MxMIndia

Tag: Network18

  • Ajwani will lead the output function at IBN7, with the entire output team reporting to him

    Kishore Ajwani is now Deputy Managing Ed of IBN7

    By A Correspondent

     

    Popular primetime anchor Kishore Ajwani has joined Network18 as Deputy Managing Editor of IBN7. Ajwani will lead the output function at IBN7, with the entire output team reporting to him.

     

    With this move, Deputy Managing Editor Sumit Awasthi will take charge of the input function. Both will work closely with Prabal Pratap Singh to take IBN7 to its next level of journalistic excellence, according to a communiqué.

     

    Ajwani, an electronics engineer with a master’s from the Delhi School of Economics and an MBA from MICA, has worked with Zee Business and Star News which later turned into ABP News.

     

  • Devgan, who recently moved on from Zee Media as Editor, has made an impact for his inimitable style of anchoring

    Amish Devgan joins Network18 as Exec Ed

    By A Correspondent

     

    Network18 has beefed up its anchoring muscle with Amish Devgan, one of the more visible faces of Hindi news television joining as Executive Editor.

     

    Devgan, who recently moved on from Zee Media as Editor, has made an impact for his inimitable style of anchoring. While it may be incorrect to make comparisons, he is often regarded as the Arnab Goswami of Hindi news television.

     

    Devgan has around a decade-and-a-half experience in journalism and started his career in Hindustan Times moving to Zee News in 2002 and in 2005 to Zee Business.

     

    Sources close to Devgan have confirmed the development and that he joined the network yesterday (June 6). Devgan will be associated with IBN7, but given his background in business, he may also be associated with CNBC Awaaz.

     

  • Prior to the new assignment, Subha was the Senior Editor & National Head – Special Projects at Times Network

    Subha Chatterjee appointed Group Editor -Special Projects at Network18

    By A Correspondent

     

    Subha Chatterjee

    Network18 announced the appointment of Subha Chatterjee as Group Editor –Special Projects. This is his second stint with the company, after a period of seven years. In the new role, he will drive special interest and customized properties across all platforms which help organizations connect with their target customers, trade and influencers in an innovative way.

     

    “I am pleased to welcome Subha to Network18 Group. Not only does he bring with him extensive experience in broadcast media, but he also excels in strategic and creative leadership which I believe will help in steering key projects within the group,”said GirishNaik, Chief Human Resources Officer, Network18.

     

    Prior to the new assignment, Subha was the Senior Editor & National Head – Special Projects at Times Network where he played a pivotal role in creating multiple revenue streams across programming genres through unique customized conversations, contributing significant revenue to the Network. He has over 15 years of award-winning experience in the media industry and is a British Chevening Scholar from the London School of Economics.

     

    Commenting on his new role, Subha says, “I am delighted to take on the new role with Network18. The world of branded and new media content will open up a world of exciting opportunities and Network18 with its unique content offerings across platforms will be an exciting hub for new ideas and conversations”.

     

  • Earlier this year – in end-June to be precise, the two broadcasters had announced their decision to part ways with effect from January 2016. There were very active rumours of CNN inking a tie-up with Zee Media Corporation Limited.

    CNN, IBN/TV18 bhai-bhai, again!

    By A Correspondent

     

    TV18 and CNN International have announced the extension of their collaboration on CNN-IBN. Earlier this year – in end-June to be precise, the two broadcasters had announced their decision to part ways with effect from January 2016. There were very active rumours of CNN inking a tie-up with Zee Media Corporation Limited. In fact, soon after this development, Zee even announced the English news channel and appointed an Editor-in-Chief. While Zee Media never confirmed the possibility of a tie-up with CNN, according to sources talks were on at an advanced stage.

     

    The fact remains that by using the CNN prefixing the channel, IBN gained much credibility in the early days to ward off competition from NDTV,  in later years, other than the name of the channel, IBN really hasn’t gained much from the alliance. Save the children’s entertainment genre, the Turner/CNN network has had a mixed record in India.

     

    Announcing the extension, Adil Zainulbhai, Chairman, Network18 said, “We are delighted to announce the renewal of this extremely cherished partnership between two most respected brands in journalism. In this second term of our collaboration, we aim to present a brand new CNN-IBN that will bring news with even greater speed, accuracy, clarity and credibility and keep the viewers tuned in to the latest news and developments much ahead of others. We also intend to cut through the noise and clutter that is currently present in the Indian television news space and offer best practices of journalism that will lead to better understanding of issues. The channel will organize meaningful debates and raise issues that touch the lives of our viewers. With this renewed partnership, we will enhance the process of newsgathering and delivery to our viewers in an informative and enlightening manner.”

     

    Speaking on the occasion, Rani Raad, Chief Commercial Officer, CNN International, said, “We are really excited about the future of CNN-IBN and together with the new management at TV18, are going to build upon the success we have already achieved. I look forward to the brand continuing its lead in the dynamic Indian news industry and am delighted that CNN IBN is staying in our family of CNN-branded channels around the world that include CNN Turk, CNN Chile, CNN Philippines, CNN Indonesia and CNN Greece.”

     

  • The Economic Times Editorial Director joins Network18 as CEO News and Group Editor-in-Chief

    Rahul Joshi joins Network18 as Group Editor-in-Chief & CEO News

    By A Correspondent

     

    What Raghav Bahl couldn’t achieve, AP Parigi and the bosses at Reliance Industries have been able to.

     

    Bahl, it may be remembered, had almost signed on Jaideep ‘Jojo’ Bose for his proposed Financial Times newspaper project. But now Parigi, an old Times of India hand, has pulled in Rahul Joshi as CEO News and Group Editor-in-Chief.

     

    Presently Editorial Director with The Economic Times, the appointment is of special interest to readers of MxMIndia because he used to be once editor of Brand Equity, the popular pull-out for advertising professionals.

     

    In a mail addressed to all employees of the group, Parigi introduced Joshi as “outstanding leader with stirring success behind in all formats of the media”.

     

  • With this acquisition, Viacom Inc. will hold 50 per cent of Prism TV and the remaining 50 per cent interest will continue to be owned by the Network18 Group

    Viacom acquires stake in Indian regional networks

    By A Correspondent

     

    Viacom Inc. (Nasdaq: VIAB, VIA), announced that it has acquired a 50 per cent interest in Prism TV Private Limited for 9.4 bn Rupees (approximately $153M USD). Prism TV owns and operates regional entertainment channels in India, including ETV Marathi, ETV Kannada, ETV Bangla, ETV Oriya and ETV Gujarati, all of which were recently rebranded under the ‘COLORS’ umbrella.

     

    The transaction was completed between Nickelodeon Asia Holdings Pte Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc., and Shinano Retail Private Limited, a company effectively 100 per cent owned by Reliance Industrial Investments and Holdings Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited. The parties received clearance from India’s Foreign Investment Promotion Board earlier this month.

     

    With this acquisition, Viacom Inc. will hold 50 per cent of Prism TV and the remaining 50 per cent interest will continue to be owned by the Network18 Group, Viacom’s partner in the Viacom18 joint venture.

     

    Philippe Dauman, President and CEO of Viacom, said: “We’re thrilled to be broadening our presence in one of the largest and fastest growing TV markets in the world, and deepening our already strong partnership with Network18.  This acquisition is an important step in building on our leadership position in India, a key market in Viacom’s international growth strategy.”

     

    A P Parigi, Group CEO Network18, said: “This acquisition by Viacom International Media Networks further strengthens the partnership with Network18 both in terms of depth and breadth. I am confident India will emerge as a global entertainment powerhouse in the year ahead.”

     

    Bob Bakish, President and CEO of Viacom International Media Networks, said: “Regional TV networks – and regional ad markets – are the next wave of growth in India.  Having a strong national and broad regional presence gives us a powerful platform to launch additional brands, and introduce successful franchises and formats across India.”

     

  • Vishal will lead the advertising sales teams across BBC Worldwide's three South Asia sales offices in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore

    Vishal Bhatnagar joins BBC as Sales Director

    By A Correspondent

     

    Vishal Bhatnagar

    BBC Advertising, part of BBC Worldwide, announced the appointment of Vishal Bhatnagar as Sales Director for South Asia.

     

    Vishal will lead the advertising sales teams across BBC Worldwide’s three South Asia sales offices in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore, with immediate effect.  He will be based in Delhi and will report to John Williams, Vice President Advertising Sales, ASEAN & India.

     

    Vishal will be responsible for domestic and international advertising sales for BBC Advertising’s digital and broadcasts assets in South Asia, including the multi-screen product offer around the world-renowned website BBC.com and the global TV channel BBC World News.

     

    Vishal joins BBC Advertising from Network18 News Media, for whom he has worked for since 2004, most recently as National Revenue Head for CNN-IBN and Head of Focus-IBN 18 News Network. In that role, Vishal led a cross-functional team spanning Sales, Marketing, Content and Digital to create, execute and monetise award-winning initiatives like IBN18-Microsoft Election Analytics Centre and Network 18-Tata Tea “Power of 49”  among others. Prior to that, he was Senior Vice President, CNBC TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, where he launched CNBC Universe as a sales platform. Before working for Network18 News Media, Vishal held roles at Times Television and Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.

     

    Commenting on his appointment, John Williams said: “Vishal brings with him a proven track record in business development across traditional and new media in the highly dynamic and fast moving Indian national market, and we are delighted to welcome him to BBC Advertising. As we look to drive future growth across South Asia, Vishal’s experience in leading teams, coupled with the premium content opportunities offered by the BBC, will be invaluable.”

     

  • The role will be in addition to his responsibility as CEO of IBN Network

    Avinash Kaul appointed President of A+E Networks|TV18

    By A Correspondent

     

    Avinash Kaul

    AETN18 board of directors have appointed Avinash Kaul as President of A+E Networks|TV18. Kaul will be responsible for the day-to-day operational, strategic and financial management of the joint-venture. The role will be in addition to his responsibility as CEO of IBN Network.

     

    Speaking on the occasion, AP Parigi, Group CEO, Network18 said, “As A+E Networks | TV18 enters a new phase of growth, I’m confident that Avinash is the right person to lead the company forward. He has a proven ability to create strategic clarity, ensure disciplined execution, and deliver results. We believe that his passion for innovation will help ensure that the venture will continue its stellar growth trajectory.”

     

    Sean Cohan, Executive Vice President, International, A+E Networks added, “Avinash brings vast media expertise, foresight and knowledge of the Indian market to the venture. Under his leadership, we are well-positioned to realize our shared vision of strong and vibrant entertainment services in India.”

     

    With a career spanning over 16 years, Kaul has rich experience in a variety of roles in sales, marketing and general management across genres like News and Entertainment, Movie and Lifestyle in India. Prior to this, Kaul held the position of CEO – TV Division of BCCL, managing Times Now, ET Now and zoOm. He has also worked in leadership and various capacities in networks like Star, NDTV Media and Discovery Networks, among others.

     

  • In its first phase, the venture aims at launching multi-genre, multi-lingual content across video, audio, text and other traditional and 'new age' art forms

    Ronnie Screwvala returns to media with digital foray, with B Sai Kumar as MD, Ajay Chacko as CEO

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sai Kumar

    Media veteran who promoted the entertainment conglomerate UTV Ronnie Screwvala is making his first major foray in the media after exiting UTV. Along with former Network18 Group CEO B Sai Kumar, he is setting up a digital media company. Based in Mumbai, in its first phase, the venture aims at launching multi-genre, multi-lingual content across video, audio, text and other traditional and ‘new age’ art forms. The investment envisaged is an outlay of up to Rs 150 crore across two phases – while the first phase would be largely domestic-focused, the platform will evaluate new geographies and verticals in its second and subsequent phases.

     

     

    Ajay Chacko

    The venture with Mr Sai Kumar as Managing Director, has roped in former Network18 COO Ajay Chacko as CEO and is said to have commenced a global search for talent in creative, product and technology functions across entertainment, current affairs & infotainment spaces.

     

  • Chairman Adil Zainulbhai is confident Parigi will take the media conglomerate to the next level

    AP Parigi to be Network18 Group CEO

    By A Correspondent

     

    Network18 has announced the appointment of veteran media person AP Parigi as Group CEO. Mr Parigi will join the organisation on January 29, 2015. He will be based in Mumbai.

     

    With over four decades of experience spanning sectors including infrastructure, telecommunications, media and entertainment,  Mr Parigi serves an an Independent Director, Times Global Broadcasting Ltd and  Zoom Entertainment Network Limited.

     

    “Mr Parigi has built a raft of customer – facing brands, technologies, businesses and management teams. His wisdom and leadership is sure to take N18 to the next level,” said Adil Zainulbhai, Chairman Network18.

     

    “I look forward to mentor and lead what is perhaps the most talented group of professionals in the Indian media landscape. Network18 is fortunate to have the world’s leading media brands as partners and I am keen to enhance each of these valuable relationships,” said Mr Parigi.

     

    An alumnus of the Delhi School of Economics and the Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi, Mr Parigi was Managing Director & CEO of ENIL, the holding company of Radio Mirchi.  Besides being a Director of Times Infotainment Media Limited, Mr Parigi was Executive Vice Chairman of Times Innovative Media Limited (Times Out of Home).

     

    Additionally, he looked at the Times group’s businesses in the internet space, specifically related to Times Internet Ltd and Times Business Solutions Ltd.

     

    Prior to joining the Times Group, he was the Chief Executive Officer of BPL Mobile Communications, Mumbai, a Joint Venture of BPL with France Telecom.

     

    After his Times stint, Mr Parigi was Managing Director & Group CEO of Eros Media International Ltd (India) and post that he he served as advisor to New Enterprise Associates (NEA), India, an affliate of NEA,USA, a $13 billion venture/equity enterprise. Mr Parigi is also on the Business Advisory Council of Said Business School, University of Oxford.

     

  • HDFC chairman Deepak S Parekh and McKinsey senior adviser Adil Zainulbhai inducted as Independent Directors while Raghav Bahl will be on the Board as a Non-executive Director

    Reliance Industries completes acquisition of Network18

    By A Correspondent

     

    HDFC chairman Deepak S Parekh and McKinsey senior adviser Adil Zainulbhai have been inducted as Independent Directors on the board of NW18. Meanwhile, RIL also informed that Raghav Bahl will continue to be on the Board of NW18 as a Non-executive Director

     

    Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) announced on Monday (July 7) that Independent Media Trust (IMT) of which RIL is the sole beneficiary, has completed the acquisition of control of Network 18 Media and Investments Limited (NW18) including its subsidiary TV18 Broadcast Limited (TV18).

     

    Apart from nominees of IMT, HDFC chairman Deepak S Parekh and McKinsey senior adviser Adil Zainulbhai have been inducted as Independent Directors on the board of NW18. Meanwhile, RIL also informed that Raghav Bahl will continue to be on the Board of NW18 as a Non-executive Director.

     

    With the completion of this transaction, IMT and RIL have become promoters of NW18 and TV18. The open offers to the public shareholders for acquisition of equity shares of NW18, TV18 and Infomedia Press Ltd. as announced on May 29, 2014 by IMT are in process and the Draft letter of offer has been filed with SEBI for its comments.

     

  • Having worked with the group for over 14 years and propelled it to the status it enjoys today, Sai has been part of all key ventures of the group

    Network18 loses Group CEO Sai Kumar, COO Ajay Chacko

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sai Kumar

    It’s been doing the rounds for a while. That post the elections, there would be a huge churn at leading media conglomerate Network18.

     

    This one though is huuuuge. B Sai Kumar, Group CEO, has put in his papers. Having worked with the group for over 14 years and propelled it to the status it enjoys today, Sai has been part of all key ventures of the group. From business channel CNBC to the jv with Viacom, the partnership with A+E Networks, the formation of IndiaCast, the licensing deal with Forbes and the very ambitious digital foray. He was also on the board of the Group’s various joint ventures. In his role as Group CEO, Sai charted out the company’s business turnaround and return to profitability.

     

    Raghav Bahl

    Commenting on the development Raghav Bahl, Founder & Editor of Network18 said; It’s not easy to describe Sai’s role and contribution to the Group. He has been one of the key pillars of the Network18 story. I am truly privileged to have been able to work with someone like Sai who has, I daresay, given the prime of his life to the growth & development of our baby called Network18, right from the days when it was a fledgling single channel operation to its evolution as one of India’s largest and most diversified and respected media companies. But there comes a time in  life when one takes a heed to one’s calling and wish Sai all the best for that.

     

    Said Sai: “Network18 has been an extension of my family. I take with me very good memories and I will always cherish the time spent here. It has been a tremendous learning ground and I thank all my colleagues for the support, passion and hard work they brought to work every day. While all good things come to an end, I see it as a new beginning and I am positive and hopeful that Network18 scales new heights here on.”

     

    Ajay Chacko

    Meanwhile, it is learnt that Network 18 COO Ajay Chacko has also handed in his papers. There are rumours that IBN Editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai may also be leaving the organisation, though there is no confirmation of the same.