MxMIndia

Category: TV

  • Brand ambassador Priyanka Chopra exemplifies her role as a catalyst of change

    New Samsung home appliance TVC brings in “ek fresh soch”

    By A Correspondent

     

    Cheil’s new television commercial for Samsung refrigerators has a new take - ‘ek fresh soch’ on how technology works as an ally in the life of today’s contemporary working woman.

     

    The idea behind the campaign was to introduce the new Digital Inverter Compressor technology in the new range of Samsung frost free and side-by-side refrigerators.

     

    The entire campaign revolves around “ek fresh soch” that has led to happiness across different families. The films are contemporary, clutter breaking and bring together a vital element that of making both technological and emotional connects with the woman of today. The introduction of appreciation from a child is unique as not only does bring to life product features and the benefits also elaborates sensitivities in today’s home and shows how aware children are of their surroundings and their sense of appreciation of little things in their lives. This coupled with Priyanka Chopra’s role-play as the catalyst of change bringing joy into peoples’ lives makes for a great connect with the audience for Samsung home appliances.

     

    Speaking on the creative, Alok Agrawal, COO, Cheil Worldwide South West Asia said: “The new line of refrigerators demonstrates Samsung’s contemporary lifestyle technology that is set to provide new experiences for today’s woman. Our treatment of the campaign and the messaging is reflective of the modern Indian woman whether housewife, working or single. Key brand and product features have been translated into an emotional benefit from a child’s point of view, as expressions of appreciation for changing the child’s life. The creative leverages Priyanka Chopra as the catalyst of the change as promised by Samsung Refrigerators”

     

    Creative credits:

    Client: Samsung Electronics India Limited

    Agency: Cheil WorldwideSW Asia

    Creative Team: Shiva Kumar, Ayon Sarkar

    Client Servicing team: Amit Ahluwalia, Gireesh Gupta, Nitin Mahajan

    Production House: Fleet Ent. Pvt Ltd.

    Directed by: Tarun Mansukhani

     

    Cheil India has been on an aggressive growth plan over the last 2 years, almost doubling its size in its employee strength and billings. Significant expansion and growth has been seen particularly in BTL and Digital areas, making Cheil one of the largest fully integrated single agencies in India, executing some of the largest cross-functional integrated campaigns, providing 360°implementation across all facets of marketing services.

     

    Cheil Worldwide Inc is Korea’s largest and one of the world’s leading advertising groups. Cheil offers a full portfolio of marketing communications services including advertising, PR, sports marketing, exhibition and display production, and production of large-scale performance events. In 2011, Advertising Age ranked Cheil as the #11 largest creative agency in the world.

     

  • The necessary provisions have been incorporated in the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2012 to take care of these concerns

    53 Days to D-Day | Govt addresses industry concerns over digitization

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2011 has made it mandatory for switch-over of the existing analogue Cable TV networks to Digital Addressable System (DAS) by December 2014, in a phased manner. The digital switch-over is to be completed by June 30 in the four metros -Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.

     

    Concerns had been raised by some stakeholders regarding the quality of Set Top Boxes (STBs) and the redressal of grievances of the cable TV subscribers. The necessary provisions have been incorporated in the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2012 to take care of these concerns. As per these Rules, the STBs to be supplied by the Multi System Operators (MSOs) must conform to the quality standards specified by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

     

    The MSOs are also required to devise a mechanism for grievance redressal, as specified by TRAI, and inform the details thereof to the subscribers. The Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable Services) Interconnection Regulation, 2012 has a provision that the STBs must be BIS compliant. During a Ministry review meeting with the national level MSOs, it was revealed that out of about one crore STBs required in the four metros, over 22 lakhs STBs have already been installed, about 25 lakhs STBs are available in the stock which are being installed and the orders have already been issued for the balance requirements of STBs.

     

    MSOs have confirmed that all the indigenously manufactured STBs conform to the BIS standard and the imported STBs not only conform to the international standard but also the BIS standard. Regarding the repair of defective STBs, the MSOs have intimated that within the warranty period of one year, a defective STB will be replaced immediately free of cost. After the expiry of warranty period, a faulty STB will be taken back for repairs by giving a replacement from the available stock.

     

    The MSOs have further confirmed that the Grievance Cells are being set up for resolution of disputes, if any, and the telephone numbers of the Grievance Cells would be notified.

     

  • At 3.40 TVR (CS 4+, all India), IPL 5 is faring poorly when compared to 2011 where it recorded a TVR of 3.54, 4.53 in 2010, 4.05 in 2009 and 4.72 in 2008

    Halfway through, IPL 5 ratings stabilize

    By A Correspondent

     

    The downward slide continues though not as stark as it is made out to be. Numbers released by TAM Sports for the first 48 matches of IPL 5 have shown the ratings to be the least recorded thus far compared to previous four seasons. At 3.40 TVR (CS 4+, all India), IPL 5 is faring poorly when compared to 2011 where it recorded a TVR of 3.54, 4.53 in 2010, 4.05 in 2009 and 4.72 in 2008.

     

    It may be recalled that for the first 36 matches, IPL 5 delivered a TVR of 3.41 per cent, for the first 27 matches, it delivered a TVR of 3.53 per cent and the first 16 matches, a TVR of 3.65 per cent.

     

    What has shown improvement is the cumulative reach for these 48 matches in IPL 5 that stands at 151 million. This is nearly the same for IPL 4 where the reach was 152 million and far better than IPL 3, 2, and 1 where the reach measured was 137 million, 118 million and 98 million respectively.

     

    Delving on the suggested trend, Janardhan Pandey, Associate Vice President, DDB Mudra Group said: “Despite what is being said, the sport remains most popular and the reach deliveries also seem to be in line with our expectations. Maybe it’s a period of stabilization for IPL20 viewership. It cannot be doing excellent forever after all. There were many issues to start with such as overdose of cricket & the consistent poor performance by Indian cricket team. Keeping all those factors in mind I will give thumbs up to overall performance of IPL 5.”

     

    On the reported rise in reach numbers, Mr Pandey said: “This shows the strong appeal that the game of cricket enjoys in India. The ever increasing eye balls for cricket are testimony to this fact.”

     

     

    Program TVR %
    IPL5 Opening Ceremony 1.16
    Viewership of IPL Seasons for first 48 matches
    Year Season No. of Matches Avg. TVR % Cum Reach 000s
    2008 IPL 1 *47 4.72 98988
    2009 IPL 2 *46 4.05 118698
    2010 IPL 3 48 4.53 137049
    2011 IPL 4 *47 3.54 152720
    2012 IPL 5 *46 3.40 151585

     

    (Source: TAM Sports; Market: All India; TG: CS 4+ yrs; Period: Wk 14 to 18, 2012; this data is for first 48 matches of all IPL seasons.)

    * In IPL 1 one match (47th) was abandoned due to rain

    * In IPL 2 two matches (7th & 13th) were abandoned due to rain

    * In IPL 4 one match (20th) was abandoned due to rain

    * In IPL 5 two matches (32th & 34th) were abandoned due to rain

     

  • Large cable distributors have said that one factor alone – a huge six-eight times hike in subscription revenues alone- would buttress their already profitable balance sheets

    Cable cos expect major hike in subscriber revs

    By A Correspondent

     

    TRAI’s argument that carriage fees paid by TV channels to cable MSOs are necessary to fund their digitisation appears to be falling apart scarcely a week after it was made. Instead, large cable distributors have themselves said that one factor alone – a huge six-eight times hike in subscription revenues alone as declarations spiral with addressability – would significantly buttress their already profitable balance sheets.

     

    With additional revenues from broadband and VAS, industry estimates also say that a bundled digital and broadband + VAS business model will result in the payback period being reduced by a year to 24 months, as opposed to 36 months under a standalone digital cable TV proposition. This comes even as industry reports –including one released five months ago– have been pointing out that all major national MSOs are already adequately funded for Phase I digital deployment (mandatory only in the four metros from July 1).

     

    Given that the government is also shortly planning to hike FDI for MSOs from 49 per cent to 74 per cent, industry analysts have questioned why TRAI assumed MSOs and cable distributors needed money in the form of mandatory carriage fees by TV channels – an annual recurrence – to fund their upgradation, which is only a one-time investment. This is especially inexplicable, as TRAI’s own April 30 Explanatory Memorandum to the DAS Regulations states: “In the addressable systems, due to transparency in ascertaining the number of subscribers, the subscription revenue is expected to go up. Therefore, the dependence of MSOs on the carriage fee, as a source of revenue, is likely to be reduced.”

     

    It has been well known that the cable distributors are the profitable, cash rich last mile, with even many smaller operators who under-declare subscribers/taxes, expanding into other activities like real estate, auto agencies, ancillary services, and so on — while most broadcasters have turned sick due to a killer combo of low ad rates, gross subscriber under-declaration and huge carriage/placement fees.

     

    The national MSOs, are, in fact, almost all profitable, with even newer ones like Den Networks having posted a 20.7 per cent yoy revenue growth in Q3 of the fiscal just ended, including a 6.6 per cent rise in its net profit. That is why the added bonanza of TV channels having to now mandatorily pay MSOs carriage fees caused MSO share prices to jump after the TRAI tariff order was announced– even as listed broadcaster scrips sank.

     

    Shares of Hathway Cable and Datacom had closed on May 2 at Rs185.40, 19.23 per cent above its previous BSE close, missing the upper circuit by a small margin, Den Networks also touched an intraday high of Rs116.90, before closing at Rs110.80, 2.12 per cent above its previous close.

     

    Earlier, a Media Partners Asia (MPA) report (Investing in Digital India) of December 2011 had projected a six times increase in subscriber revenues for MSOs, albeit with a 20 per cent subscriber churn to DTH – but MSOs themselves reacted very positively over the TRAI tariff order.

     

    Hathway Cable & Datacom MD & CEO K Jayaraman told a business daily last week, that his company expects revenue to go up by 250 per cent post-digitisation. “We have 9 million homes and, at the least, we expect to double the subscriber base as 80 to 90 per cent of the carriage revenue will go to MSO. Broadly, after taking churn and loss in the carriage fee, we expect revenue to go up by 250 per cent “, he said. The company’s CFO, G Subramaniam, said during the same interview, that while carriage fees would reduce, the subscription revenue would rise from 10-15 per cent of the revenue mix currently. “This increase is likely to be six-eight times, and will make up for the loss of carriage fee”, he added. Both said that digitisation would help them grow their broadband business – already significant, given that as per Mr Jayaraman,

    Hathway already had 4 lakh broadband subscribers and a Rs 150-crore topline, which he expected would double in the next couple of years.

     

    Mr Jayaraman also outlined the many sources for his company’s digitisation upgrade: IPO funds and a mix of internal accruals, debt and vendor finance. He said: “The capex will be Rs1,000 crore. Of this, Rs300 crore will be spent in Phase-I and the rest in Phase-II. Phase-I is to be financed from initial public offer proceeds. A mix of internal accruals, debt and vendor finance will be deployed in Phase-II. The funding plan for the second phase is yet to be finalised,” he added.

     

    The MPA report – which was released five months ago – also states clearly: “According to MPA analysis and interviews, all major national MSOs are adequately funded for Phase I digital deployment. The cost of digital software and hardware has also fallen since 2007, ensuring set top boxes plus the CA card will cost about $30-40 per unit in total including duties, compared with $60 three years ago”, and adds that a number of the MSOs (like Hathway, DEN) are also ordering digital STBs in larger volumes like 1 million per annum, by which costs are lowered to at least $30 per unit.

     

    For instance, this report also gave company-wise details on the impressive progress they had already made on digitisation, and outlined their excellent financial situation to achieve the same. For instance, it said that Hathway had a debt to equity of 0.3x and a high promoter holding (67 per cent), hence “the company has enough head room to raise further capital”. While it said that DEN had a “comfortable debt to equity stand of 0.2x with a net cash of Rs9.5crore”, it also had sanctioned loans of Rs200 crore, which had not been drawn at the time of the report’s release. Even regional MSOs like Ortel, which might have a comparatively higher debt to equity at 1.6x as per the report, appeared comfortable placed to take care of their digitisation upgrade.

     

    Source: The Economic Times
    Copyright © 2012, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All Rights Reserved

     

  • The second season of DID L’il Masters premiered on April 28 with an opening of 5.8 TVR, as per the TAM figures

    ‘Content not big celebs get in numbers’

    By Meghna Sharma

     

    Ashish Golwalkar

    Zee TV danced its way to the #2 slot amongst Hindi GECs as its Dance India Dance Little Masters (DID L’il Masters) leapfrogged to ratings of 6.2. Commenting on the reason why kiddie reality shows work, Ashish Golwalkar, Non Fiction Head, Zee TV, said: “The kids’ versionsof both Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and DID have done well. Kids bring out the universal emotion that connects with all; and with the holiday season on, the show makes for great television viewing for families. The talent that has auditioned for the show is superlative and watching them makes it aspirational for the kids and emotional for the parents.”

     

    The network which has various non-fictional shows to its credit believes in focusing on different genres. “We’re the pioneers of shows like Saanp Seedi, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Antakshari, Khana Khazana, and others and our non-fiction has always delivered. The feeling that only big celebrities garner high ratings is not true. It’s the content that connects with the audience and that’s what gets in the numbers,” added Mr Golwalkar.

     

    Akash Chawla

    The channel has done extensive marketing for the show. “Understanding the power of dance as an audio-visual treat, we wanted to promote DID L’il Masters through various audio visual means and hence, strategically focused on television and active online engagement. Through this, the extreme talent, skills, intrigue and the innocent attitude of the kids was highlighted which made the promos entertaining and endearing. The ‘Dance ke baap’ philosophy from the first season was further extended to ‘Yeh Badon Ke Bas Ki Baat Nahin’,” said Akash Chawla, ZEEL – Marketing Head, National Channels.

     

    Exclusive dance acts were showcased on the DID Youtube channel and also promoted across active social communities of DID 3. Glimpses of the show were integrated into DID 3 and other fiction shows on Zee TV creating high anticipation for the show. Talking about retaining the same ratings for the show in the coming episodes, Mr Golwalkar said: “Due to its nature, the audition episodes always rate higher, but we will try to maintain/sustain these ratings after the Top 16 are announced.”

     

    The channel also has plans to launch a few more new non-fictional and fictional shows for weekdays and weekend slots. Talk shows being one of the genres which the channel doesn’t mind exploring in the near future. “The television landscape has changed since the first season with more time bands, more shows and varied reality genres,” added Mr Golwalkar.

     

  • A mother of three daughters, Women & Child Dev Minister Krishna Tirath commends Aamir Khan’s Satyamev Jayate and promises action

    MxM Exclusive: Satyamev Jayate impacts govt. Women & Child Dev Minister Krishna Tirath promises action, commends Aamir

    By Karuna Madan

     

    Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for  Women and Child Development Krishna Tirath has appreciated Star Plus’s multi-channel Satyamev Jayate describing it as a commendable effort.

     

    “Satyamev Jayate is a commendable effort by Aamir Khan and it deserves appreciation. We have taken note of the issue of female foeticide raised in the first episode,” Ms Tirath told MxMIndia in an exclusive chat.

     

    “The ministry is very serious about the whole issue of female foeticide and infanticide, and I can promise that suitable action will be taken against the culprits who indulge in such malpractices,” the minister stated, adding: “we will rectify any lacuna in the laws to check the menace in the country. There are a number of legislations already to curb this practice. But any lacuna, if found, will be rectified.”

     

    The Minister said that such practices can be stopped through mass awareness campaigns.

     

    “We can stop the cases of female foeticide by educating the masses and we are taking necessary steps in that direction. The government is already working on better policies in collaboration with other public and private institutions,” she averred.

     

    Raising concerns over declining sex ratio in the country, Ms Tirath called for greater public participation and awareness to prevent the issues related with girl child and women.

     

    Foeticide is punishable under Section 315 of Indian Penal Code (IPC), with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, or with fine, or with both.

     

    “The high number of incidences of female foeticide are due to the deep rooted traditional preference for a son. We are aware of this and have adopted a multi-pronged strategy which includes legislative measures, advocacy, awareness generation and programmes for socio-economic empowerment of women,” Ms Tirath said.

     

    Under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Technique (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994, sex selective abortions have been made punishable.  The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is responsible for administration of this Act and its implementation is the responsibility of the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations.

     

    MxMIndia newsdesk adds: Ms Krishna Tirath would’ve made for an ideal guest on the Star Plus show. An MP from New Delhi and a resident of Karol Bagh in the capital, Ms Tirath, 57, is a mother of three daughters, as per Lok Sabha records. She’s been in active politics for a few decades, having been member of the Delhi legislative assembly for four terms starting 1985.  She’s  much into sports having participated at Inter-Univ and national level volleyball and athletics. Given her personal and professional credentials, there’s more reason than one, why she should be championing what Aamir Khan did on SMJ’s Episode #1.

     

    Editor’s Note: Although interviewing ministers is not part of MxMIndia’s regular activity, given the huge effect that Satyamev Jayate has had – especially in many sections of our intelligentsia, we thought it would be a good idea to commission a seasoned political journalist to interview the Women and Child Development minister and check if the show has had any effect at all on the government. It evidently has. Since the eventual objective of SMJ is to cleanse Indian society and stir the public and the Establishment into action, more than ratings (some of which will be out tomorrow), we believe it’s vital to check the impact on the government and the public.

     

    Karuna Madan (@KarunaMadan) is a senior journalist based in New Delhi

     

    Photograph: Fotocorp

     

  • The Aamir Khan mega-show is not about ratings alone – it's about an opportunity to build brand equity, which can be invaluable

    By Invitation: Sundeep Nagpal | Will Satyamev Jayate work for advertisers?

    By Sundeep Nagpal

     

    Much has been said already about this latest attempt at garnering mindshare (no, not that one …. please notice, the ‘m’ is not in caps !). And most of it is reasonably credible and justifiable. For instance, there’s little doubt that the show is a brave attempt by an entertainment channel to create some degree of social transformation, as much as being almost a challenge to its sponsors to leverage its equity for their brand.

     

    There’s also little doubt that both, the anchor of the show and its production values are as superlative as they could be.

     

    But the question is: Will it work?. What are the benchmarks of performance? Should they be just the ratings? And if not, are there any other – for example: any NGOs which can monitor changes in behaviour, attitude, etc. towards the social issues that the programme addresses.

     

    However, until such time that any social transformation becomes evident, here are some thoughts that still intrigue media professionals (especially after seeing the first episode). (Lesser mortals such as us can only look at this prism, in the light of the advertising / media business).

     

    – By any stretch of imagination, and despite being broadly classified under the genre of reality, SJ is far from being an entertainment show (no argument that even KBC was entertaining to some degree, despite basically, being a general knowledge quiz). So, will it work even half as well as KBC?

    – With the backdrop of socially-oriented programs like Aap Ki Kacheri, what can be expected from SJ? Can the host / treatment of this show make it a commercial viability for the channel?

    – In a season where the popularity of the country’s largest entertainment spectacle (the IPL) seems to be on the wane, what can be expected by an advertiser from a social talk show?

    – To what extent could the marketing muscle behind the show have bolstered the ratings of the first episode? (and of course, what, if anything would sustain its popularity?)

    – While there is no doubt that the host/ anchor, production values and the promotional strategy (including the suspense created), have been very favourable for the show, are the time slot, program duration and basic content, favourable enough to create a block buster?

    So, this article is not a shot at ‘philosophical gyaan’. In fact, it is an attempt to understand audience perception as well as an attempt to predict the popularity of the show (yes in terms what the opening ratings are likely to be).

     

    To address the former issue, we at Stratagem Media, undertook a dipstick study of a cross-section of more than a 100 people who had watched the show, in Mumbai only, (needless to say that dipsticks are only meant to be indicative of any patterns that may exist and not necessarily statistically accurate).

     

    Also, we did look at the ratings of a variety of other reality shows quite closely, just to be able to arrive at an educated judgement on what its opening TVR would be on Star Plus (for an All India, CS, 4 + audience).

     

    Here are some of our observations.

    –  To begin with about 25 % of people approached for the dipstick survey had not seen the show (but that’s not surprising, after all people do other stuff on Sunday mornings), and males formed a larger component of the non-viewing audience.

    – 18 % watched for less than 15 minutes, while 27% watched for more than an hour (albeit, not for a statistically valid sample).

    – A majority of male viewers did not even know the duration of the programme, (even after having watched it).

    – Two-thirds of viewers watched the original airing and almost everyone who saw it, did so on Star Plus (in Mumbai).

    – A majority of Males watched primarily because of the host/anchor, while about a third of them were curious about the content. Whereas a much larger proportion of women watched for the content.

    – More than two-thirds of viewers rated content and credibility of the show very highly.

    – In fact, the majority seemed to find nothing wrong with the time slot and expressed a desire to watch it again.

     

    And lastly, while the media fraternity waits with baited breath for this, and purely based on judgment, the opening original episode of Satyamev Jayate on Star Plus, ought to garner a rating of between 3.2 to 3.7 for an All India, C&S, 4 years-plus audience.

     

    However, as has been said before, for advertisers/ sponsors, this programme is not about ratings alone – it’s about an opportunity to build brand equity, which can be invaluable. In fact, it could be about diverting your CSR budget to Television !

     

    So, All the best, Aamir & All the best, Star!

     

    Sundeep Nagpal is director of Stratagem Media Pvt. Ltd, a Mumbai based media agency!

     

  • Meena Sharma, bureau chief with Sahara Samay, talks about how the show could bring about a change on social issues

    Satyamev Jayate has started the debate again: Meena Sharma

    A foggy video, shot with the help of a hidden camera, shows a doctor telling how they can “get rid of” the girl foetus for just Rs2,000.

     

    This was the sting operation carried out by Sahara Samay journalists Shripal Shaktawat and Meena Sharma in 2005 which was highlighted by Satyamev Jayate -Star Plus’s newest show.

     

    A large number of doctors were also caught on camera expecting money to perform the “operation” for people who didn’t want a girl child.

     

    Enough and more has been written and talked about how Aamir Khan has taken a bold step by bringing this social issue to the forefront. However, there are many who have been trying to do so for years now. But they’ve failed to generate the same amount of debate and horror as the show’s first episode has.

     

    MxMIndia’s Meghna Sharma spoke to Meena Sharma, now bureau chief with the same news channel, about how the show could bring about a change. Excerpts:

     

    You did the sting operation a few years ago, but no action was taken against the culprits…

    Yes, it’s been almost seven years and the culprits still continue to practice. You do feel hurt when you realise that all your hard work has failed to bring crooks to book. We still think ‘why those involved – doctors and families – in such heinous crimes still walk freely?’

     

    The tape of your sting operation was shown on Satyamev Jayate. Will things change now?

    The show was watched by almost everyone in the country. It could be out of curiosity or because of the actor. But the issue was once again brought out in the open and people were shocked to see how female foeticide is still very much prevalent in our country. Everyone is talking about it now. So we are grateful that the tape was shown. At least, something might be done now.

     

    What are your expectations?

    Now that the debate has been reopened, I hope a follow-up is done because one episode isn’t enough to bring about change. People might talk about it till the next issue is discussed on the show. We have to stand together to make sure people are punished. The government might be convinced to do something if the whole nation stands together.

     

  • As Aamir Khan's mega-show launched with much fanfare, a cross-section of mediapersons & experts tell us whether they expect the magic to deliver

    Dream start for Satyamev Jayate

     

    By Meghna Sharma

     

    On World Laughter Day, Aamir Khan was able to achieve just the opposite – make Indians wake up to the social evils we only talk about in hushed tones and cry while consuming  the harsh reality we all run away from. The much-awaited Satyamev Jayate premiered yesterday (Sunday, May 6) morning after a well-orchestrated marketing campaign. As expected, the show was a hit among the masses and media personalities. MxMIndia spoke to a cross-section of mediapersons and experts for their reactions to the show – and to know if the show will be able to sustain the hype and curiosity it has generated.

     

    Anita Nayyar

    TRPs, no problem

    Most media planners are happy with the show – personally as well as professionally. They feel that the show was able to generate enough curiosity by making people switch on their television sets on a Sunday morning and will continue to do so.

     

    “The show had a huge amount of emotional quotient, but the way the issue was dealt in the episode will be able to impact people and many of them will wait for the next episodes too. The way everyone is talking about it, I’m sure that the channel will be able to get its TRPs. Apart from the Aamir factor, the issues being discussed on the mass-reach channel will also help it,” said Anita Nayyar, director (customer strategy), BCCL.

     

    Mediaah! Thank you, Star Plus. Thank you, Aamir Khan

    Anil Thakraney: Oprah Khan

    Agreeing with Ms Nayyar, another senior media planner felt that that the show has the potential of becoming the highest TRP generator in the morning slot. “It’s an episodic show, so a lot depends on how each episode is produced. The show, though a little over dramatic at certain portions, will catch people’s attention,” said the media planner, requesting anonymity.

     

    The show was telecast on nine channels – of Star the network, Doordarshan and ETV Telugu  and was also dubbed and had subtitles to reach out to various parts of the country.

     

    Chandradeep Mitra, managing partner, Anvention and who is now based in Kolkata, liked the show and felt that even though it is not pure entertainment and deals with uncomfortable topic, it will be a hit among the masses. “The show was telecast with subtitles in Bengali on Star Jalsa, which helped it retain its genuineness. People here are comfortable with Hindi, so language won’t be a problem. After the initial hype, a lot will depend on how it is written and talked about on the social and mass media. Also, the topics will show how the show will do in the future. For instance, the first episode would have an impact on the Hindi-speaking belt,” he said.

     

    Anil Sathiraju

    Another media planner who saw the show on Star Plus and a regional channel, Star Vijay, felt that only Aamir Khan will be able to catch people’s attention down south. “It might not catch people’s attention as everyone is expecting, but it’s unpredictable.  Although, one look at the show and one can see that the actor and his team have done their homework well,” said Anil Sathiraju, head – south, Mudra Max Media.

     

    Many also felt that it’s a bold step by an entertainment channel to deal with such a topic and to such an extent. The money spent on the show is no secret. “Aamir is a popular actor, but I don’t think the show will be able to garner the same kind of popularity and following like other weekday prime time shows on similar channels. But hats off to the channel and the actor for taking up such a bold step and deal with social issues no one wants to talk about,” said Sundeep Nagpal, founder director, Stratagem Media.

     

    Marketers’ paradise?

    The 10-second advertisement slots for the show were said to have been sold at thrice the usual rates. The main sponsors have already paid a huge sum to be associated with the show. According to the marketers, the tear-jerker has the mass-appeal and the pull.

     

    Lloyd Mathias

    The show has been ‘trending’ on Twitter the whole of Sunday and has an ever-increasing number of followers on Facebook too. So, on the popularity front, the show has been able to reach out to its target audience. At least the socially networked intelligentsia for sure.

     

    Former CMO, Tata Teleservices, Lloyd Mathias said that the show is a huge marketing property. “The hype created before and after the show, is a clear signal about the impact it has created. Apart from the Aamir Khan factor, even the issues bieng dealt with have created uniqueness and curiosity.  So, every marketer will be glad to be associated with the show.”

     

    Sanjay Tripathy

    Even Sanjay Tripathy, executive vice president – Marketing & Direct Channels, HDFC Life, felt that marketers would be glad to jump onto the bandwagon: “Every show has a certain TG and marketers advertise with them according to their TG. Satyamev Jayate is a show which has appeal across sections – class, age, region and religion. So, even though the show is not at a prime time slot and not a pure entertainer, people will watch it. So, why wouldn’t any advertiser want to be part of it?

     

    More than a tear-jerker

    The first episode dealt with the issue of female foeticide – not something people aren’t aware of. Sociologist, human right activists and media commentators are glad that someone is talking about such taboo topics on such a platform. And since, an actor of certain credibility and reputation is bringing it to the masses, there might be some change in the society.

     

    “The portrayal of the issue was sensible and the personal experiences of the three women on the show were heart wrenching. Till now, such topics were only debated by academicians and activists. But now it’s in the public domain. And it has shaken up the people. However, now the concern is, will it be able to find a solution for such highly-prevalent evils of our society? A follow-up is needed so that the show doesn’t just become another tear-jerker,” said Sarla Bijapurkar, sociologist.

     

    Ranjona Banerji
    Ayaz Memon

    Ranjona Banerji, senior journalist and contributing editor, MxMIndia, felt that sustainability is a challenge now. “A lot of times, after a hard-hitting start, many shows tend to bend towards populist themes. So, I hope the show doesn’t do that or run behind TRPs. The show will have the similar constituency of followers like Anna Hazare. Thus, change in a society might happen, but a lot will depend on how the show progresses from here.”

     

    Agreeing with her is Ayaz Memon, veteran journalist and editor, who too believes that sustainability is a challenge the show will face if it wants to be different: “Very rarely do people want to watch ‘reality’, but the show was able to catch almost everyone’s attention on Sunday. Apart from sustainability, another challenge the show will have to overcome is how quickly it is able to capture the youth’s attention, because one doesn’t know what will happen after three weeks.”

     

    If that’s not enough, Teesta Setalvad, journalist and activist feels that the show was great, but there were loopholes in it too. “For instance, in the show Aamir Khan said that he will write a letter to the CM, but in reality he can’t do much about it. It’s the chief justice who can make a difference and take action. Also it didn’t tell people where to go when such issues happen, no matter how weak the organization might be. Apart from that, the show was excellent and a good start in creating awareness.”

     

    Photograph: Video grab from SatyamevJayate.in

     

     

    > The Importance of Being Aamir Khan

    > Why SJ will rule weekends; Stratagem analysis: Weekday Show #23 > Weekend Show #1

    > SJ is Aamir’s baby, completely: Satyajit Bhatkal (director of the show)

    > High EQ at Aamir Khan talk show Satyameva Jayate

    > Airtel slashes SMS rates for Satyamev Jayate

    > Anil Thakraney: Aamir wants to play God

     

     

  • While Aamir pocketed a few crore rupees as the nation wept on Sunday morning over the female foeticide issue, must say it's a commendable social effort, writes Anil Thakraney in Hard Knocks

    Anil Thakraney: Oprah Khan

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    Some observations on Aamir’s much publicized chat show.

     

    Satyamev Jayate (SJ) reminds me of Oprah’s talk show. Ordinary people’s tear jerker stories, and all the emotions involved. It’s a good idea. Have always wondered why Ms Winfrey hasn’t inspired India so far.

     

    While Aamir pocketed a few crore rupees as the nation wept on Sunday morning over the female foeticide issue, must say it’s a commendable social effort. If SJ inspires even a few people to stop killing the girl child, all the big moolah spent on its production becomes worth it.

     

    I am not sure if the malls and the streets in the urban areas were deserted, like it used to happen on the Ramayana/Mahabharata Sundays. I did tweet to ask for clues, but didn’t get enough responses to form an accurate opinion. Even if the young gen continued with their routine stuff, who knows, as more episodes roll by, they might want to watch the show. Though I have my doubts. Sadly, I don’t think the ‘Har Ek Friend’ virtual India desires to connect with the real India. Even if Aamir is in the house.

     

    In an earlier post I have already mentioned that the simultaneous broadcast on DD is an excellent idea. So even if the metros ditch SJ, the producers are assured of reasonable TRPs.

     

    On the show itself: I like Aamir’s sincerity. He exhibits all the right expressions and makes all the right noises. Tears, concern, disappointment, shock, anger, hope… that he is a talented actor, must help. Also, happy that Aamir chose to launch his TV career with a show that matters. Very different from all the other big stars who indulge in mindless game shows. This is what makes Aamir special. Good luck to him.

     

    Most importantly, the show isn’t boring. This was the concern many had expressed once it was announced that SJ will deal with serious social issues. Aamir manages to pack in a little entertainment. A few laughs and some gana bajana too. This also helps break the tension. Having said that, one hour would have been just the right duration. 90 minutes is pushing things a bit.

     

    Also, there is an attempt to provide solutions. The show doesn’t stay at the level of discussing morbid details. That’s good. But it’s important that Aamir doesn’t forget to do the follow-ups he’s promising on air. And disappears as soon as his pay check arrives. The star is notorious for his fly-by-night activism.

     

    Lastly, Aamir kept repeating he’s not a judge, and that he would leave that activity to the courtrooms. A good lesson for all the news channel anchors who love dishing out justice to the aam junta every single evening.

     

    Net net: A promising show that can lead to some social change. Maybe only a little change, but it’s a good start all the same.

     

     

    PS: An interesting presentation on how advertising objectifies women. Should serve as an eye opener for all of us in the ad industry. Have we, in the search for higher sales, been corrupting our culture and values? Something to chew on, lots to introspect on.

     

  • Sunday mornings have typically been low on ratings as observed by the detailed analyses done by Stratagem Media for MxMIndia

    Why SJ will rule weekends; Stratagem analysis: Weekday Show #23 > Weekend Show #1

    By A Correspondent

     

    The only way the ratings graph can go with Satyamev Jayate is up. Guess that’s the one-line message that comes from the detailed analyses that Mumbai-based Stratagem Media has conducted for MxMIndia on the eve of the launch of Aamir Khan’s megashow.

     

    The statistics underscore what’s always been known but never possibly said. So concentrated is the emphasis on the weekday primetime and weekend blockbusters or award shows that the Sunday morning primetime has been ignored. Stratagem founder and CEO Sundeep Nagpal recounts how Sunday mornings would see 80 per cent viewership for Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan and BR Chopra’s Mahabharat. That of course was another era with just one channel dominating the airwaves.

     

    The charts presented by the Stratagem team offer interesting insights (please click on links to view tables):

     

    1. Programme #1 on weekends gets ratings which equals that of Programme #24 on weekday primetime

     

    2. It is observed that Share and Average time spends of Star Plus is better whereas for Weekend the Share and Average Time spends of Sony is better

     

    3. It is observed that the programmes on Sunday-11:00 – 12:00 Hrs timeband are repeats telecast and ratings of these is naturally low

     

    Stratagem also looked specifically at Sunday programming.

     

    1. It is observed that the programmes on Sunday-11:00 – 12:00 Hrs timeband are repeats and hence ratings are low

     

    2 .It is observed that Share and Average timespends differs in different quarters of the year

     

     

    3. The GRP are comparatively low for Sunday 11:00 – 12:00 Hrs timeband

     

     

     

  • There's more reason than one why there's much excitement about mega-show Satyamev Jayate that kicks off on May 6

    The Importance of Being Aamir Khan

     

    By Biswadeep Ghosh

     

    Do you know anyone who hasn’t heard of Satyamev Jayate, a Sunday show with which Aamir Khan will make his debut on the small screen? Impossible, unless your reclusive acquaintance inhabits a cocoon and has no access to the television, newspapers and the internet. The most intelligent strategist in the Hindi film industry, Aamir has emerged from behind an impenetrable veil to discuss the show with the media. He has discarded his aura of exclusivity that makes him unreachable so often, the result being that journalists are relishing each and every moment in the company of the superstar. They are reporting on his first ever serial faithfully, making Satyamev Jayate, a forthcoming Aamir Khan event many Indians are waiting for.

     

    Those who have followed Aamir’s career with detached objectivity know a few things about the man. He has manufactured an image of being ‘serious about what he does’, as if his counterparts in the entertainment industry are a bunch of flippant characters for whom life is one big joke that never ends. As part of his image-building exercise, he has highlighted his social activism, a quality he seemed to have developed after being in the industry for a long time. He is his own USP, using the power of which he is giving veiled hints about what Satyamev Jayate will offer to the viewer.

     

    A ‘thinking man’s actor’ and a ‘perfectionist’, Aamir has given countless interviews while humming a tune of mystery-heightening ambiguity. ‘It’s about connecting people, touching human hearts. It’s about human stories, coming to understand what life is like. For me, the show has been a kind of a personal journey,” he told the Indian Express. Please read the excerpt again. What exactly is he saying? Actually, very little, but that is the idea anyway. He has been categorically clear that he doesn’t want to discuss the specifics. It is as if Satyamev Jayate is an Alfred Hitchcock thriller whose plot will give the criminal away before the film begins.

     

    The show that has been dubbed in many languages will be telecast on the Star network and Doordarshan. The Star-Doordarshan tie-up will ensure viewers everywhere, whether they live in a Vasant Vihar mansion in New Delhi or in a village named Hatgamariya in Jharkhand. That it is being shown on an early morning Sunday slot implies that everyone, right from hardcore Aamir Khan fans to reluctant TV watchers, will be tempted to check it out. Cricket being the only area in which satellite television channels have shared network space with Doordarshan in the past, Satyamev Jayate will inevitably get the maximum number of viewers of a non-cricket show in the initial stages at least.

     

    Not that promotion of films or television serials is a new phenomenon. In today’s times when nobody can ensure a film’s success, even Salman Khan who hardly ever promoted his films till recently has changed gears to talk about his releases before they hit the marquee. The strategy has worked. Always the most active channel-hopper, Shah Rukh Khan’s marketing of Ra.One redefined the way in which a film is being sold by the Hindi film industry. Of course, Ra.One did not succeed the way it was expected to. But SRK tried.

     

    The master strategist, however, isn’t SRK: and certainly not Salman. It is Aamir. While both SRK and Salman have had their share of flops, facts prove that Aamir has had the least number of failures at the box-office. Even a mediocre film like Ghajini rocked, its success story partly written by viewers who went to watch Aamir’s eight packs: a fact that was marketed very smartly through his interviews and other promotional campaigns. When he produced Delhi Belly, he went all out to discuss the film’s ‘language’: one big reason why many viewers hit the halls to watch it.

     

    The big satya is that Aamir is better at the game that everyone plays. Not that his approach makes the success of Satyamev Jayate, a hundred percent certainty. Major film stars have hosted hyped shows, many of which have flopped. Amitabh Bachchan created history with the success of the first edition of Kaun Banega Crorepati, but Shah Rukh Khan failed to make the sort of impact his diehard fans believed he would. SRK did experience some success as the host of KBC’s third edition, but his decisions to host Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tezz Hain? and Zor Ka Jhatka: Total Wipeout had disastrous consequences. Govinda as the host of Jeeto Chappar Phaad Ke made zero impact. The Salman Khan-steered show Dus Ka Dum started off really well. By the time the second season came to an end, however, its popularity had withered away. Akshay Kumar experienced success with Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi. Yet, few bothered to see him in MasterChef India: Season 1.

     

    Aamir’s well-disguised expressions have spun a lot of curiosity about Satyamev Jayate. The show’s reach is far wider than that of others hosted by film stars so far. If it succeeds, it will write an extraordinarily significant chapter in the history of Indian television. If not, the story of its failure will be discussed for a long time: more so, because it has been made by a man who owns a magic wand which nobody else does.

     

    The star is at the centre of a shrewdly developed promotional campaign. But once Satyamev Jayate hits the small screen, it won’t be long before hype gets jettisoned by the people’s acceptance or rejection of the real thing. The suspense around the show will guarantee a full house on the opening day inside each household. Having been there, done that, Aamir surely knows that is not enough.