Board), Mr Miguel Nieto-Sandoval (Former Tourism Counselor of Spain Tourism) and many more stalwarts from the travel ecosystem.

    The show airs on Saturdays at 10pm on Explore Travel Channel.