Aaj Tak has announced the sixth edition of its annual event ‘Agenda Aaj Tak ‘. The two-day conclave is scheduled for December 1 and 2 in New Delhi and will feature some powerful voices debating on issues dominating the Hindi heartland’s mindspace.
The invited list of speakers includes personalities from politics – Amit Shah, Yogi Adityanath, Smriti Irani, Nitish Kumar, Captain Amarinder Singh, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Dharmendra Pradhan, Mohammed Salim, Asaduddin Owaisi, Sachin Pilot, Farooq Abdullah, and others, from Bollywood – Dharmendra, Badshah, Vidya Balan, Anuradha Paudwal, Kapil Sharma etc. from sports – Sourav Ganguly, Harbhajan Singh, V V S Laxman and many more.
As polling day in Gujarat draws closer, the second edition of India TV’s election conclave ‘Chunav Manch’ at Ahmedabad was hosted by India TV Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, Rajat Sharma.
In his welcome address, Sharma outlined the performance of the ruling regime, its pre-poll promises, people’s expectations, Prime Minister’s undaunting image etc. while he also highlighted the opposition’s charges ranging from rising unrest among the business class to unemployment issues to questioning the Gujarat model of development.
A few amongst those who participated in different sessions were BJP President Amit Shah, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani, Gujarat Deputy CM Nitin Patel, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra, BJP MP Kirit Solanki, BJP Leader Jitu Vaghani, Ex Gujarat CM Shankersinh Vaghela, PAAS Leader Hardik Patel, Leader of Opposition in Gujarat Assembly, Arjun Modhwadia, Congress Leaders Sanjay Nirupam and Randeep Singh Surjewala.
Added India TV MD Ritu Dhawan: “We are happy because of the huge success of the initiative. But what makes us happier is that we were able to generate top-notch participation and we had a full-house throughout the day. This is especially when we were aware that our competition has been struggling to get in and keeping the audiences at their respective venues.â€
Blockbuster film Baahubali is set for its television debut in the form of an animated series called, Baahubali: The Lost Legends. Starting December 10, the series will air every Sunday at 11.30am on Colors.
Produced by Arka Media Works and Graphic India, the series features all new original stories from acclaimed filmmaker S S Rajamouli. The series is set before the incidents happened in ‘Baahubali: The Beginning’ and ‘Baahubali 2: The Conclusion’.
Commenting on the premiere, Raj Nayak, COO – Viacom18 said: “The beauty of an animated storytelling is that it connects with all age groups. Baahubali: The Lost Legends is one of the few made-in-India series that matches its western contemporaries in terms of its narrative, quality of animation and background score. Keeping up with our promise of providing wholesome entertainment to the viewers, we are delighted to be bringing the folklores of Baahubali on TV and make their Sunday mornings even more entertaining.â€
Baahubali: The Lost Legends has been created by S.S. Rajamouli and Sharad Devarajan who are the producers, along with Shobu Yarlagadda and Prasad Devineni of Arka Mediaworks and Jeevan J. Kang, Graphic’s EVP Creative and series writer, Ashwin Pande.
Republic TV and business news Business Television India (BTVI) have entered into a strategic alliance for content and programming around Union Budget 2018.
Said Megha Tata, COO, Business Television India (BTVI): “We are very excited about this association. Republic TV’s credibility in news coverage and BTVI’s expertise in English business news space will create a unique proposition for the viewers of Union Budget 2018. With the two forces joining hands, I am very confident about delivering an all-round perspective to our viewers.â€
Added Vikas Khanchandani, CEO, Republic TV:“Union Budget 2018 is the most anticipated Budget, with major announcements expected one year post demonetisation and GST implementation. Republic TV along with BTVI will bring together leading financial experts across sectors, think-tanks, global investors and the country’s best editorial minds to present the most insightful and sharp perspective of the Budget.â€
It’s D-Day. December 15, 2017. And since we don’t ‘conduct’ the award presentation offline, we aren’t dependant on venue availability and rates negotiations. Hence, we do the awards on a weekend, not a weekday… when the mood is just right. Celebrate if you are happy with the announcement, or just give us a pass. Or a few GRRRs.
So how are we different from other awards?
First, it’s not based on a survey. It’s not based on any industry poll. It’s based on a study conducted by us through the year. This makes the decision-making tougher, as we can’t pass the blame on to research. Or the collective view of the industry. Or of a jury.
Second, it’s an A&M industry study. Agreed CEOs of big clients are important, but we are looking at CMOs and not CEOs of well-marketed organisations.
Third, we look at performance through the year, and don’t base it on the highs of the last two quarters of a year which tend to influence any voting-based process at the yearend.
Fourth, we give you a clear reason why we have chosen the winner
Fifth, we are as sincere and honest about the awards as one can get. There were suggestions that we should make it an on-ground event. But then that comes with its own set of issues (and compulsions). We even had one large media group expressing its interest two years back. But we think it could’ve influenced our decision. Perhaps next year, with some more wisdom will happen in our blood streams.
And sixth, it’s about achievement in 2017 – in this calendar year (well not the entire year, but at least the 350-odd days that have preceded today). There are some who may have been super achievers the previous year, but have fallen short of our winner in 2017. Similarly, there are some A&M barons who have been doing splendid work through the years, but there has been someone else who has been more spectacular. We only look at achievements of the current year.
So: the MxMIndiaMediaperson of the Year 2016 is an online award. It’s an accolade that’s for the truly well-deserving. And for the True Achiever of 2016 in the Indian Media, Advertising & Marketing arena.
With the backgrounders done, here’s how we went about our task.
Wemaintain an online notebook that records important developments of the year. It’s a drill that ensures one can do recaps etc with ease.
For the Mediaperson of the Year, one reviews names, quarter-wise. This helps that the choice of the award doesn’t suffer from the recency factor.
We looked at various names. We couldn’t miss the achievements of the Zee group captains Punit and Amit Goenkaand Viacom18 Group CEO Sudhanshu Vats as they celebrated major milestones this year.
We also looked at the Big 35 media entities. For, it takes a lot to ensure that it’s business as usual. We then got to our second shortlist where we decided to look at five shortlists. And this is what it was:
1. Piyush Pandey: Getting the Lions of St Mark with brother Prasoonis, as we wrote the other day, a significant achievement.
2. The Wire Co-founders – Siddharth Varadarajan, Sidharth Bhatia and M K Venu: They’ve stood their ground in the very rough weather and have emerged as the biggest of the credible voices in journalism. Yes, more credible than most print badshashs.
3. Uday Shankar: Star India Chairman and CEO Uday Shankar was elevated to President, 21st Century Fox, Asia. But the 21CF charge would be in addition to the Star India responsibilities. The year also saw Star bagging the IPL rights and perhaps for the first time ever getting its act together on the second channel – Star Bharat.
4. CVL Srinivas: The GroupM CEO bagged the coveted ITC account along with a slew of others and some consolidation of the Indian operations. And then he was also made Country Manager India which is a significant capture of the faith WPP supremo Sir Martin Sorrell thinks of Srini
5. And then our fifth shortlist…
Ladies and Gentlemen, We have great pride in announcing that the 2017 MxMIndiaMediaperson of the Year Award goes to…
Arnab Goswami, Owner and Editor-in-Chief, Republic World/TV
Arnab Goswami
Goswami quit Times Now last year and in superquick time he set up an all-new English news channel. Right from the start of this year, he has created a buzz in media circles about the channel’s launch. And his launch strategy was unique with videos released via digital media announcing that he’s coming soon
This award goes to ArnabGoswami, the businessman and mediaperson. It’s not easy to launch a channel in some seven months, even if the decision to start anew would’ve been taken earlier.
For the last eight-odd months, Republic TV has been the undisputed leader amongst English news channels. There have been attempts to undermine its rise by slicing of data in terms of age groups, time bands or select cities, but the lead of Republic over the others, Times Now in particular is definite.
He has also led the channel’s drive to attract anchor advertisers with one-on-one meetings with a large number of them. He has of course also managed to line up a top deck of able hands in Vikas Khanchandani, Priya Mukherjee and Charu Thakur amongst others.
The fact remains that Republic TV did take the dual LCN route to maximise reach in the early days as did a few others, but given the regulator’s intervention on the issue, the dual LCN route for upping connectivity has been stopped.
There are allegations that Times Now and Republic TV have taken the landing route to boost viewership but we do not have evidence to prove both.
While Times Now is still a significant force to reckon with, in terms of its content and presentation, it appears to be a poor cousin of Republic TV.
But, given that the MxMIndiaMediaperson of the Year award is a qualitative award, it would be incorrect to mention that the nationalistic, pro-NarendraModi, pro-BJP biggies and hence the pro-BJP stance of Republic TV and Goswami in particular is a significant downer. While it’s not that there is no screaming and shouting on India Today or even NDTV in the recent past, Goswami takes the pitch to a new high every evening. We have had reservations about Goswami’s and Republic’s editorial stance. Yes, we do remember that he was very combative against Haryana Chief Minister M L Khattar after the unrest in the state some months back. He has taken on the BJP since launched, but these have been very few and far between.
Perhaps there is reason for moderation. Perhaps there is reason to move away a bit from the debate formula and also include other news of the day in a little more detail.
But for now, the formula is working wonders for Republic TV and its primary promoter and editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami.The viewing public, as is determined from the popularity of the channel, isn’t complaining.
A truly deserving winner of the 2017MxMIndiaMediaperson of the Year Award. Taaliyaan!
Dish TV India has announced the receipt of the final approval needed in India for closing of the merger of Videocon d2h with and into Dish TV. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) vide its letter dated December 15, 2017 has approved the requests made by the company for completion of the transaction.
Following the amalgamation, the combined entity will be renamed as Dish TV Videocon Limited. The combination will have scale similar to leading global cable and satellite players in terms of subscribers. Dish TV Videocon would serve more than 29 million subscribers in India as per its combined share on September 30, 2017, notes a communique.
Expressing happiness on the development, Jawahar Goel, CMD, Dish TV India said: “It has been a long journey since the announcement of the agreement between the two companies a year back. We would like to thank the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the National Company Law Tribunal, the Competition Commission of India, the Securities and Exchange Board of India, the Stock Exchanges and all other stakeholders for showing their trust in us. I would also like to express our gratitude to our shareholders for standing by us through the transaction and believing in us to take the combined entity to the next level going forward.â€
Added Anil Dua, Group CEO, Dish TV India: “Together, Dish TV and Videocon d2h are going to write history as we embark on this journey of delighting our ‘29 million and growing’ customer base. It is an exciting way ahead as we get this opportunity to leverage the individual strengths of the two organisations. I feel reassured looking at the formidable combination of these two talented teams that are now going to be working together towards a shared vision and common goals.â€
Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network Limited, TV Vision Limited and its other associates concerns, and Pantel Technologies, who recently acquired the Reliance Communications’ DTH arm, Reliance BIG TV, have entered into an understanding that they will jointly create a bouquet of over 20 channels comprising diverse genres such as entertainment, kids, infotainment, mythological, movies and varieties of music channel.The collaboration aims to strengthen nation’s cultural family values through its entertainment offerings, notes a communique.
On the alliance, Markand Adhikari, MD of Sabroup said: “Sabgroup has laid down the foundation in content creation since the inception of media in India and has profound expertise and understanding of content. With technological capabilities of Pantel Technologies, our dream to provide the right mix of content to the entire nation will be fulfilled.â€
Added Pantel Technologies Chairman and Managing Director Vijendra Singh: “Our main aim is to develop the entertainment appetite of the rural market and create an alternative India.Currently devoid of good quality content and with our coalition with Sabgroup, we will bring in together our technological proficiency and their content expertise thereby enabling us to provide good content for the rural India which is what we are committed to for their upliftment.â€
Youth channel MTV and Box Cricket League come together to offer a mix of cricket and entertainment in typical MTV style.
MTV will join hands with Balaji Telefilms and Marinating Films to the celebrity cricket matches with the over 200 television celebrities starting February 13, 2018.
Commenting on the association with Balaji Telefilms Limited, Raj Nayak, COO, Viacom18 said: “We all know about young India’s obsession with cricket! With MTV Box Cricket League, we will be taking the nation’s obsession with cricket and entertainment a notch higher by ensuring we give the youth of India what it wants – celebrities and cricket – on a channel they love the most – MTV. Not only is the MTV Box Cricket League a fun concept but also an opportunity for viewers to see their favourite stars in a new avatar and engage with brand MTV in a whole new manner. It’s going to be extremely exciting to see the league unfold on screen for both, us and the viewers.â€
Added Ferzad Palia, Head – Youth, Music and English Entertainment, Viacom18: “MTV is a brand that knows the pulse of the youth like no one else does and cricket being a sport which fascinates a lot of youngsters, we knew this would be a perfect association for us. When Prime Time stars take on their new role on the cricket pitch, we’re positive young India is going to sit up and not only take notice but follow each match in the league with keen interest. The stellar line up of celebrities will definitely make MTV Box Cricket League all the more engaging for our young viewers.â€
On partnering with MTV, Ekta Kapoor – JMD, Balaji Telefilms, said: “MTV BCL 2018 is a reboot that’s set to excite and entertain viewers across the television and digital medium. With a prime time slot on India’s top youth channel, MTV BCL is poised to take the audiences on a dramatic sport extravaganza. Add to this the top male and female faces of indian television and the landscape is unlike any other. Audiences today are ready for clutter breaking content and this is a step in that direction.â€
Okay, it may be incorrect to compare the loss of these rights to that of the IPL, but, well, Sony Entertainment Television has lost the rights to the biggest event in Hindi mass entertainment, the Filmfare Awards. The sixty-third edition of the premier awards – regarded as the Oscars of the Hindi film industry – will be aired this year on Colors. The event will happen in Mumbai on January 20 with Shah Rukh Khan as host. The date of telecast has not yet been announced.
While Colors has bagged the rights for the Filmfare Awards, it hasn’t junked the Stardust and IIFA Awards, in both of which it has invested a fair bit to promote over the last few years. The announcement has already sent shock waves in the industry. A few years back, Colors had also acquired rights for IIFA Awards from Star Plus. And with Filmfare in the kitty, one can expect greater action on live entertainment coverage in the coming year.
Commenting on the acquisition, Raj Nayak, COO, Viacom18 said: “What a happy ending to 2017 as we welcome the iconic black lady into the Colors family. The black lady is perhaps the most recognisable award in the country and the addition of which to our bouquet of offerings will make our channel the Mecca of entertainment for the viewers.â€
Added Deepak Lamba, CEO, Worldwide Media: “We are happy to announce the latest edition of 63rd Jio Filmfare Awards 2018. Last year, Filmfare took few big steps in strengthening its foothold and expand its reach on the digital platform with strategic associations with Facebook, twitter etc. This year as well, we aim to set a new benchmark by reaching out to our patrons using television as well as digital platforms. We are also delighted to announce Colors as our exclusive television partners. We promise to continue to offer the best in entertainment awards and bring Bollywood’s biggest stars under one roof for the celebration of the best of Hindi cinema in the year gone by. Considering the response and admiration received for Filmfare Short Films Awards, we are excited to announce its return this year.â€
At the time of writing, MxMIndia has been unable to confirm the year from when Filmfare Awards rights have rested with Sony, but it’s clearly been for around two decades. One entertainment business portal has even indicated that it’s been with Sony since 1995.
Star India has announced the appointment of Gautam Thakar as CEO for Star Sports. He will join to helm the sports broadcast business for Star in January. The hunt for someone to helm the network’s sports business has been on for over six months, ever since former CEO Nitin Kukreja left the company in March 2017.
Said Star India MD Sanjay Gupta:“We are happy to welcome Gautam into the Star India family to lead our next paradigm in sports broadcasting. He brings to the table a wealth of knowledge and proven strategic capabilities. We at Star have always set ourselves a bold growth agenda and we are confident that Gautam will contribute in taking the multi-sports culture that Star has pioneered in India, to the next level.â€
Thakar brings over 20 years of deep operating and leadership experience. He started his career as a brand manager with P&G in India, then led baazee.com as a founding management team member.
He spent a decaseat eBay in a variety of leadership roles (Country Manager for eBay India, global marketing leader for eBay’s International markets as well as leader of eBay’s multi-billion dollar cross border business, CEO of shopping.com (an eBay acquisition) and general manager responsible for building a multi hundred million dollar adtech business) before leading LivingSocial (acquired by Groupon).
Zee Telugu has unveiled a new brand promise and identity ‘AarambhamOkkaAduguthone’.  Furthermore, Zee Cinemalu, has also announced its new brand image. The new brand identities were unveiled by actor Chiranjeevi at the Zee Telugu Golden Awards ceremony that was telecast on December 31 2017 on Zee Telugu.
Embodying the new brand proposition, Samantha Akkineni has been announced as Zee Telugu’s brand ambassador and she features in the channel’s extensive multi-media campaign as its voice.
Said Anuradha Gudur, Business Head of Zee Telugu and Zee Cinemalu: “We started our journey with one step 12 years ago to emerge as channel that was progressive, young and dynamic. With many more milestones that are to come in the years ahead, we will continue to engage with our audiences and be the #ExtraOrdinaryTogether that we are in the television entertainment space. In our constant attempts to provide positive narratives through the channel, we have always had women adorning progressive characters who are ready to take those steps that lead them to greener pastures. With our refreshed brand packaging, we have Samantha Akkineni as the face of Zee Telugu who has stayed ahead in the game and has actively taken steps not only at an individual level but around her social sphere. Be it Jagruthi or Pratyusha foundation, she has always spread positivity and having her on board adds a lot more value to our brand.â€
Sony Pix has signed a content licensing deal with Warner Bros International Television Distribution. The movie content deal will strengthen the channel’s library by bringing films like Harry Porter, Matrix, Batman Vs Superman, Dunkirk, Wonder Woman, Hangover Series, Conjuring Universe, Final Destination series, Oceans Series, Shawshank Redemption, and many more, for its viewers.
Said Tushar Shah, EVP and Business Head, English Cluster, Sony Pictures Networks India: “SPN’s English Cluster aims to bring the best international content for its viewers. With the new Warner Bros. deal, Sony PIX – the destination for Hollywood blockbusters and premieres – will now also become the destination for biggest franchises in the genre. We will continue to invest in content that will delight our viewers.â€
Added Jeffrey Schlesinger, President, Warner Bros. Worldwide Television Distribution: “We are pleased to have completed this deal with Sony PIX enabling Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) to bring our films to television viewers in India. We are confident that the diverse selection of films will offer something different for fans of all genres.â€
As polling day in Gujarat draws closer, the second edition of India TV’s election conclave ‘Chunav Manch’ at Ahmedabad was hosted by India TV Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, Rajat Sharma.
