Category: TV

  • ET Now Swadesh launches digital platform

    By Our Staff

     

    ET Now Swadesh, the Hindi business news channel from Times Network, announced its dedicated digital platform, etnowswadesh.com on August 15.

     

    Said Rohit Chadda, President & COO – Digital Business, Times Network said: “Our recent launch of etnownews.com has successfully registered a staggering 5 crore users in a short span of time. This achievement propels us to introduce the unparalleled Hindi business news offering of ET Now Swadesh in its digital avatar, ensuring accessibility for all segments of viewers who consume business news online. We are encouraged by the promising results of the ET NOW Swadesh website, which has already received half a million page views even before its launch. We are confident it will further our mission of fostering financial freedom for every discerning Indian.”

     

    Added Nikunj Dalmia, Managing Editor, ET Nowand ET Now Swadesh added: “Over the last two years, ET Now Swadesh has championed a revolution of financial empowerment and progress for millions of Hindi-speaking viewers. As we expand our digital footprint, etnowswadesh.com seamlessly integrates the channel’s Live stream and content with a host of web exclusives including special shows, videos, and compelling analysis, uniquely curated for Hindi viewers. I am confident that etnowswadesh.com will deeply resonate with the audience, fulfilling their aspirations to rise with India.”

     

  • Adani-owned NDTV launches channel for MP & Chhatisgarh

    By Our Staff

     

    Prefixing the headline with Adani-owned may be deemed mischievous, but it was necessary to do that. For, post the acquisition, NDTV has the money power, and there’s a clear objective of doing well on the ratings roster. News18 and Aaj Tak, please note. So well, the new recharged NDTV has launched NDTV Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh. The two states will see fiercely fought elections soon. The launch was scheduled yesterday, August 21.  The website url is mpcg.ndtv.in. This is the first in a number of regional channels the network plans over the coming months.

     

    Said Sanjay Pugalia, NDTV’s Executive Director and Editor-in-Chief on the launch:

    “Our decision to go regional stems from our desire to provide hyper-local, relevant news to people living in these states, towns and villages. We’ll carry NDTV’s legacy of trust to MP-Chhattisgarh, and we’ll give the people of MP-Chhattisgarh news that matters to them.” Pugalia has worked across the news business, and knows the business better than most others.

     

    Added Senthil Chengalvarayan, NDTV’s Executive Director: “NDTV’s regional channels are committed to bringing news you can trust, and carrying forward NDTV’s legacy of 35 years to the people of MP and Chhattisgarh. A big congratulations to the entire team on the launch.”

     

  • 2024: BJP versus I.N.D.I.A. 2023: News channel war hots up

    By Our Staff

     

    The real war will happen next year with the general elections, as the combined (or perhaps not so in spirit) opposition taking on the ruling BJP. But ahead of that, in the run-up to the elections in the five states including the all-important Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan assemblies, News18 India has launched a 360-degree media campaign to showcase its dominance in the Hindi news segment. And more importantly to take on Aaj Tak, leaders and among the earliest entrants in the India private news television space.

     

    The Hindi news channel released a page one ad in all editions of Economic Times to showcase its leadership in the genre. According to a communique which doesn’t quote any spokesperson, the campaign will also go live on digital and social media, with extensive visibility on trade media as well.

     

    As per the ad, the TV data shows that Aaj Tak has captured 0.8 crore lesser AMAs in Week 32 of 2023. Now we don’t know if BARC is fine with use of just one week’s dominance in advertising material, but we leave that to the wisdom of the measurement body and the association of news broadcasters which includes members of a large number of news channels, including Aaj Tak and News18.

     

    On the digital front, the ad says that News18 India received more video views on Facebook compared to Aaj Tak in July. (Source: Crowdtangle, July, 2023). Moreover, News18 India was also ahead of Aaj Tak by 12% in terms of YouTube views last month. (Source: Databeings, Video Views, Stats as of August 5 for all videos uploaded in July, 2023)

     

    We are certain we haven’t heard the last on this war of words and claims, but, as long as the viewer benefits and the broadcasters don’t lose on revenues in the tu-tu-main-main skirmish, we aren’t really complaining.

     

  • India Today launches ‘ChunavAajTak’

    By Our Staff

     

    India Today Group has officially launched its exclusive election-centric digital channel ‘ChunavAajTak’ given five state elections coming up, followed by the 2024 Lok Sabha elections

     

    Said Kalli Purie, Vice-Chairperson, India Today Group, stated during the launch of ‘Chunav AajTak: “In India, politics is one of the most captivating subjects for people, and elections are at the heart of politics. I am delighted that the India Today Group will now comprehensively cover all aspects of elections digitally, delivering viewers all the necessary information, news, and analysis related to elections.”

     

  • TV9 Network launches News9 Mediaverse

    By Our Staff

     

    TV9 Network has launches News9 Mediaverse, its fully integrated digital-first English news brand.

     

    It brings together News9 Plus along with News9 Live. The integrated service, with all three streams feeding one another, wilil define the  ‘Mediaverse’.

     

    Barun Das
    Barun Das

    Said Barun Das, MD and CEO, TV9 Network: “The world has undergone a complete metamorphosis. With the advent of the internet, digitization, mobile penetration, and now AI, it is a completely different world compared to the one we were born in. The world of entertainment media has changed. How could news remain the same? Which is where News9 Mediaverse comes in.”

     

  • Zee TV refreshes its design interface

    By Our Staff

     

    ZEE TV has refreshed its design interface with an aim to enhance and elevate viewer experience. This unique design approach is brought to life through the visual metaphor called the ‘Circle of Spark’ that ignites life’s most defining moments through inspiring stories and aspirational characters.

     

    ZEE TV’s strategic evolution of its on-screen TV experience leverages design for optimal business impact through enhanced information registration. It augments key aspects such as brand partners’ visibility, providing a distinctive proposition to its esteemed partners. Backed by the latest in ‘Neuroscience’, this intelligent design system captures consumer attention and heightens memorability, enhancing viewer retention of tune-in details and reinforcing platform recall. A holistic understanding of the consumer journey across the broadcast and digital ecosystem and imbibing their behavioural & navigational aspects forms the bedrock of Zee TV’s innovative design approach.

     

    Speaking on the refreshed visual experience, Kartik Mahadev, Chief Marketing Officer – Content SBU, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited said: “As pioneers of the television content landscape, our endeavour at ZEE has been to consistently deliver extraordinary experiences to our viewers. As we touch millions of hearts and homes across the many Bharats through our stories, our approach to design is in being native to culture, which we call ‘Soul to Screen’. This method enables us to be consumer centred and insight driven, making the brand and viewing experience personal. The new design for Zee TV captures the aspirations of the evolving Indian audiences. The ethos of ‘vibrance’ encapsulates the idea of a consumer who is confident, has innate strength and is taking action to shape an extraordinary tomorrow. In this new design language, we have combined cultural relatability with evolving CX trends, creating value for our viewers and advertisers alike, further fortifying our connection with our audiences and brands.”

     

  • Sony Marathi partners with Posterscope

    By Our Staff

     

    Sony Marathi partners with Posterscope, to launch a campaign for its latest show titled ‘Rani Mi Honar’.

     

    The campaign conceptualized and executed by Posterscope – the OOH (Out-of-Home) specialist agency from dentsu India, employed a captivating yet impactful strategy that leverages the iconic Kaali Peeli autos.

     

    Commenting on the campaign, Sainath Pai, Marketing Head, Sony Marathi said: “Our fictional narratives are characterized by their uniqueness and progressiveness. Similarly, we are committed to conveying our messages to viewers through unforgettable and delightful methods in our launch marketing campaigns. The goal was to rekindle the aspirations of countless women commuters, making them feel exceptional and empowering them to reclaim their own lives. This sentiment deeply aligns with the essence of our show ‘Rani Mi Honar’.”

     

    Imtiyaz Vilatra, Managing Director, Posterscope added: “In an era where grabbing attention is a challenge, embracing innovation becomes the key to breaking free from the ordinary and capturing the spotlight. At Posterscope, our objective is to infuse campaigns with remarkable innovative elements, ensuring they remain etched in the memory of both the brand and its audience. I firmly affirm that Sony Marathi’s ‘Rikshaw Rani’ campaign painted the city with an aura of excitement.”

     

  • Viacom18 bags BCCI TV & digital rights till March 2028

    By Our Staff

     

    The Board of Control for Cricket in India has awarded Viacom18 the contract for media rights all its international and domestic matches from September 2023 to March 2028. As part of the process, an e-auction was conducted yesterday (August 31) where eligible bidders were permitted to participate to determine the successful bidder. India is expected to play 88 matches over the next five years. This includes 36 T-20 internationals, 27 ODIs and 25 Tests.

     

    Viacom 18 has acquired the rights  for a cumulative figure of Rs 5,963 crore, pipping Sony Pictures Network, by a few hundred crore. Disney-Star was third in the fray. The awarding of the contract is, as a communique from BCCI notes, “subject to execution of definitive documentation and completion of formalities as required by BCCI, and other obligations specified in the ITT being completed”.

     

    Viacom18, it may recalled, already owns the digital rights for IPL.

     

    Said BCCI President, Roger Binny: “The recent BCCI e-auction has unequivocally demonstrated the vigour of cricket in India. The remarkable journey of Indian cricket, its meteoric rise on the global sporting arena, owes its success to the unwavering trust that people have vested in the BCCI leadership and its dedicated workforce. With the staunch support and collaboration of every stakeholder within our cricketing ecosystem, I am confident that we will continue to propel the brand BCCI to uncharted territories on the global sports stage.”

     

    Added BCCI Honorary Secretary, Jay Shah: “It fills me with immense joy and a profound sense of pride to witness the remarkable growth of brand BCCI. Today’s e-auction has propelled BCCI into the upper echelons of per-match media rights valuation, marking a monumental stride in our journey. Throughout this process, we have steadfastly upheld the principles of transparency and fairness, ensuring that all stakeholders are treated equitably. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Viacom18 for emerging successful in the e-auction, and I express my sincere gratitude to all the bidders who participated in this process. Their involvement underscores the industry’s confidence in India Cricket. I also want to acknowledge the role of market forces in reinforcing their belief and trust in us.

     

    Our underlying goal remains to strike a harmonious equilibrium between cricket and commercial interests. BCCI remains deeply committed to nurturing sports development in India through the medium of cricket. The revenue generated from media rights is an essential catalyst for nurturing grassroots cricket across the nation—a cause that resonates deeply with us. It’s the legacy we leave behind and the positive impact we create in our country’s cricketing ecosystem that truly matters.”

     

    Added N P Singh, MD & CEO, Sony Pictures Networks India, in a statement: “We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the BCCI for a transparent and efficient e-bidding process and to the winners for securing the bilateral media rights. Our disciplined bid was grounded in market forecasts and a long-term growth strategy. We remain committed to delivering top-tier sporting entertainment as we continue to see growing enthusiasm across various sports genres.”

     

  • Rahul Shivshankar to join Network18 as Consulting Editor

    By Our Staff

     

    Rahul Shivshankar, news editor and anchor, is all set to join Network18 Group as a Consulting Editor.

     

    Shivshankar will contribute across platforms at the network.

     

    Welcoming Rahul Shivshankar to the group, Puneet Singhvi, CEO (Digital) & President-Corporate Strategy, Network18 said: “Rahul is a distinctive journalist and editor with an unparalleled audience connect. He has been the face of prime time TV journalism and a leading newspaper columnist for almost two decades. His work will add a fresh dimension to our coverage of big events, both on TV and digital.”

     

  • TV will rule over digital for ODI WC viewership

     

     

    By Our Staff

     

    While there is a proliferation of the digital media with many media organisations and marketers betting big on the medium, television continues to rule, as of now. As per the monthly study conducted by Axis My India, 47% of respondents expressed their intention to tune in via traditional television, utilising DTH or cable services. Demonstrating the increasing influence of digital trends, 27% indicated their inclination to follow the event on their mobile devices. A notable 9% exhibited enthusiasm to experience the tournament live by planning to attend matches at the stadium.

     

    The survey inquired about respondents’ awareness of the forthcoming 2023 ODI World Cup being hosted in India. Encouragingly, 70% of participants confirmed their awareness of this prestigious sporting event taking place in the country. It highlights the fact that a substantial majority of respondents are cognizant of the global cricket event’s occurrence on Indian soil, reinforcing the event’s prominence and reach among the surveyed audience.

     

    The survey sought to ascertain respondents’ preferences regarding their anticipated viewing platforms for the upcoming 2023 ODI World Cup set to unfold in India. The findings reflect a diverse array of choices. Notably, These preferences underscore the multi-faceted avenues through which individuals are gearing up to engage with the international cricket spectacle, embracing both traditional and contemporary viewing modes.

     

    The findings are part of Axis’s India Consumer Sentiment Index (CSI), shedding light on significant media consumption trends. The report highlights a 1% decrease in media consumption from the previous month, with 19% of families indicating increased media engagement. The survey also delves into consumer behaviour during festive sales, where 23% of participants express continuity in their engagement with e-commerce platforms, with additional 11% intending to do first time online shopping this year. Furthermore, the anticipation surrounding the 2023 ODI World Cup is reflected in the diverse choices of viewing platforms, with 47% opting for traditional television and 27% embracing digital channels.

     

    The survey used Computer-Aided Telephonic Interviews and included 5048 participants from 35 states and UTs. Among them, 68% were from rural areas and 32% from urban areas. In terms of regions, 22% were from the North, 24% from the East, 28% from the West, and 26% from the South of India. Among the participants, 62% were male and 38% were female. Looking at the largest groups, 29% were aged between 36 and 50 years old, while 27% were aged between 26 and 35 years old

     

    Commenting on the CSI report, Pradeep Gupta, Chairman & MD, Axis My India, said, “As we stand on the threshold of the much-anticipated 2023 ODI World Cup on our home turf, we are poised to witness how brands strategically align themselves with this grand event. The widespread recognition and enthusiasm surrounding the tournament offer an ideal backdrop for brands to forge impactful connections with diverse audiences. With media consumption trends diversifying across linear television, digital platforms, and live stadium experiences, this global spectacle will beckon marketers to seize the opportunity and become a part of the cricketing fervor, with this spectacle happening during the peak festive season it will be an added advantage for brands.”

     

    Other key findings

    • Consumption of media (TV, Internet, Radio, etc.) has increased for 19% of families, depicting a decrease in media consumption percentage by 1% from last month. The net score, which was -7 last month is at -4 this month. Media consumption remains the same for 58% of families

    • Overall household spending has increased for 55% of the families, which is a decrease by 3% from last month. Consumption remains the same for 35% of families. The net score, which was +46 last month is +45 this month.

    • Spends on essentials like personal care & household items have increased for 41% of families, which marks a decrease by 3% from last month. Consumption remains the same for 40% of families. The net score, which was at +23 last month has dipped to +22 this month.

    • Spends on non-essential & discretionary products like AC, Car, and Refrigerators have increased for 6% of families, which is the same as last month. Consumption remains the same for 87% of families. The net score, which was 0 last month is at -1 this month.

    • Expenses towards health-related items such as vitamins, tests, healthy food has surged for 34% of the families. This reflects an increase in consumption by 1% from last month.  Consumption remains the same for 47% of families. The health score which has a negative connotation i.e., the lesser the spends on health items the better the sentiments, has a net score value of -15 this month.

    • Mobility has increased for 9% of the families, which is an increase by 2% from last month. The net score, which was -2 last month has improved to -1 this month. Mobility remains the same for 81% of the families.

     

    Festive Shopping trends

    • The survey delved into consumers’ intentions regarding their shopping preferences for the upcoming festive season. Notably, 23% of respondents plan to shop more during the festive period as compared to last year. Additionally, 28% of participants revealed their intention to maintain their spending habits at the same level as before, hinting at a stable consumer sentiment. These responses highlight the potential shifts in consumer behavior and their possible impact on the market.

    • The survey explored respondents’ prior and potential involvement in festive sales organized by e-commerce giants like Amazon and Flipkart. Significantly, a notable 23% of participants confirmed their past participation in such events and expressed their intent to maintain this pattern this year as well.  Additionally, 11% of those who had not engaged in festive online sales before expressed their interest in participating this year. Conversely, 7% acknowledged their previous engagement but revealed their decision not to partake this year.

    • Of 23% of those who intent to maintain the pattern this year, 44% said they will be shopping more through e-commerce mediums as compared to last year.  These insights provide a comprehensive understanding of consumers’ past and evolving attitudes towards e-commerce festive sales, shaping strategies for these platforms.

    • The survey explored participants’ inclinations towards investment in the Indian stock market or other financial assets in the upcoming months. Notably, a mere 6% expressed an intention to invest more, while 10% indicated plans to invest less. Meanwhile, 5% are projected to maintain their investment levels. These insights provide a snapshot of the current sentiment towards financial market investments, emphasizing the diverse attitudes among the surveyed individuals. Notably, a significant 79% still don’t invest in stocks.

    • The survey inquired about participants’ perceptions regarding the potential movement of the stock exchange (SENSEX) beyond the threshold of 70,000 before the festive period of Dussherra/Diwali this year. Encouragingly, 46% of respondents who invested expressed optimism that such a milestone could be achieved. Furthermore, 8% were uncertain about the market’s trajectory. These findings underscore the diverse range of opinions prevalent among respondents, reflecting the complex and multifaceted nature of stock market predictions.

    • The survey delved into participants’ perspectives on the government’s economic policies and their perceived influence on the nation’s growth. Impressively, 64% of respondents expressed a confidence in the effectiveness of policies such as Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana.

     

  • Bloomberg news to expand India-centric offerings

    By Our Staff

     

    Bloomberg News is expanding its India-centric offerings spanning digital platforms and Bloomberg TV. The new content includes a newsletter authored and curated by Bloomberg senior editor Menaka Doshi, as per a communique.

     

    Bloomberg’s enhanced India coverage across platforms includes:

    India Edition with Menaka Doshi: Launched on August 31, this weekly newsletter is an insider’s guide to India as an emerging economic powerhouse, and the billionaires and businesses behind its rise. Leveraging the insights of Bloomberg journalist Menaka Doshi, this newsletter will help readers make sense of the robust India growth story, from within. It will offer the best of Bloomberg’s exclusive reporting on India.

     

    In-depth G-20 coverage: With the world’s attention turning to India as it hosts the B20 and G20 Summits, Bloomberg TV will launch a four-part video series ‘Is This India’s Moment?’ and broadcast special TV programming around the G20, hosted by Menaka Doshi and Chief International Correspondent for Southeast Asia, Haslinda Amin. A special team of Bloomberg reporters will cover the high-level summit through exclusive stories and a live, rolling blog throughout the first week of September.

     

    India Focus TV Segment: Airing every day at 9:10 AM IST globally, the ongoing India Focus segment on Bloomberg TV features business interviews with influential Indian newsmakers.

     

    New Voices India: Since 2018, Bloomberg has sponsored intensive media training workshops, individualized for women and diverse executives in business and finance in 15 global cities and counting. A new cohort for India will be launched this October.

     

    Enhanced financial markets coverage: Bloomberg News continues to deepen its analysis of Indian asset markets. New and upcoming offerings on the Terminal include Non-Deliverable Forwards/Options Insights, a Weekly Cross-Asset Newsletter and a Weekly Derivatives Newsletter that harness the power of data and analytics.

     

  • X-Files, 30 years on

     

     

    By Bethan Jones

     

    On September 10 1993 the pilot episode of The X-Files aired. Thirty years later to the day, I was at a convention centre in Minneapolis with 500 other fans and the show’s creator, Chris Carter, celebrating its legacy.

    Ostensibly a show about aliens, The X-Files swiftly became part of the cultural lexicon and remains there to this day. In part its success was down to the chemistry of its two leads – David Duchovny, who played FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder and Gillian Anderson, who played FBI Special Agent Dana Scully. After all, it was the X-Files fandom that invented the term “shipping” (rooting for characters to get together romantically).

    But, as I argue in my new book, The Truth Is Still Out There: Thirty Years of The X-Files, what really made the series successful was its ability to tap into contemporary cultural moments and ask us to really think about the times we’re living in.

    When the series began in 1993, the US was still grappling with the effects of Watergate and the Vietnam war, but concerns were also rising about the approaching millennium and the economic and cultural divisions within US society. It also coincided with Bill Clinton becoming president – marking the end of more than a decade of Republican leadership.

    It’s little surprise that fears about immigration, globalisation, national identity and technology emerged and were adopted – and sometimes foreshadowed – by The X-Files’ writers. Several episodes throughout the first nine seasons dealt with artificial technology, for example, and Eve, an episode in season one about clones, came four years before the birth of Dolly the Sheep.

    Critical theorist Douglas Kellner argued in 1994 that The X-Files “generated distrust toward established authority, representing institutions of government and the established order as highly flawed, even complicit in the worst crimes and evil imaginable”. Though I’d argue it was less that the show generated this distrust and more that it leveraged the growing number of reports about the government’s secretive activities to inspire its storylines.

    As the public became more aware of the government’s role in – and surveillance of – public life, so too The X-Files considered the ways in which technology could be used as a means of control.

    In the season three episode Wetwired, for example, a device attached to a telephone pole emits signals that tap into people’s paranoid delusions and lead them to kill. And in the season six episode, SR 819, a character’s circulatory system fails because he has been infected with nanotechnology controlled by a remote device belonging to a shadow government.

    These themes reflected growing concerns about government agencies using technology to both spy on and influence the public.

     

    The X-Files’ enduring appeal

    During my X-Files research, carried out with viewers after a revival was announced in 2015, it became clear that the show has remained part of the cultural lexicon. As one fan explained: “The cultural context of conspiracy theories has changed since the beginning of X-Files. Nowadays, every pseudoscience documentary uses similar soundtrack and narrative.”

    Of course, the X-Files didn’t invent conspiracy theories, but as one of the show’s writers and producers, Jim Wong, points out, it did “tap into something that was more or less hidden in the beginning when we were doing it”.

    The trailer for The X-Files revival.

     

    The focus on the rise of the alt-right, disinformation and fake news in seasons 10 and 11 seemed like a logical angle from which to approach the changing cultural context the revival came into. Carter and his co-writers dove straight in to what Guardian critic Mark Lawson calls “a new era of governmental paranoia and public scepticism”, fuelled by the 2008 financial crisis, the fall out of the war on terror and scores of political scandals.

    Season 10 saw the introduction of a right-wing internet talk show host who argues that 9/11 was a “false flag operation” and that the mainstream liberal media lie to Americans about life, liberty and the right to bear arms. The parallels to conspiracy theorists like Alex Jones and Glenn Beck were obvious.

    Carter’s incorporation of topics like surveillance, governments’ misuse of power and methods of social control meant that seasons ten and 11 were very much situated in the contemporary moment. This is perhaps most obvious in the season 11 episode, The Lost Art of Forehead Sweat, which deals with the disinformation of the Trump era head on. The episode’s protagonist, Dr. They, tells Mulder that “no one can tell the difference anymore between what’s real and what’s fake”.

    While The X-Files’ search for the truth in the 1990s may have ultimately been a philosophical endeavour, in the 21st century it is a commentary on how emotion and belief can be more influential than objective facts.

    Watching the show again while researching my book, I was struck by how it was dated predominantly by its lack of technology, rather than the ideas it expresses. In the second season episode Ascension, Mulder pulls a phone book off a shelf in his search for Scully – now we’d use Google. But in other aspects the show remains as relevant today as it was in the 1990s, encouraging us to think about the big questions relating to faith, authority and truth.

    Bethan Jones is Research Associate, University of York. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.