MxMIndia

Category: TV

  • Until recently CEO of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Johri was associated with Discovery Networks Asia Pacific for 15 years

    Former BCCI boss Rahul Johri joins Zee as President – Business, S Asia

    By A Correspondent

     

    As part of its Zee 4.0 strategy, Zee Entertainment has effected a significant restructuring of its top deck. Punit Misra will take over as President – Content & International Markets, Amit Goenka will take over as President – Digital Businesses & Platforms, Tarun Katial who is leading the ZEE5 India business will continue to report into Goenka, Shariq Patel will be responsible for the integrated movies business and Anurag Bedi will continue to drive the music business.

     

    But the big announcement is the appointment of Rahul Johri as President – Business, South Asia. Johri will be responsible for leading the integrated revenue and monetisation team. Until recently CEO of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Johri was associated with Discovery Networks Asia Pacific for 15 years.

     

    Speaking on these announcements, Punit Goenka, MD & CEO, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. said: “Zee 4.0 will be an integrated and synergised organization, with a sharp focus on delivering world class entertainment content to our consumers across the world and enhanced value to our partners across the ecosystem. As I had expressed in my Open Letter, our endeavour will be to build a process-oriented structure for the future and our integrated approach is a strong step in this direction. ‘Gusto’ is an extremely important pillar of the new version of the Company and as an ‘Academy of Talent’, Zee will continue to nurture and build leaders for the Company and the Industry at large. I am delighted to have Rahul Johri join us to lead the Revenue & Monetization team and I am equally glad to have a strong business leadership team comprising of Amit Goenka, Punit Misra, Shariq Patel and Anurag Bedi, leading their respective functions. I am most certain that the collective experience and expertise of the leadership team, will help us immensely in achieving our set goals for the future.”

     

     

  • The numbers tell the story. Time for the genre to wake up, and stop fighting, writes Pradyuman Maheshwari.

    Present Imperfect. Future Shock. News Channels lose as GECs gain

    By Pradyuman Maheshwari

     

    Ring-a ring-a ratings

    Claims versus shoutings

    Cops, CBI, advertisers & viewers frown

    And we all fall down!

     

     

    So here’s another take-off on our favourite nursery rhyme, partly courtesy a friend and fellow-columnist. But before you look at the graphs: here’s an exercise.

     

    Fill in the Blank:

     

    The News Channels genre is getting _______.

     

    Since you have to putting the answer in your own language, choose whatever word you would like.

     

    The numbers tell the story.

     

    Here they are:

    Please click on image if you find this unclear

     

    If you prefer graphs, look at these:

     

    May we alert you that these numbers are not validated from BARC. They have come in from two different sources. But we will update if necessary, when we’ve got it from BARC. Btw, we chose 2+ and not 15+/22+ AB one mn plus or all-India, because it was easier to compare with GECs.

     

    The message is clear. News channels – in Hindi, Regional, English and Hindi Regionals (like MP, Bihar etc) need to do some soul-searching.

     

    If they continue to fight, if they continue to not do the right things, there’s bound to be trouble. For themselves.

     

    News channels owners, editors and managers need to stop fighting. The best of political and corporate forces have buried their differences. Many moons ago, India TV had exited the News Broadcasters Association for reasons that are best not recalled now. More recently TV9 quit the association and we heard of some talks of a possible litigation. So there’s no reason why NBA and NBF can’t combine forces. Call it something else if necessary. Rejig the set of officebearers. But it’s important to have a strong, joint force.

     

    Be competitive. Stop fighting. Let’s stop putting each other’s images on telly. Let’s stop group media entities to participate in a ‘maaro saale ko’ campaign.

     

    We’ve seen what’s happened thanks to all of this. It could only get worse. Serious.

     

    Advertisers have not yet said goodbye, but if they see lower ratings, they could.

     

    Enough said. Have a good weekend.

     

    And this Dassera, Dussehra or however you spell it, let’s kill the (d)evils within us.

     

  • To be hosted by Shekhar Suman, who is know for his takeoffs on Bihari political leaders

    Shekhar Suman’s Poll Khol back on ABP News

    By A Correspondent

     

    ABP News has brought back Shekhar Suman’s ‘Poll Khol’, a satirical show on the current state of political affairs of the country.

     

    Hosted by yesteryear television superstar Shekhar Suman, the new season of the show, like every other, brings out the comical aspects of the political situations in his own inimitable way.

     

    Said Avinash Pandey, CEO, ABP Network: “ABP News has always differentiated itself in the vast sea of content through an ingenious approach. As the political battle of Bihar comes close, we want to ensure a comprehensive viewing experience. We are sure that this year also Poll Khol will keep the viewers glued to their TV screens.”

     

     

  • Five leading celebs from the Bangla entertainment industry – Ditipriya Roy, Riddhi Sen, Sweta Bhattacharya, Souraseni Maitra, and Neel Bhattacharya, along with their mothers – get together for the campaign

    Zee5 launches digital campaign for Puja 2020

    By A Correspondent

     

    This Durga Puja, Zee5 has launched a digital campaign #MaayerSatheMaakeDekha to encourage the audience to celebrate pujo by paying a tribute to their mother alongside Maa Durga. Five leading celebs from the Bangla entertainment industry – Ditipriya Roy, Riddhi Sen, Sweta Bhattacharya, Souraseni Maitra, and Neel Bhattacharya, along with their mothers – get together for the campaign

     

    Speaking on the campaign, Avi Kumar, Head Brand Marketing & Supply, Zee5 India said: “Durga Pujo is inarguably one of the greatest festivals celebrated in India. Backed by strong consumer insights, #MaayerSatheMaakeDekha connects a chord with the consumers. Zee5 continues to stay true to its promise of providing real, resonant, and relevant content to its users. We hope this initiative will contribute to making this pujo more memorable one for everybody.”

     

     

  • New look to reiterate its “editorial positioning of pure, balanced and fast news"

    CNN-News18 changes look

    By A Correspondent

     

    Leading news channel CNN-News18 has refreshed its design, look and feel. “It is going to be bigger, bolder, brighter and better than before,” notes a communique.

     

    Said Zakka Jacob, Executive Editor – CNN-News18: “The world has changed. We are adapting ourselves to continue to stand by our channel’s ethos of ‘On Your Side’. Given the current environment, this is a significant moment for news television. We at CNN-News18 believe it’s the right time to put sanity back in the news. It’s time to channel facts, not outrage. We have been known for our fair, balanced and non-partisan coverage, which means that all sides talk to us,” adding: “Our commitment to unbiased journalism and to putting India first will always be top priority. Bharat is an aspirational country with biggest young population in the world. We are also one of the oldest civilisations that even today has much to offer to the world. Our new look will blend all these factors and present a news viewing experience that New India truly deserves and aspires for.”

     

    Notes a communique: “In this new look, for the first time, the channel will be setting the graphic design template in HD format. No other news channel has done this so far. For the viewers’ experience, the screen will be divided into multiple columns thereby making it look bigger, bolder and better to understand, thereby breaking all clutter.”

     

     

  • Ravish Kumar will continue to lead the network’s regional broadcast forays in Kannada and Marathi

    Rajesh Iyer back at Viacom18. To head Colors Bangla, Odia, Tamil & Gujarati

    By A Correspondent

     

    Rajesh Iyer
    Rahul Joshi
    Rahul Joshi

    Viacom18 has announced the appointment of Rajesh Iyer to take on independent charge of Colors Bangla, Colors Odia, Colors Tamil and Colors Gujarati. Meanwhile, Ravish Kumar will continue to lead the network’s regional broadcast forays in Kannada and Marathi. Both Iyer and Kumar will work closely to grow the regional broadcast footprint of Viacom18.

     

    Speaking about the appointment, Rahul Joshi, MD, Network18 said: “Regional broadcast entertainment is a key pillar in our endeavour to chart out a high-growth path for Viacom18. India is witnessing an unprecedented boom in the segment and agility is the need of the hour to get to leadership positions in our existing regional markets. With his years of leadership experience across TV and digital ecosystems, Rajesh is ably poised to take on the challenges presented by the genre and successfully grow the business.”

     

    Iyer joined Network18 in March 2019 and has worked closely with the leadership team there to spearhead new initiatives. Prior to this and as part of the broadcast leadership team at ZEEL, he launched and headed Zee’s second Hindi GEC &TV in 2015. He has worked with Viacom18 in the past for six years when he led the marketing portfolio of the flagship channel Colors. He has also worked with Star India, YuppTV and advertising agencies Ambience Publicis and Ogilvy & Mather.

     

     

  • The series for Virat Kohli’s Team India happening after a gap of almost nine months comprises three ODIs, three T2OIs and four Tests

    Sony Sports to air Ind-Aus series from Nov 27

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sony Pictures Sports Network (SPSN) is all set to broadcast Team India’s first cricket series under the new normal as the tour of Australia will commence November 27, 2020 and will be aired live on Sony Ten 1 channels in English, Sony Ten 3 channels in Hindi and Sony Six channels in English, Tamil and Telugu commentary. The tour will be the first international cricket series for Virat Kohli’s team India after a gap of almost nine months and comprises three ODIs, three T2OIs and four Tests.

     

    As per schedule released by Cricket Australia, Sydney and Canberra will host the opening ODIs and T20Is at the Sydney Cricket Ground and Canberra’s Manuka Oval. The much-awaited battle for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will begin with a day-night encounter at the Adelaide Oval on December 17, followed by Tests at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 26, the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 7 and the Gabba on January 15. The Adelaide fixture will be the first day-night Test played between the Australian and Indian men’s teams.

     

     

  • On Wednesday (Oct 28), Kantar released the CX+ India – Telecom, Media & Technology (TMT) Report 2020

    Jio,Airtel,Netflix,Apple,Tata Sky top Kantar CX+ 2020 TMT

    By A Correspondent

     

    Jio, Airtel, Netflix, Apple, Tata Sky have topped the Kantar CX+ 2020 for TMT. The Kantar CX+ report evaluates the CX performance of companies in the Telecom, Media and Technology sectors, using the Kantar’s CX+ index. CX+ is a sector-specific index to look at brands in the context of their category. It uses customer centricity as its core to evaluate CX performance of a company.

     

    As per a communique, the basic premise of CX+ is that brand and customer experience have become synonymous, in this increasingly connected environment.

     

    The roadmap to delivering a holistic experience is based on five key CX success factors:

    1. Clarity of brand promise

    2. Empowered employees

    3. Empowered customers

    4. Creating lasting memories

    5. Reinforcement of brand choice

     

    Additionally, the study also identifies each brand’s Experience Gap – which quantifies the difference between the Brand Promise and the actual customer experience delivered.

     

    The CX+ index for each brand is derived based on a combination of the CX Performance and the Experience Gap.

     

    The TMT study covered Telecom Network Providers, Media Streaming Platforms and Handheld Devices. In this study conducted in early 2020, clear winners emerged in each of the sectors.

     

    Commenting on the launch of the CX+ TMT report findings, Sushmita Balasubramaniam, Domain Lead for CX and Commerce – South Asia, Insights Division, Kantar said: “The landscape across the TMT sectors has changed drastically over the last one year. Consumers’ adoption of and dependence on digital, whether for basic everyday living, working, studying or entertainment has presented enormous challenges to companies in these sectors. And, the changes in usage of products and services will also mean that customer priorities on the kind of experience they are seeking will be different from the pre-Covid era.”

     

    Added Soumya Mohanty, Chief Client Officer, South Asia, Insights Division, Kantar: “In the current scenario, with tech convergence and emerging global media giants, the world will see vigorous competition in the TMT sector. This is an arena where tech credentials will become increasingly hygiene, CX will be critical. As network services providers, handheld device brands and streaming media providers, all will leverage customer data to build personalised journeys, CX and owning the relationship with the end user will become increasingly important.”

     

    Kantar CX+ 2020: Leaders in the TMT sector in India

     

    The Kantar CX+ TMT 2020 study analysed 6,000+ customers drawn from users across the sectors in India and was conducted in early 2020.

     

     

  • The report predicts that the IPL buzz volume of the digital track will grow from 37 mn in 2019 to 60 mn+ in 2020, writes Indrani Sen

    IPL 13 Rules. And how!

     

    By Indrani Sen

     

    Ever since IPL 13 began on September 19, 2020 with a massive 20 crore viewers on Star India Network and Disney + Hotstar, the tournament has been delivering high ratings on TV and OTT platforms.

     

    On the digital media front, IPL 13 is generating huge tractions over and above its coverage through Star India’s OTT platform Disney  + Hotstar. On October 30, 2020 Wavemaker published a press release on their mid-season report of “IPL Mesh 2020” covering matches from September 19 to October 24. Mesh is Wavemaker’s Realtime Data Intelligence tool which has integrated data from “multiple consumer touchpoints across Digital ecosystem ranging from Social Listening, Google Searches, Website visits, BARC, Video analytics in partnership with VIDOOLY, Interaction data points collected from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube” to arrive at the observations and predictions shared in the report.

     

    The press release by Wavemaker contains a few charts and whets the appetite for the total report. The report predicts that the IPL buzz volume of the digital track will grow from 37 Mn in 2019 to 60 Mn + in 2020. During the first 36 days of the tournament, CSK was the driving force behind the interactions on social media. Now that CSK has failed to secure a place in the playoff matches, it will be interesting to watch if the buzz volume of the track gets affected. Similarly, it would be interesting to see who takes the place of M S Dhoni as wicketkeeper in the Leading Player Index Leader Board.

     

    In the Leaderboard ranking of most loved ads, Dream 11, Oppo and Tata Motors took the first three positions in desending order. IPL 13 has also seen a never before engagement in gamification of Cricket Fantasy League with the top five Fantasy League in September 2020 generating 30 million google searches and 90 Million web traffic. Based on historical data, the report claims that there will be huge surge both in TVP and social buzz during the next two weeks which will counter the drop in the social media buzz over during the last few weeks as shown in the chart above.

     

    While the Wavemaker’s report reconfirms the accelerated growth of the digital media intractions in India, in traditional TV media also IPL 13 continues to deliver high ratings to the satisfaction of the advertisers who have invested their advertising rupee in cricket. A fortnight back on October 15, TAM released “IPL 13 Advertising Report 1” based on their ADEX data covering the period from September 19 to October 10 (25 natches).  The report has shown an 8% growth registered in average ad volumes from IPL 12 to IPL 13 during the same time span/ number of matches. 5 out of the top 10 categories have been from E-commerce with 35% share of IPL 13 advertising volume and Oppo India’s commercial made it to the top position quite fast during IPL 13 compared to 2nd position in IPL 12.

     

    The most interesting fact which has emerged from this Advertising Report is the participation of new categories and brands in IPL 13. According to the TAM Adex report 30+ new categories and 150+ new brands advertised during IPL 13 compared to IPL 12. It remains to be seen how the advertising frenzy builds up further during the last two weeks of IPL 13, strategically scheduled during the pre-Diwali season in this pandemic hit year.

     

  • Prior to Bloomberg, Chaudhry has worked with Times Network, Conde Nast, BBC Worldwide

    Jaya Chaudhry to head media sales at Bloomberg

    By A Correspondent

     

    Jaya Chaudhry

    Bloomberg Media has appointed Jaya Chaudhry to manage the India market and focus on growing revenues across Bloomberg’s media offerings. Based out of the New Delhi office, she would look at strategy, sales and spearhead custom-led solutions for the market. She will handle strategy, sales and custom solutions for key Bloomberg Media offerings in India including digital, TV, print and events.

     

    Prior to Bloomberg, Chaudhry has worked with Times Network, Conde Nast, BBC Worldwide.

     

     

  • Happy & Pinaki – The Bhoot Bandhus is the name of the show

    Nickelodeon announces 10th IP for Sonic

    By A Correspondent

     

    After a slew of home-grown IPs like Motu Patlu, Pakdam Pakdai, Shiva, Rudra, amongst others, Nickelodeon is all set to introduce its first spooky comic series and its 10th Indigenous IP – Lego presents “Happy & Pinaki- The Bhoot Bandhus” on Sonic. Produced by Tavrohi Animation, the show will start on November 9 at 11:30 AM.

     

    Speaking about the success of the homegrown IPs, Nina Elavia Jaipuria, Head – Hindi Mass Entertainment and the Kids TV Network at Viacom18  said: “Kids are at the center of our universe and understanding their evolving preferences and catering to their diverse entertainment needs is at the core of all our initiatives. With each passing year, we have identified white spaces and brought alive clutter breaking and pioneering series that have gone on to be category game changers and favorites amongst all our stakeholders -kids, parents and advertisers ensuring that we are the most loved No1 kids entertainment brand in the country. With the launch of our new show Pinaki & Happy-The Bhoot Bandhus on Sonic, we are set to once again enthrall our young viewers with an immersive and unmatched entertainment experience.”

     

    Added Anu Sikka, Head – Content, Kids TV Network, Viacom18: “With the launch of our new show Pinaki & Happy -The Bhoot Bandhus, we are expanding our already popular programming catalogue to keep our young audience entertained. Each character and their traits are so carefully crafted that I’m confident that the Bhoot Bandhus will be thoroughly loved by the kids. The show promises to take kids into a new world of fun bringing to them first of it’s spooky-comedy series which takes them on a laughter ride when the bhoot world meets the real world. Over the years our adorable toons have formed an unbreakable bond with kids through the stories they tell and we are confident that that our young viewers will surely embrace the new characters  and make them a part of their daily lives.”

     

     

  • It’s time the ecosystem doesn't succumb to government pressure, writes Pradyuman Maheshwari

    Comment: Government must not interfere in TV measurement!

     

    By Pradyuman Maheshwari

     

    MxMIndia has been consistent on its position that the government mustn’t have any role in the television ratings process. We wrote this in 2018, and earlier in 2016 and perhaps a few more times. That the government would appoint a committee to review guidelines on television rating agencies in India, was known. Earlier this year,  on the eve of BARC’s fifth anniversary (https://www.mxmindia.com/2020/04/on-eve-of-barcs-5th-birthday-trai-issues-recommendations-on-tv-audience-measurement/), TRAI issued recommendations on the way ratings should happen.

     

    So while we were appalled when on Wednesday, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting constituted a committee to review guidelines on television rating agencies in India notified by it in 2014, we weren’t surprised. We thought that in the spirit of ‘Ease of Doing Business’, the government wouldn’t interfere. That we guess was asking for too much. It’s the government after all.

     

    It’s time the media ecosystem – broadcasters, advertisers and media agencies – must ask the government to not interfere.

     

    While a review of how BARC is performing is good to do, and what measurement should be like is a must and must be evaluated often enough, did it require the MIB to do it? Couldn’t the joint owners of broadcasters, advertisers and advertising agencies have conducted this? After all, they run businesses of over crores of rupees and are mostly fair in their decision-making. Mostly fair, because we’ve seen some regressive acts in the past. It may be noted that the BARC Board – the meetings of which happen very regularly – is constituted of members of all stakeholders.

     

    But back to our concern that the government shouldn’t be getting involved in measurement. As always, vested interests have evidently got onto the act and prevailed upon the government to do this.

     

    It appears that the genesis of the problem is the unity (or lack of it) amongst and within the three constituents. It is incorrect to let the government interfere. In fact, I may add here that the government’s intervention is a slap in the face of the stakeholders.

     

    The government-appointed TRAI should not have any role in the television audience measurement. Just as it doesn’t have any role in print, radio and internet audience measurement. There is some bizarre view that the reason why the government is involved is because its ads buying arm – the DAVP – loses monies because of incorrect measurement. So what about print which also earns its largesse? The government is scared of the big print players and isn’t able to bully them the way they are able to control the TVwallahs.

     

    The data that is thrown up by measurement is used by advertisers (and hence ad agencies) to decide on advertising and by broadcasters to aid its content and distribution. And since successive governments are aware that the media ecosystem is divided and people love to pull down others, it takes advantage of the situation. Look at print: even though an HT may hate Times, a Dainik Bhaskar may take on Dainik Jagran or Rajasthan Patrika, all rivals are almost always on one page when it comes to warding off government influences.

     

    Frankly, if I am advertiser, I can decide on the criteria for advertising on a certain channel. It could be ratings, it could the colour of the CEO’s shirt or saree, it could be whatever. Why should anyone else decide what the ratings should be. Will the government ask HUL, Amul, Dream11 to give reasons why it is paying XYZ crore rupees to Channel X or Y for its ads? Will the government ask Media Agency ABC why it is suggesting Channel V or W for its advertising. That’s a contract between the advertiser and the agency… Aap Inke Hain Kaun?

     

    Also, there can be multiple ratings agencies that can co-exist. Competition is always good to have, but measurement is an expensive exercise to conduct, and someone has to pay for it. From what I understand, the downturn has already impacted the subscription monies of BARC. It’s alright to talk of the need for competition, but one must remember that it doesn’t come free. That is if you want a quality measurement exercise.

     

    Bottomline: Broadcasters, advertisers and advertising agencies need to do some tough talking with the government. BARC must not toe the government’s line. BARC must not subject itself to the government’s demands.

     

    If BARC doesn’t do its job properly, its joint owners and subscribers will stop paying for its services. That by itself will ensure that it will provide good service. If a channel feels aggrieved, it can petition the association it is a part of to advise/tell/order BARC.

     

    Simple. Hai na? Time for the ecosystem to flex its muscles. And say: Hum Aapke Hai Kaun? And Kyun?

     

    This is the communique from the Press Information Bureau website:

     

    Ministry of I&B constitutes committee to review Guidelines on Television Rating Agencies in India

    Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has today constituted a committee to review “Guidelines on Television Rating Agencies in India” notified by the Ministry in 2014.

    The present guidelines issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) on Television Rating Agencies in India were notified after detailed deliberations by the Parliamentary Committee, Committee on Television Rating Points (TRP) constituted by the MIB and recommendations of Telecom Regulatory Authority etc.

    It has been found, based on the operation of the guidelines for a few years, that there is need to have a fresh look on the guidelines particularly keeping in view the recent recommendations of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), technological advancements / interventions to address the system and further strengthening of the procedures for a credible and transparent rating system.

    A committee has been hereby constituted to study different aspects of the television rating system in India as they have evolved over a period of time.  The Committee shall carry out an appraisal of the existing system; examine TRAI recommendations notified from time to time, overall industry scenario and addressing the needs of the stakeholders and make recommendations for robust, transparent and accountable rating system through changes, if any, in the existing guidelines.

     

    The composition of the Committee shall be as under:-

    i)             Shri Shashi S. Vempati, CEO, Prasar Bharti                 …. Chairman

    ii)            Dr Shalabh, Professor of Statistics,

    Department of Mathematics and Statistics,

    IIT Kanpur                                                                           ….Member

    iii)           Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, Executive Director,

    C-DOT                                                                                  ….Member

    iv)           Professor Pulak Ghosh, Decision Sciences

    Centre for Public Policy (CPP)                                         ….Member

     

    The Terms of Reference for the Committee shall be as under:

    a. Study past recommendations made by various forums on the subject of television rating systems in India and matter incidental thereto;

    b. Study recent recommendations of Telecom Regulatory Authority on the subject;

    c. Suggest steps for enhancing competition in the sector;

    d. Review of the presently notified guidelines to see if the intended purpose(s) of issuing the guidelines have stood the test of time and has met needs of various stakeholders involve The lacunae, if any, shall be specially addressed by the Committee;

    e. Any issues related or incidental to the subject;

    f. To make recommendations on way forward for robust, transparent and accountable rating system in India; and

    g. Any other related issues assigned by MIB from time to time.

     

    The Committee can invite any expert as a special invitee. The Committee will submit its report to the Minister for Information & Broadcasting within two months.