MxMIndia

Category: TV

  • Zee has taken another step in strengthening its position in the regional genre with its launch of 24-hour Bengali movie channel 'Zee Bangla Cinema', which goes on air on September 23

    Zee launches first ever 24/7 Bangla movie channel

    By Meghna Sharma

     

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd is all set to strengthen its position in the regional space with the launch of a 24×7 Bengali movie channel called Zee Bangla Cinema on Sunday, September 23

     

    Speaking on the launch of the movie channel, Punit Goenka, MD & CEO, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEE) said, “With a strong Bengali audience in India and abroad, the Bangla film market has expanded exponentially. Zee Bangla Cinemas entry is to tap this growing potential. We are sure that ZEEs pioneering presence in the regional space would be further strengthened with the addition of this new movie channel.”

     

    Says Sujay Kutty, business head of the channel, “Bengali cinema is a celebration, The time is just right as Bangla cinema is going through a great patch and the movies that are being made or are available for audiences satiate all aspects of the Bengali life and their ever-changing lifestyles yet rooted to the cultural diaspora.”

     

    Sujay Kutty

    But is there room for a 24×7 movie channel? “There are a large number of Bengali general entertainment and other channels. However, the Bengali-speaking viewers are moving towards Hindi movie channels as they do not have a 24×7 platform where they can find a cinema in their language. The top two channels in the GEC space only run cinema on the weekends. So, there is opportunity for a Zee Bangla Cinema to come, own and dominate the space.”

     

    Kolkata-based media planners and media professionals too feel that it is the right time. “After the great old years of Satyajit Ray and Mrunal Sen, Bengali cinema went through a lull. However, things are changing for the good and now Bengali movies are not only being played on single screen but multiplexes too. There is a boom in the market and Im sure, people are going to glad to have a 24/7 movie channel,” feels Raj Datta, Senior General Manager, TME.

     

    “The channel has acquired rights of some of the great films and this will surely get them the eyeballs. And the network has already been able to create a hype around the launch. The city is filled with hoardings regarding the launch of the channel.” Mr Datta adds.

     

    The channel promises to offer a mixed bag of blockbusters from the golden era directors and the best masterpieces of Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen, Ritwick Ghatak, Tarun Mazumdar to the present movies of directors like Rituparno Ghosh, Raj Chakraborty and Anjan Dutta. With a highly youthful and engaging content, Zee Bangla Cinema will also be a ready source of trivia from film news to music releases to muhuraats, along with a mixed and exciting bag of blockbusters.

     

    The launch will be supported by a 360-degree campaign launch, creating a platform for the people of Bengal to celebrate Jibon Ekhon Superhit with Zee Bangla Cinema. The campaign includes radio, TV, print, digital & outdoor along with on-ground activation initiatives. “We have also used a unique approach wherein handpainted larger-than-life cut-outs of popular Bengali stars – from Uttam Kumar, Suchitra Sen/ Prosenjit/Jeet/Dev Koel are placed in prominent locales of the city to give the viewer a feel and taste of what the channel is set to create for them and an offering of having available with them an array of evergreen movies, urging people to go home and tune into the first ever 24×7 Bengali movie channel. The entire city will feel the presence of Zee Bangla Cinema through these innovative cut outs of their favorite stars,” explains Kutty.

     

    Will the excitement on the street work for the channel? “While the channel will get its audience, how they sustain it on weekdays is what is going to be interesting. The channel alone cannot sustain on movies. Therefore, the programming mix matters a lot here. So, well have to just wait and watch how it does overall,” says Datta.

     

    “Star Jalsa is the No 1 GEC followed by Zee. Therefore, what Star does next will be interesting to watch too.” adds a leading film critic with a leading daily.

     

    Clearly, the viewer will be the ultimate winner, and for now, its Advantage Zee Bangla.

     

     

     

  • Aimed at empowering consumers to make an informed decision, Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd partners with operators to provide increased visibility through multi-media marketing campaign

    RBNL launches ‘Switch To’ campaign in run-up to digitization

    By A Correspondent

     

    With October 31 fixed as the D-Day for Digitization, Reliance Broadcast Network is all set to make the most of it with its new campaign titled ‘Switch To’. The campaign is designed to create enormous awareness amongst target audiences – to ‘Switch To’ the right service provider who can offer best value basis individual’s entertainment needs. The campaign also provides operators an effective tool to reach out through the marketing muscle and expertise of RBNL’s mediums across television, radio, on-ground, digital and outdoor, to gain increased visibility through this multi-media campaign.

     

    ‘Switch To’ launches on the back of earlier ‘Choose Your Set Top Box Wisely’ campaign that has been tailored to increase awareness and empower consumers with adequate information. The first phase of this campaign will be led across four metros: Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata via BIG CBS Network’s key shows such as America’s Got Talent, The X Factor and American Idol.

     

    The campaign also aims at offering operators an excellent marketing campaign to strengthen their brand equity and gain optimally from the eminent revolution.

     

    Anand Chakravarthy

    Said Anand Chakravarthy – Business Head, BIG CBS Networks, “Digitization is an imperative step for the growth of the broadcast sector in India. While we have technologies available to improve efficiencies of broadcasting across the value chain, the lack of adoption from consumers slows the growth of the industry. This campaign enables consumers to Switch To the provider that meets their requirements, while at the same time offering the operators with an effective marketing campaign to partner with. Together, we are confident, we can bring about the much-needed Switch!”

     

  • In his role as a strategist for India TV, Mr Joshi primarily will be responsible for optimizing and leading the revenue function of the existing businesses, and business development for the forthcoming ventures for the company

    India TV signs up Paritosh Joshi as strategist

    By A Correspondent

     

    In a yet another aggressive move, India TV has announced the appointment of Paritosh Joshi as a strategist.

     

    Until April 2012 Mr Joshi was the CEO, STAR CJ Network India, a STAR Group and CJO Shopping of South Korea’s Joint Venture.

     

    In his role as a strategist for India TV, Mr Joshi primarily will be responsible for optimizing and leading the revenue function of the existing businesses, and business development for the forthcoming ventures for the company.

     

    Apart from working with the Management at the Strategic level, as a mentor Joshi will also actively connect &engage India TV’s business teams including Sales, New Media and Brand.

     

    Announcing his appointment, Ritu Dhawan, MD & CEO, India TV, said, “Immensely experienced, Paritosh will be a tremendous resource in formulating the strategy for our new, ready to roll business plans. While we look forward to his contribution in taking independent news service to the next level, we feel delighted in welcoming Paritosh on the team. With his outstanding record, we are confident that he will be making most significant contributions in increasing our lead over competition as the most profitable media company.”

     

    Commenting on the assignment Mr Joshi observed, “I have had the pleasure of knowing Mr Rajat Sharma as a senior industry colleague and fellow IBF Board member for the last 6 years and we have had many lively conversations on the television business. It is from such a conversation earlier this year that the idea of this engagement began. It is a privilege to be invited to participate in this exciting journey and I look forward to a stimulating, inspiring assignment.”

     

  • In the run-up to the Sunset Date of October 31, we spoke to Ashok Mansukhani, President of the MSO Alliance, on the preparedness for 100 percent digitization in the four metros

    Jaldi 5 with Ashok Mansukhani: To achieve 100% digitization, govt must be a facilitator, not a schoolmaster

    Earlier this month, the government came up with a status report stating that 68 per cent of  the TV households in the four metros were digitized, a figure that was disputed by head of the Cable Operators Federation of India (COFI) Roop Sharma when we interviewed her yesterday (http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/09/jaldi-5-with-roop-sharma-govt-must-be-transparent-with-consumers-on-digitization/).

    We asked the very same questions to Ashok Mansukhani, President, MSO  Alliance about on-ground reality of digitization.

     

    We have a little over a month to go for digitization in the four metros. If the government estimates of last week were to be believed, by now over  70 per cent of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai would be digitized. Is that the case?

    The information is the same as that of the government. However, 68 percent is not the national figure. It varies from city to city. With four weeks to go for the first phase of digitization, the question is about the rest of 30 per cent homes. Of course, it is not insurmountable. Lack of publicity from broadcasters is a problem. Then, there is no joint selling effort from  broadcaster and MSOs. The packages are yet to be announced. That is when the customers will begin to think of switching to digitization. Right now, they think DTH and cable is different.

     

    Are the lower income groups in these cities buying set-top boxes?

    The slums in Mumbai and Delhi sure have a television. But how do they know that from October 31 midnight, the analogue signals will stop? The digitization message says ‘box nahi to, TV bhool jaao’. One has to remember that digitization is a means to enable customer, not a retribution.

     

    The lower strata homes are being made used to use a set-top box and a remote. They have been told, ‘you see it, we will come and collect it later.’ Now this later will happen only when the packages are announced. The packages, however, have to be communicated door-to-door.

     

    There is a worry that there will be some piracy in the form of pilferage of signals after November 1.

    This is a rubbish claim that I have been hearing since long. The pilferage happens only when the broadcaster keeps his decoder ‘on’. Once that is switched off, there is no way that pilferage can happen. Yes, it can also happen if someone demodulates a cable signal. But the government has the power to take action against that person.

     

    What more would you like the government/others to do to ensure 100% digitization?

    The government needs to speed up the fiscal incentives, and should act as a facilitator. The fact is that it has become a schoolmaster instead. Since each city has different issues, which need to be tackled positively.

     

    The last mile which is managed by the local cable operators is the key to the implementation of Digitization. Are all cable operators working step-in-step with MSOs in the four metros about the implementation of the October 31 deadline?

    There is no issue with the cable operators. They have been pushing for DAS since 2000.

     

  • Anshuman Misra quits Turner

    By A Correspondent

     

    Turner International Asia Pacific announced today that Anshuman Misra, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Networks and Content Distribution, has resigned from his position with effect from October 12.

     

    After almost 14 years with Turner in Asia, Hong Kong-based Mr Misra is to take time off before embarking on his next career move.

     

    Said Mr Misra, “After working without a real break for more than two decades, I look forward to taking a few months off before I start the next chapter of my work life. I hope it’s as exciting as the time I’ve had with Turner. I want to thank everyone at Turner for all the support and camaraderie. I walk out of the company very satisfied but also sad to leave such a great bunch of people.”

     

    Steve Marcopoto, President and MD Turner International Asia Pacific said, “On behalf of everyone at Turner in Asia, I’d like to thank Anshuman for his significant contribution to the company’s success since 1998. He has been a first class colleague and trusted business partner throughout and we wish him every success in the next stage of his career.”

     

    Prior to joining Turner, Mr Misra was General Manager, BBC World (India) where he managed the distribution and sales of the news and current affairs channel.

     

  • While viewers don't seem to mind popular actors appearing on primetime shows, does it help TV with ratings and filmwallahs with ticket sales?

    Do pre-release star appearances work?

     

    By Meghna Sharma

     

    What is common between Kareena Kapoor and Bipasha Basu? The answer is: CID. Yes, both the actors were rescued by none other than our very own team of ACP Pradyuman and his agents.

     

    Today, seeing actors on television is not a surprise. Most of them can be seen on the small screen as hosts or judges on reality shows. However, in the recent past one has seen them play a character or themselves in fictional shows where the plot of an episode is scripted around them. And the two actors are the latest to join the bandwagon of various other actors who have made a “special appearance” on the small screen to promote their upcoming film.

     

    Dinesh Rathore

    According to Dinesh Rathore, COO, Madison Media Omega, the difference between the big screen and the small screen faded away in the last decade as superstars entered the medium. “Actors making an appearance on television is a win-win situation for both. Television has vast reach so actors get to promote their films, and a channel can save money if the actor appears on their shows to promote his/her film.”

     

    He’s not alone, even broadcasters which are competing with each other to get the stars to their channel before others do also feel the same. Vivek Bahl, Chief Creative Director, Sony Entertainment Television says, “Big fiction shows with a dedicated & measurable viewer base is a great platform for an actor to promote his / her upcoming film with the show. And, for the show itself, one can always create buzz and sampling with the

    Vivek Bahl

    anticipation of a star appearance.”

     

    On the same note, Ajay Bhalwankar, ZEEL’s Content Head (Hindi GECs) feels that fiction shows are the staple diet of any General Entertainment Channel and the presence of a Bollywood celebrity is woven into the existing storyline of the fiction show, hence increasing the chances of a better recall. “As a medium TV cannot be ignored by marketers.”

     

    Prashaant Bhatt

    “Be it with a Jhalak Dikhhala Jaa or Madhubala, the audience for each show is varied and this is what works in favour of the movie that is promoted on the show,” explains Prashaant Bhatt, Weekday Programming Head of Colors, who believes that the trend is only going to move forward. “It is vital for any promotional activity to be present on all the mediums that helps them connect with the viewer. So, in the future, the trend could possibly be digital with the introduction of various apps etc, anywhere the audience/moviegoer is.”

     

     

    Shailesh Kapoor

    However, Shailesh Kapoor, CEO of Ormax Media feels that film star presence on fiction shows helps the films more than the channels. But the channels can use the stars in the promos and create buzz around it. It can give a viewership spike only if the star does something really interesting in the show. “In a recent study conducted by us, television emerged as the driver of both reach and appeal for film campaigns, way ahead of print and outdoor. I believe that channels should start charging film producers for such integrations, the way they charge advertisers.”

     

     

    Priti Murthy

    If both stars and broadcasters are winners here, Priti Murthy, National Director – Insights at Maxus India adds that viewers too don’t have much to lose out on. “I think even viewers win here as they get to see new faces or a new plot in their regular shows. Also, stars appearing on shows is a global phenomenon; in the west, stars appear on shows like Saturday Night Live.”

     

    It appears no one has anything to lose here!

     

  • The Smarties India 2012 Awards is a global awards programme dedicated exclusively to mobile marketing and recognizes local, regional and international campaigns in a global contest

    Zee TV wins gold for DID mobile app at Smarties 2012

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) presented the first ever Smarties India 2012 Awards, which is a global awards programme dedicated exclusively to mobile marketing and recognizes local, regional and international campaigns in a global contest that showcases the ‘best of the best’ in the industry, across 15 categories in Delhi on September 21.

     

    The first edition of Smarties India 2012 awards winners were adjudged by a global jury of senior brand marketers and advertising executives.

     

    ZEE TV was the only broadcast client along with the agency, Mobilox, which won awards in two categories:-

    · Smarties 2012 Gold for the best mobile APP – DID

    · Smarties 2012 Bronze for the DID – missed call voting innovation

     

    The DID App aimed to provide an expression platform for the audience of Dance India Dance and enable a bi-lateral interaction between the audience and the show. The intention was to engage DID audiences on mobile and extend the 1 hour show format on TV to a 7 day format on Mobile. Till date there has been more than 5.6 lakh downloads of the app. The app also served as a common access point to popular social media Platforms. Live voting through the app was in sync with the show, thus helping boost the number of votes.

     

    Akash Chawla, Marketing Head, National Channels, ZEEL said, “It was very gratifying to know that at a time when ‘on-demand’ entertainment was the order of the day, we were able to provide our viewers with content that kept them engrossed and engaged. Reaching over 5.6 lakh downloads on four mobile platforms strengthens our conviction that technology engages consumers in ways that are addictive.”

     

  • Ten Sports has extended the live and exclusive telecast rights for the US Open Tennis Championships for a period of four years, starting with the next edition in 2013

    Ten Sports extends TV rights for ‘US Open Tennis Championships’ for four years

    By A Correspondent

     

    Ten Sports has extended the live and exclusive telecast rights for the US Open Tennis Championships for a period of four years, starting with the next edition in 2013. Ten Sports has been telecasting US Open since 2005 and has acquired the rights for India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Bangladesh. The final Grand Slam of the year will add to the existing strong line-up of tennis programming on Te Sports.

     

    Comprehensive coverage from start to finish across a variety of platforms will result in more tennis for fans. In addition to the television rights Ten Sports has also acquired the rights mobile, internet and video-on-demand.

     

    Speaking on the acquisition, Atul Pande, CEO, Ten Sports said, “We are proud to be associated with the US Open, one of the biggest sporting events in the world. The conclusion of this agreement is of vital strategic importance as Ten Sports continues to deliver top-flight programming to our viewers.  Rights holders know we have the best distribution of any sports network in the South Asian Market and they appreciate the value we bring to their product not only through having the largest audience, but also the way we present their product, through scheduling, production and expert commentary.”

     

    Gordon Smith, Executive Director of the USTA commented, “We are very pleased that Ten Sports has agreed to continue their relationship with the US Open. Ten Sports has been a good partner of the US Open for many years and their support demonstrates the continuing appeal of the US Open to a worldwide audience.”

     

  • Star Network’s Kannada general entertainment channel Suvarna will telecast its first Parivaar awards on September 29 and 30 at 6 pm.

    Sunfeast Suvarna Parivaar Awards to air on Sept 29, 30

    By A Correspondent

     

    Star Network’s Kannada general entertainment channel Suvarna will telecast its first Parivaar awards on September 29 and 30 at 6 pm.

     

    The event will feature performances by power star Puneeth Rajkumar with veteran stars like Bharathi Vishnuvardhan, Lakshmi, Hema Choudri and Ambika, as well as Suvarna stars.

     

    Channel business head Anup Chandrashekharan said, “For the past few years our audiences have enjoyed these artists in their individual shows; this event will showcase the combine talent of the Suvarna family and I hope all our viewers will enjoy it.”

     

  • The Competition Commission of India has given its nod for NewsCorp's acquisition of ESPN’s stake in ESS

    CCI okays Star TV’s ESPN equity in ESPN Star Sports

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has no objections to Star TV ATC Holiding Ltd acquiring international sports broadcaster ESPN’s equity in ESPN Star Sports. This will not lead to any monopoly as the CCI believes that the proposed switch from joint to sole control by an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of NewsCorp will not eliminate competitors.

     

    Earlier this year, Star and ESPN had announced the decision on the stake buy. ESPN Star Sports will be a 100 percent Star TV-owned entity after the formalities have been completed.

    The full order can be accessed at http://www.cci.gov.in/May2011/OrderOfCommission/CombinationOrders/C-2012-07-64.pdf

     

  • Cartoon Network and Sterling Publishers are launching the first ever, bi-monthly, Ben 10 magazine in India on September 30, 2012

    Cartoon Network to launch Ben 10 magazine on Sept 30

    Image of Ben 10’s UK version, courtesy Newsstand.co.uk

    By A Correspondent

     

    It’s time for Ben10 fans to rejoice. Cartoon Network and Sterling Publishers are launching the first ever, bi-monthly, Ben 10 magazine in India on September 30, 2012.

     

    The Ben 10 series are an international phenomenon and have successfully been leveraged into the biggest global licensing and merchandising franchise. Taking it to the next level, Cartoon Network and Sterling Publishers will launch the magazine loaded with 32 pages of endless fun. Kids can indulge in playing games, battling with their friends on alien adventures, solving puzzles, cracking codes, reading action-packed Ben 10 adventures, and collecting facts about Ben’s alien transformations, enemies and their origins. Each magazine comes with a unique pull-out poster.

     

    Gaurav Brar, Director, Cartoon Network Enterprises, South Asia, Turner International India Pvt. Ltd. said, “Kids across India adore Ben 10 and constantly demand new and innovative branded products. The launch of this unique and interactive Ben 10 magazine will give kids an exciting portal into the adventurous, fantastical, alien world of Ben 10. This is yet another attempt mode by which Cartoon Network Enterprises aims to bridge the gap between kids and their favourite TV characters so that they too can be a part of the toon world they admire!”

     

    Gaurav K Ghai, Director, Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. commented on the launch of the new Ben 10 magazine: “Sterling is excited to partner with Cartoon Network to launch the first-ever Ben 10 magazine in India. Ben 10 has a strong and special connect with boys 4-10 years. This magazine is packed with fun facts, games, puzzles and everything Ben10. We are sure this magazine will bring hours of reading and activity fun for Ben10 fans.”

     

    The magazines will be available at all key retail stores like Landmark, Crossword, Time Out, Big Bazaar, WalMart and also at individual book stores across India for Rs. 60.

     

  • Thanks to all the propaganda and advertisements done by the I&B Ministry, people are now aware that there is a deadline to digitization

    Jaldi 5 with Yogesh Radhakrishnan: I&B min has done its best on digitization deadline

    There’s more reason than one why we interview Yogesh Radhakrishnan today. While he is Managing Director and CEO of Media Networks and Distribution Ltd which runs Prime Connect, the content distribution platform he has formed in a jv with The Times of India group, Mr Radhakrishnan has also been one of the earliest entrants in the cable distribution space. He has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of distribution by setting up two MSOs and also a few satellite and cable television channels (ETC, CVO, In Mumbai).

     

    In the run-up to digitization, we interviewed the heads of the local cable operators (Roop Sharma) and MSOs (Ashok Mansukhani).  We presented the same set of questions to Mr Radhakrishnan…

     

    01 We have a little over a month to go for digitization in the four metros. If the government estimates of last week were to be believed, by now over 70 per cent of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai would be digitized. Is that the case?

    I’m fairly confident that it will happen. Thanks to all the propaganda and advertisements done by the I&B Ministry, people are now aware that there is a deadline to digitization. And if they don’t do anything then they’ll be left with nothing but blank screens. So, there is enough and more awareness among people. Also, whatever percentage is left will get their act together and do the needful as soon as possible.

     

    02 Are the lower income groups in these cities buying set-top boxes?

    Today, if one takes a look at any income group, we’ll see that most people have mobile phones. And one needs to only pay Rs599 or Rs799 or Rs999 (different costs at which cable operators are giving set-up boxes) one time to get a connection which isn’t much. So, I don’t dont there is going to be any issue with lower income groups buying the set-up boxes.

     

    03 There is a worry that there will be some piracy in the form of pilferage of signals after November 1.

    Government is very clear about the actions that will be taken against anyone who does not follow the rules. It is a criminal offence and strict action will be taken. I don’t think the government and other authorities involved are going to let anything happen unlike what happened with CAS.

     

    04 What more would you like the government/others to do to ensure 100% digitization?

    I think the I&B Ministry is doing and has done the best to create enough awareness regarding digitization and the looming deadline. So, now all depends on people and how fast they change from analogue to digital. Hopefully, people will understand and convert at the earliest.

     

    05 The last mile which is managed by the local cable operators is the key to the implementation of Digitization. Are all cable operators working step-in-step with MSOs in the four metros about the implementation of the October 31 deadline?

    The two have to work with each other otherwise they know that their customers can be lured away by DTH companies. Hence, they need to take pro-active steps to enhance the corporation between themselves and to make sure people buy set-up boxes from them.

     

    Interviewed by Meghna Sharma