MxMIndia

Category: TV

  • Multiplayer Video Quiz, Augmented Reality and 100+ Show based games

    SonyLIV to launch OTT gaming destination with AR and show-based games

    By A Correspondent

     

    SonyLIV announced the launch of India’s first OTT gaming destination with over 100 exclusive show-based games, to be launched in a phased manner. With this move, SonyLIV aims to reach out to 50 million new users offering them a one-stop gaming destination. These games are curated around some of Sony Pictures Networks’ (SPN) biggest IPs across channels like KBC, CID, Crime Patrol, The Kapil Sharma Show, Patiala Babes, Baalveer, Kicko & Super Speedo, amongst others.

     

    Said Uday Sodhi, Business Head – Digital, Sony Pictures Networks India said: “India houses 10 per cent of the world’s gamers and this number is slated to rise exponentially. With the launch of our OTT gaming platform, we intend to trigger this target segment and capture the market to an extent of 50 million users. This falls in line with India’s OTT market share predictions, which is expected to triple its size in the next four years. Our database of 100+ games will cater to every generation of gamers that we aim to engage with through a plethora of events to capture their attention.”

     

    Added Amogh Dusad, Head – Content, Partnerships & New Initiatives, Sony Pictures Networks: “At SonyLIV, we always try to push the envelope in user engagement by diversifying our offerings. The launch of our OTT gaming destination with absolute in-house expertise is a leap ahead in content innovations and ushering in an experience unexplored before on OTT. The Multi-player Video Quiz and Augmented Reality format Games also give our audience a chance to reconnect with their favourite shows and characters in a completely different and engaging context.”

     

     

  • This mandate was won following a multi-agency pitch

    Zee5 partners Lowe Lintas to drive its global creative strategy

    By A Correspondent

     

    Zee5 has announced that it has appointed Lowe Lintas as its creative partner to drive its creative strategy across international markets. This mandate was won following a multi-agency pitch. The brand will be handled by the agency’s Mumbai office.

     

    Archana Anand

    Commenting on the partnership, Archana Anand, Chief Business Officer, Zee5 Global said: “Driving more meaningful conversations with our audiences across markets is a key part of our agenda for the year, and how well we can engage them through our communication will play a critical role in that. We needed to work with a partner who could bring in strong creative ideas that lend themselves well to localization, and that are backed by strategic insights, and Lowe Lintas brings that to the table. We’re happy to have them on board as our creative partners in this next phase of Zee5’s growth.”

     

    Anaheeta Goenka

    “It’s a pleasure to further our Zee network partnership with Zee5”, added Anaheeta Goenka, President, Lowe Lintas. “We are working closely with their truly entrepreneurial and driven team to launch Zee5 globally. An interesting challenge as we needed a global positioning yet something that travels across geographies and mindsets and is yet deeply culturally connecting to the content.
    “Extreme Emotions” is what we serve for any viewer of our content wherever they may be in the world. The idea travels culturally and deeply connects to everyone.”

     

     

  • This follows the resignation of Ashok Venkatramani as Managing Director as he has “decided to pursue interest outside the Company”, as per filings with the stock exchanges on Tuesday (July 9).

    Barun Das to take over from Ashok Venkatramani at Zee Media?

    By A Correspondent

    Enter?: Barun Das
    Exit: Ashok Venkatramani

    Senior mediaperson and former Zee News CEO Barun Das is set to take over as CEO/MD of Zee Media Corporation (ZMCL), according to an internal grapevine. This follows the resignation of Ashok Venkatramani as Managing Director as he has “decided to pursue interest outside the Company”, as per filings with the stock exchanges on Tuesday (July 9). An announcement on Das’s appointment is likely to happen today.

    Das, an alumnus of IIT Madras and IIM Calcutta had a successful stint of five-and-a-half years with Zee News, as the company was called earlier, from September 2007 to December 2012. Recently, Das did a short consulting stint with Harvest TV. Venkatramani had joined ZMCL in July 2018 after long stints at ABP News and Hindustan Unilever.

  • Unveils new campaign to showcase tagline ‘Khushiyon Wali Feeling’

    Sony Sab refreshes brand philosophy

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sony Sab is out to redefine itself through a new philosophy and has launched a brand campaign with a tagline ‘Khushiyon Wali Feeling’. The TVCs are conceptualized by Contract and shot by Boot Polissh Films.

     

    Said Neeraj Vyas, Business Head, Sony Sab, Pal and Sony Max movie cluster: “We are absolutely delighted to present an exciting new brand campaign which will usher in our new brand philosophy. We believe this campaign will further help us strengthen our positioning as a brand that goes beyond just providing comedy content and will help us connect with our audiences on a much deeper level with a focus on wholesome happiness. These brand films truly reflect the very core of our brand which is built on showcasing light-hearted values driven content which makes people happy”.

     

    Added Sagar Mahabaleshwarkar, Chief Creative Officer, Contract Advertising: “The brief to us was simple – happiness is something that goes beyond comedy. It’s about how people feel. People remember how they feel and that’s what drives their own happiness and makes them into better people. And, when people are happy they are more likely to spread their happiness through simple acts of kindness. Taking this core thought forward, we have built these exciting brand videos with relatable situations and characters – something Sony SAB is known for. Weaving these two things together, I believe we have created something the viewers will completely resonate with.”

     

     

  • Launches Tamil language audio feed in addition to existing English and Hindi feed

    Animal Planet unveils new brand identity & programming line-up

    By A Correspondent

     

    Animal Planet has kickstarted its 20th anniversary celebrations in India by adopting a new brand identity. The new logo incorporates a fresh and distinctive image of a leaping elephant, which aims to keep the childhood joy and wonder of animals alive by bringing people up close to animals in every possible way.

     

    Animal Planet also announced that it will offer new programming as part of the celebrations. The channel will increase its focus on blue chip programming related to Indian wildlife. Animal Planet has also launched a new YouTube channel Animal Planet India with an aim to build an online community which is passionate about wildlife.

     

    Said Megha Tata, Managing Director – South Asia, Discovery Communications India: “We are kickstarting 20th anniversary of Animal Planet in India by refreshing our brand identity and brand personality. The channel’s mission is to celebrate and explore our vital, enriching and ultimately humanizing connection with the animal world. The new look Animal Planet will offer a trusted heaven for the whole family to enjoy the best of wildlife content. To make the connect deeper with our younger audiences, we will be introducing a dedicated weekend programming slot. Animal Planet will sharpen focus on stories linked to animal conservation as it aims to awaken viewers to the need for animal welfare and conservation. We will be launching multiple initiatives to harness the power of millions of animal lovers across the country for the cause of animal conservation. As a corporate, we are already taking affirmative action to help conserve world’s most iconic and endangered creatures. Through Project CAT and our partner WWF, we have already made progress in our goal to help double the world’s wild tiger population by 2022.”

     

     

  • His strong background will go a long way in making ZEE5, the most trusted brand for news, said Taranjeet Singh, Chief Revenue Officer and Business Head, New Projects, Zee5 India

    Zee5 appoints Yogesh Manwani as Head, News & Stories

    By A Correspondent

     

    Zee5 has appointed Yogesh Manwani as Head, News & Stories.

     

    Taranjeet Singh

    Commenting on the new appointment, Taranjeet Singh, Chief Revenue Officer and Business Head, New Projects, Zee5 India said: “News is a dynamic space which is constantly changing and evolving. Yogesh’s experience across various genres will help us strengthen our bond with the viewers along with keeping the brand interesting and relevant. His strong background will go a long way in making Zee5, the most trusted brand for news.”

     

    Yogesh Manwani

    Speaking about his role, Yogesh Manwani, Head, News & Stories, Zee5 India said: “With its stand out originals slate and the unparalleled depth of its library content across genres, formats and languages, Zee5 has successfully established itself as the fastest growing OTT brand in the category. I am excited about carrying this momentum forward to build a robust News and Stories service on the platform that will provide consumers with a high-quality experience. I am happy to join the Zee family and be a part of the Zee5 team that is shaping the future of this category.”

     

     

  • A dedicated vertical for digital has also been created

    Discovery India announces new top deck

    By A Correspondent

     

    Discovery Communications India has announced changes in its top deck. The earlier division of roles basis mass and premium networks has been done away with and the new structure has distinct verticals for content development and marketing to “drive deeper focus and offer greater leverage across the 13 network channels”. A dedicated vertical for digital has also been created.

     

    The company announced that Issac John will take on the role of Business Head for Digital with singular focus to build a strong D2C presence via digital product offerings. Sai Abishek will lead the content vertical for factual & lifestyle entertainment while Vednarayan Sirdeshpande will take over Marketing portfolio for the network including factual, lifestyle & kids as well as trade.

     

    Speaking on the occasion, Megha Tata, Managing Director – South Asia, Discovery Communications India, said: “We have made select changes in our org structure in light of the opportunities available in the evolving media landscape. The sharper focus on functional areas will help us become more potent, more agile.”

     

    Discovery Communications India’s leadership team led by Megha Tata includes: Vijay Rajput, Senior Vice President – Affiliate Sales & Product Distribution; Vikram Tanna, VP, Head of Advertising Sales and Business Head of Regional Clusters; Ruchir Jain, Senior Director – Finance; Gaurav Garg, Senior Director – Consumer Insights and Research; Issac John, Director- Digital Business; Uttam Pal Singh, Channel Head – Discovery Kids; Sai Abishek, Director, Content- Factual & Lifestyle Entertainment; Vednarayan Sirdeshpande, Director-Marketing; Ruchi Kuthiala, Director – Director- People & Culture; Mansha Shukla, Director – Legal Affairs; Sameer Bajaj, Director – Corporate Communications & External Affairs; Praveen Chaudhary, Associate Director – Strategy.

  • Marks the milestone with a new brand campaign ‘Yeh Hai Desh Ki Deewangi’

    Sony Max celebrates 20 years with a new communication message

    By A Correspondent

     

    To kickstart celebrations of completing 20 years of entertaining movie lovers in India, Sony Max has rolled out its latest TV campaign highlighting its brand essence ‘Deewana Bana De’.  The campaign celebrates the spirit of millions of cinema fans whose passion and enthusiasm for movies make them special and larger than life.

     

    The TVCs are conceptualised by DDB Mudra and shot by Footloose Films. To promote the campaign, the channel is engaging in a massive television plan across news, kids and regional channels for three weeks. The marketing plan also consists of a huge digital leg.

     

    Said Neeraj Vyas, Business Head, Sony SAB, PAL and Sony Max Movie Cluster: “I am thrilled that Sony Max which has been the undisputed leader, week on week for nearly three years, setting unparalleled standards in the industry, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. For two decades, our robust library of films, path-breaking concepts, trend-setting programming have made the channel a strong favorite. We take pride in our deep audience insights and our ability to keep abreast of the dynamic and evolving movie viewing patterns that have helped us stay ahead of the curve. On this truly momentous occasion, we reiterate our commitment to offering only best-in-class entertainment.”

     

    Added Vaishali Sharma, Head, Marketing & Communications, Sony Sab, Pal and Sony Max movie cluster added: “As Sony Max completes 20 years, we are extremely excited to present our viewers with the brand-new campaign that bring together our two memorable decades in ‘Yeh Hai Desh Ki Deewangi.’ Like Gullu Gulati, each one of us have grown up with the passion and madness for movies. He represents the heart of every Indian. With this milestone, we only promise to get better and bigger from here on while entertaining our audiences to their heart’s content.”

     

    Said Rahul Mathew, National Creative Director, DDB Mudra Group: “Indians and Hindi cinema are inseparable and when it comes to movies, it’s Sony Max. The clear brief given to us was to conceptualize a campaign for the channel which has been the epitome of Bollywood movies for past 2 decades now. To capture the essence of this stature we had to recreate the ‘Deewangi’ that represents the emotions of the entire nation. Hence, Gullu was born whose ‘Deewangi’ for movies and Sony Max resonates with every movie lover in India.”

     

     

  • Ranjona Banerji comments on Arnab Goswami's mega-tantrum against director Aparna Sen on Republic which was followed by protégé Navika Kumar and successor Rahul Shivshankar on Times Now

    Journalism or Calibrated Outrage?

     

    By Ranjona Banerji

     

    A supposed meltdown on Republic TV by famous TV anchor Arnab Goswami is doing the social media rounds. In the clip, Goswami is on a massive rant against film director Aparna Sen for being a signatory to an open letter asking the prime minister to do something to stop mob lynchings and religious violence in India.

    Goswami accuses Sen of trying to destroy India among other such claims, does not allow her to speak and carries on with what appears to be a mega-tantrum.

    However, suppose it is not a meltdown? Suppose this is the television that Goswami has found suits his audience the best? It is after all a style that he honed while on Times Now. And now he has perfected it. The tough guy journalist who will save his country from secular, compassionate, liberal intellectuals, that anti-national constituency that wants to rip India apart by not kowtowing to the majority religion and the government in power.

    It is therefore more than likely that this is manufactured and carefully calibrated outrage. It serves two purposes: it tells the BJP that Goswami remains one of theirs no matter what, and that there is no extent of illogicality and non-journalism that he will not go to support them. And it tells his audience that he remains what he is: a mighty show pony who will provide great entertainment every night regardless of the consequences and/or credibility.

    The journalism, remember, stopped while Goswami was at Times Now and therefore could not shift to Republic TV.

    The experiment that he started at his last job has taken fruit. At Times Now, his protégé Navika Kumar and his successor Rahul Shivshankar, carry on with Goswami’s toxic agenda, at times trying to outdo him. For all the great “fight” that Bennett Coleman had with Goswami when he quit, it is telling how they carried on with the form of non-journalism that he began. They replaced him with a wannabe clone which is I suppose a sort of compliment.

    Shivshankar on Thursday night (July 25) was in good “defend my masters” mode while he questioned panellists about why everyone wanted to save India’s religious minorities, but no one wanted to save Hindus. Trying to save Hindus is some Times Now hashtag on social media. The subject of the debate was the Triple Talaq Bill and the criminalisation of those Muslim men who use instant divorce as a way to abandon their wives. I made a huge mistake here and genuinely thought Shivshankar was going to ask why no one wanted to save women. I realised within second of course that I was on the wrong track.

    Shivshankar put me right and if one extrapolates from his sycophantic and illogical stance, then no one in the government is interested in the women. Of course, if they were, criminalisation would play no part in this bill but that’s another story.

    The capitulation of the media to the ruling BJP and its agenda is also clear, even without the melodramatics of Goswami or the poor seconds of Shivshankar. The very fact that the Right to Information Act was amended so easily is testament to our cowardice. Journalists – real ones, I mean, not these television snake oil salespeople – are those who will suffer the most as an authoritarian government exercises its muscle power in Parliament to protect itself.

    Do we care?

     

    Ranjona Banerji is a senior journalist and commentator. She is also Consulting Editor, MxMIndia. Her views here are personal

     

  • Cricket legends Sunil Gavaskar and Sir Vivian Richards will share the screen on Extraaa Innings for the #Furious&Fast series

    Sony announces commentators for upcoming India tour of West Indies

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sony Pictures Sports Network (SPSN), the official broadcaster of the India tour of West Indies, has announced programming initiatives to increase engagement with audiences across India. The India tour of West Indies will also mark the start of the ICC World Test Championship for both teams.

     

    SPSN’s live wrap-around show, Extraaa Innings, will return for the India tour of West Indies featuring Sir Vivian Richards, Sunil Gavaskar, Graeme Swann, Murali Kartik, Darren Ganga and Ian Bishop in English, and Ashish Nehra, Ajay Jadeja, Mohammad Kaif and Vivek Razdan along with presenters Gaurav Kapur and Arjun Pandit in Hindi. Extraaa Innings will also make an appearance in the breakfast segment with the post-match analysis for the ODI and Test series. In addition to this, SPSN will be airing ‘Cricket Talk’, a show that will provide previews for the Test format and reviews after the T20I and ODI formats.

     

    Said Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer, Distribution and Head – Sports Business, Sony Pictures Networks India: “This monsoon, Indian viewers can watch #MoreCricket and thrilling action on Sony Pictures Sports Network with The Ashes and India tour of West Indies. A robust programming line-up has been created for the India tour of West Indies along with the legendary Sir Vivian Richards and Sunil Gavaskar reuniting in the studio along with other exceptional panelists. The India tour of West Indies will also mark the start of the ICC World Test Championship for both teams. With brilliant performances expected from both the highly skilled teams, the India tour of West Indies is going to be unmissable for every cricket lover in the nation.”

     

     

  • The Idea was conceptualised by Zee5 internal brand team and executed by the outdoor agency Laqshya

    Zee5 installs dynamic billboards in Mumbai

    By A Correspondent

     

    Zee5 has installed real-time, dynamic billboards across Mumbai’s Western Express Highway (WEH). This will inform the commuters of the estimated time of arrival (ETA) to their destination coupled with what to do while traveling by recommending shows like Kaafir, Rangbaaz to watch on the Zee5 app.

     

    The Idea was conceptualized by Zee5 internal brand team and executed by the outdoor agency Laqshya. The billboard went live on July 27 and will stay on for a month.

     

    Said Manish Aggarwal, Business Head, Zee5 India: “Zee5 has always been a platform built for the masses and OOH is an important medium for us to reach out to our target audience. We have been innovating in the outdoor space and it’s our constant endeavour to use data and technology as we are a data technology led company, to reach out to our consumers in a targeted manner. With 100,000+ hours of content in 12 languages, we want to provide our consumers with an enriching personal viewing experience and democratise content by making it available anytime-anywhere.”

     

     

  • The one-year countdown will include a series of Olympic Channel shows, which includes India-centric content to further familiarise audiences with Indian athletes and Olympic sport disciplines

    Sony Sports kicks off one-year countdown to Tokyo Olympics

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sony Pictures Sports Network (SPSN), the official broadcaster of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, has kickstarted its initiatives for the mega-event with its on-air campaign, ‘Hum Honge Kamyab’. SPSN has informed that the one-year countdown will start with the telecast of a series of Olympic Channel shows, which includes India-centric content to further familiarise audiences with Indian athletes and Olympic sport disciplines.

     

    Said Rajesh Kaul, Head – Sports Business and Chief Revenue Officer, Distribution Sony Pictures Networks India: “We are proud to be the official broadcasters of the world’s greatest and most prestigious multi- sporting event, Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. With less than one year to go, the preparation for Tokyo 2020 is underway for the Indian contingent as well as Sony Pictures Sports Network. Our endeavor is to let our athletes know that the whole nation is behind them on their yearlong preparations with our war cry, “Hindustan dekh raha hai ek hi khwab, Hum Honge Kamyab” stylized around one of the most inspiring anthems. It is a very proud moment for our network to launch this movement and we are further supporting it with our year-long programming initiatives that will bring the inspiring stories of the best Indian and international athletes like Dipa Karmakar and Sakshi Malik to our viewers.”