MxMIndia

Tag: Republic Media Network

  • Has executed a 360-degree marketing campaign

    Republic Bangla escalates campaign for launch

    By Our Staff

    Republic Media Network has conceptualised a host of marketing initiatives communicated via Brand partnership, Outdoor innovation, On-Air Radio Campaign, Print Ads, B2B trade marketing exercise, and Social media campaigns to promote its soon to launch Bengali channel.

    It has partnered with the hospitality chain Wow Momo & Wow China restaurants, where the channel has ingeniously positioned Republic Bangla as the headquarter for Regional News in the Bengali language. The retail chain has over 100 outlets across the city of joy ‘Kolkata’, and the average monthly reach of these outlets are over 6 lacs – 7.5 lacs dining and taking away, all the most over 4 lacs individuals are receiving the brand communication in every single delivery from Wow Momo & Wow China via partner add delivery system.

    The campaign has over 150 billboards, two transit media AC Metro Train & branded van roaming across the city. The brand is widely visible in 13 cities of West Bengal & North East and covering over 50 million population of West Bengal with well-planned locations.

    The Digital OOH at the metro station’s ticket window is capturing the attention of every single commuter with eye-level placement of the screens. Republic Bangla is running the campaign at 24 metro stations with the availability of 233 screens in total. The brand Republic Bangla is easily visible over 35 times per hour and as per the records of Metro authority of Kolkata daily 2.5 lacs transactions are happening from the date campaign has launched.

     

     

  • Plus excerpts from a convo via WhatsApp with Chrome DM CEO Pankaj Krishna

    We’re No 1 by OTS, says Republic, quoting Chrome data

    By A Correspondent

     

    Given the recent controversies around ratings etc, the Republic Media Network finds itself with competition out to get at it. Especially on the all-important issue of ratings.

     

    Republic’s contention is that being free-to-air, its reach is phenomenal. And in order to drive that point home, it supplied us with Chrome DM data of over the last four years.

     

    MxMIndia has over recent years not reported on any Chrome DM findings, but given that Republic had a fair point in giving us the data on OTS (Opportunity To See), we examined it.

     

    This is what we got as part of a communique from Republic TV.

    Year Republic Times Now Difference
    Avg. of 2017 61% 65% -4%
    Avg. of 2018 66% 63% 3%
    Avg. of 2019 91% 53% 38%
    Avg. of 2020 86% 60% 26%

    Source: Chrome Live, Mkt- All India Urban, 2017-2020

     

    The Republic TV release added: “As seen the Republic TV OTS in Urban homes has been higher than Times Now since 2019 making it the largest available English brand in Urban Homes in India. Republic TV OTS has been higher than Times NOW since 2018. The distribution and availability of the channel has been extremely high in comparison to any other channel in the genre.  The gap has widened into “Reach” in 2019 and 2020 as the TRAI implemented the New Tariff Order making sure Republic TV’s free to air offering in English increased its footprint across homes through India.  It is very much evident from the chart that the share of news genre got expanded from 2017, post the entry of Republic TV.”

     

    Pankaj Krishna
    Pankaj Krishna

    Said Pankaj Krishna, Founder and CEO, Chrome DM in the communique: “After a point and irrespective of genre, the key differentiator amongst players within the genre boils down to the availability of content. Considering the fact that distribution is still contingent on a 1000+ variables (DPOs/ CNOs) and is one of the biggest cost centres for running a linear TV channel – unless of course it is a hugely appointment led genre, for instance for Hindi GEC. Most of the genres – be it News (Hindi/  English/ Regional), Music, Infotainment, the time spent per viewer limits to less than ten minutes a week and is mostly driven by channel surfing or flirting, if I may call it. A differentiator of 15-20% on distribution between any 2-3 players within a genre would probably be the factor deciding the lead in the consumption / viewership / ratings within the genre. LCN (logical channel number), Placement (where your channel falls), Neighbourhood (the channel that precedes you), the packages that you are on (whether your channel reaches 100% audiences and the penetrations of the packages that your channel is a part of) – all of these factors determine the OTS (Opportunity to See) or the availability of a channel which is the primary key factor in determining the dominance of one over the other.”

    Vikas Khanchandani

    Added Vikas Khanchandani – Group CEO Republic Media Network: “Republic Network has focused and delivered the largest reach platforms in its respective genres. The above data sourced from Chrome DM (also readily available across the industry) is yet another data point that reflects on the growth and leadership that our brand enjoys. There are multiple data points like the engagement of Republic TV on social media which is also highest within its genre reflecting the stickiness of our brand and reflective of high TSV that the brand enjoys. We have similar data points for our humongous consumption on OTT as our brand has very wide availability on connected devices and I am more than confident that we will continue to bring the largest English and Hindi news platforms for consumers and advertisers”.

     

    We chatted with Pankaj Krishna via WhatApp and asked him to validate the data. Our conversation:

    Us: Since I don’t track Chrome data on a regular basis, I would like to know if this data is good to be carried and inferred that Republic TV (English) has better OTS than Times Now. Or has it been sliced in a way that Republic OTS is seen to be better than Times Now when actually the converse is true?

    His answer: The data is fine. Also since Republic is Free to Air…

    Our revert: Thanks. Is there any data like this that could also place Times Now or any other channel ahead?

    Him: Negative – this is Universe data.

    Us, trying our luck: Given that broadcasters are known to slice data so that what is put across is favourable to them?

    Him: Correct. This can’t be discrete to cherrypicked data points

    Last one: Frankly, I don’t want to be seen having a bias in favour of any channel? 🙂

    Him: Same here…. I don’t have any inclination to any channel or newsroom or point of view- but beyond a point with proliferation of content, it does become a commodity – where availability plays a bigger role…

  • Republic Media Networks’ R Bharat, continues to rule the Hindi News Genre with 19.5% market share, curates’ special offers for the festive season

    Republic Bharat hikes ad rates on the back of high ratings

    By A Correspondent

     

    Remember Uber, the cab aggregator service we would also use once to commute? Some of us still do of course.But this isn’t about Uber. It’s about Uber introduce surge pricing when the demand was high and the supply was less.

    Over the last few weeks, Republic Bharat has been flying high on the ratings roster. Critics may say that that it’s on the back of the Sushant Singh Rajput coverage of the channel. Perhaps it is, but it’s #1 is on for the third consecutive week and even though BARC guidelines recommend usuage of ratings data for a four-week average, it’s not inappropriate to record R.Bharat’s rise.

    Yes, there is a distinct possibly that category leader Aaj Tak may get back to its #1 status as it has in the past, but from what we hear, the R Bharat newsroom is fighting hard to ensure this is not considered an aberration.

    The channel claims 19.53% marketshare on the basis of the 14 top Hindi news channels from the 27 watermarked channels that BARC measures. The average time spent per viewer, notes a communique, has grown by 100% since its launch at a staggering 27 mins whereas the total time spent of the Hindi News genre is 17 mins. R Bharat continues to maintain #2 position in terms of reach. The channel also claims the “owning primetime” slot.

    With R Bharat exerting its influence on the ratings roster, the channel has announced an increase the price by more than 50% of the existing rates. “With the upcoming festive season, R Bharat has announced special offers, promising advertisers across genres a seamless execution experience with the best platform in the Hindi News Market,” adds the communique.

    Said Vikas Khanchandani, Group CEO of Republic Media Network: “Republic Bharat as a brand has taken up people’s causes and has stayed true to its core by focusing on 100% News. R. Bharat has connected with the Hindi-speaking masses by staying relevant, fearless and honest. That love and affinity for the brand has translated into strong viewership and ratings. Republic Bharat as platform delivers both performance and impact which is makes it the most engaging and effective news platform across Bharat”

    Added Hersh Bhandari, COO of Republic Bharat: “The belief that news is back has been our biggest win. We have demonstrated with our performance, that we have been consistently delivering for our partners. Clients today are ready to  reward  performance, if they are convinced about their investment and smart enough to understand their returns. With over 200 weekly active brands showing their faith in the brand , we are in position to ask the deserving price/rate in the market and we are confident that the market will respond positively.”

     

     

  • #1 yet again, the Republic Media Network MD & editor-in-chief in a freewheeling chat with Pradyuman Maheshwari

    Arnab Goswami Unplugged

     

    By A Correspondent

     

    For the second consecutive week, Republic Bharat has been the numero uno Hindi news channel as per data provided by BARC. In Week 33 – which is August 15 to 21, 2020, Republic Bharat is ahead of all other Hindi news channels in terms of weekly impressions in the overall, rural and urban segments as per info on the BARC website (see chart below).

     

    Source: BARC India. Week 33: Aug 15-21, 2020. HSM (U+R) : NCCS All : 2+ Individuals

    The Republic business team also furnished us with data which highlights its performance given some slicing of demographics and we’ve requested BARC to ratify it. If and when we get the approval, we will carry it here.

     

     

    While the reason for this red hot interview was the success of Republic Bharat in the ratings roster and hence the emergence of Republic as the #1 news network in these two key languages, when you are chatting with an Arnab Goswami, you can’t not stray into issues like his journalism, the noise factor on his shows, charges of his BJP bias, etc etc.

     

    So did we do an Arnab on Arnab? No, we didn’t. We let him speak. We didn’t interject. No change in body language to put him on the defensive. This interview was done in a flash. We had to set up the Zoom call in less than five minutes. So we weren’t armed with specific instances when he has stretched himself on telly. So if were to judge it ourselves, yes, we could’ve have been tougher on him. Grilled him.

     

    But, then, we aren’t Arnab Goswami. MxMIndia editor-in-chief Pradyuman Maheshwari interviewed him the way he normally conducts other interviews. Asked him the relevant questions, joked around a bit.

     

    It’s not an Arnab on Arnab. It’s an MxM with Arnab. And Arnab let Pradyuman speak. Ha ha. Watch. Enjoy. Like.

     

    If you’d like to share this others, you can share this link. Or if you want to only share the Youtube link, please take this: http://bit.ly/mxmwitharnab

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • The two will help ensure a stronger digital and language foray in forthcoming months

    Republic elevates Hersh Bhandari & Priya Mukherjee to COO

    By A Correspondent

     

    Republic Media Network has elevated Hersh Bhandari and Priya Mukherjee to the position of Chief Operating Officer. This is part new management roles across the business and editorial functions that have been effected.

     

    Bhandari, who was serving as Executive Vice President (Revenue), will take the role of Chief Operating Officer for Republic Bharat. He will now lead to expand the team working out of the Networks’ Noida and Gurugram offices, to include brand management, marketing and national network sales. Hersh will also lead the revenue functions for North and East India for Republic TV, the English channel.

     

    Priya Mukherjee, who has been serving as President, Distribution and International Revenue, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer- Distribution, International Revenue and OTT. Mukherjee will also be undertaking the OTT portfolio, and expand the team to handle the three verticals that come under her. As part of its digital expansion plan, Republic will increase engagement with OTT platforms.

     

    Said Arnab Goswami, MD and Editor-in-Chief of Republic Media Network: “Hersh is a rock-solid pillar of our business side, and as COO he will ensure that Republic Bharat’s position as the No 1 Hindi news nrand in India becomes even stronger. Priya has exceptional business skills and vast experience. She has successfully taken our brand across North America, UK, MENA, Southeast Asia and Australasia. In India, she is respected for her understanding of the cable industry. With OTT now under her, Republic is ready for the next stage of growth”

     

    Added Vikas Khanchandani, Group CEO of Republic Media Network “Both Priya and Hersh are astute and committed professionals who have been working tirelessly to build our organisation. I am extremely happy to have them as a part of our team and wish them all the very best in their new roles”.

     

    On his new role, Bhandari said: “I’m extremely excited about my new role and responsibility in the organisation. The pace at which the network is growing allows me to explore and do more as we build an integrated TV + Digital ecosystem which is future ready. I look forward to be a part of a strong management team to deliver and learn in this endeavour.”

     

    And this is what Mukherjee said: “It has been an incredible fast-paced three years with Republic Media Network. Arnab’s vision has made the Network India’s No 1 News Brand of International repute and recognition. Under Vikas’s leadership am excited to lead the networks digital reach and growth as well.”

     

     

  • Madan joins to further expand the market in North and East India

    Pooja Madan joins Republic as Sales Director

    By A Correspondent

     

    Republic Media Network has announced the appointment of Pooja Madan as Sales Director- North & East- to further focus on market expansion.

     

    Madan brings more than 15 years of industry experience in sales and marketing to her new role at Republic Media Network. Most recently, she served as Associate Director, Sales at WarnerMedia (formerly Turner International India Pvt Ltd).

     

    At Republic, she will assume overall responsibility as Sales Director, North & East India for the brands – Republic Television and Republic Bharat reporting to Hersh Bhandari, Executive Vice President – Sales,

     

    Said Bhandari on Madan’s appointment: “We are extremely excited to have a professional like Pooja on board and be a part of Team Republic. She has experience across genres, and I am confident that with her leadership style, she will scale up the business.”

     

    Added Madan: “I share Republic Network’s vision that top-quality programming tailored to modern lifestyles can be a disruptive game changer in both television and the digital space. I’m very excited to bring my experience to a company that I believe will transform an industry and I am thrilled to be here.”

     

     

  • The statement has been issued given “false and malafide claims about the exact ownership of the consolidated network”

    Republic Media drops ‘Asianet’ from company name. Issues statement on Arnab Goswami’s 82% ownership

    By A Correspondent

     

    No, Republic TV is not owned by Rajeev Chandrasekhar or the BJP. Now this has been underscored by Editor-in-Chief, Founder and Managing Director Arnab Goswami several times, but there are still some/many people who don’t buy that. It’s perhaps got to do with the nature of Goswami’s editorial aggression.

     

    Agreed there are stories and issues that he raises against some BJP folks (like the UP CM or the Karnataka CM), but many regular trackers of the channel say this his ire is hardly ever directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Home Minister Amit Shah. But this report is not to talk of the Republic TV’s editorial positioning or its challenges. And, yes, we do know that it has been up there on the ratings roster, so the fact of the matter is that there are enough takers for Republic TV’s journalism.

     

    We also know that Goswami is not the only television journalist who is most often belligerent against the political and moral opponents of the BJP regime. But given his stature and being the leader of the pack, he attracts all the attention and which is why perhaps a Kunal Kamra directed his ire at the Republic TV founder and not the others. Or so we believe.

     

    Meanwhile, we note that the holding company of Republic TV – ARG Outlier Media Pvt Ltd – has dropped the Asianet from its name. Asianet, as we know, is the media company promoted by BJP MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

     

    So here’s the relevant part of the statement, that we publish as is:

     

    “At the time of the launch of the English Channel Republic TV, Mr Arnab Goswami though his personal investment and family structures entirely controlled by him, had around 84 % of shareholder equity through his promoter entity in ARG Outlier Media Pvt Ltd.

     

    “After the initial capital raise to fund the launch of the English Channel, Mr Arnab Goswami raised further capital for expansion through a small equity raise, in February 2019, and since then continues to hold over 82 % of ARG Outlier Media Pvt Ltd. Further, his company of which he sole promoter, owns 99 % equity in the downstream digital entity that controls the digital assets of the network under the URL www.republicworld.com.

     

    “All of Mr Arnab Goswami’s three legal and corporate entities are registered in India. His present controlling equity of 82% + makes him one of the largest individual shareholders in the Indian news media landscape and the first journalist to achieve this feat.

     

    “Therefore, Mr Arnab Goswami, the Editor in Chief of the Republic Media Network is the  sole promoter and Chairman of the Board of the Republic Media Network (RMN). This makes the Republic Media Network aside from being solely promoted, a career journalist owned network, which is unique in the context of Indian News Media ownership.”

     

    Well, there are other career journalists also who’ve promoted and run other media networks. But that’s a minor point and we aren’t going to be arguing that.

     

    We tried to find who owns the rest of the 18% of ARG Outlier and were told it was owned by high networth individuals (HNIs) and some funds. No names were disclosed, but we’ll find out. We’re sure there are some filings made somewhere.

     

    Having said that, we have no reason to believe that the statement are untrue or it’s a case of ‘jumla’, that word we heard from a senior BJP functionary first a few years back. In fact we confirmed the veractity with a couple of neutral media observers. But we would like to know (and publish) who the other 18 percenters are, because clearly the 82% owned by Goswami is entirely by way of monetary investments. It’s sweat equity and all the things that the Big Boss brings to the table. Hence knowing the source of monies that have come in the form of investments is vital. For, it’s not big for the nation wanting to know, but clearly (and surely), the Media Wants to Know!

     

  • The network is also available to viewers in the MENA region, Canada and the UK

    Republic Media Network to be launched in US

    By A Correspondent

     

    Republic Media Network’s channels – Republic TV and  Republic Bharat will now be beamed to the United States through Dish and Sling TV, both online and TV platforms in the US.

     

    Said Priya Mukherjee, President – Distribution & International Revenue at Republic Media Network: “With strong programming and one of the widest news coverage from India, Republic TV and R Bharat have formed a special bond with viewers. Our US plans have been in the works for over a year and we don’t want to leave any stone unturned to deliver the best programming mix for our US viewers. With our compelling content, huge fondness and appreciation for the channel from the Indian diaspora internationally we will endeavour to build value through our partners for all the stakeholders.”

     

    For the US market, Republic will work with World View Media Network taking the association forward after the UK launch of R Bharat. Added Manish Vasisht, Director of World View Media Network Limited: “With the strong demand for Republic TV and R Bharat across the globe, we are excited about this association and look forward to creating one of the best user experience for English and Hindi news viewers based out of USA. We will use our international experience and expertise to grow the brand of Republic Media Network.”

     

    The network is also available to viewers in the MENA region, Canada and the UK.

     

     

  • Planting a tree for every Tata AIA term policy bought

    Tata AIA partners Republic Media for a green future

    By A Correspondent

     

    With Protection as the main purpose, Tata AIA Life Insurance has launched Rakshakaran Hero initiative, along with Republic Media Network, wherein Tata AIA will plant a tree for every term policy bought. This co-opts policyholders for a collective aim of protecting future generations.

     

    Said Rishi Srivastava, MD & CEO Tata AIA Life Insurance on the occasion: “Being a part of the Tata group, our work is guided by the purpose of serving society through greater Protection. Financially securing families while protecting the environment blends our purpose with a larger societal goal. We celebrate the heroism of our policyholders in taking the firm step of protecting their families by planting a tree on behalf of each of them and extending this protection to the environment. I am encouraged and delighted by the response from the policyholders and this has charged our organisation to spread Protection further.”

     

    Added Republic Media Network’s Group CEO Vikas Khanchandani: “Republic is committed to partners on building projects with strong purpose that drive positive change and impact. Climate sustainability is a pressing concern and initiatives like Rakshakaran Hero are important for addressing the concern at an institutional level. We are delighted to partner with TATA AIA Life Insurance on this noble initiative and will extend our full reach and capabilities to popularise Rakshakaran Hero.”

     

     

  • EbixCash branding will be visible on platforms of Republic Media Network

    Republic & EbixCash partner for brand-integrated news studio

    By A Correspondent

     

    Republic Media Network and EbixCash have announced what they bill as the “world’s first brand-integrated news studio – the EbixCash Studio”.

     

    With this tie-up, breaking news, interviews, round-the-clock bulletins, and customised news integrations will be delivered from the EbixCash studios giving the brand visibility across all the platforms of Republic Media Network – Republic TV, Republic Bharat, Republic HD OTT, and Republic World. The exact date of launch of this initiative is not known.

     

    Said Arnab Goswami, Editor-in-Chief and Managing Director of Republic Media Network: “At Republic, we always work to break barriers and do something innovative. With the first-ever Brand Studio partnership, we are excited to bring a top-notch experience for the viewers and redefine the way the entire world sees brand partnerships.”

     

    Added Robin Raina, Founder – EbixCash and Chairman & CEO of Ebix Group of Companies: “The seamless integration of brand and news as we join our hands with Republic is going to be the next big thing in the world of brand-media collaborations. The Brand Studio partnership takes forward our like-minded ideologies of being end-to-end players and paves way for a multitude of opportunities for the both of us. This is something that has never happened before, and we are eagerly looking forward to it.”

     

    Added Vikas Khanchandani, Group CEO of Republic Media Network: “Republic Media Network has created the world’s first brand-integrated news studio. I am confident that what we have conceived as a brand idea will soon become an industry breakthrough. Being a technology-driven media publisher, we strive to deliver new age experiences for our clients. Considering the large reach and high engagement of Republic Media Network, our partnership will drive immense visibility and impact for EbixCash.”

     

     

  • After launch in the MENA region and North America, this is the next overseas expansion of the media channel

    Republic Media launches operations in the UK

    By A Correspondent

     

    Republic Media Network’s news channel R. Bharat will now be seen in the UK through the Sky platform. The channel started beaming from yesterday, August 15 and will be available at channel number 708.  After launch in MENA Region and North America, this is the next overseas expansion of the media channel.

     

    Talking about the launch, Priya Mukherjee, President – Distribution & International Revenue at Republic Media Network said: “After the superlative performance of Republic TV as the No 1 English News channel in India since its inception in 2017 till date and its successful run in the MENA Region and North America, we are delighted to bring Republic Bharat to its viewers in the UK through Sky. With our compelling content, huge fondness and appreciation for the channel from the Indian diaspora internationally we will endeavour to build value through our partners for all the stakeholders.”

     

    The separate beam is being telecast in alliance with World View Media Limited, Channel partner for Republic Media Network in the UK. Talking about the association, Manish Vasisht – Director of World View Media Limited said: “This association is exciting as we will use our international experience to grow the brand of Republic Media Network overseas.”

     

     

  • Rachit Tiwary will lead R.Fluid as the Business Head

    Republic launches R.Fluid for branded content

    By A Correspondent

     

    Within five months of launching R.Bharat, Republic Media Network has set up R.Fluid, an all-new SBU to strengthen its branded programming portfolio.

     

    The Arnab Goswami-owned Republic Media Network announced R.Fluid to create platform-agnostic content-led opportunities for brands. Rachit Tiwary will lead R.Fluid as Business Head. This is in continuation to his role as the Director of Brand Solutions at Republic Media Network. In addition, Priya Raman has been appointed as the Programming Head of this function. She joins this vertical with over two decades of experience in content and production.

     

    Said Group CEO of Republic Media Network, Vikas Khanchandani: “Content-led conversations, discussions, features, activations, and events with a platform/media agnostic approach is required to find effective solutions. I am confident that the Fluid team will strive to make the partners and brands win using Republic as its pivotal asset, considering the large reach and high engagement across platforms,”

     

    Added Dr Bhaskar Das, Group President of Republic Media Network:  “The key task is to grab the ever-fleeting attention of today’s hyper-bored consumer and having engagement through content. The birth of Fluid epitomises the market’s need for creation of clutter-bursting ideas that can avoid the quicksand of consumer indifference. The strength of Fluid is its fluidity to adopt and adept at any contextual imperatives of its customers,”

     

    Added Charu Thakur, Chief Executive Producer of Republic Media Network: “Republic is a 100 per cent content-driven company. Fluid is an extension of our brand and we are excited about bringing top-notch content opportunities to our audiences through this new member of our network.”