MxMIndia

Category: TV

  • TAM has fortified its TV Panel Home Security Process by setting up a dedicated vigilance desk, and has appointed a President's Medal awardee and veteran in vigilance, investigation and crime detection to head it

    TAM appoints top cop to guard its homes

    By A Correspondent

     

    TAM Media Research, industry’s centrally appointed Television Audience Measurement cell, in a bid to further fortify its TV Panel Home Security process, has set up a dedicated desk for vigilance, investigation and crime detection. This desk will be chaired by Ravi Ratanjankar as Head, Vigilance & Corporate Risk Mitigation.

     

    Mr Ratanjankar is a President’s medal awardee and a crime investigation veteran with over 22 years of experience in this field. His special role in TAM will help fortify the organization against any potential vested interest parties trying to break into the TAM system.

     

    Commenting on the initiative, LV Krishnan, CEO, TAM Media Research, said, “Our core service of Television Audience Measurement (TAM) has played a silent, yet, central role in helping the Indian Broadcast and Advertising industry reach the size and stature we know of today. This has only happened because of our regular proactive measures, one of them being constant expansion and enhancement of our TV audience panel home. Today, our TV audience measurement panel covers over 225 towns and cities across urban and semi-rural markets covering all the key states of India.

     

    “The key here is, and which a very few realize, that the complexity of such huge on-ground operations do run a risk of potential external threats. In our unrelenting focus towards quality and the need to protect the services from any types of external threats, TAM is taking further necessary steps that will ensure a deeper safeguard to the services via stronger walls of security and vigilance in the coming months and years. Ravi’s appointment towards this is not the end but one of the many more initiatives that Industry will see. I am very pleased to have Ravi as part of my team. We are very sure that his role and involvement will further elevate TAM to new performance benchmarks.”

     

    Mr Ratanjankar comes with an experience of over 22 years as Assistant Commissioner in Maharashtra Police and was leading teams in special investigations, traversing various types of investigative projects. Prior to joining TAM, he was with the HDFC Bank Ltd handling vigilance functions pan-India and helping the implementation of fraud management systems. His repertoire of experience has been enriched by stints in the CBI, Mumbai Crime Branch, various police stations in Mumbai, combat experience in Naxalite districts etc.

     

  • Get ready for a a hip, happening, slick Amar Chitra Katha-like channel called Epic

    1 Minute View: Yet another Hindi entertainment channel!

    Just when we thought the slowdown, the vagaries of digitization, LC1 markets and the tough fight put up by the big networks was not going to see any new entrant in the Hindi entertainment channel business, comes the news of Epic. For one, it’s being set up by a bunch of professionals and investors. Anand Mahindra is reportedly an investor, albeit in his personal capacity.

     

    According to unverified information available, Delhi-based restaurateur and impresario Rohit Khattar is among the directors. A representative from Mahindra and the founder and managing director Mahesh Samat (formerly head of the Walt Disney Company in India) are also directors.

     

    Mr Samat’s objectives are noble. Bring in quality content to television. He hopes to exploit the opportunities thrown up by digitization and launch what’s going to be a pretty niche offering. Unlike, say, a History Channel, this channel is going to bring in quality historicals, mythologicals and folklore, retold in a “very contemporary” storytelling format. In many ways, a hip, happening, slick audio-visual Amar Chitra Katha.

     

    It’s scheduled to launch in August this year and its success could open the floodgates for many more niche offerings.

     

  • From stars to ordinary folks, the small screen is the battleground for the wars of the dance shows. And channels are putting their best foot forward

    Channels step up the battle on the dance floor

     

    By Meghna Sharma

     

    For a nation that thrives on jigging and jiving in filmland, it is not surprising that dance shows are a hit. Starting with the longest running, Boogie Woogie, a number of other dance reality shows have made their mark on Indian television, and their popularity seems undiminished.

     

    Priti Murthy

    Although most shows are Indian versions of successful Western formats, they have been able to garner a strong following. What is about these shows that make them click with people? Priti Murthy, National Director – Insights at Maxus, tips her hat to the film industry. “Thanks to Bollywood, there is a big dance and music consumption in the country. And as a genre too, it has done well – nationally and internationally. Also, as a format it appeals to the whole family. Thus, such shows are bound to do well.”

     

     

    Ajay Bhalwankar

    “Dance spreads joy. It’s a beautiful medium of expression. People emotionally connect with the contestants as they become stories of common man becoming a superstar,” says Ajay Bhalwankar, Content Head, Hindi GEC, ZEEL.

     

    Zenith Optimedia’s managing partner Sanjoy Chakrabarty says, “There is a high level of involvement and engagement value is high too as people start liking a certain participant, vote of him/her. Also, they are on TV for a short period of time unlike daily soaps which go on and on. Hence, people like to watch them, no matter if celebrity or non-celebrity are participating.”

     

    Sanjoy Chakrabarty

    Color’s flagship show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa has always improved the channel’s ratings among the GECs. “Viewers always look out for something fresh and entertaining and dance reality shows provide them the same. The kind of experiment one does with dance forms and shows make them really exciting and refreshing. Like on our show Jhalak Dikhlaa Jaa, viewers get to see a different side of celebrities that appeals to them. It is a show where dancers and non-dancers perform and entertain audiences on the same platform,” says Manisha Sharma, Weekend Programming Head, Colors.

     

     

    Manisha Sharma

    Star’s Nach Baliye finished its fifth season early this year and the channel has launched another show – India’s Dancing Superstar. While Nach Baliye has celebrity couples, the latest entry onto the bandwagon provides platform to dancers wherein there is no barrier of age, dance form or style. “We are extremely happy that within its launch week, India’s Dancing Superstar has emerged as the number one non-fiction show on television,” says Nikhil Madhok, VP marketing, Star Plus.

     

     

     

    Nikhil Madhok

    Same style, new twist

    Season after season, shows have been received well by the audiences, making channels very happy to reinvent their offerings every year to stay ahead of one another. “We will retain the format of original DID and instead of having just extraordinary dancers, this edition of DID will have extraordinary moms showing off their extraordinary dancing prowess which will shock and surprise the viewers. The biggest USP of DID SuperMoms is that it’s for the mothers. It’s for those women who don’t believe that marriage and kids are a barrier between them and their dreams. It will be the mother of all dance shows,” says Mr Bhalwankar when asked what will be the USP of DID this year.

     

    Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa has a new theme this year – Dance Ka Maza Ab Hum Chakhaenge. “Every year we try to do something different with our flagship dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. We have had a different line up of celebrities every season from all walks of life which adds a new flavour to the show. Like last season we had a sportsperson like Sanath Jayasuriya to a comedian Bharti Singh and this year we are bringing in Bollywood actors like Aarti Chhabria to singer Shaan,” says Ms Sharma.

     

    With the show the channel attempts to remain engaged with the audiences with new elements and constant innovation every season. This new season will also see an interesting line of up rounds as the season progresses and wild card entries with new twists and turns. “We have upped the challenge and raised the bar this year. It will definitely be bigger and better this year,” Ms Sharma adds.

     

    However, the question remains – is it necessary for such shows to invent themselves? According to Ms Murthy, dance and music shows have become a staple diet for Indians and reinventing shows by focusing on moms or kids in a particular season only adds to it as they target the whole family. “If a format has clicked with the people then such reinventions only add more value to them.”

     

    Similarly, Mr Chakrabarty feels it is important for such shows to reinvent themselves as the element of surprise is always good. “One has to keep taking it to the next level,” he adds.

     

    Dance to the marketing mix

    Although the shows are popular and get a lot of eyeballs to the channels, the channels don’t leave any stone unturned in marketing them to stay ahead of each other.

     

    For IDS’s launch Star’s marketing highlight was a massive on ground engagement during the audition phase. According to the channel, it helped in building traction for the show even before the first episode was shot. “We will be using digital in a big way through the show. Already the Chavat Boyz who featured in our first episode have started creating a cult following on digital for their innovative dance style,” says Mr Madhok.

     

    Colors on the other hand plans to go all out with a mix of TV (Home Channel + Cross channel), Radio, Print, Outdoor, Cinema and Digital for JDJ.

     

  • Seeing how viewers lap up myths and legends on TV, it's not surprising an entire channel dedicated to folklore etc is coming up. Will it be a tale with a happy ending?

    Will Mythology 24×7 work for Epic?

     

    By Meghna Sharma

     

    In the beginning there was Ramayana. It was the day, or rather the Sunday morning, when the world stood still as millions watched the televised dramatization of one of India’s best-known epics. Close on its heels was the sweeping soap opera of Indian mythology, the Mahabharata, and then came Bharat Ek Khoj which gave us facts laced with dramatized enactments of India’s myths and legends.

     

    Those were the days of Doordarshan. With the explosion of cable and DTH, and technological strides enabling better and better CGI, viewers are now spoilt for choice in the realm of mythology. The most popular currently is the magnetic Lord Shiva on Life OK, with the delectable Parvati and cutesy Ganapati capturing hearts of all ages.

     

    It is this raging popularity which has led Mahesh Samat, former Walt Disney India head, to plan an entire channel based around mythology. For someone who is has a passion for history this may seem an obvious move. “With digitization, today, people have access to various channels and hence, an availability to launch new genres. We did a lot of research and dipsticks before taking this decision. People want to have a connection with history,” says Mr Samat when asked about his decision to launch India’s first genre-specific Hindi entertainment channel – Epic.

     

    “Epic stands for story-telling. Here we are not just going to rehash history but create new characters from our history,” he adds.

     

    But is there really enough TG of this genre to launch a channel? “I think for such a genre, the TG is universal. Anyone who is in the mood to watch the genre will switch to our channel. Of course, we know that people won’t be watching the channel all the time. We would be an important part of people’s choice wherein they choose to watch us when they feel a need to watch something mythological or from our past,” believes Mr Samat.

     

    Pratap Bose

    According to Pratap Bose, COO, DDB Mudra group, for any genre, be it action or mythological, content is important for a channel to be a hit or a miss. “If the content is 10/10, nothing else matters. People should like what you give them and they will come to you if it appeals to them.” However, he does believe that apart from great content it is important that one effectively distributes and promotes the channel so that more and more people know about it.

     

    The channel launch is being planned for August, provided all regulations are cleared. And a 360-degree marketing mix has been planned for it. Aparna Pandey, who will be looking after content and packaging, will also be in charge of the channel’s marketing. Ravina Raj Kohli is the development head. The team is already in talks with various producers, though a lot of development work will be done in-house.

     

    Very few know that Mr Samat is a comic book writer and has authored a comic called The Adventures Of Vanayu – The Spirits Of Ixora. Will he be lending his talent to the channel, too? “I would leave that to my very talented and professional team. However, I wouldn’t deny I have a very good sense for such content.”

     

    With various networks launching regional channels or dubbed feeds, the Epic Television Networks Pvt Ltd knows the importance of regional space. However, they want to take things slowly. “We would like to build the brand in Hindi first and then go ahead… step by step,” says Mr Samat.

     

    And what about syndication? With Indians spread across the globe and an interest in Indian history at an international level, one cannot rule it out. “Syndication is a very good revenue option as well. But we will only think about it after we get it right here,” reaffirms Mr Samat.

     

  • Mr Rohit Khullar believes the media has gone unregulated for far too long and TRAI regulations are law…

    1 Minute View: The TRAI chairman thinks the media has had a f***ing free-for-all

    The Hoot editor Sevanti Ninan’s column in today’s Mint makes for interesting reading (May 16). It talks of TRAI chairman Rohit Khullar, his views on the media and what he plans to do to those who don’t adhere to the TRAI’s regulations.

     

    Sample this quote from Mr Khullar: “I don’t have to win a f***ing election. I am a regulator, I am answerable to Parliament, my job is to enforce the law. Once the regulation is issued, it is law. The telecom guys know this. The broadcasting guys are learning it late.”

     

    Note the asterisks are inserted by us, the quote, as published on the newspaper’s website, has the entire ‘f’ word. The TRAI chairman, Ms Ninan writes, is “short, feisty and bursting with expletives to describe the scenario that has been permitted to take hold here”.

     

    Ms Ninan says Mr Khullar believes the media has gone unregulated for far too long.

     

    Now, if TRAI really gets tough on the media, there will be a bloodbath. To start with, the ad duration regulation. All those who aren’t adhering to it, can get severely reprimanded and even lose their licence. The message that we get from the Mint article on Mr Khullar: F*** around with TRAI regulations and get f***ed.

     

    From what he tells Ms Ninan, there’s going to some tough policies on cross-ownership too.

     

    If Mr Khullar and his predecessors were able to be stringent with telecom players, the going will not be that easy with media biggies. It won’t be simple to get some of the big players to exit established interests in other media domains and/or entities.

     

    Needess to say, it will be interesting to see who f***s whom. Ufff. Enough of swearing 🙂

     

  • The IPL is being streamed live by Times Internet Ltd, the official digital partner of IPL, in partnership with YouTube

    IPL 6 records 52% growth in online viewership

    By A Correspondent

     

    The IPL’s sixth season is proving to be a smashing hit online. The 20-20 cricket tournament is being streamed live by Times Internet Limited (TIL), the official digital partner of IPL in partnership with YouTube. As per the viewership numbers recorded at 38 matches, which is 50 per cent of the tournament – IPL online across both www.boxtv.com and www.youtube.com/indiatimes combined recorded a 52 per cent growth viewership over 2012 (75.2M vs 49.3M last year.). Furthermore, the combined viewership of users watching highlights and clips saw a whopping 480 per cent growth in watch hours over 2012. That’s a staggering number and no other live event has ever created this kind of reach in India.

     

    In India, Bangalore and Hyderabad lead the viewership with 14 per cent each, with Delhi coming in a close second at 10 per cent. The matches that registered the maximum online views were: RCB vs PW on 23 April and MI vs RCB on April 25.

     

    “Over the last two years, we’ve offered IPL fans across the world a superior experience online and steadily grown a loyal viewer base. For IPL 2013, we’ve worked hard to make the online experience more social and interactive than ever before, and our traffic numbers so far are proof enough that IPL fans are loving it,” said Satyan Gajwani, CEO, Times Internet.

     

    Speaking about the response to IPL season 6, Praveen Sharma, Head of Media Sales, Google India said, “Better streaming experience, increased mobile and tablet device access and growing awareness about the availability of IPL online is fuelling the growth in viewership. In the past, we usually saw rise in the first two weeks of the tournament and then it picked up again during the final week. But this year, the growth has been consistent through the tournament. At this rate we are hopeful of registering strong growth in total viewership by the end of the tournament over last year.”

     

  • While there is no recipe or element for success, the key is to provide the ultimate entertainment experience that meets the needs of kids, says Turner's Krishna Desai

    ‘Kids want to be good-hearted superheroes’

    By Meghna Sharma

     

    The children’s genre in the country has never been child’s play. Major networks have fought each other to remain ahead and with summer holidays on, the battle only intensifies.

     

    Krishna Desai

    The Turner network which has two children’s channels – Cartoon Network and Pogo – to its credit is going all out to be on top. So, what has been their secret to lure children to their channels? “As such there is no recipe or element for success, but over the years, our experience in the genre has taught us what appeals to kids. The key is to provide the ultimate entertainment experience that meets the needs of kids,” says Krishna Desai, Senior Director & Network Head – Kids, South Asia, Turner International India Pvt Ltd.

     

    Their show Chhota Bheem is the most popular TV choice for kids according to Ormax in the year 2012. The network feels that the reason it is the most popular character because children aspire to be a good-hearted superhero like Bheem. “Also, one cannot strike out another important element to ensure kids keep coming back to the same show again and again and that is – humour! It is for the above reasons that Tom and Jerry is a timeless show. It’s been going for over 70 years, but is still one of the most popular shows on television across the world,” says Mr Desai.

     

    But today kids have a lot of options – shows on the internet, computer games etc – so what is the best way to keep the TG hooked? The network believes in giving kids the ultimate consumer experience. And, hence, engage kids across 360 degrees ensuring they are entertained at every touch point.

     

    “On air, we periodically conduct innovative contests wherein kids who win are rewarded with prizes such as iPods, PSPs, etc. For instance, last year, we did a highly successful exam contest with Roll No. 21 around the exam time that was a stress buster for kids. Annually, Turner conducts on-ground events for both, Cartoon Network and Pogo,” explains Mr Desai.

     

    Through their School Contact Programs, the network has increased the reach to over 1 million kids between Cartoon Network and Pogo. “These SCPs provide an excellent platform for our advertisers as well to interact with the end consumer,” adds Mr Desai.

     

    And considering the growth in popularity of mobile and internet platforms among kids, the network has also leveraged all their popular shows across these mediums. “Our strategic efforts of providing innovative games to kids across our websites and mobile applications have enabled us to make cartoonnetworkindia.com and pogo.tv the leading kids’ websites in the country with each site receiving over 5 lakh unique viewers per month. The Ben 10: Xenodrome mobile game that was launched a few months ago has got over a million downloads in India,” says Mr Desai.

     

    The network feel that digitization will bring about the biggest change to the broadcast industry including the kids’ genre. “With phase 2 under way, it will be interesting to see the level of STB and satellite penetration, thereby determining reach of all channels. It will also help broadcasters get a better understanding of the content consumption by audiences which in turn will enable broadcasters to deliver content better attuned to consumer demand. Digitization will also determine the effectiveness of the current revenue model. The current ad-driven model under-values and under-prices the kids’ genre. With a subscription based revenue model, broadcasters will hopefully receive a fair share of the revenue pie,” Mr Desai explains.

     

    So where does the network see the genre in the next few years? It feel that the growth of multi-TV households in India is also boosting the growth of the kids’ genre. And the demand from kids to be able to consume content ‘Anytime, Anywhere’ will lead to broadcasters aggressively focusing on delivering quality non-linear content.

     

  • Sahara announces withdrawal of IPL franchise 'Pune Warriors' as also decision to not renew India team sponsorship

    IPL goes Be-Sahara. Group exits league, India team sponsorship not to be renewed

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sahara India has announced that it will not “keep” the IPL franchise of Pune Warriors due to differences with the BCCI. It has also served a notice to the BCCI asking the sports body to look for a new sponsor with effect from January 2014. “We will continue the national team’s sponsorship only up to December 2013, the expiry date of the present agreement,” a statement said.

     

    The following is the statement issued by Sahara, a copy of which is with MxMIndia:

     

    BCCI AS A SPORTS BODY SHOULD HAVE SPORTSMANSHIP SPIRIT

    In 2010 Sahara had bid 1700 crs. for IPL franchise on the basis of revenue calculation on 94 matches.  It was tricky on part of BCCI to put the number in Media as 94 matches for getting bigger amount.

     

    But we got 64 matches only. We and Kochi Team immediately protested and request BCCI to reduce the bid price proportionately for viable IPL proposition.  Nothing was heard.  We waited with confidence that such a sports body should have sportsmanship spirit. We continuously requested BCCI for Arbitration from June 2011. But BCCI is only concerned about money and not about the genuine interests of the franchisee

     

    Thus, we could not penetrate BCCI’s deaf ears and we announced our withdrawal in February 2012.

     

    – The BCCI approached us for a solution and requested us to not withdraw. After a series of discussions with the topmost BCCI officials including the BCCI President at Mumbai, a Joint Statement was issued by Sahara & BCCI in Feb 2012. The Joint Statement, amongst many other things, specifically mentioned the agreement to start Arbitration proceedings through immediate appointment of an Arbitrator.

    – Following up on the Joint Statement, Sahara suggested the name of a Retired Hon’ble Chief Justice of India on the 5th March 2012 to be appointed as the Arbitrator. There was no response from BCCI for four months and after repeated prodding, finally on the 9th of July Sahara’s advocates received a letter from BCCI rejecting the name proposed by Sahara without mentioning any reason and also without suggesting any alternatives.

    – After that, despite our repeated efforts to have the Arbitration initiated, we sent other suggestion of names which too were turned down and instead meaningless communication was created to stall finalization.

    – In the meanwhile, Sahara kept on paying the full Franchise Fee of Rs 170.20 crore annually, without prejudice to its rights and contentions, in the hope that this will be resolved soon. But unfortunately, it was not done.

    – Fed up with this stalemate our Hon’ble Chairman Saharasri ji had written to the BCCI president that the arbitration for downward revision of the fees has not progressed in 3 years time, hence, has requested for a proper meeting to personally discuss the way forward and explicitly said that if a downward revision is not possible then we would want to surrender the franchisee. This went a deaf ear.

    – After that a few days back in Delhi our Hon’ble Chairman Saharasri ji had again, this time requested in person to Hon’ble Shri Rajeev Shukla ji, that if BCCI cannot accept Arbitration, we then want to amicably exit IPL. Our Chairman in clear words was committed again by Hon’ble Shri Rajeev Shukla ji that BCCI shall comeback and till then Bank guarantee will not be touched, not be revoked since the expiry date of bank guarantee was 2nd May 2013.

    – But again we waited and no reply came.

    – Despite our legal person’s advise of exiting IPL at the start of the season itself, we still in utter sportsmanship spirit went ahead with the season, so that the IPL season does not get affected, safeguarding the larger interest of Cricket in India and the players. Had we followed the legal advise of withdrawing at the start of the IPL season, this would have resulted in putting tremendous pressure on BCCI for resolving the issue whereas BCCI has shown its un-sportsmanship and no consideration towards the sports which we have been supporting for more than a decade.

    – But our legal department was right.  Because our last match was on 19th May and on 20th May, BCCI representative was there in the Bank to revoke the Bank guarantee. We still tried to contact for amicable settlement, but could not get anybody on phone in time.  But our bank people informed that even at 8 in the evening the BCCI representative was still present in the Bank and threatened the bank that if money is not paid today to BCCI, tomorrow they shall enter court to black list Bank. One should ask BCCI why they did not approach bank for revocation of our bank guarantee from 2nd May to 19th May. That’s why these were so, so harsh on 20th May without talking to us and even then they had every right to invoke Bank Guarantee. What is this character of sports body to a company who does so much for sports.

    – It is important to state that Sahara has never, ever defaulted in any of its due payment in last 13 years of team sponsorship etc. We put on record that there is not a single rupee outstanding towards the sponsorship of Indian Cricket Team and BCCI is even secured by a bank guarantee against the sponsorship. Rather during ICC Champions Trophy 2002, Sahara had paid full sponsorship amount even without Sahara branding on the player’s Jersey. It is futile to talk all these to such a strong un-sportsman spirit sports body which lacks true commitment towards Sports and cricket.

    – Considering all the disgusted fact mentioned above now we would not keep the IPL franchisee even if the entire franchisee fee is waved off. It is firm and final decision of Sahara to withdraw from IPL.

    – We now request BCCI to not to approach us this time for any discussion as they have done in February 2012.

    – There is a very strong urge in us to withdraw from the Indian Cricket Team Sponsorship from today only. But, interest of the players will suffer if we do so. We share an excellent relationship with the players and will not want such dedicated and good human beings who serve the country so committed to get harmed financially due to unsporting attitude of BCCI. So we have given time to BCCI to get the new sponsorship in place from January 2014, as we will continue the national team’s sponsorship only up to December 2013 that’s the expiry date of the present agreement.

    – Sahara assures its players and stakeholders that their Fees and other rightfully due payments will be protected and under no circumstances will they suffer. Sahara also assures its sponsors and other supporters who have shown faith in us that their obligations have and will be fulfilled and there will be no compromise on their status or rights.

     

    Besides, we are in the process of building a Sports Foundation, which will operate on a hub and spoke model. Whereby there will be a Central National Sports Academy with numerous regional sports academies affiliated to it.

     

    These affiliated regional sports academies will be based in the areas where there is a proven natural pool of skill set and talent for a particular sport, like an academy in Bhiwani will specifically focus on boxing, the academy based in Ranchi will focus on Archery and Hockey while the one in Hyderabad will focus on Badminton and Tennis. Under this Foundation more than 200 talented upcoming prospective sportsmen will be supported and trained in the academies. Sahara will reach out to all the former international sports athletes who are running academies across India and support them.

     

  • TAM is adding 11 million digital households within its base of 60 million-strong TV-owning households

    TAM updates Universe, adds 11 mn digital households

    By A Correspondent

     

    Given the significant change in the base post the second phase of digitization (DAS-II), TAM has announced on its website that its Universe will be updated in week 19, 2013 (week beginning May 5, 2013)

     

    “We are also using this opportunity to update not only those markets that are under the purview of DAS Phase 2 but also non-DAS markets that may have registered a significant increase in digital penetration,

     

    “With this update, we will be adding a significant 11 million digital households within the TAM surveyed markets (a base of 60 million TV owning households). This update now tips the C&S universe profile towards digital: Digital now accounts for more than half the TV owning households (56%) within the TAM surveyed markets.”

     

    The changes will mean some issues with those working on the TAM software. Details for this can be accessed at: http://www.tamindia.com/tamindia/NL_Tam/DAS_Phase_2-Universe_Update_Document.pdf

     

  • Neo Sports will debut a dual feed broadcast plan for the French Open, which runs from May 26 to June 9. Neo Prime and Neo Sports will have live feeds from separate courts

    Neo launches dual feed plan for French Open

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Neo Sports Network will debut a first-of-its-kind dual feed broadcast plan for the French Open, the second Grand Slam of the year, which runs from May 26 to June 9.

     

    Tennis fans will not miss out on any top stars playing simultaneously at the French Open as the network’s two channels, Neo Prime and Neo Sports, will have live feeds from separate courts. So far, nobody in India has had two full channels broadcasting separate feeds for a Grand Slam through the course of the event.

     

    This also means that fans will have access to 225 hours of live content on the Neo Sports network, which is almost twice as much as the 130-140 hours that are typically set aside for live coverage of a Grand Slam across broadcasters.

     

    With a reach of nearly 25 million, the French Open is the No 1 tennis event in the calendar year (TAM CS MF 4+ All India, 2012). The dual feed will ensure at least 45 additional hours of live content in prime time, providing a win-win situation for both viewers and advertisers.

     

    There will also be live updates and contests on theNeo PrimeTwitter handle (@neoprimetv) through the two-week period.

     

    Prasana Krishnan

    Prasana Krishnan, COO, Neo Sports Broadcast Pvt Ltd, said, “The attraction of the French Open is extremely high and Neo’s coverage is taking it to significant new landmarks. Last year, the reach of the event was a third better than Wimbledon and nearly equal to the other two grand slams put together. This year, we will be taking this to greater heights with dual feed coverage and nearly doubling live coverage to 225 hours, which is in line with our strategy to bring in more novelty with non-cricket properties.”

     

  • Hindi wedding entertainment channel Shagun TV has mandated its advertising sales business to Aidem Ventures

    Happy union for Aidem Ventures with Shagun TV

    By A Correspondent

     

    Hindi wedding entertainment channel Shagun TV has mandated its advertising sales business to Aidem Ventures.

     

    “We are happy to be associated with Aidem Ventures. We are looking forward to a fruitful bonding and a long-term relationship with this organization of national repute,” added Chakardhar Dhoundiyal, Chairman, Vertent Media Soft Pvt Ltd.

     

    Thrilled about the appointment, Vikas Khanchandani, Director, Aidem Ventures said, “The entire Aidem team is glad to be associated with Shagun TV. With the second phase of digitization, the TV audience will be able to access diverse content and sampling of such content will continue to witness a surge. Beyond the usual FCT buys, the channel offers a wide range of possibilities ranging from events, in-show integrations, selective and premium non-FCT ad elements and sponsored specials. Wedding as a business in India is recession-proof and continues to grow at a steady pace of 25 percent y-o-y. We are also looking forward to working with stakeholders in the wedding business ecosystem to enhance opportunities.”

     

    Shagun TV’s Arunanjan Jha said, “The Indian wedding industry is estimated to be a staggering Rs 1,25,000-crore industry and the number just gets bigger every year. It is for this reason that the largest F&B, apparel, jewellery, consumer durables and furniture players want a piece of this pie. With Shagun TV, we want to ensure that we set the pace for the changing face of the Indian broadcast industry.”

     

  • Big CBS Love's latest series Summerland will see Preity Zinta promoting the coming-of-age drama series as part of the cross-marketing tie up with her upcoming film 'Ishkq in Paris'

    Preity Zinta to promote Summerland on Big CBS Love

    By A Correspondent

     

    Big CBS Love’s latest series Summerland will see Preity Zinta promoting the coming-of-age drama series as part of the cross-marketing tie up with her upcoming film ‘Ishkq in Paris’. The show begins on May 27, and Ms Zinta, who has often portrayed the role of a young urban woman grounded by strong family values, complements the show with an interesting and heart-warming promotion.

     

    Anand Chakravarthy

    Commenting on Big CBS Love’s latest international property and the tie-up with Ishkq in Paris, Anand Chakravarthy, Business Head, Big CBS Networks said, “There is increased awareness today amongst film marketers on the power of television and its reach and we are happy to be a chosen platform to promote the film Ishkq in Paris. Similarly, having Preity Zinta endorse the show works as a definitive advantage with viewers.”

     

    “Summerland is a heart-warming show about people learning to cope with living together when life-changing events start to mould their lives differently. It is something that could happen to any of us and in fact does happen… every new relationship sees new beginnings, new adjustments, new challenges. The beauty of life is how to overcome the small challenges and make life more meaningful in the given circumstances. It’s a story that any of us can identify with and am sure will make for excellent viewing,” said Preity Zinta.

     

    The story is about California-based fashion designer Ava Gregory (Lori Loughlin), who suddenly has to take care of her niece and nephews after their parents die in a car crash. Summerland will air Monday to Thursday at 10pm, beginning May 27, on Big CBS Love.