MxMIndia

Category: TV

  • Edition 11 report examines ‘Impact Of COVID-19 On TV Viewership And Smartphone Behaviour Across India

    TV Ad volumes in unlock period surpasses pre-Covid volumes by 12%: BARC & Nielsen report

    By A Correspondent

     

    BARC India and Nielsen Media jointly presented Edition 11 on ‘Crisis Consumption on TV and Smartphones.

     

    Some of the Key Highlights of TV and Smartphone consumption are as follows: –

     

    Total TV viewership has shown consistent growth in the last 12 weeks – Current week Daily Average Reach is 7% higher and Average, Daily Time Spent is 13% higher than pre- Covid period.

    Growth in current week vs pre-Covid period is seen across both Primetime (3%) and Non-Primetime (44%) and also across HSM and South markets.

    Overall smartphone usage is slightly lower than pre- Covid levels. The drop in the recent weeks is on account of time on banned apps getting reduced.

    On TV, share of different genre is more or less back to pre- Covid levels – Original programming bringing back the GEC genre both in HSM and South Markets; News and Movies see a growth in Primetime.

    On Smartphones – revival seen in shopping (surpasses Pre- Covid levels in recent weeks), Education and Video Conferencing continues to grow – almost 1 in 5 people accessing them, Overall time spent on Video Streaming returns to pre- Covid levels.

    Independence Day event garnered 4.6 BN viewing minutes – highest viewership in last 2 years – also higher than all the previous PM addresses during Covid.

    Live Telecast of Ayodhya Bhoomi Pujan garnered 7.3 BN viewing minutes.

    On Content viewed on Smartphones – Sushant Singh starrer “Dil Bechara” tops Movie Charts in Week 1 of release, followed by action thriller “Khuda Hafiz”, “Mastram” continues to top the Original Series charts, followed by “Bandish Bandits”, “Dangerous”  & “Aarya”, Share of time spent on Syndicated series on OTT increases as new programming resumes.

    Ad Volumes in Unlock period surpassed Pre-Covid Volumes by ~12% – Top 10 Advertiser inventory increased by 34% in Unlock period compared to Pre COVID period.

     

     

  • On an interim basis, the ABP News content team will be reporting to Sanjay Bragta and Sumit Awasthi for news gathering and news production, respectively

    Rajnish Ahuja moves from being editor to head corp comm at ABP Network

    By A Correspondent

     

    We’ve had editors move to corporate communication roles in the past, but that’s normally outside of the organisation. So a Sandeep Gurumurthi moved as head of editorial at ET Now to heading corp comm at the Aditya Birla group. There have been similar moves in the past. But this one at ABP Network is interesting as it’s within the organisation.

     

    Rajnish Ahuja

    So Rajnish Ahuja will be leading the corporate communications department, spearheading the company’s external relations, and stakeholder engagement.  Meanwhile, on an interim basis, the ABP News content team will be reporting to Sanjay Bragta and Sumit Awasthi for news gathering and news production, respectively.

     

     

    Avinash Pandey

    On this development, Avinash Pandey, CEO, ABP Network said: “We are extremely thrilled to be initiating this strategic role revision as a part of our growth and sustenance strategy. Mr Ahuja, Mr Bragta and Mr Awasthi have been a great asset to the network. Their leadership credentials and expertise in implementing successful internal and external communications strategies will be fundamental to the overall organisational growth.”

     

     

  • With this thought, KBC promises a comeback this year

    KBC Season 12 credo is Jo Bhi Ho, Setback Ka Jawaab Comeback Se Do

    By A Correspondent

     

    The 12th Season of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) gears up for a comeback with the thought – Jo Bhi Ho, Setback Ka Jawaab Comeback Se Do.

     

    Conceptualised and written by Nitesh Tiwari & Nikhil Mehrotra, the campaign is directed by Nitesh Tiwari, and it touches a raw nerve.

     

    Said Amit Raisinghani, Head – Business Planning and Communication, Sony Entertainment Television: “KBC celebrates the achievements of people irrespective of how small or big the achievements are. The campaign this year has been driven by people’s determination to turn adverse circumstances in their favor and move ahead in life. It’s always a pleasure to work with Nitesh Tiwari, who exactly knows the pulse of the situation, and creates impactful ad films for KBC. We hope, like in past, this campaign resonates strongly with our audience.”

     

    Added Tiwari:  “I am grateful for the trust that Sony puts in me each year for the KBC campaigns. This year is of course very different and challenging for all of us is every aspect. But it has been a year of learning and exploring avenues that probably weren’t thought of, paving the path for something meaningful. Which leads us to the insight that there is a spark somewhere in each one of us that keeps us going, notwithstanding the obstacles, however big or small. The idea of this campaign is to reignite the spark and inspire people to move ahead in life.”

     

     

  • Company also donates 5,000 Face Shields, Surgical Masks & Sanitizers each to the Chennai Police Force

    Zeel donates to Tamil Nadu to fight against Covid-19

    By A Correspondent

     

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) has handed over critical healthcare equipment to the state of Tamil Nadu, further strengthening its fight against Covid-19.

     

    In the presence of Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, the first batch of 18 ambulances were handed over to the TN government. Additionally, Zee has donated 12,500 PPE Kits, 5,000 Face Shields, Surgical Masks and Sanitisers each, to the state.

     

    Speaking on this initiative, Punit Goenka, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Zee said: “Zee is committed to provide a strong support to the Tamil Nadu government in its fight against Cvid-19, with a key focus on strengthening the overall healthcare infrastructure. We also stand together with the dedicated police force of Chennai who have been at the frontline in this fight against the pandemic.”

     

     

  • New animated series follows time-altering adventures of cousins who can pause, rewind, fast-forward and slow down their reality thanks to a mysterious phone app

    Nickelodeon Intnl teams up with Indian arm

    By A Correspondent

     

    Nickelodeon International has teamed up with Nickelodeon India to coproduce The Twisted Timeline of Sammy & Raj. The new series marks the first collaboration between the top kids’ entertainment brand and the leading Indian kids’ category brand from India’s fastest growing entertainment network.

     

    Said Jules Borkent, Executive Vice President, Kids & Family, ViacomCBS Networks International: “The popularity of international content is on the rise, and Nickelodeon is focused on meeting the rising demand for diverse, creative stories for a global audience. This groundbreaking partnership with Viacom18 goes beyond kids’ content, as we look to embrace greater diversity both on-screen and behind the camera,”

     

    Added Nina Elavia Jaipuria, Head of Hindi Mass Entertainment & Kids TV Network at Viacom18 said: “Over the years, Nickelodeon India has created successful local IPs and characters that kids love. This partnership with Nickelodeon International has gone beyond the border lines of creativity and stands testimony to the success of Nick India and Nick International in creating groundbreaking content. It further reinforces the capability of the Indian Animation Industry. We are happy to partner with Nickelodeon International for this show and look forward to working together in creating this series for kids across the world.”

     

    Said Anu Sikka, Head Creative, Content & Research, Kids TV Network at Viacom18 said: “Kids imaginations and aspirations are universal and it’s this learning that has brought this show to life. The series will be showcasing stories that kids around the world will find relatable and engaging, hopefully opening up more opportunities for future collaboration. Our efforts are to make sure that kids get to experience the best of animation and that this show will stir their imagination and transport them into a new world of adventure.”

     

     

  • Bigg Boss 2020 is scheduled to premiere soon on Colors and Voot Select

    Mobile Premier League is Presenting Sponsor for Bigg Boss 2020

    By A Correspondent

     

    Mobile Premier League will be sponsor of Bigg Boss 2020, Season 14 of the reality show. Hosted by Salman Khan, for the new season, Colors has got leading e-sports and mobile gaming platform Mobile Premier League (MPL) as the presenting sponsor. According to industry sources, Bigg Boss 2020 is scheduled to premiere on Colors and Voot Select early next month.

     

    Speaking about the partnership, Mahesh Shetty, Head, Network Sales, Viacom18, said: “Bigg Boss is the biggest reality show in the entertainment space, and it appeals to demographics across geographies. Given its strong fanbase makes it one of the sought-after marketing platform for sponsors. Over the years, several brands have come forward to explore innovative customisations and partnerships to deliver their business ambitions. Mobile Premier League (MPL) is one of India’s leading esports and mobile gaming platforms that provide unparalleled gaming experience to the users and we are glad to welcome them as the presenting sponsor for the new season of Bigg Boss.”

     

    Talking about the collaboration, Abhishek Madhavan, VP, Growth and Marketing, Mobile Premier League (MPL) added: “Bigg Boss is one of the most watched reality shows in India and easily the most popular and most talked-about reality TV show across the country. With a superstar like Salman Khan hosting it, every season is eagerly awaited by millions and promises something new. With MPL expanding into areas like entertainment via its live-streaming and a bunch of video-first features, Bigg Boss was the most obvious choice for us to associate with. We eagerly look forward to this season and hope to cement MPL’s position as a household name through the partnership.”

     

    Elaborating on the partnership, Navin Khemka, CEO, India & South Asia from Mediacom said: “We are delighted with this partnership of MPL and Bigg Boss. This is one show that has shown consistent performance over the years. We are confident that we will be able to leverage a strong association with the loyal Bigg Boss audience through some innovative associations that we have in store for our exponentially increasing gaming audience. India loves to play and this time it’s going to be inside the Bigg Boss house with MPL.”

     

     

  • Republic Media Networks’ R Bharat, continues to rule the Hindi News Genre with 19.5% market share, curates’ special offers for the festive season

    Republic Bharat hikes ad rates on the back of high ratings

    By A Correspondent

     

    Remember Uber, the cab aggregator service we would also use once to commute? Some of us still do of course.But this isn’t about Uber. It’s about Uber introduce surge pricing when the demand was high and the supply was less.

    Over the last few weeks, Republic Bharat has been flying high on the ratings roster. Critics may say that that it’s on the back of the Sushant Singh Rajput coverage of the channel. Perhaps it is, but it’s #1 is on for the third consecutive week and even though BARC guidelines recommend usuage of ratings data for a four-week average, it’s not inappropriate to record R.Bharat’s rise.

    Yes, there is a distinct possibly that category leader Aaj Tak may get back to its #1 status as it has in the past, but from what we hear, the R Bharat newsroom is fighting hard to ensure this is not considered an aberration.

    The channel claims 19.53% marketshare on the basis of the 14 top Hindi news channels from the 27 watermarked channels that BARC measures. The average time spent per viewer, notes a communique, has grown by 100% since its launch at a staggering 27 mins whereas the total time spent of the Hindi News genre is 17 mins. R Bharat continues to maintain #2 position in terms of reach. The channel also claims the “owning primetime” slot.

    With R Bharat exerting its influence on the ratings roster, the channel has announced an increase the price by more than 50% of the existing rates. “With the upcoming festive season, R Bharat has announced special offers, promising advertisers across genres a seamless execution experience with the best platform in the Hindi News Market,” adds the communique.

    Said Vikas Khanchandani, Group CEO of Republic Media Network: “Republic Bharat as a brand has taken up people’s causes and has stayed true to its core by focusing on 100% News. R. Bharat has connected with the Hindi-speaking masses by staying relevant, fearless and honest. That love and affinity for the brand has translated into strong viewership and ratings. Republic Bharat as platform delivers both performance and impact which is makes it the most engaging and effective news platform across Bharat”

    Added Hersh Bhandari, COO of Republic Bharat: “The belief that news is back has been our biggest win. We have demonstrated with our performance, that we have been consistently delivering for our partners. Clients today are ready to  reward  performance, if they are convinced about their investment and smart enough to understand their returns. With over 200 weekly active brands showing their faith in the brand , we are in position to ask the deserving price/rate in the market and we are confident that the market will respond positively.”

     

     

  • Star Sports has unveiled the campaign – ‘Ek Saath Waali Baat’, in the run-up to the much-awaited season of Dream11 IPL

    Star Sports launches ‘Ek Saath Waali Baat’ for IPL 2020

    By A Correspondent

     

    Star Sports has unveiled the campaign – ‘Ek Saath Waali Baat’, in the run-up to the much-awaited season of Dream11 IPL.

     

    Said Gautam Thakar, CEO – Star Sports: “As a country, we have always come together during testing times and we have seen the same over the last few months. There has been a greater sense of community and empathy that has demonstrated the resilience of the human spirit. The ‘Ek Saath Waali Baat’ campaign has been created with this same ethos. Dream11 IPL is the most-watched sporting event in the country and this year, it is even more special. The campaign builds on the sense of community and signals towards the much-needed emotion of hope,”.

     

     

  • TV9 Bharatvarsh picks up key sponsorship of Kolkata Knight Riders (IPL 2020) and Trinbago Knight Riders (CPL 2020)

    TV9 bets big on cricket by sponsoring IPL & CPL teams

    By A Correspondent

     

    TV9 Network is betting big on cricket, with TV9 Bharatvarsh, the Hindi news channel from the network, picking up key sponsorship in Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) and in Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR), a Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchisee owned by Kolkata Knight Riders.

     

    TV9 Bharatvarsh will be the Lead Arm Sponsor of KKR and the Upper Chest Sponsor of TKR. With these sponsorships, TV9 Bharatvarsh is set to bat on a new pitch as the channel races towards the final frontier in the Hindi news genre.

     

    Speaking on the association, Barun Das, CEO, TV9 Network said, “Cricket is not just a sport in India. It’s a religion. That’s why the TV9 Network, India’s largest news network, has partnered with one of the most exciting teams, Kolkata Knight Riders, for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL). With this tie up, we intend to offer exclusive IPL experience to our viewers. The meteoric rise of our national Hindi news channel TV9 Bharatvarsh to the No. 2 position is proof that viewers value innovation in their daily news experience”.

     

    Added Venky Mysore, CEO and MD, Knight Riders: “We are very excited to partner with TV9 Bharatvarsh. We hope this partnership will emerge to be a game changer for both TV9 Bharatvarsh and our teams, as we provide a platform to reach out to cricket lovers, while TV9 Bharatvarsh brings their content and news expertise”.

     

    CPL, which commenced on August 18, will conclude on September 10 in Trinidad and features three-time champions Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) and five other teams. IPL, as we know, is scheduled to start on September 19 in the UAE and conclude on Nov 10, 2020, featuring two-time champion KKR and seven other teams.

     

     

  • The channel from the Zee stable airs Telugu movies

    Zee Cinemalu celebrates 4 anniv

    By A Correspondent

     

    Zee Cinemalu, the Telugu movie channel from Zee Entertainment is celebrating its fourth anniversary today (Sept 4).

     

    Commenting on fourth anniversary, Sai Prakash – Business Head of Zee Cinemalu said: “Our process of curating content for programming line-up is based on what we believe the audience will enjoy and appreciate, while at the same time adding a mix of commercial and relaxing home- viewing entertainers, that are creating waves in the Telugu entertainment space. Zee Cinemalu is proud to offer a variety of movie genres that appeals to both the masses as well as the niche audiences looking for something different. We are extremely excited about completing yet another milestone in our journey in the Telugu market. We promise the viewers that we will continue to entertain them with the content that is truly Dil Pai Superhit.”

  • Mahesh Shetty, Head of Network Sales at Viacom18, in conversation with Pradyuman Maheshwari

    Achche Din for Viacom18’s Bigg Boss for Revenues

     

    By Pradyuman Maheshwari

     

    They don’t make too many of them in this world. Especially in the cruel world of television network sales. But then there’s Mahesh Shetty, Head, Network Sales at Viacom18. Cool, candid and absolutely honest.

     

    In fact given the interviews I have done in the past, I thought it would be good to ask him some tough questions. But, then, he was so frank in his response – that Chinese electronics player Vivo backed out of the sponsorship of the network’s marquee property, Bigg Boss, that one thought it’s good to go easy.

     

    Now as Colors gets set for the 14th edition of the reality show, Shetty spoke with MxMIndia on a variety of issues. The sponsorship by Mobile Player League, Salman Khan, other shows on Colors and revenues for the network as a whole.

     

    Sit back. Watch. Enjoy. Like.

     

     

  • The network has launched Times Now, ET Now, Times Now World and Zoom in Europe and Mirror Now globally, through OneHubTV

    Times Network spreads its tentacles with Vision247

    By A Correspondent

     

    Strengthening its digital presence in the international market, Times Network, in partnership with Vision247, a digital communications and managed broadcast service provider based in UK, has launched Times Now, ET Now, Times Now World and Zoom in Europe and Mirror Now globally, through OneHubTV.

     

    Jagdish Mulchandani

    Said Jagdish Mulchandani, COO & Executive President, Times Network said, “We are very excited to announce the global launch of Times Network’s premium channels across international markets through our strategic partnership with Vision247. Catering to the requirements of the new age tech savvy viewers, OneHubTV is a compelling destination that offers a plethora of opportunities for us to connect with our global viewers. I am confident that our robust offering will cater to the viewers preferences, providing them a holistic content viewing experience.”