MxMIndia

Category: TV

  • Times Now, ET Now, Movies NOW, and Zoom will now be exclusively distributed in India for collection of subscription revenue over the Cable (Analogue and Digital), DTH, IPTV and HITS platforms as a part of TheOneAlliance bouquet.

    Times TV moves distribution to One Alliance

    By A Correspondent

     

    Times Television Network (TTN) has entered into a strategic alliance with  distribution company MSM Discovery Pvt. Ltd. (MSMD) for collection of subscription revenue for its channels. MSMD popularly known as TheOneAlliance is a joint venture between Sony’s Multi Screen Media Pvt Ltd and Discovery Communications. The news and entertainment channels of TTN – ET NOW, MOVIES NOW, TIMES NOW and zoOm – will now be exclusively distributed in India for collection of subscription revenue over the Cable (Analogue and Digital), DTH, IPTV and HITS platforms as a part of TheOneAlliance bouquet. TTN will, however, undertake the marketing and channel penetration plans independently.

     

    In 2011, BCCL had entered into a joint venture with industry veteran Yogesh Radhakrishnan, to form a television channel distribution company called Media Network and Distribution (India) Ltd (MNDIL) with its ‘Prime Connect’ independent distribution platform. MMDIL was to be the exclusive distributor for Times Television Network channels. At the time of writing, there was no official word on the status of MNDIL and the Times group’s stake in the venture.

     

    Times Group and Multi Screen Media have a long standing business relationship that spans mega properties such as the Filmfare Awards, a movie licensing deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment, and an international advertising sales partnership for the US territory.

     

    Sunil Lulla

    Making the announcement, Sunil Lulla, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Times Television Network said, “The Times Group and Multi Screen Media share a similar perspective on the broadcast industry and together we are poised to help grow the industry by ushering in transparency, value creation across the chain and by building strong brands.”

     

     

     

    Man Jit Sigh

    Commenting on the announcement, Man Jit Singh, Chief Executive Officer of Multi Screen Media India said, “TheOneAlliance is a robust distribution force and offers the best of entertainment to viewers. Addition of the TTN channels will further strengthen the bouquet and together we can ride the digitization wave to maximize the true potential of the business.”

     

    The multi-year deal between TTN and MSMD comes into effect from today (February 6).

     

  • The dance show has roped in choreographer Remo D'Souza and actress Koel Mullick as judges

    Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa goes regional on ETV Bangla

    By A Correspondent

     

    ETV Bangla is gearing up to produce dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (JDJ(, which has proved immensey popular among Hindi general entertainment viewers. JDJ has been running for five years and is entering the regional space for the first time through ETV Bangla. Judging the line-up of 12 celebrity contestants will be choreographer Remo D’Souza and actress Koel Mullick. The show, produced by BBC Worldwide Productions India, will run on ETV Bangla as Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Bangla, and is scheduled to begin in March.

     

    Speaking about the show, Ritika Roy, Programming Head, ETV Bangla, said, “ETV Bangla is proud to present Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Bangla which will showcase known and much loved faces from the industry who will be stepping out of their comfort zones and will be exploring the beautiful world of dance. Supporting and guiding them in this endeavour will be their choreographers who will help them out at every step.”

     

    Bengali heartthrob Jishu Sengupta will anchor the show while the 12 contestants will take on everything from Salsa to Bhangra and from Cha-cha-cha to Chhau.

     

    Speaking about the format of the show, Myleeta Aga, General Manager and Creative Head of BBC Worldwide Productions India, said, “Since the adaptation of BBC’s international hit format Dancing with the Stars appeared on Indian screens, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa has grown to become one of the most popular reality dance shows on television in the country. Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Bangla will be extensively remodelled from the international version to appeal to Bengali viewers.”

     

  • International financial magazine Euromoney has ranked Dish TV as the best managed company in Asia in the media sector, in Euromoney's 'Best Managed and Governed Companies – Asia poll 2013'

    Dish TV is best managed co in Asia: Euromoney survey

    By A Correspondent

     

    Direct-to-home company Dish TV, Asia’s largest today announced as best managed company in Asia in the Media sector by Leading international magazine Euromoney for the Euromoney’s ‘Best Managed and Governed Companies – Asia poll 2013’.

     

    This is the 14th year of the poll, which is conducted among a total of 144 leading equity analysts at the largest investment banks and research houses in the Asia Pacific region. Analysts were asked to name the companies they found most impressive across a number of factors including management accessibility, accounting transparency, profitability, growth potential and corporate governance procedures, among others.

     

    RC Venkateish, Chief Executive Officer, Dish TV India, stated, “We are very proud of the acknowledgement that Euromoney has given us. This success is the result of continuous efforts of the team, ensuring that investors and stakeholders confidence is maintained through transparency and good governance. We have always believed we have a strong investment case and will continue to push the barriers by gaining further access to a wider investor base. Such recognition of our efforts incites us to move forward with the same zeal and enthusiasm.”

     

  • The BBC has announced the appointment of Preet Dhupar as Chief Operating Officer for the Indian operations of BBC Global News Ltd

    BBC Global News appoints Preet Dhupar as COO, India

    By A Correspondent

     

    The BBC has announced the appointment of Preet Dhupar as Chief Operating Officer for the Indian operations of BBC Global News Ltd, the company which comprises the BBC’s commercial news operations, BBC World News and BBC.com/news.

     

    The role was created in India in order to ensure an integrated and consistent focus on its English language news interests during a period of rapid change and growth in the Indian media sector. In addition to her existing remit Ms Dhupar will take responsibility for determining the BBC’s commercial priorities and targets for news across India and for monitoring performance against them in terms of advertising revenues, content distribution and overall audience growth.

     

    Jim Egan, COO of BBC Global News Ltd, said “This appointment comes at a crucial time for BBC Global News Limited in India as we build on recent successes and seek to expand onto new and evolving platforms. Preet will bring increased focus to the market, helping to support our ambition of bringing world class international journalism to dynamic and sophisticated Indian audiences.”

     

    A chartered accountant by qualification, Ms Dhupar joined the BBC in 2000 and was instrumental in setting up operations in India. Most recently the Director of Finance and Operations for BBC Global News Ltd and BBC Worldwide in India, she has been responsible for providing operational leadership and management of the BBC’s commercial businesses in India and Singapore. While supporting growth opportunities in the market, her core role has been to provide financial, commercial and regulatory expertise to the business. Prior to this, she was part of the BBC’s global finance team based in London.

     

    Before joining the BBC she worked with Becton Dickinson India in a strategy and financial planning role as part of the team that established the company’s business in India. She has also worked for Caltex and KPMG in India.

     

  • MSM will employ Affle's Ripple ad network to serve all video and mobile advertising on Sony LIV across all screens (Mobiles, Tablets and PCs)

    MSM partners Affle’s Ripple for advertising on Sony LIV

    By A Correspondent

     

    Smart media company Affle Group has announced its partnership with Multi Screen Media (MSM) to exclusively power all advertising during the Sony LIV launch phase through its ‘Ripple’ rich media and video ad network. Sony LIV is MSM’s recently launched Video On Demand (VOD) brand. As a part of this partnership, MSM will employ Affle’s Ripple ad network to serve all video and mobile advertising on Sony LIV across all screens (Mobiles, Tablets & PCs).

     

    Commenting on this partnership, Anuj Kumar, Co-founder and CEO, Affle, said, “We launched Ripple with the philosophy of delivering engaging ad experiences to the digitally connected consumers of today across all screens. In MSM we have found a truly like-minded partner, as with Sony LIV they have created a best in class VOD platform, which works seamlessly across devices to give their fans an unlimited and on-the-go access to premium content. This, coupled with our technology innovations around seamless cross-screen ad experiences, creates a solid proposition for top advertisers to leverage. We remain confident that several leading brands who are targeting digitally savvy audiences will find this exciting mix of user-centric product, sticky content and engaging advertising very meaningful.”

     

    Nitesh Kripalani, Senior Vice President, New Media, Business Development & Digital/Syndication, MSM, said, “Sony LIV has debuted with a big bang. Within a few days of the launch, over a million Sony LIV mobile apps have been downloaded and the portal has received millions of video views. We are confident that the platform will gain greater traction amongst consumers and that a launch partnership with a leading industry innovator like Affle will give us the edge to drive greater ad experiences, partnerships and monetization on Sony LIV.”

     

  • The Bollywood fraternity, corporate houses, NGOs, chief ministers and people from different walks of life came together to extend their support to this cause

    Sachin exceeds target for Support My School campaign

    By A Correspondent

     

    NDTV, along with the entire Coca-Cola family of bottlers and employees came together with campaign ambassador Sachin Tendulkar and Bollywood superstar and icon Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to support the live 12-hour telethon which was telecast across the NDTV network channels on February 3. Sachin set a target of 250 schools to be supported.

     

    This edition of the campaign received an overwhelming response from people across different walks of life and generated 13.5 crores to support 272 schools, with the Bollywood and TV fraternity, corporate houses, athletes, NGOs politicians and everyone contributing wholeheartedly to this cause to raise funds, and partner NDTV in its mission to make a difference to as many schools as possible across the country.

     

    A host of prominent personalities including Kajol, Ajay Devgan, Anil Kapoor, Ronnie Screwvala, Alyque Padamsee, Pamela Chopra, Priya Dutt, Yuvraj Singh, Shashi Tharoor, Kailash Kher, Javed Ali, Sushant Singh Rajput, Rahul Bose, Adnan Sami, Shilpa Rao, Cyrus Broacha, Prasoon Joshi, Govind Nihalani, PT Usha, Nagarjuna, Chief Ministers Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Coca-Cola CEO Atul Singh, Dr Kulwant Singh of UN- Habitat, Bhagyashree Dengle Head World Vision & Plan India, Dr Jay Kumar of World Vision, Meenakshi Batra CEO CAF, Khozem Merchant CEO Pearson, Anubhav Sinha and more, along with NDTV’s Group CEO Vikram Chandra, campaign ambassador Sachin Tendulkar and co-host Aishwarya Rai Bachchan took centre-stage to reach out to millions of viewers to generate maximum funds for the cause.

     

    Delighted with the tremendous response received for the initiative, Dr Prannoy Roy, Chairperson, NDTV Group, said, “This campaign which focuses on reducing the school drop-out rate by girl students across the country is of great importance. Most girl students drop out of school because there are no toilets for girls in majority of our schools. This campaign aims at changing that directly by adopting schools and building these facilities as well as indirectly by raising awareness of the problem and putting pressure on state governments to ensure that every school has toilets and facilities for girl students. We appreciate the amazing support from our viewers and urge everyone to once again come forward and help Sachin and NDTV “Support My School”

     

    Speaking about the campaign, Atul Singh, President & CEO, Coca-Cola India and South West Asia, said, “It has been a heartening experience to see the variety of stakeholders who came together for this noble cause today. We believe that Support My School’s success is a result of collective endeavor and this has been proven again today. I am proud to be part of this initiative which is not only revitalizing schools but also helping shift the national focus to the issues plaguing our education infrastructure. The response we have received this year has surpassed the previous year and I am excited about the journey ahead for the campaign, this season. The contributions raised at the Telethon 2013 will go a long way in fulfilling our vision for season 2 and bring more children back to where they belong.in schools.”

     

    Actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Campaign Ambassador, who led the campaign along with Sachin Tendulkar said, “Joining the Support My School Team on this platform today truly gives me great pleasure. I believe Education is immensely Invaluable, Essential and the most Empowering gift we can give the children of our Country. Every child deserves the best of opportunities to grow and prosper… Every girl needs to recognise that she herself is a beacon of hope and has the potential to influence her future. And I understand and recognise, for this to be possible, these opportunities have to be made available to our children!!! In a vast country like India, there are many and varied challenges one faces while working with diverse rural and semi-urban communities. Individually, we may not comprehend these challenges, but collectively we are much stronger! And the overwhelming response to this campaign this time has proven that! With 272 schools and counting, the second season of Coca-Cola NDTV Support My School is spreading the joy of learning amongst the children of our country… And this has only been possible All Thanks to Every support and encouragement from donors, viewers, campaign partners and all on board the collective effort today!!! God Bless everyone for their contribution and Thank you!!!”

     

    With the funds generated through the ‘Support My School’ Telethon, NDTV and Coca-Cola along with CAF, UN-Habitat, World Vision, Plan India and Pearson will reach out to transform 272 schools across the length and breadth of the county providing Sanitation, separate toilets for girls and boys, drinking water, libraries, Sports and Recreation facilities and improvement in their overall infrastructure and environment, to give Indian children a better tomorrow.

     

    Supporting the initiative actor Ajay Devgan said, “The only thing we lack in our country is education. Any solution to any problem in our country is education.”

     

    Adding to it Kajol said, “For a country to go forward education is the first basic step to it and it is every child’s birth right. If by taking small steps such as this can change the situation, more of these should be done.”

     

    The event also featured several enthralling performances by Ayushman Khurana, Kailash Kher, Javed Ali, Adnan Sami, Shilpa Rao, Shweta Tiwari, Nikhil Paul George, Anwesha from Chote Ustad, Anshuman and Deep Raj from India’s Got Talent, Faisal and Ronan from Dance India Dance, Salman, Azmat Husaain and Sanjana Bhola Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champs and India’s 3 year old Drummer, Anshuman Nandi, young singers Priyanshi and Rimsha and honoured a few deserving teachers, toppers and child prodigies. Adding further excitement to the event was ‘Sachin ki Paathshala’ – an interactive session where the Master Blaster shared his Gyaan with children joining in live from across the country. The telethon also featured success stories from supported schools across rural India.

     

    Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, who spent 12 hours on the show giving valuable tips to school students while repeatedly appealing for donations, made a personal contribution of Rs 10 lakhs, as did Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Kajol and Ajay Devgn.

     

  • The edutainment channel van will move through 20 cities in India over two months

    ZeeQ on-Wheels flagged off in Mumbai

    By A Correspondent

     

    On Friday, ZeeQ, India’s first edutainment channel, flagged off the ZeeQ van called, ZeeQ on-Wheels in Mumbai, to visit 20 cities across the country.

     

    En route, this van will connect with children across India. “ZeeQ’s main aim behind this journey is to interact with children and their parents to communicate how learning can be fun,” said Subhadarshi Tripathy, Business Head,ZeeQ at the launch.

     

    ZeeQ on-Wheels is a knowledge treasure for children, providing opportunities of playing games like Balloon Maths, Bottle Cap Memory, Larger than Life Scrabble, English Wordmatch and M.I. Four Quiz. Along with games, ZeeQ on-Wheels will also screen ZeeQ programmes like Amar Chitra Katha Heroes, Sid the Science Kid, Teenovation, Word Match, Science with Braincafe and Cyberchase, etc. for children and parents on the van.

     

    On the whole activity, Aparna Bhosle, Programming Head of ZeeQ, is confident that firsthand engagement with children will enrich the experiences of ZeeQ’s Programming team. She said, “As a broadcaster, through our shows, we are committed to give life experience to children and this initiative, ZeeQ on-Wheels is the extension of our very same commitment.”

     

    From marketing perspective, ZeeQ on-Wheels will ensure sampling of ZeeQ’s shows in its target market. Anuj Katiyar, ZeeQ’s Head, Marketing and Research, informed that the activities on ZeeQ on-Wheels are interactive in nature and are formulated considering the four key subjects like English, mathematics, science, and general knowledge. For conducting the mentioned interactive activities, ZeeQ on-Wheels will halt at various locations in each city for four days.

     

    Over next few days, this van will ply on Mumbai roads and then it will cover the rest of the Western Zone. Apart from Mumbai, in the Western Zone, it will visit Pune, Surat, Baroda, Ahmedabad, Indore, Bhopal and Nagpur. In the North the ZeeQ on-wheels is set to tour New Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Kanpur, Allahabad, Lucknow, Chandigarh and Amritsar. In the Southern region the touch points will be Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, while in the East, ZeeQ on-Wheels will mingle with children in Kolkata.

     

  • The company reported total income of Rs 73.2 crore and reported the highest ever revenues for radio at Rs 51.7 crore

    RBNL announces quarter results

    By A Correspondent

     

    Reliance Broadcast Network Limited, a Reliance Group company, has announced its un-audited financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2012. The company’s board of directors approved the financial results at their meeting on February 9.

     

    The company reported total income of Rs 73.2 crore and reported the highest ever revenues for radio at Rs 51.7 crore. The company’s television business also delivered healthy growth with revenue at Rs 11.7 crore. Both radio and television businesses consolidated their leadership positions delivering robust revenue growth and tight control over costs. EBIT excluding TV business was positive at Rs 4.8 crore.

     

    Tarun Katial

    Commenting on the performance, Tarun Katial, Chief Executive Officer, Reliance Broadcast Network Limited, said, “Reliance Broadcast has delivered impressive results in both radio and television businesses, with radio recording its highest ever revenue quarter. The television business has reported significant growth in revenue and reduction in carriage, reaping benefits from digitization, and a well crafted business strategy. We are on track to deliver improved margins, and build reach and value in the long term.”

     

  • The awards, to be given on March 2, honour individuals who are determined to uncover the truth, expose injustice, change the system, and help create a better India

    IBN Network presents 5th edition of Citizen Journalist Awards

    By A Correspondent

     

    IBN Network, in partnership with Idea Cellular Ltd, is back with the fifth edition of its Citizen Journalist Awards, an initiative to empower the Indian citizen. Promoting the principles of inclusive journalism, these awards honour individuals who are determined to uncover the truth, expose injustice, change the system, and in the process, help create a better India for themselves and their countrymen.

     

    This year, the Citizen Journalist Awards will be given under four categories:

     

    > Fight for Her Rights – This category will recognize women CJs who are fighting for justice and their right to live a life of dignity

    > Citizens Against Corruption – This category will recognize CJs who are fighting for a corruption-free India

    > What an Idea Sirji – This category will recognize CJs who have come up with innovative ideas to bring about a change

    > CJ Video & CJ Photo – This category will recognize those alert CJs who captured a crime, an illegal activity or rules being flouted in the form of videos and pictures

     

     

    The award ceremony will be held on March 2, 2013.

     

    The Citizen Journalist Awards adheres to a stringent selection process where the IBN Network Editorial Board shortlists the nominees in the first phase basis their stories featured on the IBN channels and/or on the CJ microsite www.ibnlive.com/cj. The IBN Network team then deliberates on the nominees, before reaching a majority decision on the winners.

     

    Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, CNN-IBN, IBN7 & IBN-Lokmat, said, “The CJ initiative has become a mass movement that has seen a lot of participation from across the nation. The Citizen Journalist Awards is a salute to all those citizens, who have taken the responsibility to fight for a better life for their countrymen.”

     

     

  • The first edition of the Yuva awards, that aim to find Yuva Icons of India, will be held in the capital on Feb 18

    First India TV Yuva Awards on Feb 18

    By A Correspondent

     

    The India TV Yuva Awards are set to take place in the capital on February 18, and aim to recognize and honour youth icons of India.

     

    The jury, chaired by Ustaad Amjad Ali Khan and consisting of well-known personalities across categories like Kapil Dev, Vandana Luthra , Professor Pushpesh Pant and India TV chairman & editor in chief Rajat Sharma, will decide the final winners of the Yuva Awards. To ensure credibility in the nomination process, C voter, a well renowned research agency, is on board as the official tabulator. Basis their analysis, a final list of nominees has been closed.

     

  • The Broadcasting Industry Awards are organised by the World Brand Congress

    Rahul Johri named ‘CEO of the Year’ at Broadcasting Industry Awards

    By A Correspondent

     

    Rahul Johri

    Rahul Johri, Senior Vice President & General Manager – South Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, has been conferred with the CEO of the Year award at the Broadcasting Industry Awards, organized by the World Brand Congress. The award was given in recognition of Mr Johri’s strategy in establishing Discovery as the leading non-fiction media company in the country and his inspiring leadership to build a robust and varied portfolio of eight unique channels, led by the leading factual entertainment brand – the Discovery Channel.

     

    Mr Johri has been the driving force in company’s expansion and growth including its localization strategy and launch of multiple language feeds across brands. His venture to launch the game changing channel in the kids genre, Discovery Kids, has received industry wide applaud. His recent initiative is Discovery’s association with India Today Group to launch Discovery Channel Magazine in India. He said, “It is an honour for the entire company. I am grateful to my team, our esteemed partners and stakeholders in the region who have shared the spirit of commitment in making Discovery as one of the most respected television brands in South Asia.”

     

    “The distinction compliments Rahul Johri’s innovative thinking and creative leadership which has translated into business excellence,” declared the awards jury.

     

    Having joined Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific in 2001, Mr Johri currently leads its South Asia operations. He is responsible for the overall growth strategy of India’s highest quality factual and lifestyle portfolio including Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, Discovery Science, Discovery Turbo, Discovery HD World, Discovery Tamil and Discovery Kids.

     

    He is also credited with having commissioned a range of acclaimed series including Living with a Superstar: Shah Rukh Khan, What Not to Wear: India, Oh My Gold!, and Be Blunt with Adhuna Akhtar. He also spearheaded Discovery Channel’s association with Yash Raj Films for the latest release Jab Tak Hai Jaan and with the Indian Army for its women officers’ expedition to Mount Everest in 2012.

     

    Mr Johri is a Board Member and Treasurer of Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF). He is also a member of the media and entertainment committee of Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and member of the Media & Entertainment Division of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

     

  • The first edition of the Yuva awards, that aim to find Yuva Icons of India, will be held in the capital today

    First India TV Yuva Awards to be held today

    By A Correspondent

     

    India TV is all set to honour the youth icons of the nation with the first edition of the Yuva Awards at a glittering ceremony in New Delhi this evening.

     

    The awards, to be given in six categories, namely Politics, Sports, Music, Film, Television and Business are an aspirational salute to young icons who, through their grit and determination, have inspired many and shown exemplary leadership and extraordinary excellence in their respective fields with achievements much bigger than their age.

     

    The winners have been decided basis a stringent process of nominations through nation-wide research by a well-known research agency, followed by audience votes.

     

    The jury, chaired by Ustaad Amjad Ali Khan, consists of well-known personalities across categories like Kapil Dev, Vandana Luthra , Professor Pushpesh Pant and India TV chairman & editor in chief Rajat Sharma.

     

    Ritu Dhawan, India TV MD & CEO, said, “These awards are a salute to the budding next generation of India, it is an honour getting to honour them on behalf of a nation that is on the rise, with a sense of achievement and pride.”

     

    The awards have real estate major Prateek Group as presenting sponsor and Galgotias University as an associate.