MxMIndia

Category: TV

  • Viacom18 and TV18 have launched a multi-media marketing campaign, titled ‘Ek Me Hai More Yahaan, created by Leo Burnett Orchard

    Viacom18 and TV18 offer entertainment + news pack for new tariff regime

    By A Correspondent

     

    Viacom18 and TV18 have launched their Value Pack comprising some of their leading channels across genres in the wake of the forthcoming new tariff regime.

     

    Said Sudhanshu Vats, Group CEO & Managing Director, Viacom18: “TRAI’s new tariff order is a pioneering move that will benefit all players across the broadcast value chain. Consumers will now have the choice to select the channels of their choice, broadcasters can see greater transparency in the value chain with under-reporting getting curtailed and distributors stand to benefit from the commissions and incentives they will earn. After the DAS implementation, this mandate will go a long way in bringing equity into the industry,”

     

    Explaining the company’s pricing and consumer connect strategy, he added: “If you thought that the one-rupee coin in your wallet has no value, think-again as Viacom18 and TV18 are all set to bring your family’s daily entertainment needs just for ₹1. Being home to the most loved and viewed channels in the country, our bouquet pricing will ensure that our viewers truly get the best of news, general entertainment (Hindi and Regional), kids entertainment, youth and English entertainment, music, infotainment and movies for every family member at only ₹1 a day. ‘The COLORS wala Pack’ is the most comprehensive pack and at a price point that keeps the budgetary concerns of our viewers in mind. After roti, kapda, makaan, entertainment is India’s 4th basic need and being the country’s fastest growing network, it is our constant endeavor to keep that need affordable.”

     

    Added Rahul Joshi, MD, Network18: “The new tariff order is a transparent and consumer-focussed regulation that gives freedom and choice to the end user. At a network level we remain committed to create quality entertainment and news content and firmly believe that in the new pricing regime, we will be the go-to network that best caters to content needs across demographics and geographies.”

     

    Adding to Vats’ and Joshi’s views, Anuj Gandhi, Group CEO, IndiaCast said, “We have created economical & competitive bouquets to bring the best value for money for an Indian household. India is a diverse market with multiple needs for entertainment in a family. Our channels have presence across a wide range of genres such as GECs, Kids, News, Infotainment etc that puts us in the best position to deliver entertainment for subscribers & earning potential for service providers. Furthermore, we are confident that TRAI shall work to put the Quality of Service Regulations into effective implementation so that transparency is achieved across the value chain in benefit of all stakeholders.”

     

    Viacom18 and TV18 have launched a multi-media marketing campaign, titled ‘Ek Me Hai More Yahaan, created by Orchard Advertising. The Ek Mein Hai More Yahaan campaign will be driven by the most prominent faces seen on Indian television such as Rohit Shetty, Neha Dhupia, Malaika Arora, Mahesh Manjrekar, Arya, and a galaxy of celebrities from Viacom18’s stable, educating the audience of all the entertainment and news that they can avail at INR 1 per day.

     

     

  • Times Network has announced its channel packs in three categories – Times Network News Pack, Times Network Value Pack and Times Network HD Premium Pack, in compliance with the TRAI tariff order

    Times Network announces channel pricing for new tariff regime

    By A Correspondent

     

    Times Network has announced its channel packs in three categories – Times Network News Pack, Times Network Value Pack and Times Network HD Premium Pack, in compliance with the TRAI tariff order.

     

    Said MK Anand, MD & CEO, Times Network: “TRAI’s tariff order is a transformational shift which will lead to a coherent framework that safeguards consumer interests and strengthen the offerings of the broadcasters. As we transition into this new phase, we see this as an opportunity that enables transparency and flexibility to TV viewing experience and benefits the entire TV ecosystem. We consistently create disruptive and engaging content for the progressive Indian consumers and we are confident that we will continue to be the preferred English network that offers differentiated content at a compelling price”.

     

     

  • Shailesh Kapoor presents his list of the shows that drove the GEC category

    Top 5 Category-Defining Hindi GEC Shows of 2018

     

    By Shailesh Kapoor

     

    Even if only in relative terms, 2018 has been a better year for Hindi GECs than the last 2-3 years. The category, on a share decline since 2015-16, did not see a further downward trend, and there was some recovery too by the end of the year.

    In a year when original content in the OTT space, led by Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, grabbed most headlines, the Hindi GEC category tried to find its footing back. And though the ‘success’ achieved can only be considered partial in nature, it sets a good base for 2019 to emerge as a revival year for the category.

    Here is my list of five Hindi GEC shows that drove the category and its perceptions this year, eventually leading to a respectable year.

     

    5. Kaun Banega Crorepati

    KBC had another successful season, both in terms of viewership and its revenue impact on the channel (Sony), with the latter benefitting considerably from the digital revenues that have become a strong force for the show since the last season in 2017. All the classical elements remained, and the show was virtually a replica of the successful one last year. KBC is emerging as India’s comfort family viewing in the prime-time year-on-year. And you don’t mend what’s not broken.

     

    4. Kumkum Bhagya-Kundali Bhagya

    The 9-10 PM block on Zee TV has emerged as a fortress of sorts, owing to the two Balaji Telefilms shows that continued to thrive in 2018. In times of content fatigue being a real concern among viewers, Kumkum Bhagya managed to stay fresh and relevant. Kundali Bhagya, the more recent of the duo, found its peak towards the end of 2017, and held on to it through this year. The combo delivered a solid package of traditional and the modern, covering wide-ranging and engaging characters and emotions between them. How long can Zee-Balaji milk this double bill remains to be seen. But in 2018, the combination was rock-solid.

     

    3. Radha Krishn

    Star Bharat’s RadhaKrishn launched at the start of the last quarter of the year, and immediately propelled the channel’s viewership. It is bizarre to think that Indian television has not had a TV series of Radha and Krishna’s love story till this show came in. The idea was a winner at the get go, and the visual execution, supported by top-level music, made the show a quick audience favorite. Mythological shows tend to have a shorter shelf-life than family dramas. But RadhaKrishn has just about taken off and should have a good early 2019 at least.

     

    2. Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

    Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (TMKOC) is the KBC of television comedy. Nothing else that happens in the category can seem to shake up the staunchly-loyal viewer base the show has built. The difference, of course, is that unlike KBC, TMKOC is on-air all year. Now, that should make it doubly hard for a show to stay fresh and relevant. But no such concerns with TMKOC. Aided in no small measure by its immensely-popular lead character Jethalal, TMKOC may be a fixture of the Indian viewers’ watchlist for another 2-3 years at least, if not more.

     

    1. Kullfi Kumarr Bajewala

    Star Plus adapted its very successful Bangla show Potol Kumar Gaanwala into Kullfi Kumarr Bajewala in an early-2018 launch. The show found its real footing after the IPL, finding levels of viewership that were out of reach of new shows for the last 2-3 years. The endearing Kullfi even usurped Jethalal briefly to become the No. 1 fiction character in the category (Ormax Characters India Loves). Differentiated stories, when rooted in viewer relevance, can be runaway successes. And with Kullfi Kumarr Bajewala, this combination was achieved by a mainstream (read non-mytho-historical) Hindi GEC fiction show after a long time.

     

    Shailesh Kapoor is Founder and CEO, Ormax Media. He reviews trends and insights on MxMIndia every week. The views here are personal

     

     

  • Gupta has worked with News Nation, News 24, India TV, Business Standard and most recently at Zee Media Corporation Limited. She has also with the iTV Network in the past

    Pooja Gupta back at iTV Network, to head brand and content marketing

    By A Correspondent

     

    iTV Network has appointed Pooja Gupta as Vice President – Brand & Content Marketing. Gupta has worked with News Nation, News 24, India TV, Business Standard and most recently at Zee Media Corporation Limited. She has also with the iTV Network in the past.

     

    Said Gupta: “The inherent value of content is realized in its presentation, and likewise, the importance of presentation rests in the ability to deliver the right content, in the right way, to the right audience. I will work towards driving a strong content-led value proposition for our viewers, as well as to amplify the premiumness and the brand iTV network as distinctive competence.”

     

    Speaking on Gupta’s role with iTV Network, Kartikeya Sharma, Founder and Promoter of iTV Network, said: “With increasing competition, emergence of multiple media and an increasingly transitory audience attention span, Pooja with her experienced blend of marketing acumen will play an instrumental role in helping our marketing activities keep pace with Network’s growth as we ramp up to launch more sustainably designed products to meet the demands of our viewers, and seek to reinforce our commitment through engaging and thought provoking content to increase traction with the company’s advertiser-customer.”

     

     

  • Should reality shows rethink Engagement, asks Sanjeev Kotnala

    Time for Reality Reload?

     

    By Sanjeev Kotnala

     

    My favourite show ‘Bigg Boss Season 12’ climaxed on December 30, 2018. In the end, there were three types of audiences. One who will never watch Bigg Boss. Two, people who watched Bigg Boss and loved it. Three, the set of people who watched Bigg Boss Season 12 and said it was all over for them. And this is all about the third type of audience.

    Another big ticket popular reality show on the channel ‘Kathron Ke Khiladi’ (KKK) which starts on January 5. And trust me, when it ends there will be these segments of the audience.

    It is true for any reality and reality-talent shows. ‘India Got Talent’ (IGT) won hearts with wonderful magician ‘Javed Khan’ winning the show. Deepika winning, Sreesanth reaching finals or Deepak losing made many viewers promise not to watch season thirteen.

    Talent and reality show dominate Indian TV screens. Nowadays they also provide huge content for viewers on OTT.

     

    WE HAVE A REALITY SHOW FOR EVERYTHING.

    ‘Super Dancer’, ‘Dance Deewane’, ‘Jhalak Dikhla Jaa’, ‘Boogie Woogie’ and ‘Nach Baliye’ for dancing talent. ‘Indian Idol’,  ‘Rising Star’, ‘India Raw Star’, ‘Jammin’, ‘India Raw Star’and ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ for music and singing.  ‘Splitsvilla’ and ‘Roadies’ for the new generation with attitude.

    ‘Bigg Boss’, ‘Survivor India’, ‘Pati Patni or Woh’ ,“Wife Bina Life’, ‘Hear Me Love Me’, ‘Zindagi Ka Crossroads’, ‘Emotional Atyachar’ ‘Saach ka Samana’, ‘Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao’, ‘Raaz Pechale Janam Ka’ and ‘Bindass Beg Borrow and Steal’ for the drama. ‘Ace of Space’, the new reality show by Vikas Gupta on MTV, has found new takers. It is a compressed claustrophobic BiggBoss in many ways.

    Kaun Banega Crorepati for the brainy ones. ‘Dus Ka Dum’ for the lucky ones. ‘Master Chef’ for people who take cooking seriously.  ‘India Next Super Star’ and ‘India’s Best Dramebaaz’ for the star power. ‘Comedy Circus’ for the laughter. Not to count the long tail to the list of existing and faded reality shows.

    Reality Shows must be good business. Most of them are the leading tent-pole property for the channel. Many times, the bottomline is a function of success or failure of these shows. So, the TRP, controversies and drama do matter.

    The viewer has options nowadays. There are many more ways the content is cut. There is cut-uncut, edited, unedited, behind the scene, repeat telecast, a library of episodes across the years and extra dose all available on click of a button.

    That should be good news for both sides. The content is expected to always win. But, is the engagement and involvement of video first viewer guaranteed?

    He or she is consuming a lot more content. The accessibility, availability and affordability of data have improved many times. The viewer now has a choice and chance to flirt and fall in love with the other screens.

    BREAKING THE REALITY SHOW

    The reality show can be broken down into a few essential elements.

    The concept. The pre-show build-up and auditions. The judges or the host. The time slot and day of the telecast. The show duration. The contestant quality and background.  The process of their elimination. The final winner.  The extra content and buzz the season generates during its lifetime. Equally important is the ability of the show to polarise the already segmented audience on the region, language, social class or religion. Most of these have remained unexplained and unmonitored.

    REALITY SHOWS VIEWER FEEDBACK.

    Viewers appreciate new formats with important differentiation and enhanced audience interaction. However, the format gets jaded with time unless the creative team is able to tweak the format.

    Sadly, this is happening to my favourite show Bigg Boss. The commanding personality of Bigg Boss has softened with the season. It no longer shows that strong control of the house. There is a rampant visible bias of the show controllers towards some contestant.

    The host is still able to hold attention on the weekend. But the teams must think of alternate. Akshay Kumar and Ranveer Singh could be the top replacement choice.

    The tasks are so repetitive that the audience gets disengaged. The partiality of propping up only the celebrities in promo has alienated many viewers.

    In cases like Khatron Ke Khiladi, it’s simple for the viewers to see the winner emerge. It’s as per the performance in the task. In others like India’s Got Talent audition round, it’s transparent as only judges are pushing the lever. It’s different that the audience still has not understood how does Kiron Kher define talent!

     

    ‘REALITY TV’ IS A SPORT AND SPORT IS A REALITY TV.

    The problem comes with audience voting.

    The channels may not be ready, but the audience definitely wants to see data on votes pooled in. There is a huge potential to suddenly changing the shape of the genre.

    Think about getting data on the screen like any other sports. It could do wonders for viewer’s engagement.

    What if like the count of Sixes and Fours in cricket, there was a live count of number of times Sreesanth says ‘I want to leave’ in Bigg Boss. What if people are asked to predict the final tally?

    What if there was an exciting ‘Extraa Innings’. If and only if we could see what was the lead or margin of defeat for the nominated contestants. And know how Deepika was performing.

    What if the ‘Weekend Ka Vaar’ was the real battle and not dominantly skewed film promotion?

    The reality shows need to be recharged after some seasons.

    How far the channels will go to rejuvenate them depends upon how the audience is interacting and engaging. But it’s time that every format needs a makeover.

    ………………………………………….

    The above is the result of discussion with viewers across the nation and is no reflection of BARC weekly results. And though the examples refer to Bigg Boss, please see them as representing the genre on screens.

     

    Sanjeev Kotnala is a senior strategy consultant and trainer. He writes every Wednesday on MxMIndia. The views here are personal

     

     

  • The elevation is effective today, January 2, 2019

    Avinash Pandey is now CEO, ABP News Network

    Avinash Pandey, CEO, ABP News Network

    By A Correspondent

     

    Avinash Pandey has been elevated as  Chief Executive Officer of ABP News Private Limited. The appointment is effective today (January 2, 2019.

    Pandey has been COO of the news organisation for the last five years and has been with ANN (earlier MCCS) since 2005, spearheading the revenue function and also essaying a key role in the expansion of the networ’s reach.

    Commenting on the appointment, D D Purkayastha, MD & CEO ABP Pvt Ltd said: “Avinash has rendered invaluable services during the past 13 years of tenure in the organization. Wishing him success in the new role.  We are proud of our success and look forward to the next chapter of growth under Avinash’s dynamic leadership.”

    Commenting on his appointment as CEO, Pandey said: “I am delighted and thankful to the Board of Directors of ANN for bestowing such faith in me. ABP News has been consistently setting benchmarks in the media and entertainment industry for innovation and growth in India, which is one of the world’s fastest growing markets. The convergence of telecom, media and technology is one of the major drivers of the industry and India’s media ecosystem has reached an inflection point. Am looking forward to taking the channels to the next level in these exciting times.”

  • The channel will bring Kannadiga sports fans closer to their favourite sports

    Star Sports goes Kannada

    By A Correspondent

     

    Star Sports has launched Star Sports 1 Kannada, a dedicated Kannada sports channel. Said a Star India spokesperson: “Our strong presence in Karnataka has helped us understand how Kannadiga sports fans like to consume sports content. Kannadigas possess an inherent sporting quality of resilience and an undying desire to always win. Star Sports 1 Kannada, with its extensive line-up of popular sports content, is a resolute step towards bringing these Kannadiga fans closer to their favourite games and heroes.”

     

    A promo campaign was launched to support the launch of Star Sports 1 Kannada. The promo focuses on watching sports in local language, and the determination and never say die attitude of a kannadiga.

     

     

  • The #RishtaPakkaSamjho campaign has been launched with Amitabh Bachchan

    Sony launches consumer education campaign with Amitabh Bachchan

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) has launched a consumer education campaign, related to the new MRP way of TV channel subscriptions provided by DTH / cable operators. The #RishtaPakkaSamjho campaign has been launched with actor Amitabh Bachchan.

     

     

    Said Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer, Distribution and Head – Sports, SPN: “The 45-seconder TV spot talks to the Sony Network viewers, urging them to choose from SPN’s ‘Happy India’ pack, wherein the channel bouquets are simply packaged to allow consumer to choose the best channel combinations (across genres) at the lowest possible price points.”

     

     

  • According to the new tariff order, every broadcaster has to offer its channels either for free or at some price

    BTVI opts for FTA route

    By A Correspondent

     

    Business Television India (BTVI) will now be available to audiences for free in the new tariff regime.

     

    Said Megha Tata, COO, BTVI: “It is a very interesting time in the history of broadcasting where the consumers get a choice to select and pay only for what they want to watch. The new tariff order will bring in place a clear demarcation whether content is king or distribution. It will further put pressure on content creators in improving the quality of programming. We at BTVI have decided to offer our priceless insights and opinions free to air. This is our endeavour to prioritise our viewers and ensure we help them to ‘Save. Invest. Prosper’ sans any additional costs.”

     

    Adding to the same Anuj Katiyar, Head Marketing, Research and Branded Content: “BTVI always had a large audience base who were loyal and now we are putting our viewers before anything else and providing them our channel at no extra cost to them. BTVI is the only business news channel that is FTA. This will not only help us reach out to our loyal viewers without any hinderance but also new viewers who are looking at receiving business news, without putting any burden on their pockets.”

     

     

  • The campaign was targeted across six markets; Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Pune, Lucknow, Bhuj and Shirdi airport

    Laqshya Media partners with Zee5 to launch ‘Rangbaaz’

    By A Correspondent

     

    Zee5 has partnered with Laqshya Media Group to promote its new original crime thriller, Rangbaaz. The campaign was targeted across six markets; Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Pune, Lucknow, Bhuj and Shirdi airport; and the OOH media vehicle used were large impact sites, marquee sites, airports and clusters to deliver dialogues from the show.

     

    Speaking on the campaign, Jalaj Pathak, Vice President, Laqshya Solutions, Outdoor Agency arm of Laqshya Media Group said: “It is always exciting to work on something creative and we are proud to be associated with Zee5, part one of India’s largest media conglomorate Zee Entertainment Enterprises. When Zee5 came to us to promote their show, we suggested an advertising method which would help increase their viewership of their show. The OTT platform is a growing space in India and we are thus excited to work with Zee5 and look forward to a long lasting association.”

     

     

  • An independent content studio to produce premium original content across languages and genres for all digital platforms

    Zee Studios launches digital content studio arm

    By A Correspondent

     

    Zee Studios has announced the launch of an independent digital content studio, Zee Studios Originals, that will produce a original content and create new IPs for all digital platforms globally.

     

    Zee Studios has appointed Ashima Avasthi from BBC Studios to head the digital content studio. With over 20 years of experience in the media and entertainment industry, Avasthi has worked across diverse genres and regions with brands like MTV and Turner International. Prior to joining Zee Studios, she was with BBC Studios as a Senior Creative Director and Head of branded content.

     

    Speaking on the launch of the new business unit, Shariq Patel, CEO, Zee Studios, commented: “Zee Studio Originals furthers our vision of becoming a holistic content studio with its offering across platforms and screens to meet the insatiable hunger of today’s consumers for premium content. We are working with leading directors and writers to develop and show run our digital slate and will announce the same very soon. I welcome Ashima on board and I’m sure with her varied experience, she and her team will make great content and set newer benchmarks”.

     

    Added Avasthi: “The game has only just begun. Zee has been a pioneer in producing compelling content for decades in broadcast and films, and it is absolutely the correct time for Zee Studios to move into digital production. I am looking forward to creating content that is distinct, unexpected, relevant, cutting-edge and truly world class. Zee Studio Originals will ride on the legacy and experience of Zee but will strategically move ahead in the new age direction that the studio has been set up for, independently.”

     

     

  • According to information received, the Court has directed Zee to remove all hoardings across the country which mention the name of Rajat Sharma

    Delhi HC restrains use of Rajat Sharma’s name in Zee Hindustan ads

    By A Correspondent

     

    Delhi High Court has injuncted Zee from using the name of India TV founder and chairman Rajat Sharma in any of its advertisements. According to information received, the Court has directed Zee to remove all hoardings across the country which mention the name of Sharma.

     

    While granting the injunction in favour of India TV, the Delhi HC has upheld the celebrity rights of Sharma in his name. Sharma has been hosting the television show Aap Ki Adalat for over 25 years. Interesting, Aap Ki Adalat started out on Zee TV before Sharma moved on from the network.