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Tag: Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific

  • Until recently CEO of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Johri was associated with Discovery Networks Asia Pacific for 15 years

    Former BCCI boss Rahul Johri joins Zee as President – Business, S Asia

    By A Correspondent

     

    As part of its Zee 4.0 strategy, Zee Entertainment has effected a significant restructuring of its top deck. Punit Misra will take over as President – Content & International Markets, Amit Goenka will take over as President – Digital Businesses & Platforms, Tarun Katial who is leading the ZEE5 India business will continue to report into Goenka, Shariq Patel will be responsible for the integrated movies business and Anurag Bedi will continue to drive the music business.

     

    But the big announcement is the appointment of Rahul Johri as President – Business, South Asia. Johri will be responsible for leading the integrated revenue and monetisation team. Until recently CEO of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Johri was associated with Discovery Networks Asia Pacific for 15 years.

     

    Speaking on these announcements, Punit Goenka, MD & CEO, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. said: “Zee 4.0 will be an integrated and synergised organization, with a sharp focus on delivering world class entertainment content to our consumers across the world and enhanced value to our partners across the ecosystem. As I had expressed in my Open Letter, our endeavour will be to build a process-oriented structure for the future and our integrated approach is a strong step in this direction. ‘Gusto’ is an extremely important pillar of the new version of the Company and as an ‘Academy of Talent’, Zee will continue to nurture and build leaders for the Company and the Industry at large. I am delighted to have Rahul Johri join us to lead the Revenue & Monetization team and I am equally glad to have a strong business leadership team comprising of Amit Goenka, Punit Misra, Shariq Patel and Anurag Bedi, leading their respective functions. I am most certain that the collective experience and expertise of the leadership team, will help us immensely in achieving our set goals for the future.”

     

     

  • 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.

     

  • First of its kind board comprises eminent leaders from corporate, digital media and public policy

    Discovery Networks appoints India Advisory Board

    By A Correspondent

     

    Now this is a first in a business which is driven essentially by ratings and revenues than just strategy. Or perhaps all the strategy is about chasing better ratings and revenues. Discovery Networks Asia Pacific has appointed a special India Advisory Board comprising pioneers and experts from corporate, digital media and public policy. The Board will provide counsel and insight to the India leadership team on strategic matters pertaining to business innovation and help Discovery navigate and tap into new growth opportunities in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

     

    Members of the India Advisory Board include Dr S Narayan (chairman) – Former Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister and former Secretary to Government of India, Naina Lal Kidwai, celebrated banker and industry leader and Ali Hussein, digital media evangelist and former Head of Entertainment Partnerships, South Asia at Google/YouTube.

     

    Said Arthur Bastings, President and Managing Director, Discovery Networks Asia Pacific said: “Discovery is thrilled to have such respected industry leaders advising our India leadership team and myself on matters crucial to the design and execution of our ambitious India strategy. The insights from this eminent group will be invaluable as we look to accelerate the transformation of our business and leverage new growth opportunities across South Asia.”

     

    Interesting, especially since former partner Sony has jved with the Beeb on BBC Earth.

  • 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)
  • Tanna will be based out of Mumbai and will report to Karan Bajaj, SVP and GM-South Asia, Discovery Networks Asia Pacific

    Discovery appoints Vikram Tanna as VP Ad Sales & Biz Head of Reg Clusters, S Asia

    By A Correspondent

     

    In line with its ambition to expand and accelerate growth in India through new investment and leadership, Discovery Networks has appointed VikramTanna as Vice President, Head of Advertising Sales and Business Head of Regional Clusters, South Asia. The current product suite has 11 content channels in the factual and lifestyle genres. Tanna takes over from KaramjitDua who moves into a new role as head of new businessand mergers and acquisitions in line with Discovery’s focus on inorganicgrowth opportunities in both linear and channel business with immediate effect.

     

    Tanna will be based out of Mumbai and will report to Karan Bajaj, SVP and GM-South Asia, Discovery Networks Asia Pacific.

     

    Said Bajaj on the appointment: “India is a high-priority market for us and we have very aggressive growth ambitions here aswe look to future-proof our business and build a broader product eco-system. I am thrilled to have someone of the calibre of VikramTanna joining our team. He bringsthe relevant product and revenue experience and strategic planning ability that will be integral to our efforts in re-defining our ad sales, improving workflow and growing our business nationally and across regional clusters.”

     

    Tanna joins from Star India where was the Senior Vice President leading Product & Revenue strategy for three of the major channel clusters- Hindi Movies & Music and HSM Regional Channels (West Bengal &Maharashtra).

     

  • New leaders bring experience and and specialist skills to spearhead business evolution and expansion beyond linear

    Dicovery announces host of appointments for Asia Pacific region

    By A Correspondent

     

    Discovery announced it is strengthening its central Corporate Leadership Team in Asia Pacific with key appointments.  These being: Nikhil Madhok, Karun Arya, Rebecca Kent and Darrel Chan.  Commenting on the appointments, Arthur Bastings, President and Managing Director of Discovery Networks Asia Pacific said: “We are laser focused on re-inventing our existing space and growing our business beyond linear across Asia. The new leadership team members bring with them strong entrepreneurial drive and a disruptive mindset. I am thrilled to welcome them on board as we step up our efforts to redefine our product and business portfolio in the region.”

     

    Madhok who is designated SVP, Head of Products, will spearhead the re-development of the company’s product suite and champion a strong maker culture in the organisation, notes a communiqué. He will join in January 2017. Rebecca Kent is VP Business Transformation and has joined the organisation in September based in London. Darrell Chan will be VP Regional Counsel and he will join on February 1. 2017. Meanwhile, Karun Arya has joined as Director, Head of Corporate Communications from Uber.

     

  • Content development leader brought on to forge a new direction for Discovery with millennial audiences across various platforms

    Sameer Rao appointed VP at Discovery Networks

    By A Correspondent

     

    Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific has appointed Sameer Rao as Vice President, Real World Products-South Asia with effect from November 25. Rao will lead content curation, audience development, creative and original content for Discovery’s Real World product suite which includes Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Discovery Science, Discovery Turbo, Discovery Tamil, Discovery HD World and Animal Planet HD World.

     

    Based in Mumbai, he will report to Karan Bajaj, SVP & GM South Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific. He will lead the development of the Real World vertical and expand the networks’ existing category leadership.

     

    Commenting on the appointment, Bajaj said: “I am delighted to have Sameer join our team to transform our Real World product suite with visceral content, compelling local franchises and digital offerings that resonate with millennial audiences. Sameer’s depth of experience and network will be a catalyst in developing an omni-platform content strategy appealing to the masses.”

     

    Rao brings with him over two decades of experience in movie, broadcast and consulting industries.

     

  • Brings strong brand and product development experience and digital acumen to diversify Discovery's India product offering

    Discovery appoints Karan Bajaj as SVP & GM

    By A Correspondent

     

    Karan Bajaj

    In a bid to drive aggressive growth and expand its existing asset base, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific has appointed Karan Bajaj as Senior Vice President and General Manager of South Asia with effect from October 17, 2016. Bajaj will focus on re-formulating Discovery’s product suite in line with accelerating demand for regional and digital offerings. He will also be responsible for executing on the company’s stated ambition to step outside of its current category leadership to build broader flagship brands and actively seek out inorganic growth opportunities.

     

    Bajaj will be based in Mumbai and report to Arthur Bastings, President and Managing Director of Discovery Networks Asia Pacific. Commenting on the appointment, Bastings said, “India has quickly become one of Discovery’s top-priority global markets. These are exciting times as we strategically step up our investments to take advantage of very dynamic growth in both TV and digital. Karan brings that rare combination of creative flair, a strong instinct for the Indian millennial zeitgeist and a cutting-edge leadership style. His proven track record of scaling businesses and brands speaks for itself.”

     

    Bajaj brings over 15 years of brand management and digital strategy experience across Asia and North America. Bajaj was most recently with baby specialist Aden and Anais in New York where he spearheaded marketing, design and advertising as Chief Marketing Officer, specialising in digital approaches. Prior to that, he was in a variety of senior strategy and brand leadership roles with Kraft, Boston Consulting Group and Procter & Gamble.

     

  • The channels will air a special 20-year celebration marathon on August 15 and 16

    Discovery Channel completes 20 years in India on Aug 15

    By A Correspondent

     

    Discovery Channel will complete two decades of existence in India, and to do that it has arranged for a line-up of its most iconic programmes on August 15 and 16, from 8am to 6pm.

     

    Rahul Johri

    Said Rahul Johri, EVP & GM-South Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific: “Discovery Channel has had a life-changing impact on millions of viewers in India. The tremendous affection that it enjoys in India continues to fuel our passion to relentlessly push the boundaries of factual entertainment and uncover the finest stories from across the world. On this occasion of completing 20 great years in India, on behalf of the entire team, I would like to express our gratitude to the viewers and clients who have expressed their admiration through this remarkable 20-year journey.”

     

    Discovery is watched in five languages in India including English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Bengali.

     

  • Was awarded Best US Company inIndiaunder the Media & Entertainment category

    Discovery APAC wins Indo-Am Corp Excellence award

    By A Correspondent

     

    Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific (South Asia) has been awarded as the best US company operating inIndiaunder the Media & Entertainment category at the 8th Indo-American Corporate Excellence Award 2012 held in Mumbai on July 4.

     

    Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific (South Asia) was selected on the basis of its overall contribution to the Indo-US business and other parameters like human capital management and corporate social responsibility were also considered. The award commended Discovery’s programming and production excellence and its stellar performance in the country.

     

    The company broadcasts eight unique content channels inIndia– Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, Discovery Turbo, Discovery Science, Discovery HD World, Discovery Channel Tamil and Discovery Kids.

     

    Rahul Johri, senior vice president and general manager –South Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, said: “This award is recognition of Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific’s commitment to engage and entertain Indian viewers with unique and credible programming. It exemplifies and values the positive contribution that the network brings inIndiathrough its innovative content.”

     

    Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) is the only bi-lateral Chamber of Commerce committed to promotion of Indo-US Trade & Economic Relations by facilitating joint venture, strategic alliances, trade, technology transfer and investments. IACC has over 2,600 members who together represent a wide spectrum of business and economic segments: manufacturing, exports, services et al.

  • A new season of Discovery Channel's survival series I Shouldn't Be Alive brings incredible stories of ordinary people who were unwittingly thrown into dire situations

    Discovery launches new season of extreme survival series

    By A Correspondent

     

    What would you do if you were suddenly faced with the possibility that you might die? A new season of Discovery Channel’s survival series I Shouldn’t Be Alive brings incredible stories of ordinary people who were unwittingly thrown into dire situations but beat unimaginable odds to survive. I Shouldn’t Be Alive will air every night at 9pm on Discovery Channel.

     

    Each one-hour episode presents a true-life story of endurance, using accurate reconstructions and the first-hand testimony of those who managed to overcome extraordinary danger. From battling a raging blizzard in the snowy wilderness of Kyrgyzstan and drifting in shark-infested waters in Costa Rica to surviving a savage grizzly attack in the mountains of Montana and facing wild animals in Africa, I Shouldn’t Be Alive reveals the most basic instincts as people react to these extreme situations.

     

    Commenting on the programme, Rahul Johri, senior vice president and general manager – South Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific said: “Discovery Channel viewers have been drawn towards its extraordinary survival series like Man Vs. Wild, Man Woman Wild and Dual Survival. Continuing its promise to inspire and entertain the viewers, the new series celebrates the deep human drive to survive in death-defying situations.”

     

    Each episode inspires the audience as it details a unique incident and the ultimate fight for life. Striking visuals and the latest computer generated image technology will enhance these stories of human perseverance and survival under astonishing circumstances.