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Tag: ABP News

  • BARC India has shared some interesting data and analyses on the viewership numbers and trends of Hindi and English news channels given the news of the Nepal earthquake and the Salman Khan legal tangle

    Nepal Earthquake and Salman Khan Case – Tremors in Television Viewership as per BARC data

    BARC India has shared with the media some interesting data and analyses on the viewership numbers and trends of the news channels given the news of the Nepal earthquake and the Salman Khan legal tangle (and untangle).
    Here goes:

    With published data for 3 weeks (Week 16, 17 and 18) for all BARC India subscribers to refer to, in this Press Note – we share exclusive analysis on News (Hindi and English) consumption on TV.

     

    Hindi News:

    We observe Aaj Tak has been the market leader for all 3 weeks closely followed by ABP News, among top 8 News channels

     

    We also observed ratings of Hindi News channels peaking on Apr 25 (Nepal Earthquake), the ripple effect is observed for next 3 days. On May 6, peak in viewership due to Salman Khan News

     

    News channels as can be seen in the graph below started peaking around 11:45 am on Apr 25 (Nepal Earthquake)

     

    ABP News as seen in the graph below takes over no.1 position (Salman Khan Story) on May 6.

     

    Apr 25 – Earthquake News:

    Increased viewership on April 25 we can see – from Delhi, Guj for all Hindi News

     

    Our Teleview Report as seen under: Channels breaking news on Nepal Earthquake: ABP News at 11:44:53, Aaj Tak at11:44:54, India TV at 11:45:50 & Zee News at 11:46:30

     

    Here’s also sharing the Reach Grid on April 25: Reach is maximum for Aaj Tak, followed by ABP news

     

    May 6 and 8– Salman Case

    Interesting observation to take note of is ABP News rat ‘000s were highest on May 6, whereas Aaj Tak gained on May 8

     

    English News:

    In all 3 weeks Times Now is the clear market leader with around 38% channel share in the current week.

     

    We also observe that English News Channels peak in ratings on Apr 25 (Nepal Earthquake) & on May 6 in viewership due to Salman Khan News. Though unlike Hindi News, higher traction was seen on May 6.

     

    Clearly, English News Channels gets less traction as compared to Hindi News Channels on Apr 25 for the Nepal Earthquake News

     

    We also observe that English News Channels peaks post 4 pm on May 6, with different peaks for different channels as seen under

     

    Our Teleview Report as seen under: On April 25, we observe, CNN IBN breaks the news at 11:45:52 am followed by Times Now at 11:46:40 am, NDTV 24×7 at 11:46:43 am and Headlines Today at 11:48:43 am

     

    ​Meanwhile, Times Now’s persistence with the story gave them the viewership numbers.

     

    (for almost a minute after CNN-IBN broke news – other 3 channels were running ads as seen above)

     

    Over a minute later, at 11:47:17 am all channels were showing the news.

     

    And finally the Rat 000s Grid: Times Now getting traction on Apr 26. and May 8. Higher for CNN-IBN on May 6.

     

    Phew!

     

  • With the new identity launch, the programme will aim to become more sharper in its reporting and reach to the SBS Family

    ABP News’ Saas Bahu aur Saazish reveals new identity at star-studded event

    By A Correspondent

     

    ABP News and Saas Bahu aur Saazish celebrated their 10year of leadership and revealed the new identity of the programme. The evening witnessed the coming together of television stars, wherein the industry felicitated 10 Impact makers of Indian television. Those who received the ‘Achievers awards trophy 2014’ were Annu Kapoor, Prem Krishen/Sunil Mehta, Cineyug (Mazhar Nadiadwala/ Aly Morani), Ali Asgar, Dilip Joshi, Neelu Waghela, Shivaji Satam, Sandip Sikand, and R.D Tailang.

     

     

    Ashok Venkatramani

    Ashok Venkatramani, CEO, MCCS India said, “Saas Bahu Aur Saazish is the programme which has become the household name among Indian woman. 10 years back when we started SBS, the idea was to report all the crucial happening of soap operas which at that time were beginning to engulf the Indian audience. Today with the new identity launch, we are looking forward to become more sharper in our reporting and reach to our SBS Family. On the 10th year of Telebrations, we would like to thank entire entertainment industry, our viewers, and partners who have been supportive throughout. We look forward to provide entertaining content along with keeping the values of reporting alive.”

     

  • After issuing a denial last week, Zee News CEO Alok Agrawal announced his move from Zee New to RIL via a tweet

    Alok Agrawal quits @ZeeNews to join @RIL

    By A Correspondent

     

    Alok Agrawal
    Alok Agrawal

    When we called Zee News CEO Alok Agrawal last week to confirm the news of his quitting, he denied it. But, of course, the fact that he wasn’t present at a conclave of group CEOs at Zee, was enough indicator that something was amiss. The Zee spokesperson too said she wasn’t aware of the development.

     

    Last weekend, the news was circulated internally at Zee and yesterday (Monday), Mr Agrawal confirmed the news via a tweet. “Delighted to share my move to Team #RIL. Thank you Team @ZeeNews,” he wrote.

     

    Zee Media Corp of which Zee News is a part is a successful news media firm and flagship channel Zee News channel is counted among the Top 5 Hindi news channels though the Top 3 slots are occupied by Aaj Tak, ABP News and India TV.

     

  • News channels have been fined and asked to apologise as news self-regulator News Broadcasting Standards Authority has announced its order on seven complaints received

    Channels fined, to apologise as news self-regulator NBSA acts on 7 complaints

    By A Correspondent

     

    The News Broadcasting  Standards Authority (NBSA), the self-regulatory body set up by the News Broadcasters Association has acted upon various complaints received by and has issued seven orders on the complaints, a copy of which was shared with MxMIndia.

     

    The following is the action taken against the complaints:

    1. Complaint filed by Atul Jain against ABP News for programme ‘Bura na Mano’ was rejected (Order 21)

     

    2. Complaint filed by the Joint GM of IRCTC against Aaj Tak against a sting operation titled ‘Dalal Junction’ was upheld (Order 22). Aaj Tak is required to display an apology from Jan 13 to 17, 2014 and also remove the video from the website

     

    3.Complaint from Seema Mittal against Aaj Tak regarding a story in the programme ‘Vardat’ with first telecast on November 7. Complaint upheld. Aaj Tak is required to carry an apology as well as pay a fine of Rs 1 lakh. Video to be removed from website.

     

    4. Complaint filed by RK Lal of Mallige Medical Centre against CNN-IBN on news aired on March 29 to March 31, 2013 and April 6, 2013 with a repeat airing as well as on Face the Nation on April 1. Complaint upheld. CNN-IBN has been asked to carry an apology on Jan 10 before the 9pm news.

     

    5.Complaint filed by Mr Hariharan on child rape victim being identified by CNN-IBN journalist while covering protest on December 23, 2012. NBSA has advised the channel to be more careful and responsible in future as well as remove the video from IBNlive.com and other weblinks.

     

    6.Complaint against Sakshi TV regarding report on April 12, 2013 titled ‘drunken girls hulchul midnight’and case filed against pub management by 4 students of NALSAR. Complaint upheld. Channel to pay fine of Rs 1 lakh and carry an apology on January 15-17 at 8pm. Weblinks to be deleted.

     

    7. Complaint filed regarding ‘Face the Nation’ with a discussion on the Phaneesh Murthy case aired on CNN-IBN on May 22 where complainant alleges that her name was unnecessariyly revealed and wrong info was disseminated on subjudice matters. Complaint upheld. Channel warned, asked to send an apology letter to complainant and video of the show on website(s) must be deleted.

     

  • It's an office that's has seen various occupants in the recent past, but Gaurav Banerjee, who has been part of the Star India system since 2009, should well reverse that trend.

    Gaurav Banerjee takes charge of Star Plus as GM

    Gaurav Banerjee

    By A Correspondent

     

    It’s an office that’s has seen various occupants in the recent past, but Gaurav Banerjee, who has been part of the Star India system for a while, should well reverse that trend.

     

     

     

    Uday Shankar

    Star India CEO Uday Shankar spotted his talent at Star News (now called ABP News) where he was CEO and at the TV Today (Aaj Tak) group, where he was News Director. Mr Banerjee joined Aaj Tak in 2000 and was the 9pm primetime news anchor and exec editor at Star News. A St Stephen’s and MCRC Jamia student, the new Star Plus business head was responsible for the successful launch of ABP Ananda, MCCS’s Bengali news channel (then Star Ananda), and later setting up the network’s regional channels and taking Jalsha to No. 1

     

    Mr Banerjee joined Star Plus in October 2009 and played a key role in shaping content around the “Rishta Wahi Soch Nayi” theme, we are informed. He also helped shape content strategy for Life OK and has developed popular shows like Mahadev, Diya aur Baati Hum and Sasural Genda Phool.

     

    The last occupant of the Star Plus biz head office was Nachiket Pant Vaidya who moved to MSM Sony’s movies division in September this year. Mr Vaidya took charge of Star’s flagship channel in July 2012 from Nitin Vaidya who helmed the network’s Hindi channels for a little over a year.

     

    Mr Banerjee will report to Sanjay Gupta, COO, Star India.

     

  • ABP News has launched a campaign to keep alive memories of the telegram, and has asked people to share their stories about sending and receiving telegrams and using the telegraph service.

    ABP News launches #AakhriTaar campaign

    By A Correspondent

     

    ABP News has launched a campaign to keep alive memories of the telegram, and has asked people to share their stories about sending and receiving telegrams and using the telegraph service.

     

    #AakhriTaar is an initiative by ABPNews.in to enlighten people about the Electric Telegraph Service, and to revisit the telecommunications revolution that it brought about, the role it played in the Indian independence struggle and the importance that it enjoyed in the past.

     

    Social media is being used to drive the core objective of #AakhriTaar. As Twitter is the telegram of the new world, the campaign is primarily using the Twitter handle @Aakhritaar (https://twitter.com/Aakhritaar/). People can share their telegram stories at ABPNews.in. They may upload a picture/video of the telegram that they have received, the telegram form they filled, the friendly telegram officer they met, or the telegraph office that they visited.

     

    To boost the social presence of the message, the campaign is using the hashtag #AakhriTaar (https://twitter.com/search/realtime?q=%23AakhriTaar) and a Vine video (https://vine.co/v/hBPOHAjKvYv) on the history of Indian telegram has also been shared. The Facebook page, AakhriTaar (https://www.facebook.com/AakhriTaar), is also a seeing fan activity since its launch.

     

    More information is available at http://abpnews.in/aakhritaar.

     

  • The TV Today networks' news channels and radio stations have been under severe pressures thanks to a weak market and competition

    No successor to Joy Chakraborthy named, testing times ahead for TV Today network

    By A Correspondent

     

    On the face of things, it’s meant to be a simple parting of ways. Although outgoing TV Today Network CEO Joy Chakraborthy has quoted personal reasons and being away from the family based in Mumbai as his reasons for moving on, the industry has been abuzz with stories about the sudden departure.

     

    Joy Chakraborthy
    Joy Chakraborthy

    India Today group Group CEO Ashish Bagga confirmed the departure of TV Today CEO Joy Chakraborthy to MxMIndia on Tuesday evening adding that no replacement had been announced it.

     

    Mr Chakraborthy had joined TV Today on December 1, having quit Zee Entertainment as executive director (revenue and niche channels) in October 2011. In September, G Krishnan had announced his departure from the Network. In the new organization realignment, Mr Chakraborthy reported to Mr Bagga.

     

    The news channels and radio station that come under the TV Today umbrella have been under severe pressures thanks to a weak market and competition from other networks. While India TV has been a clear trendsetter in popular Hindi news, ABP News (eka Star News) has been galloping ahead. Sadly, for Aaj Tak, the name change has not adversely impacted the MCCS-owned Hindi channel.

     

    In fact flagship Aaj Tak has been going through an identity crisis for a while. Should it be a serious news channel and be recognised for the journalistic values that the India Today group stands for? Or should it be populist with dumbed down news and toe the line of the Rajat Sharma-run India TV? Sibling Headlines Today, the English news channel from the group, has also made little headway. Save a few spikes since it was set up, it’s just not caught the attention of the viewing public and continues to lag in ratings and revenues. Ditto with Oye 104.8 which is low on the RAM roster. The rechristening from Meow to Oye may have helped shore up some numbers, but it’s not been good enough.

     

    With an investment from the Aditya Birla group helping improve its financial muscle, the TV Today was poised to grow much in the next two years. Regional channels, digitization, acquisitions, Phase 3 of FM radio were some of the plans that required nurturing. Mr Chakraborthy, who is a seasoned media professional, was to lead this effort.

     

    But now it will mean the collective efforts of Mr Bagga, chairman and editor-in-chief Aroon Purie and his daughter Kalli Purie who heads the group’s digital operations and looks at synergies within the businesses and is also Chief Creative Officer to take TV Today to the leadership position it once occupied.

     

  • There has been a mixed response to the announcement that Newscorp will buy ESPN’s equity stake in ESPN Star Sports

    Mixed response to Newscorp’s total control of ESS

    By A Correspondent

     

    The News Corporation and ESPN announcement that the latter would buy ESPN’s 50 per cent equity interest in ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) has been welcomed by the industry.  The transaction will allow News Corporation units to own and operate all of the ESS businesses while providing ESPN more independence and flexibility in future support of The Walt Disney Company’s overall efforts in Asia.

     

    There has been a mixed response to the development. For one, they say it’s an internal matter between the two shareholders and will not impact the bidding or media selling process. ESPN and Star Sports (and the other channels) were being sold as one unit, said one observer. Yes, even though it was a 50:50 jv, the feeling was that it was a little more aligned to Disney than Star, remarked a senior official in a rival network.

     

    Talking about the development, Hemant Kenkre, cricket analyst and a senior communications professional said: “I’m excited about the news as everyone knows that the News Corporation is an innovative organization. For instance, when they bought KBC to India, it changed the whole Indian GEC scenario. Even now they are one of the first organizations to launch fully HD channels. When one thinks of cable TV, News Corporation is the real king in India. Thus, one can say that they think differently so the sporting world too should get ready for a dhamaka. I’m sure even cricket fans will be happy with it because it will bring other sports on the forefront too.”

     

    Commenting on the news, Mahesh Ranka, founder & CEO, Indus Sports and Sponsorship said: “This only means that the war between sports channels in India will intensify. ESPN will now be able to launch new channels and I’m sure they will as they are a major player globally. It will also mean that now a broadcaster might have to dig deeper into his pocket as it might push broadcasting rights in the near future. Having said that, it is good news because it signifies the growth of sport broadcast industry in the country.”

     

    MxMIndia was unable to ascertain whether the terms of ESPN’s exit from ESPN Star Sports stipulates a cool-off period whereby ESPN will not be able to operate any similar channels in the region for a certain period. For instance, when Star pulled out its brand from the MCCS news channels, it was clear that it would not be able to launch Star News for the next 18 months after serving the notice (said to have been in January 2012).

     

    With inputs by Meghna Sharma

     

  • The survey, conducted across 28 cities, revealed that the BJP would garner 28 per cent of the votes if Lok Sabha elections are held now, while the Congress would manage only 20 per cent

    Congress-led UPA loses sheen as BJP inches ahead: ABP News-Nielsen Survey

    By A Correspondent

     

    The ABP News-Nielsen survey conducted on the eve of the UPA-II third anniversary has revealed that after eight years in power, the Congress-led coalition’s pull seems to be diminishing.

     

    The survey, conducted across 28 cities across the country in April-May 2012, revealed that the BJP would garner 28 per cent of the votes if Lok Sabha elections are held now, while the Congress would manage only 20 per cent.

     

    In fact, the BJP has turned out to be the most favoured party. In an interesting revelation, only 69 per cent of those who voted for Congress during 2009 Lok Sabha elections are still intending to vote for it, if Lok Sabha elections are held now. 31 per cent are moving away from it and 12 per cent now intend to vote for the BJP. Whereas for BJP, 84 per cent will stick with the party and only 2 per cent are switching away from it to Congress.

     

    In 2009 elections, 28 per cent of these respondents voted for Congress, while 27 per cent voted for the BJP. But for the BJP, the dip of 8 per cent in the Congress vote share is not a complete gain. The BJP is gaining only a marginal 1 per cent. The remaining 7 per cent dip in Congress vote share among these respondents is gain for regional parties.

     

    In the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, Congress had won 207 seats while BJP had got 116 seats.

     

    While 32 per cent believed the government’s performance was good or very good, a sizable 35 per cent rated the performance as average.

     

    Significant 21 per cent respondents said it was poor while 11 per cent rated the performance as very poor. The performance of UPA government has been rated slightly below average with a mean score 2.95, which is lower than the mean score of 3.22 last year.

     

    However, Manmohan Singh’s ratings are good with 37 per cent respondents saying his performance was good or very good. Another 33 per cent ranked him average, while 28 per cent believed his performance was poor or very poor.

     

    Around 32 per cent of the respondents felt that performance of UPA government is better or much better than its last term. A dip of 8 per cent is observed in the perception of people from last year survey, where 40 per cent of the respondents felt that the performance of UPA government is better than previous term. 39 per cent rated UPA performance as “about the same” this year, similar score in comparison to last year.

     

    Only 36 per cent of the respondents felt that performance of the PM is better than its last term. A dip of 8 per cent is noted in the perception of people from the last year survey, where 44 per cent of respondents said that the PM performed better than his previous term.

     

    When it comes to best leader in the country, Narendra Modi 17 per cent said he is the best leader over Manmohan Singh at 16 per cent. Modi was preferred at number four during last year’s survey (12 per cent).Manmohan was ranked at number 1 last year (21 per cent).  Rahul Gandhi’s scores have dipped from 19 per cent to 13 per cent this year.  Sonia Gandhi’s scores are down from 14 per cent to 9 per cent.

     

  • The on-air launch on June 1 will see Star News change its logo as ABP News in Hindi, Star Ananda as ABP Ananda in Bengali and Star Majha as ABP Majha in Marathi

    MCCS channels unveil new look

    By A Correspondent

     

    MCCS will be relaunching news channels Star News as ABP News  in Hindi, Star Ananda as ABP Ananda in Bengali and Star Majha as ABP Majha in Marathi on June 1.

     

    The relaunch process begins today with a massive communication campaign  developed by Lowe Mumbai. The media buying plan has been formulated by Mindshare.

     

    The campaign would be, over the next 8 weeks, aggressively communicating the change, using a combination of TV, Print, Radio, Outdoor and Internet, to all the viewers and stakeholders about the new name and logo.

     

    The three news channels have helped MCCS evolve as a strong and respected broadcast news company. The theme of communication is simple and to the point: Our Stars don’t change, our News does not change, only our name changes.

     

  • With the baggage of 'STAR News' off their back, they can re-engineer the channel, and ABP News can become that one Hindi channel that takes news very seriously

    Anil Thakraney: Will ABP News eschew sensationalism?

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    So, STAR News is ABP News. Now the two partners have decided to separate. Cool! But my question is: Will this just be an exercise in name change, with all else continuing to be the same? Exactly as the messBombaycontinues to be after the name changed to Mumbai? Ditto with Bengaluru and Poschim Bongo. (As for the last, it’s getting messier with Didi in charge, but I shan’t say more, else she’ll get me arrested.)

     

    Well, I hope not. Now that Ananda Bazar Patrika has total control, I hope the Bengali group, known for its ‘respectable journalism’, extends that respectability to ABP News. STAR News, along with the other Hindi news channels, has always thrived on speculation and rabid sensationalism. It’s almost as if the category owners had decided that Hindi news watchers are restless morons, folks who will only come back if the content is absurd and outlandish. This is obviously not the case.

     

    The problem is, the channel owners DECIDED to be sensational; in their war for ratings, they chose that route. The viewer never asked for it. And in this march of madness, all the Hindi channels fell like nine pins, as each struggled to beat the other guy on dishing out dramatic stuff. Net result: There is very low credibility with the Hindi news channels. We visit them for tamasha, not authenticity.

     

    The point I am trying to make is this: ABP has that chance now to set things right. With the baggage of ‘STAR News’ off their back, they can re-engineer the channel, and ABP News can become that one Hindi channel that takes news very seriously. It can break the cycle of sensationalism, and position itself on the platform of credibility. In any case, with all the hair-raising content on display amongst the various channels in the category, this will provide ABP News a clear brand differential. So it seems to make sense from the marketing point of view as well.

     

    [youtube width=”400″ height=”200″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcOpfqEamrY[/youtube]

    Yup, India badly needs a Hindi news channel it can trust. And hopefully ABP News will try to be that. One sincerely hopes the name change doesn’t only mean a change of name. Like when Bombay became Mumbai. And continues to be a filthy slum city.

     

    * * *

     

    PS: Cute commercial from Audi. It’s inspired by the fairytale of how the ugly duckling changed into a lovely swan. Superb execution.

     

  • What does a name transition mean to companies and brands? Plenty really, writes brand expert Harish Bijoor

    Harish Bijoor: What’s in a Name?

    By Harish Bijoor

     

    So STAR News is ABP News. STAR Ananda is ABP Ananda. And STAR Majha is ABP Majha.

     

    Here’s a brand name change once again, and the question is out in debate again: What’s in a name?

     

    What’s in a name? Plenty! Shakespeare-dada was wrong!

     

    For a start, the name is a brand. The brand is a name. And the name is a very important starting point in the voyage of discovery of a brand.

     

    Let me start with my definition of a brand. It is a simple one. I define the brand with the consumer simplicity it deserves. “The brand is a thought”! A thought that lives in people’s minds. A thought that thrives in the soft-space of the human mind.

     

    By this definition, everything that lives as a thought in your mind is a brand. Shantabai, the multi-tasking maid is one, Osama Bin Laden, the late terrorist is one and so is the young Akhilesh Yadav. Each of these brands possibly rub shoulders with other brands such as an Amul and Bata and Tata in your head. The brand is a thought. Nothing more. Nothing less.

     

    What does a name transition mean to companies and brands? Plenty really. Plenty in the initial six months for sure. The first 180 days of a brand name change are the most crucial and critical days. It is in these frenetic days of frenetic brand activity that a name change can be made successful or not. No wonder then that you see a flurry of advertising activity that goes in to establish a new name solidly in the mind of the consumer.

     

    There are brands that have done it well. Vodafone is a veteran of many changes. An Orange became a Hutch seamlessly, just as a Hutch became a Vodafone seamlessly. Every change was accompanied by a high decibel campaign that had transition elements of one collapsing seamlessly into another. The first 180-days are therefore the most critical. You can make a brand name transition happen or collapse. Both are possibilities. The period after just does not matter. This is really the Golden six months of a brand name transition.

     

    UTI Bank did it seamlessly as well, with a transition into an Axis Bank so seamlessly that today UTI is a non-important part of its total brand equity and recall altogether. That is the power of a powerful brand-name transition plan.

     

    In the case of this current transition from STAR to ABP, there are indeed two big brand names. One is a region-centric one (ABP) and the other (Star) is a world-brand for sure. Moving from one to the other will require some degree of panache and scientific brand action.

     

    There are really two sets of dynamics in this transition. One is a B2B dimension. Out here, MCCS is the back-end brand. It is the company that runs the show. It is the company that is the backbone. Employees, clients who advertise, distributors and vendors are all key participants here. These key actors are the easiest to communicate to. These key actors will buy into this name change without a whimper.

     

    The second set of dynamics is that of the viewer. This is B2C space. This is where there is bound to be ruffled feathers and ruffled sentiment. This is where there is bound to be confusion and lack of clarity. This is really the end that needs to be handled well and seamlessly through a process of cogent communication.

     

    STAR News is a thought. The thought of a channel can be a potent one. It starts with the name at hand, and goes on to attach to itself a host of other meta-tags that bring to mind the memory of a channel that is an intrinsic part of compelling and credible viewing experience.

     

    The brand to that extent is plenty. It is a name. A slogan. A symbol. A colour. A character. A personality. A charisma. An image. A reliability. An emotion. A passion. A perception. And lots more. ABP needs to handle each of these. With kid gloves, speed and scientific brand action.

     

    The author is a brand-expert and CEO, Harish Bijoor Consults Inc.

    Twitter.com @harishbijoor