MxMIndia

Tag: Republic Media Network

  • The top Tier I and II cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Gurgaon notched the traffic

    Republic TV’s HD OTT boasts record watchtime on Counting Day

    By A Correspondent

     

    English news channel Republic TV is impressed with its Counting Day numbers of 122 million watch minutes on its digital live stream. The top Tier I and II cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Gurgaon are said to have notched up traffic and recorded deepest engagement. Republic TV’s digital platform also recorded its biggest global audience mainly from USA, UAE, Australia and Canada. It may be noted that MxMIndia has not verified the data with any source.

     

    Said Ashwin Rao, Director, India at Limelight Networks: “Millions of viewers in India and around the world tuned into Republic TV for the much anticipated 2019 Lok Sabha Elections results. While the traffic spikes were expected, Republic TV successfully managed to provide a seamless and a broadcast quality experience on millions of connected devices to their India and global customer base.”

     

    Arnab Goswami

    Added Arnab Goswami, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Republic Media Network, in a statement: “News is instantaneous and video news access across devices makes Republic TV the most accessible news brand. Video consumptions have sky-rocketed during the Election season and Republic TV clearly emerges a leader amongst its fellow publishers. With 60% of our audience being below the age of 35, we are extremely confident that we will start a wave of knowledge that will attract more such inquisitive minds and provoke them to think”.

     

     

  • It may be noted that since there is no third-party measurement of access data, the Republic TV numbers of watch minutes has not been independently verified by MxMIndia

    Republic TV’s HD feed reports new high on OTT platforms on Exit Polls Day

    By A Correspondent

     

    Leading English news channel Republic TV has reported healthy numbers on its outreach via smartphones and digital devices on OTT platform, telco apps and OEMs like Hotstar, Jio TV, Zee5, SonyLIV, Vodafone Play, OLAPlay, Mi TV, Samsung My Galaxy, PayTm, YouTube and JustDial.

     

    The Republic TV ‘Double’ Exit poll show saw 19.8 million watch minutes being clocked digitally. Source – Brightcove Analytics, Hotstar Analytics, YouTube Analytics and Frrole Insights. The above data does not include data from Jio TV. It may be noted that since there is no third-party measurement of access data, the Republic TV numbers of watch minutes has not been independently verified by MxMIndia.

     

    Said Vikas Khanchandani, Group CEO, Republic Media Network: “News and sports categories have been the driving force for video consumption across AVOD Platforms. News is here and now and video news access across devices makes Republic TV the most accessible News brand. Our teams have worked hard on building capacity and technology to offer a native user experience with Ad Serving (SSID) capability. The demographic profile across our own platforms are extremely young with 60% of the audience under the age of 35. We are extremely confident that this will build a yet another strong platform for advertisers to reach the younger, aware, informed and engaged audiences.”

     

     

  • Republic Media Network and Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami has entered into an agreement to buy back shares from investors like the Rajeev Chandrashekhar-owned Asianet News Media

    Arnab Gowami buys back “some” Asianet shares as Republic completes two years

    By A Correspondent

     

    Republic Media Network and Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami has entered into an agreement to buy back shares from investors like the Rajeev Chandrashekhar-owned Asianet News Media. Notes a communique: “On the two-year anniversary, the company transforms into the Republic Media Network. This anniversary also marks a major milestone for the company as its valuation has closed in on Rs 1,200 crore in just two years.”

     

    Commenting on the buyback, Chandrashekhar, who is now part of the Bharatiya Janata Party, said: “I am pleased with the growth and success of Republic and Arnab. I am happy to have supported the vision of building a strong media-tech platform. In pure financial terms too, this has been a successful investment. Post Arnab’s buying back of some shares, Asianet News Media will continue to support Republic, however as a minority portfolio investor.” The exact quantum of the Asianet and Chandrashekhar holding is not known, though in earlier discussions with the media, Goswami had indicated that he had a significant majority in the venture.

     

    Added Goswami: “We have built a strong media brand in partnership with Asianet News Media – and are poised for growth. We have expanded rapidly in the last two years. Partnering with Asianet News Media has been terrific. Their strong track record and competence as savvy media tech investors has helped us tremendously in our exponential growth. Going forward as Republic Media Network, I look forward to diversifying and growing Republic across all platforms.”

     

    From being #1 from Week 1 to being on top of the heap even after a hundred weeks is creditable no doubt. Republic TV had launched on May 6, 2017 with much fanfare and it went on to launch a Hindi sibling, Republic Bharat, in February 2019.

     

     

  • The advertisers of RepublicWorld will garner advantage of wide array of innovative rich media ads

    RepublicWorld partners Airtory to amplify its digital ad game

    By A Correspondent

     

    RepublicWorld has announced a strategic alliance with Airtory that will enable the brand’s advertisers to build and deploy interactive engaging ad experiences within a short turnaround time.

     

    Speaking about this alliance, Julian Frachtman, CEO of Airtory said: “We’re extremely excited to partner with a great brand like RepublicWorld to help them deliver world class experiences to their users and improved engagement and performance for their advertisers.”

     

    Vikas Khanchandani, CEO of Republic Media Network, said that “RepublicWorld has been a pioneer when it comes to creating innovative news formats,” adding:  “Digital is an integral part of our business. We are a technology driven media publisher focusing on new age experience for our consumers. Airtory’s strength lies in producing innovative and interactive ad experiences which will help connect the users on a deeper level. Our partnership with Airtory will enable us to bring exclusive engaging and video ad units for our advertising partners.”

     

     

  • It’s a ratings dark period for the media and public at least as only subscribers are privy to data. Also there’s a fair amount of mess in the transitioning of subscribers to the new packas

    Republic Bharat claims 73million reach in Week 1

    By A Correspondent

    It’s a ratings-dark period for the media and public at least as only subscribers are privy to viewership data from measurement joint industry body BARCIndia. In the light of this, the launch of Republic Bharat, as noted by MxMIndia in an earlier report, would be impacted given the transition of subscribing viewers.

    Arnab Goswami in a Republic Bharat ad

    According to a communique received from Republic Bharat, in Week 1 the channel has achieved a reach of 73million. Notes the release: “In just seven days, Republic Bharat has made tremendous inroads and onboarded audiences that some established brands have taken many years to reach,” adding: “Coming on the back of storming into English news with Republic TV in May 2017, Arnab Goswami’s Hindi news brand’s Week 1 reach is unprecedented when compared to other launches within the Hindi Genre. The Highest reach genre which is Hindi Movies has seen two launches in last three years i.e. Rishtey Cineplex and Sony Wah and both the channels launched with a reach of 5 cr in its opening week and have grown today 3x of their entry reach numbers… Bharat’s extensive focus on big stories within its first week of broadcast creative massive impact with #MamtaBlocksCBI  and #ShardaStings which not only delivered blockbuster impressions on social media but have also got Republic Bharat the #2 position in West Bengal.”

    It may be noted that the above information (73mn reach) has not been verified by MxMIndia with BARC. However, according to the information we have received, that the 73mn reach – given all the distribution issues — would have been higher if the distribution systems weren’t disrupted. As would the numbers of some other channels. Also, we have learnt that with 73mn reach, Republic Bharat is not in the Top 5 Hindi channels bracket, in terms of reach. Though it’s early days still..

    Said Arnab Goswami, Editor-In-Chief and Managing Director, Republic Media Network: “This is a brilliant start. Republic Bharat has beaten six channels and has a reach of seven crore plus in week one. No Hindi channel has had such a start and it’s a matter of time before we hit no 1 now “

    Vikas Khanchandani

    Added Vikas Khanchandani, CEO Republic Network: “We are extremely happy that Republic Bharat has opened the charts with a massive 73 Mn reach in its maiden week. Our distribution and content teams have worked very hard to give us this fantastic start within the mass reach genre. The reach garnered is the highest that any new hindi channel launch has delivered in its opening week in the last 3 years. I am extremely confident that with this magnificent start the channel will move into the top slot much faster than I anticipated. I am extremely grateful to our audiences and partners that have helped us with their support and acceptance within the Hindi news category.”

    Said Shashi Sinha CEO, IPG Mediabrands: “The Republic team has worked hard to deliver a reach of 73 million in its week of launch. They have given a repeat performance on their launch strategy by delivering big/ breaking stories and delivering massive reach. It’s a very good start and will give them an opportunity to build reach and market share in the coming weeks as the news genre sampling is very high in the run up to Elections. The Hindi genre is seeing an entry of another strong brand after a long gap of six years.”

     

  • Khanchandani will now assume overall responsibility of all the three network brands, Republic Television, Republic World Digital, and the upcoming Hindi News channel Republic Bharat

    Bhaskar Das joins Republic as Group President. Vikas Khanchandani to be Group CEO

    By A Correspondent

     

    Republic Media Network has announced the appointment of veteran mediaperson Dr Bhaskar Das as Group President, Republic Media Network. The news network has elevated Vikas Khanchandani to be Group CEO. The announcement assumes significance as the network is on an expansion mode with the forthcoming launch of its Hindi channel.

     

    Khanchandani will now assume overall responsibility of all the three network brands, Republic Television, Republic World Digital, and the upcoming Hindi News channel Republic Bharat.

     

    Dr Das was President of The Times of India Group and was later Group CEO of Zee Media Network and Executive President at Dainik Bhaskar Group.

     

    Said Arnab Goswami, Managing Director and Editor in Chief – Republic Media Network: “Vikas has led the channel exceptionally from the start-up to expansion mode. As we get set to launch Republic Bharat, I am excited he will along with Bhaskar Das see the next phase of growth and consolidation of our new age Media–Tech company. We are on the look-out for growth opportunities that are both scalable and sustainable. I look forward to partnering and growing with them.”

     

    Added Khanchandani: “We are very excited about Dr Das joining forces with us to help scale the business at the Network. He is one of the most respected media professionals and our network will immensely benefit from his knowledge and experience. His announcement comes just after one for Hersh Bhandari who joined us as the EVP – Revenue on Republic Bharat. With our current expansion in the management team, as a network, we are poised for growth and scale in business. We will look for opportunities both organic and acquisitive growth within technology and media. Republic is a disruptor brand and we will look at a global digital foray in the near future”