Fashion broadcaster  ‘Fashion TV’ is restyling its India presence with a rehaul of programming, brand and revenue functions. The broadcasting and operations of the channel including programming, licensing and merchandizing have been entrusted to Trinity Dreamworks Ltd who have extended the revenue and brand management mandates to Helios Media – the specialized revenue monetisation firm for the broadcast industry.
Said Michel Adam, founder of FashionTV, “FTV the brand has been growing from strength to strength across the globe as THE fashion destination be it our broadcast brand or various categories we are into under the “F” brand. With the surge in Indians consuming global brands, it’s only natural that we affirm our presence in the market with renewed vigour”
The brand’s commitment to India is underlined by the growing off-air presence. F Bars have been set up in Mumbai and Bengaluru and the first ever F Residence in India is progressing rapidly in Pune. There are advanced level discussions for 40 F Cafes around the country in the next three years. Apparels and accessories under the F Accessories label are in the pipeline and the F Vodka might soon be at a bar near you.
Commenting on the India programming agenda, Vishal Gurnani of Trinity Dreamworks  said, “The Indian fashion industry is growing phenomenally. The markets are flooded with the best of brands from all over the world indicating growing awareness and consumption. Fashion TV in India has contributed towards enhancing the viewer’s knowledge and experience in the world of fashion, for over a decade. It is now time for us to enhance positioning of the channel itself so we can continue to satiate the viewer’s increasing love for fashion.”
“Being entrusted to represent and partner the world’s biggest Fashion brand is an appreciation of our ability at Helios to position channels as brands and not commodities. With MTunes HD and FoodFood, we have exhibited how this takes the agenda beyond merely selling inventory. The teams across our offices are ready to offer advertisers the opportunity to associate and integrate with the #1 global Fashion destination” said Divya Radhakrishnan – MD of Helios Media, commenting on the assignment.
It was an idea that saw acceptance and execution of just three months. Leading home applicances company TTK Presige has tied up with Sab TV to launch a light-hearted cookery show titled ‘Jo Biwi Se Kare Pyaar’. “We didn’t want a typical AFP,” explains Chandru Kalroo, COO of the cookers-to-kettles-to-induction stoves major. “No one gave us an idea like Anooj Kapoor (EVP and Business Head of Sab) did and he too was certain that it shouldn’t be an AFP,” Mr Kalroo said on why he chose Sab over other channels for the tie-up and how once the decision was taken the execution happened in super-quick time.
The Sab TV show follows Prestige’s ambitious marketing campaign with Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan as brand ambassadors. Â According to Mr Kapoor, the show is in line with the differentiate and innovative content that his channel offeres. “It is a refreshing concept that will appeal to the modern consumers, as they get to learn & cook quick and easy recipes with Prestige.”
Produced by Deepti Bhatnagar Productions, ‘Jo Biwi Se Kare Pyaar’ promises to make cooking an enjoyable experience and showcase quick-to-cook and tasty recipes that will bring families together across India. The show premieres on Sab from October 28 and will be aired Monday through Friday at 7.30pm
Romedy Now, the all-new English entertainment channel from the Times TV Network stable, has unveiled a 360-degree marketing campaign. To be spread over two months across print, television, digital, outdoor, radio and cinema, the objective will be to spread the innovative language created across all communication platforms. So expect words like Happymeltify, Awesomejoysome, Freehug-a-lugs etc spread all over the media. ‘Love. Laugh. Live’ is the credo of the channel, and the warm colours will be a highlight of the marketing arsenal.
Ajay Trigunayat
Speaking to MxMIndia, Ajay Trigunayat – CEO, English Entertainment Channels, Times Television Network, explained that the reason for the deferred kick-off of the marketing campaign was hectic activity on getting the distribution act together. We should now be reaching 80 percent of our targeted homes, Mr Trigunayat said. While there are still some holes like Tata Sky which has a bandwidth issue, Mr Trigunayat is not fazed because the DTH carrier reaches out to only 3.2 percent homes across the eight metros. But isn’t Tata Sky an important platform for his TG? That’s a myth, he tells us, citing statistics.
While print advertising will happen on all Times group publications, on television, the TVCs will be seen on 20 channels including Times Network offerings. For radio, other than the group’s Radio Mirchi, Radio City and Red FM have also been used. In outdoor, there are over 300 sites across Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Kolkata and a similar number of multiplexes and single screen theatres have also been taken up. The highlight of the marketing campaign which could well be the biggest in the English entertainment space is the digital media adopted. Digital media whether it’s in the Facebook or Whatsapp users has grown, and the Romedy Now primary TG will be reached through that, Mr Trigunayat said.
The thought behind Romedy Now is to spread love and laughter in everyone’s lives, through movies that strike an emotional chord.  This will be reflected digitally on the official microsite www.romedynow.com, Facebook Page at facebook.com/romedynow, on Twitter via @romedynow and the ‘Love. Laugh. Live’ website.
The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) has announced that Managing Director Ronnie Screwvala will step down on June 30, 2014 and Siddharth Roy Kapur, currently Managing Director of Disney UTV’s studio business, will take over the company’s India operations. Mr Kapur will become Managing Director of TWDC India effective January 1, 2014, and Mr Screwvala will assist in the transition until June 30, 2014.
“It’s been a fantastic seven-year working relationship with Disney,” said Mr Screwvala, “first as a co-shareholder, then when Disney held a majority stake in UTV, and since February 2012 as Managing Director of Disney UTV India. It has been a great experience to be part of the world’s No 1 entertainment company and to have worked with such a talented team to solidify our footprint in India as a diversified and successful business across television, broadcasting, movies, consumer products, games and digital.” After June 2014, Mr. Screwvala will pursue his entrepreneurial goals in some of the impact sectors in India and devote more time with his foundation, Swades.
Andy Bird, Chairman of Walt Disney International added, “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Ronnie for the past seven years and appreciate his entrepreneurial drive and vision for Disney in India. He has successfully managed integration efforts and set the foundations of long term growth for our business. In 2012 when we acquired UTV, Ronnie had a clear mandate to merge two organizations, build a single team and lay the strategic direction for a diversified media and entertainment company that would be part of the growing India growth story. When he passes on the baton in June 2014, almost two-and-half years since the acquisition, he will leave the company in a great place strategically and with a strong leadership team.
“I want to thank Ronnie for helping to shape Disney’s journey in India and for his contribution to our success. We are delighted that he will continue to be associated with Disney in the future,” added Mr. Bird.
Mr Bird also announced that Mr. Roy Kapur will become Managing Director of TWDC India effective January 1, 2014. “Sid has been an integral part of the Disney UTV family and brings to the role a diverse set of business and creative skills and a strong pulse on the Indian audience and consumers.”
“Sid’s innate understanding of the Indian viewer, his ability to leverage those insights in business, coupled with his experience and expertise in fast-moving consumer goods businesses, television and in building India’s leading movie studio made him the natural choice for the role. I look forward to working with Sid to take Disney UTV to its next level of growth in the years to come,” added Mr Bird.
“Disney is one of the most admired media brands in the world and I see this as a great opportunity to work together with the incredible team we have at Disney UTV in India, to take our content and our brands to the next level of growth in one of the most dynamic media markets in the world,” said Mr Roy Kapur. “It’s been close to 15 years for me in media and entertainment, more than half of those at Disney UTV, and it’s wonderful to be part of a fantastic team and the diversified businesses that now make up the combined company.”
The Walt Disney Company India started operations in July 2004 with its head office located in Mumbai, and significantly expanded its footprint in February 2012 after acquiring a controlling stake in UTV
Ronnie Screwvala with Andy Bird. Picture: Fotocorp
By A Correspondent
The exit wasn’t unexpected, the timing may not have necessarily been known. There were many who said while The Walt Disney Company may have acquired UTV, it was the latter which was calling the shots. Yes, indeed. Disney-UTV was a Ronnie Screwvala company, and even though Andy Bird, Chairman of Walt Disney International, was around to oversee that all was well with the India operations, clearly it was Mr Screwvala who steered the business.
With reason. While UTV’s promoters were happy to cash out, Disney needed a UTV for its India presence. It was the film business that was a huge pull for Disney. Meanwhile, Siddharth Roy Kapur, currently Managing Director of Disney UTV’s studio business, has been appointed successor. He will take charge on January 1, 2014.
Winner all the way
Rohinton Screwvala started out big even in the early 1980s. He offered top quality international programming and movies via cable, when people were content watching all of it via video cassette recorders. Ronnie, as the boy in his 20s was known, built a cable TV network called Network and wowed his customers in the Cuffe Parade district of South Mumbai.
Ronnie was popular on Bombay Doordarshan’s youth-centric show called ‘Young World’ as also in the city’s theatre circuit. He soon ventured into producing ad and corporate films and some content for Doordarshan. His crew comprised now-wife Zarina Mehta, Deven Khote, Shernaz Patel, Bugs Bhargava and a few others. Even then, programmes like ‘The Mathemagic Show’ from the Screwvala stable were considered slick and top-grade.
On June 22, 1990, United Software Communications Private Limited was incorporated as a private limited company. The private was dropped in 1995, and the United turned into UTV in 1998.
In 1992, when Subhash Chandra started Zee TV, he commissioned UTV to produce some 250 hours of programming. In the meantime, the company ventured into inflight entertainment for airlines and even started selling airtime for programmes made by non-UTV producers. In 1995, UTV launched India’s first daily soap titled `Shanti’. The soap starred a certain Mandira Bedi who now stars in the Indian version of ’24’.
In May 1995, UTV acquired 54.60% stake in Laezer Production Private Limited (incorporated in 1982) in order to enter into the area of post-production. Laezer Production was rechristened United Studios (USL) the same year. In 1996, Disney contracted USL to dub its library into various Indian languages. Two years later, the firm acquired the animation production company of the renowned animation artist Ram Mohan. Somewhere around then, the company also got into movie distribution business.
UTV’s foray in broadcasting started with Vijay TV in November 1998 and in 2000, Ronnie set up an internet content creation and aggregation business under the aegis of UTVNet.
From then on, there was a fair bit of restructuring and financial consolidation that happened. In 2001, 51 percent of Vijay TV was sold to Star India and in 2002-03 and later in 2004, UTV’s 43.89 percent equity in the Tamil channel was also sold. In the meantime, the studio business of Western Outdoor Media Technologies Limited (WOMTL) was acquired.
In 2005, UTV went in for an IPO which was oversubscribed by 26.35 times. Having forayed in news-based programming early and even anchored some shows, Ronnie set up business channel UTVi which was later called Bloomberg UTV given a tie-up with the overseas financial information network. The business channel saw a stake sale to Reliance Capital.
Given the success it found with many movies , there were several international studios and entertainment majors eying a stake in UTV (including Rupert Murdoch who made an investment), but it was The Walt Disney Company which acquired it eventually. As of February 2012, UTV turned into a wholly owned subsidiary of Disney with Ronnie at the helm.
Succession planning
For a few weeks now, there has been a buzz that Ronnie was stepping down. On Thursday, October 24, the announcement finally came in as the Walt Disney Company (TWDC) announced that Ronnie Screwvala will step down on June 30, 2014 and Siddharth Roy Kapur, currently Managing Director of Disney UTV’s studio business, will take over the company’s India operations. Mr Kapur will become Managing Director of TWDC India effective January 1, 2014, and Ronnie will assist in the transition until June 30 next year. Later in the evening, he hosted a dinner for the staff. An early farewell dinner of sorts.
“It’s been a fantastic seven-year working relationship with Disney,” said Mr Screwvala, “first as a co-shareholder, then when Disney held a majority stake in UTV, and since February 2012 as Managing Director of Disney UTV India. It has been a great experience to be part of the world’s No 1 entertainment company and to have worked with such a talented team to solidify our footprint in India as a diversified and successful business across television, broadcasting, movies, consumer products, games and digital.” Andy Bird, Chairman of Walt Disney International added, “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Ronnie for the past seven years and appreciate his entrepreneurial drive and vision for Disney in India. He has successfully managed integration efforts and set the foundations of long term growth for our business. In 2012 when we acquired UTV, Ronnie had a clear mandate to merge two organizations, build a single team and lay the strategic direction for a diversified media and entertainment company that would be part of the growing India growth story. When he passes on the baton in June 2014, almost two-and-half years since the acquisition, he will leave the company in a great place strategically and with a strong leadership team.  I want to thank Ronnie for helping to shape Disney’s journey in India and for his contribution to our success. We are delighted that he will continue to be associated with Disney in the future,” added Mr. Bird.
Mr Bird also announced that Mr Roy Kapur will become Managing Director of TWDC India effective January 1, 2014. “Sid has been an integral part of the Disney UTV family and brings to the role a diverse set of business and creative skills and a strong pulse on the Indian audience and consumers.”
“Sid’s innate understanding of the Indian viewer, his ability to leverage those insights in business, coupled with his experience and expertise in fast-moving consumer goods businesses, television and in building India’s leading movie studio made him the natural choice for the role. I look forward to working with Sid to take Disney UTV to its next level of growth in the years to come,” added Mr Bird.
“Disney is one of the most admired media brands in the world and I see this as a great opportunity to work together with the incredible team we have at Disney UTV in India, to take our content and our brands to the next level of growth in one of the most dynamic media markets in the world,” said Mr Roy Kapur. “It’s been close to 15 years for me in media and entertainment, more than half of those at Disney UTV, and it’s wonderful to be part of a fantastic team and the diversified businesses that now make up the combined company.”
2013 is drawing to a close soon. In what would have otherwise been a fairly regular year for content on Hindi GECs, “innovation†has come in the form of a genre that has taken the front seat like never before – Period Dramas.
Life OK’s Mahadev emerged as a success story in 2012 – and continues to be so – propelling other channels to give more attention to the mythological and historical genres. Zee TV’s Jodha-Akbar has met with phenomenal success. Sony’s Maharana Pratap is the top weekday show on the channel. Star Plus’ Mahabharat was the biggest weekday launch on Hindi GECs in three years.
With half a dozen launches, most of which have met with success, is it safe to call period dramas a “trend†that has emerged in the Hindi GEC category in 2013? May be not.
It is important to distinguish a trend from just a serendipitous occurrence. It is important to distinguish the symptom from the real cause. And that’s my attempt in the rest of this piece.
Think of it. Why would period dramas suddenly come of age in India? There has been absolutely nothing of note that has happened in our society or nation in the last decade to suggest that our love for historical and mythological content would show this dramatic surge. There is no subtext here. In fact, in many ways, a young and evolving India watching period content is counter-intuitive, if not inexplicable.
The reason for the emergence of this quasi trend is very direct – fatigue. I wrote about this a few weeks back, that viewer fatigue is fast building up in the category. The sameness of content, coupled with slow pace and dragging perceptions, have meant that the overall category satisfaction index of the genre is at an all-time low since 2009. Cynicism and disillusionment are prime emotions that many core viewers are associating with weekday fiction on GECs.
Of course there are exceptions like Diya Aur Baati Hum and Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. But a handful of shows can’t compensate for the negative imagery created by more than 30 programmes collectively.
As a result, we are in a phase when anything unique will stand out and get its more-than-fair share of attention, as long as it passes the basic relevance cut. Jodha-Akbar does that the best, by focusing on a love story, making it come across like a contemporary story with only the setting being ‘period’.
The question to really ask is: Has there been any other launch in the last year or so that has passed the ‘unique yet relevant’ filter? You will find it tough to isolate even one program outside the period drama genre that fits the answer here.
Hence, the rise of the period dramas is more a ‘default’ phenomenon, symptomizing dissatisfaction, than emerging as a true, stand-alone need gap.
If GECs mistake this to be a trend, they may be tempted to find more concepts in this genre. Two things will invariably happen then. One, the genre will lose its uniqueness if 3-4 more such shows launch, and this will shake the foundation of why it’s working to begin with. Two, in the effort to follow a ‘trend’, channels may pick up concepts that are not entirely ‘relevant’ in the first place.
The need is to look elsewhere. Surely, in a country as diverse and culturally rich as ours, there can’t be a dearth of unique cum relevant stories that lend themselves well to weekday fiction content.
The real emerging trend is ‘fatigue’. Period dramas are the red herring everyone should be wary of. You have been cautioned!
Shailesh Kapoor is founder and CEO of media insights firm Ormax Media. He spent nine years in the television industry before turning entrepreneur. The views expressed here are his own. He can be reached at his Twitter handle @shaileshkapoor
It’s news like these that gladden our hearts. Zee TV which has been yoyo-ing between #2 and #3 slots shot to the numero uno slot on the back of Shah Rukh Khan’s Chennai Express scoring a record 19541 TVTs and the evergreen DID Season 4 premiere netting 6075 TVTs. This has propelled the channel to the No.1 position with 505442 GVTs.
Channel
Week 43 GVTs in ‘000s (Week 42 GVTs)
Zee TV
505442 (409304)
Star Plus
492849 (517048)
Colors
423584 (384496)
Life OK
334635 (316904)
Sab
331674 (319214)
Sony
281638 (292327)
Information: TAM Media Research, TG: CS 4+, Market HSM, Period: Wk 43. Source: Trade
“What is the one thing about this role that interested you so much that you applied for it?”
Over a decade now, having met more than a hundred ‘candidates’ (I prefer the expression ‘potential team members’, but it is a mouthful) for various positions, first in the television industry and now at Ormax Media, I have found this to be the one question that does half the job.
Many candidates speak about the company’s credentials in their answers, in which case, being a true researcher now, I reiterate the “you” in the question. After all, why would a company’s credentials interest you, unless there was something in it for you?
Some young people use the “growth and learning” plank for an answer. Most times, I am disappointed with their understanding, let alone articulation, of these two words. Both growth and learning are deeply proactive as concepts. To say that you will learn a lot in the company makes it seems like the company is some kind of an incubator with the responsible of ‘hatching’ you. The truth is, the company doesn’t even know at the interview stage if you are a good egg or a bad egg. The interview is about that itself!
But the word that features the most in the answers, across younger and more seasoned candidates, is the P-word: Passion. “Because I have a passion for television…”, “Because media industry fascinates me…”, “Because I love research…”
Let’s focus on the ‘passion for television’ for now, though you can replace the word with ‘films’ or ‘media’, and still read on. I have taken great pains in some of the interviews to understand what candidates actually mean when they say it.
The first level of detail often given is: ‘I watch a lot of TV’. Television is a household thing. Everyone watches it, in varying degrees. So, “I watch a lot of TV” makes you no better suited for the job than a 33-year old mother-of-two in Indore!
When I probe further, many are at a loss explaining their ‘passion’ as a mental thought. All they can explain is behaviour. I watch TV, I read about TV, I discuss TV, etc. If behaviour was all-important, half of Mumbai will be passionate about local trains.
Here is a little passion-test I have developed over time, which goes beyond behaviour and evaluates the mindset. It will more applicable to ‘non-creative’ roles or to first-timers in the industry:
1. Watching vs. consuming television: Everyone watches TV, but the truly passionate ones ‘consume’ it, at an overall category level. They build their thoughts based on what they watch, discuss them, have a view on them. An easy way to judge this by asking the candidate what her favorite show on television is, and what makes her like it. A ‘watcher’ will talk like a housewife. A ‘consumer’ will talk from inside the watcher’s mind.
2. Watching breaks and promos: If you surf channels the moment a break starts, your passion for television is highly questionable. Being passionate about an industry includes being passionate about all aspects of it. The most fascinating things happen on TV channels in breaks. Those who are truly passionate have noticed them and can intelligently speak about them.
3. Deciphering trends: A seasoned guy with a passion for TV will speak the language of trends in an interview. He will instinctively and effortlessly compare the program or channel being discussed to past successes or failures, some of them dating back to more than two decades.
Passion is instinctive. You can’t prepare for it. And you don’t have to work hard to communicate it. If you are truly passionate, it reflects in your identity.
Back in 1997, when I was graduating out of IIT Delhi, an anecdote about one of our seniors was doing the rounds. He had taken up a course on Corrosion Engineering as an elective. It was a post-graduate course and very few B. Tech. students opted for it. He had probably taken it because the faculty was “cool” and it seemed like an easy course to pass. In the first lecture, the professor asked him why he took a course as eclectic as this. His reply, and I kid you not, is a part of the folklore: “Since my childhood, I was always interested in rust and corrosion.”
It was an intentionally irreverent answer. But when candidates try to pass the same ‘interest’ as genuine in interviews, it doesn’t fly.
Shailesh Kapoor is founder and CEO of media insights firm Ormax Media. He spent nine years in the television industry before turning entrepreneur. The views expressed here are his own. He can be reached at his Twitter handle @shaileshkapoor
Premier media and entertainment conglomerate Star India has unveiled a new brand for Star Sports across six TV channels — Star Sports 1,2,3,4, HD1 and HD2 and starsports.com. All the offerings will be under the ‘Star Sports’ brand and with ‘Believe’ as the credo. The two channels bearing the ESPN brand and Star Cricket are being suspended to create this bouquet.
Uday Shankar
Speaking on the occasion, Uday Shankar, CEO, Star India, said, “Cricket is too big to be confined to just one channel. Today, we are redoubling our efforts to showcase the best of Indian and international cricket to the sports fan. We will cover more of it, have wider coverage, go deeper, use multiple languages and take it beyond television. The new brand is also about showcasing our commitment to other sports. While cricket will be central to our approach, we will also be faithful to our role as a sports broadcaster and bring in the best of local and world sports to India, whether in soccer, hockey, badminton, tennis, F1 or the many other sports that fans in India are deeply passionate about.”
In a communique, Star has disclosed that it has made a commitment of more than Rs 20,000 crore in the sports business. The investment is being used to fuel expansion of sports coverage in the country as well as in building exciting new leagues including the Indian Super League in football, the Hockey India League and the Indian Badminton League. The network will also showcase new non-live programming and new shows and formats, all of which will create more choice for the Indian sports fan. Post the brand refresh, the network will carry over 5,000 hours of premium live sports content, including around 200 days of live cricket in a year.
The broadcaster also announced the launch of India’s first 24×7 Hindi sports channel – Star Sports 3, with content, graphics and shows in Hindi – a giant step forward to dramatically increase the reach of sports in the country.
The network has been launched with a campaign that urges India to “Believe” and as if underscoring the importance of cricket to the network even though Mr Shankar says it will be faithful to other sports too, Indian cricket team captain M S Dhoni has been signed on as its first ambassador.
Leading news broadcaster New Delhi Television (NDTV) has announced it entered Singapore on October 18 with NDTV 24×7 and NDTV Good Times on StarHub TV
Speaking on the occasion, Rohit Jaiswal, Associate Vice President, Network Distribution and Affiliate Sales, NDTV, said, “We are very pleased to announce the launch of our channels on StarHub TV. Like in other parts of the world, our channels, which are now available in over 78 countries, will aid Indian expatriates and everyone else who has an interest in India keep abreast with a constantly evolving India.”
“We are pleased that New Delhi Television has chosen StarHub TV as its preferred platform to showcase their premium channels to the Singapore audience. The addition of NDTV 24×7 and NDTV Good Times will strengthen StarHub TV’s Indian content line-up by offering more entertainment choices for our customers,” said Lee Soo Hui, Head of Media Business Unit, StarHub.
The channels are also available on StarHub TV Anywhere via www.starhubtvanywhere.com. TV Anywhere is StarHub’s multiscreen solution which allows StarHub TV customers to watch their favorite TV channels on their subscription plan using their personal devices.
Reliance Broadcast Network’s GEC Big Magic is living up to its name. The popular show ‘Jai Ma Vindhyavasini’ has gone in for a new season as ‘Love Dosti Dua’, a romcom set against the backdrop of showbiz, glitz and glamour. It premiers today (Nov 11) and will air Monday through Friday at 8.30pm.
Sunil Kumaran
Commenting on the show’s new season, Sunil Kumaran, Business Head, BIG Magic said: “Love Dosti Dua! is our offering basis audience feedback and our positioning of a light family entertainment channel. It is our constant endeavour to offer an eclectic programming mix that is inclusive of a larger audience base. I am sure viewers will love the new avatar of the show and will relate even better. The introductions of new characters and their quirks will undoubtedly up the entertainment quotient of the show.”
The channel is planning a high blitz marketing activity across radio, television and digital.
ZeeQ, the edutainment channel from the Zee group, has completed a year of existence and ‘edutatainment’. ZeeQ was created for kids in the age group of 4–14 and telecasting content suitable for preschoolers as well, notes a communique, adding: The channel is constantly working towards bringing in the best content suited for children and has been successful in acquiring rights for few of the finest internationally acclaimed shows such as the Cbeebies, Sid the Science Kid, Dinosaur Train, Zou and the most recent Fishtronaut.
It was an idea that saw acceptance and execution of just three months. Leading home applicances company TTK Presige has tied up with Sab TV to launch a light-hearted cookery show titled ‘Jo Biwi Se Kare Pyaar’. “We didn’t want a typical AFP,” explains Chandru Kalroo, COO of the cookers-to-kettles-to-induction stoves major. “No one gave us an idea like Anooj Kapoor (EVP and Business Head of Sab) did and he too was certain that it shouldn’t be an AFP,” Mr Kalroo said on why he chose Sab over other channels for the tie-up and how once the decision was taken the execution happened in super-quick time.
By Shailesh Kapoor
By A Correspondent
Premier media and entertainment conglomerate Star India has unveiled a new brand for Star Sports across six TV channels — Star Sports 1,2,3,4, HD1 and HD2 and starsports.com. All the offerings will be under the ‘Star Sports’ brand and with ‘Believe’ as the credo. The two channels bearing the ESPN brand and Star Cricket are being suspended to create this bouquet.
