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Tag: Discovery Communications

  • It noted that the digital entertainment industry is expected to grow at 29.1 per cent between FY19 and FY24

    IAMAI hosts third edition of Pixels 2020 on digital entertainment

    By A Correspondent

     

    IAMAI conducted the third edition of Pixels 2020 last week to deliberate on the next phase of growth for the digital entertainment industry. The industry is now at an inflection point, and according to a recent study, the digital entertainment industry is expected to grow at 29.1 per cent between FY19 and FY24 to reach INR 621 billion by 2024. With more than 30 OTT players and 10 music streaming apps in existence catering to various entertainment and media demands, Indians are consuming content across an array of digital formats and platforms.

     

    Setting the context, in his keynote address, Nikhil Gandhi, India Head of TikTok, said: “The last year has seen a sharp growth in short video consumption and added to a big increase in overall watch time for online video. This phenomenon has also given rise to a rich content creator ecosystem which has seen big success with short video,” he added.

     

    In a panel discussion on Battle of Web Series – Aiming for 100 Crore Club, speakers discussed about how revenue gets attributed in developing a web series and all the nooks involved around creating one. They also discussed how branding and culture of such shows has immensely helped and lead to monetization in the business. Discussing on the various aspects of the digital space, the panelists shared their thought on how different business is growing and helping in creating a new system.

     

    On a session on Trend Alert – Children’s Content key panelists like Abhishek Dutta, Senior Director & Network Head – Cartoon Network & Pogo, South Asia; Uttam Pal Singh, Head – Discovery Kids, Discovery Communications; Saugato Bhowmik, Business Head, VOOT Kids gave insights on how localisation of shows has actually helping their businesses to grow and adding multiple levels to it like content in local languages has helped the industry to grow. The speakers gave an insight that around 20 per cent of the business caters to the kid’s section and how crucial it is provide correct content for them.

     

    A fireside chat was also held with actor Amol Parashar, where he enlightened the audience how digital space has actually helped him evolve as an actor and has given him that space along with the flexibility without putting any particular constraints.

     

    The conference also saw other speakers including Ajay Chacko, Co-Founder & CEO, Arré; Nagesh Banga, Deputy Country Manager, BIGO LIVE; Paras Tomar, TikTok Creator & Founder, Nuskhe by Paras; Ali Hussein, CEO, Eros Now ; Hiren Gada, CEO, Shemaroo Entertainment Limited; Sameer Hanchate, Filmmaker, Sameer Hanchate Filmmaker  ;Vivek Jain, COO, MX Player ; Abhishek Dutta, Senior Director & Network Head – Cartoon Network & Pogo, South Asia ; Kumaresh Bhatt, Co-Founder and CEO, UR Popular; Uttam Pal Singh, Head – Discovery Kids, Discovery Communications and Saugato Bhowmik, Business Head, Voot Kids among others.

     

     

  • He takes charge after Geetanjali Bhattacharji left Spatial as CEO to join Discovery Communications

    Spatial Access appoints Vineet Sodhani as CEO

    By A Correspondent

     

    Vineet Sodhani

    Spatial Access has appointed Vineet Sodhani as CEO. He takes charge after Geetanjali Bhattacharji left Spatial as CEO to join Discovery Communications.

     

    Said Meenakshi Menon, Co-Founder and Chairperson, Spatial Access on the appointment: “As media moves into a new era of complexity, Spatial Access, under its new leadership, will simplify it for its clients with custom solutions, many of which will be first time in the industry! With Vineet’s strong background in research and strategy, we will provide valuable insights, a lot of it in public domain, so that the industry gets more value.”

     

    Sodhani was on a sabbatical since April 2017 before which he worked with Times Television. He has also worked with Starcom Mediavest, Hansa Research. AC Nielsen and ORG-MARG. In 2012 he co-authored Guide to Indian Markets and is presently working on his second book.

     

    “I am excited to join Spatial Access to create an even more dynamic and vibrant organisation,” said  Sodhani, CEO, Spatial Access. “Spatial Access has that rare combination of a great customer and knowledge base. This strength will be used to drive value for every rupee spent on advertising, be it ATL, BTL or digital. We will raise some critical questions, for example, transparency, ROI and wastage. This may raise eyebrows as well as tempers, but if it results in improving benchmarks, we will feel we have delivered value to our clients.”

  • To be launched later this year, Discovery Jeet will air larger than life inspirational stories including a 65-ep biopic series on Baba Ramdev

    Now Discovery to launch a Hindi GEC

    By A Correspondent

     

     

    Discovery Communications has announced its plan to roll out Discovery Jeet, a new entertainment channel across India, starting in late 2017. The new channel will be the flagship for the network’s ambitious investment into original local productions in India around a range of programme genres including “true crime investigations, small-town heroes and gritty survival”.

     

    Discovery is scaling up investment in over 200 hours of local content originals which will premiere on this new channel. Said Karan Bajaj, SVP and General Manager, South Asia, Discovery Networks Asia Pacific:

     

    “We are excited to launch Discovery Jeet, which will bring a new style of entertainment, in a truly local, bespoke, ground-up offering. It borrows the best of Discovery’s ethos, seeded in fact and purpose-driven content, and leveraging global resources to mount it at a scale that delivers larger-than-life stories.”

     

    Arthur Bastings, President & MD, Discovery Networks Asia Pacific, further elaborated on the importance of this evolutionary step, leveraging new ways to extend the reach and relevance of Discovery across the subcontinent. “The expansion into general entertainment with JEET redefines how Discovery will connect and interact with new young audiences across the heartlands of India. JEET is fun, relatable, and exciting and brings to life the captivating, real stories of India’s own in a manner never seen before!”

     

    The line-up of shows planned included Swami Baba Ramdev: The Untold Story, a scripted biopic series tracing Baba Ramdev’s journey from a life of anonymity to what it is today. There is also Gangs of Mumbai,  a series on the colourful, larger-than-life characters from the Mumbai underworld.

     

  • It elevates Discovery's 20-year history in India, ensuring a new generation have access to the best in live sports content

    Now, Discovery steps foot in sports arena with DSPORT

    By A Correspondent

     

    With a commitment to deliver the biggest and best sporting moments from across the world, Discovery Communications has announced the launch of DSPORT, an all-new sports channel in India.

     

    Said Karan Bajaj, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific: “Discovery has been entertaining Indian audiences for over two decades with a well-entrenched portfolio of unique content channels. We are excited to add yet another flagship brand to our growing offering with the launch of DSPORT, whichis set to redefine sports entertainment. Combining India’s passion for sports with our global expertise in sports production, DSPORT will offer a daily dose of 10+ hours of live content for viewers across the country.”

     

    R C Venkateish, former MD of ESPN Star and former CEO of Dish TV India, will be working closely with DSPORT especially in areas related to content acquisition for the channel.

     

    DSPORT will cover a wide repertoire of properties from across the world of sports. These will initially include:

    • Horse Racing: exclusive rights to telecast daily live racing from the best of UK and Irish tracks totaling over 7000 races/ year
    • Football: Brazilian League, Chinese Super League, Portuguese League, Major League Soccer (USA)
    • Golf: British Open (The Open Championship), US Open, PGA Championship, LPGA
    • Motorsports: NASCAR, FIA World Rallycross Championship
    • Rugby: 6 Nations Rugby
    • Cycling: Tour de France (a property of Eurosport)
  • Investment in Turmeric Vision Private Limited and Partnership with Biggest Culinary Celebrity Sanjeev Kapoor Underscores Company’s Ambition to Nourish Viewers in India

    Discovery acquires majority stake in FoodFood

    By A Correspondent

     

    Discovery Communications announced an agreement to partner with India’s top culinary celebrity Sanjeev Kapoor, by acquiring a majority share in Turmeric Vision Private Limited, which owns and operates pay-TV network, FoodFood and its digital products.

     

    Discovery’s investment in FoodFood underscores its strategy to deepen and expand its presence in India to grow audience share across all screens, and to complement and strengthen its existing portfolio of female and lifestyle brands including TLC and ID. Tapping into the growing appetite for food programming amongst women across India, Discovery plans to support FoodFood’s 100% focus on local programming and products, and to drive further value from the ongoing digitalisation of India. Discovery has also agreed to sell FoodFood’s advertising, effective immediately.

     

    Sanjeev Kapoor will continue to star in and produce programming for FoodFood as its brand ambassador, and will remain a minority shareholder in the business.

     

    Arthur Bastings, President & Managing Director, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, said, “Discovery’s investment in FoodFood further boosts our presence in this important market and broadens our portfolio by adding a category of content that people love. We are excited to partner with the exceptionally talented team, including culinary guru Sanjeev Kapoor, who singlehandedly revolutionised the food television genre in India. Sanjeev’s creative flair and personality combined with Discovery’s content and operational expertise is the perfect recipe for FoodFood’s evolution.”

     

    “Food is no longer just fuel for the body; it has become a social currency that is appreciated universally. We look forward to deepening FoodFood’s engagement, particularly in digital, and widening its community outside of India,” Bastings added.

     

    Sanjeev Kapoor, Promoter, Turmeric Vision Private Limited, said, “FoodFood is widely admired for its highly relevant, topical, varied, entertaining and delectable programming. I am delighted to become a part of the Discovery family and I am confident that this partnership will strengthen FoodFood’s reach and affinity with consumers, advertisers and distributors.”

     

    Turmeric Vision Private Limited will be managed as part of Discovery’s Asia-Pacific region led by Bastings. Completion of the transaction is expected to occur in the coming weeks, subject to regulatory approvals.

     

     

  • Jean-Thierry Augustin appointed President, Sports Strategy & Development at Discovery Networks International; Peter Hutton to join Eurosport as Chief Executive Officer

    Discovery to go big on sports, hires top deck

    By A Correspondent

     

    Discovery Communications has announced two new executive appointments that will further strengthen the company’s global sports expertise and strategy. Jean-Thierry Augustin has been named President, Sports Strategy & Development in a newly created position at Discovery Networks International, and Peter Hutton has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Eurosport.

     

    Augustin, who previously held the position of CEO at Eurosport, will report directly to JB Perrette, President of Discovery Networks International and continue to be based in Paris. Augustin will work closely with Discovery’s international leadership team and Peter Hutton to create a compelling sports business development strategy that utilizes sports as a game-changing asset and drives new growth globally.

     

    Hutton joins Eurosport from MP & Silva Group, where he held the post of Co-Chief Executive Officer. As Chief Executive Officer of Eurosport, Hutton will oversee the negotiation of sports rights and lead Eurosport’s content strategy to bring renewed focus to programming, production, promotion and platforms. Hutton will take advantage of Discovery’s local infrastructure and global platforms to maximize Eurosport’s value across more than 70 countries and in 20 languages. Hutton also will report to Perrette and will be based in Paris, with a start date of March 1, 2015.

     

    Perrette said, “As we approach the one year anniversary of Discovery’s acquisition of Eurosport in May, our focus is now on unlocking the full value of our must-have sports content for the entire Discovery Communications portfolio to benefit our advertisers, affiliates, audiences and shareholders around the world.”

     

    Perrette continued, “Jean-Thierry has been at the helm of Eurosport for a number of years during which he has proved to be a tremendous commercial leader and this new role will harness his expertise to build Discovery’s global sports strategy and expertise. Similarly, Peter has excelled in the sports media business. With extensive experience in Europe, Asia and Middle East, and strong relationships with broadcasters and rights holders, he is the perfect executive to strengthen Eurosport’s position as a global leader in sports. I am excited to work with both Jean-Thierry and Peter as we take our business to an exciting new level.”