By A Correspondent
Business news channel Bloomberg UTV is to be rechristened Bloomberg TV. The change will be effective Monday, August 13.
The channel which started as UTVi in 2008 was later called Bloomberg UTV after a strategic investment from Bloomberg LP in 2009.
Recently, the channel unveiled a campaign crafted by Triton Communications with the ‘U’ in the name greyed.
By A Correspondent
Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd has expanded its reach into the international markets with the launch of BIG Magic International in Canada. Building on the brand lineage of its recently launched channel in India- BIG Magic; the new channel has been tailored to suit the entertainment preferences of the sizeable South Asian diaspora in Canada.
The channel will offer audiences a mix of daily sitcoms, shows on varied genres ranging from socio-mytho and dramas to crime and daily business news from Bloomberg UTV. The channel has partnered with Ethnic Channels Group (EGCL), a Canada-based television broadcasting, distribution and communications company, specializing in multicultural television channels for the North American market.
Tarun Katial, CEO, Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd. said: “We are happy to reach out to the Canadian market with BIG Magic International which has been designed to fulfil the need gaps in the infotainment genre for South Asian audiences there. The channel will bring an increasing variety of fresh and relevant programming to the viewers which will include not just entertainment but also daily business updates from India. With this move, we are optimizing the use of our robust and extensive content library to reach out to both viewers and marketers in the market. The launch of BIG Magic International opens new and exciting opportunities for the execution of our expansion and growth strategy.â€
One of the USPs of the channel will be three fresh, 30-minute updates each day with the latest news from the Indian capital markets. The channel will also feature a special weekend feature show created around the Indian business world and investments inI ndia.
With Ethnic Channels Group as its exclusive representative inCanada, the channel will be available across all major platforms like Rogers Cable, Bell DTH and Bell Fibe. With a robust reach in place, the channel will reach a relevant audience base of 0.2 million across these platforms. The revenue model is based on subscription and ad-sales.
“With our continued expansion into new genres, these channels are a welcome addition to the ECG family,†said Slava Levin, Co-founder and CEO of Ethnic Channels Group. Said Hari Srinivas, President of Ethnic Channels Group: “We are happy to partner with Reliance Broadcast Network to launch BIG Magic International which is a first of its kind variety entertainment channel, which will cut across clutter and appeal to the larger south Asian Diaspora inCanada.â€
By A Correspondent
Aegis Media’s Vizeum India announced their appointment as media AoR for Bloomberg UTV. As Bloomberg UTV prepares itself for an aggressive growth strategy, Vizeum is roped in as the Media AoR and will play a vital role in the channel’s future growth plans.
Confirming the same, Sriram Kilambi, President, Bloomberg UTV said: “We were on the lookout for a passionate, result-oriented partner who would think like us and find value for us. Vizeum came to us with strong references and once we met, we knew they had what we were looking for. We are looking forward to working together.”
Commenting on the win,S Yesudas, Managing Director – Indian Subcontinent, Vizeum said: “We had a dream of attracting clients and talent to Vizeum automatically in our 4th year of operation, rather than us having to go out, based on what we do. As we are embarking on the 4th year, I am delighted with the progress we are making. I take this opportunity to welcome Bloomberg UTV into the Vizeum family. We are thankful to Sriram and his team for considering us worthy. This business will be handled out of our Mumbai office.”
Vizeum successfully operates in 55 countries with a philosophy of in-depth understanding of the co existence of lives, brands and media in the actual world.
By A Correspondent
When MxMIndia broke the story of Deepak Lamba joining Bennett, Coleman and Company Limited as President, the news spread like wildfire (see link http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/06/first-on-mxm-deepak-lamba-joins-bccl-as-president/). As it spread amongst media circles, it was decidedly the most read story on MxMIndia over the weekend.
Mr Lamba is one of the youngest professionals in Indian media to occupy the position of President of a large Indian media conglomerate like The Times of India group.
Until end-April, Mr Lamba was with Bloomberg UTV as business head. He made a sudden exit with no indicator of his next port of call. Except that it was to be with a leading media corporation with diverse interests.
Although Mr Lamba was not available for comment and nor was it officially announced at BCCL until Friday evening, MxMIndia learns that did join the company on June 1. There is no word on his portfolio except that he is likely to be heading a few new ventures that the group proposes to enter. MxMIndia also learns that the proposed venture may not be in television, the business he has been working with at Bloomberg UTV and MTV, though there may be some linkages.
Mr Lamba’s rise and rise has been phenomenal and is in fact inspirational to those without any godfathers in the business and/or no Ivy League education. A student of Pune’s premier St Bishop’s School later the Wadia College, he did his MBA from the Pune University thereafter. He was business head of Bloomberg UTV from January 2010 to April 2012 and prior to that was Director – Viacom Brand Solutions and worked with MTV India for five years.
By A Correspondent
Deepak Lamba who had moved on from Bloomberg UTV as business head in end-April has joined Bennett, Coleman and Company Limited as President.
Although Mr Lamba was not available for comment and nor has it officially been announced at BCCL, MxMIndia learns that he has joined BCCL today. He is likely to be heading a few new ventures that the group proposes to enter.
Mr Lamba was business head of Bloomberg UTV from January 2010 to April 2012 and prior to that was Director – Viacom Brand Solutions and worked with MTV India for five years.
By A Correspondent (updated)
Bloomberg UTV business head Deepak Lamba has put in his papers. Mr Lamba is reported to be serving notice and he will be at the channel till end-April, sources close to the development informed MxMIndia.
Mr Lamba, has been business head of the channel since January 2010, and earlier reported to Mr M K Anand and more recently to the Board said to be comprising two representatives from Reliance, one from UTV and a fourth from Bloomberg.
MxMIndia has learnt that a replacement for Mr Lamba has not been named. Before joining Bloomberg UTV, he was Director – Viacom Brand Solutions and worked with MTV India for five years.
Mr Lamba is reported to be moving to a larger role in a larger conglomerate, sources tell us.
By A Correspondent
Much has being spoken about how the media-advertising industry being one of the few industries in India that has seen many women professionals coming to the fore and showing the way to the younger and the aspiring lot to stand their ground for excellence, despite myriad challenges.
To celebrate the spirit of women in the advertising-media domain, MxM India conceptualised a roundtable conference for Big CBS Love, in a half-hour show that was aired on Bloomberg-UTV on March 8, 2012.
Eminent women professionals such as Punitha Arumugam, CEO, Madison Media, Anita Nayyar, CEO, MPG India, Shubha George, COO, MEC South Asia, Anisha Motwani, Director and Chief Marketing Officer, Max New York Life Insurance shared their views on the role of women in the industry.
Ms Arumugam pointed out that advertising attracted a lot of women as against other industries, while Ms Nayyar and Shubha George referred to how Roda Mehta played an inspiring role. Ms Motwani, who started out in advertising, then joined the automobile industry and moved from there to insurance, remarked how women even today can’t ignore their responsibilities towards their families. Ms Motwani, who had taken a sabbatical after marriage for two years, said working women need to believe in themselves, their ability and not give up.
On reasons why women have done so well in advertising and media, Ms Nayyar said: “Over the years, it is evident that when it comes to client relations and numbers – women have done very well. And since advertising has a casual sort of environment, it gives that extra advantage and scope for women to double up as a key member at home and the workplace.â€
By A Correspondent
Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd. on Monday announced the coming on board of Bloomberg UTV, India’s premier business news channel, as part of its distribution portfolio. This move further strengthens the well-crafted television strategy of RBNL which includes the 3 BIG CBS Channels – BIG CBS Prime, Love and Spark, and the regional Channels BIG MAGIC and Spark Punjabi. Add to this, the channel which is scheduled to launch through the JV with Germany’s RTL Group, and Reliance Broadcast Network will boast of an unmatchable seven channel bouquet.
The partnership points at excellent synergies between the businesses and will allow for seamless integration of Bloomberg UTV into the existing bouquet. While Reliance Broadcast will benefit from having a premier news channel empowered by the global authority in business news – Bloomberg. Bloomberg UTV gains through becoming part of a commanding bouquet of channels backed with an excellent brand lineage. This consolidation establishes a bouquet to be reckoned with and one that will meet requirements of both audiences and marketers alike.
With digitization in the anvil, reduced bandwidth issues and a boost in demand for premium quality content, the channel portfolio stands to have an edge in the market. The reach and varied profile of consumers and customers brings with it opportunities for bundling and cross selling, ensuring the bouquet is able to garner optimal subscription rates.
With each channel having its distinct audience base, the entire bouquet will cover a wide spectrum of the Indian cable and satellite television viewing audiences. With its ability to offer advertisers the opportunity to reach out to audiences ranging from 4 year olds to 25+ year olds, from heartland India to the key metros, it ensures an unparalleled marketing platform.
The 7 Channel mix now offers the following:
1. BIG CBS Prime, a male skewed premium entertainment Channel (male 15+, SECA,7 metros)
2. BIG CBS Love, the first ever international women’s entertainment channel (female 15+, SECA,5 metros)
3. BIG CBS Spark, the first ever International youth Channel (4-24, SECA,7 metros)
4. BIG MAGIC, a variety entertainment Channel for the Hindi heartland (CS 4+ MP,UP, Bihar)
5. Spark Punjabi, the country’s first International Punjabi Channel (CS 4+, Punjab, 1mn+)
6. BIG RTL Channel in the action space
7. Bloomberg UTV, India’s premiere Business news channel (male 25+, SEC A, 7 metros)
With a prolific mix of channels cutting across genres ranging premium English, credible news and well-tailored regional channels, the bouquet of Reliance Broadcast Network stands to make a significant impact in the market.
Speaking on the occasion Tarun Katial, CEO, Reliance Broadcast Network said: “With the addition of Bloomberg UTV to the RBNL network, we now present one of the strongest television portfolios in the country. This consolidation of the network delivery platform allows us to enable marketers with a single consolidated outreach platform, while offering audiences the best possible television content.â€
By A Correspondent
BloombergUTV, India’s premier business channel, today announced Season 2.0 of The Pitch – India’s Biggest Business Reality Show. The channel is inviting potential entrepreneurs with sound business ideas to send in their entries through www.yourmoneysite.com/thepitch. Surviving a gruelling series of tasks given by India’s biggest business leaders, the winner stands to receive a funding up to Rs 5 crore to execute their business plan.
The Pitch aims to identify, evaluate and encourage potential entrepreneurs who not only have the most deserving business ideas, but also possess the critical skills required to execute those ideas successfully. Following the nationwide call-for-entries, a jury comprising of highly renowned professionals will shortlist the participants who will be called to make their elevator pitches in Mumbai. The jury and angel investors will closely evaluate these shortlisted aspirants not only on the merit of their business pitches, but also on their individual brilliance and identify the finalists who will appear on Season 2 of The Pitch.
Mr Deepak Lamba, Business Head, BloombergUTV said, “Through this show, BloombergUTV continues to strengthen its commitment to enrich the business news viewing experience. We encourage the spirit of entrepreneurship in the country and the response to Season 1 of The Pitch goes to prove that there is no dearth of ideas in the country. We will not only identify the next big business idea but also the most deserving entrepreneur who has the right balance of all the necessary elements required to succeed out there.â€
To enhance the experience of The Pitch, BloombergUTV has established strategic partnerships, each adding a distinct value to the proposition. The Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A); The National Entrepreneurship Network (NEN), LinkedIn are among several organizations and communities who have joined this unique platform to promote entrepreneurship in the country.
This season of The Pitch is presented by Samsung Electronics and will see participants benefiting from the multiple features and utilities of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 750, from using the wireless keyboard to prepare for their documents to presenting directly from their tabs and of course receiving their tasks.
Aspirants can send in their entries through www.yourmoneysite.com/thepitch or SMS PITCH to 59995 | ZipDial 022 33010050 for more information. The Pitch is scheduled to air exclusively on BloombergUTV from November 2011.