MxMIndia

Tag: Republic

  • S Sundaram is now Director, Strategy

    Mohit Dhamne is CFO, Republic

    By Our Staff

     

    Republic Media Network has appointed Mohit Dhamne as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Further, S. Sundaram has been been elevated to Director, Strategy for the Network. Dhamne, 43, has been part of the Republic Media Network since its inception in 2016.

     

    On the announcement, Republic Media Network’s Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami said: “I wish Mr. Sundaram and Mohit all the very best in their new roles. We are building a team to take Republic to the next level through this second phase of expansion, on broadcast as well as on digital. I am certain that with Mr. Sundaram leading the Strategic operations and Mohit spearheading the Financial Operations of the Network, we are set to deliver on the vision that we launched this Network with.”

     

  • So the telltale signs were that he was present at Goafest not as a representative where he has be Group President/Chief Strategy Officer/Mentor, but as Secretary of The Advertising Club

    So what’s next for Dr Bhaskar Das?

    By Our Staff

    There were telltale signs at Goafest last week.

    One of the oldest and seniormost delegates present at the three-day event was perhaps also the most energetic. Present at nearly every session held and of course the awards. He ran upto the stage to meet star guests. Selfies galore with all the people who matter. 

    He is decidedly one of the most cerebral advertising and marketing professionals, one of the few people in the industry who has done his Ph D in marketing twice (not once) and is now working towards his thesis. He is on the Governing Council of MICA, and on the advisory boards and faculty at a few other temples of learning. And then amidst all of this, he does five to seven sales calls a day, is a door-opener for meetings with people who are otherwise unreachable to even the big bosses at media giants. And, yes, he also answers to our questions in Das ka Dum Monday through Friday.

    So the telltale signs were that he was present at Goafest not as a representative where he has be Group President/Chief Strategy Officer/Mentor, but as Secretary of The Advertising Club. Yes, you read it right: he was not representing Republic at Goafest.

    We tried reaching out to Dr Bhaskar Das, he politely declined to speak. We wrote to Republic via the marketing and PR head. No reply. We wrote to Republic owner, MD and editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami via his secretary. Not once, but twice. No reply. News entities we feel should be concerned about authentic information getting out in the market, are often the last to cooperate with sharing of news.

    We also feel that there should be some graciousness, but this is not a story on morals and what’s not cool.

    Das’s exit, if indeed true, will of course significantly impact Republic. In the short run at least. For in the last two years, where many corporate and advertising biggies have been dubbing the channel’s content as toxic, Das and the former Group CEO Vikas Khanchandani have been holding fort. Das’s persuasive and self-effacing demeanour has ensured that even those who detest the channel and its face didn’t mind inviting him for a coffee.

    In the days when the channel was facing a lot of heat, despite friends in the industry asking him to quit, his only reply was: Yes, I am disturbed with the controversy. My age doesn’t allow me the strain. But I will never desert the ship at a time like this..

    While entities like The Times of India, Zee and Dainik Bhaskar have thrived even after his exit, all of them have had a much longer legacy and many leaders who have had a fair equity amongst the powers that be.

    Republic has had a string of senior and mid-level exits. COO and distribution head Priya Mukherjee, Group CEO Vikas Khanchandani and now Dr Das.

    So what does Dr Bhaskar Das do next?

    He has just turned 69. In fact a friend of the family told us that he put in his papers on his birthday on Sunday, on his return from Goafest. He wants to spend more than the hour-odd that he currently does at the gym and spend time with the family, but he also once told us that he wants to fight possible cognitive malnutrition by doing work.

    He is active with MICA, and has also been teaching at various other business schools. He also mentors a few start-ups. Is working on his next PhD. Gives gyaan and put things in perspective for whoever needs the help. And is everyone’s friend.

    Will he join another news entity?

    We don’t know, but we’ll be surprised if he is (or rather his services are) not lapped by anyone.

    He once told us: “Lord Krishna will take care of me. He knows it. I am a das, a loyal servant. I’ve always had cordial relations with whosoever I’ve left.”

    Hmmm.

  • The departure is reportedly with immediate effect

    Vikas Khanchandani quits Republic. Hersh Bhandari to take charge as Group COO. Darius Maneckji is Business Head

    By Our Staff

     

    Vikas Khanchandani
    Vikas Khanchandani

    Republic Media Network Group CEO Vikas Khanchandani has decided to move on from the organisation. The departure is with immediate effect and MxMIndia has confirmed the development. It is not known where Khanchandani will be moving to.

     

    Meanwhile, Republic has announced a restructure of its management, effective immediately. Newly-inducted Darius Maneckji will report to Hersh Bhandari, who has been elevated to Group COO – Broadcasting Division. Bhandari will be incharge of the entire broadcasting businesses of the network.

     

    Hersh-Bhandari
    Hersh Bhandari
    Darius-Maneckji
    Darius-Maneckji

    Maneckji will be Business Head-Republic TV and Senior EVP. He will now lead the national operations for Republic TV, including the channel’s offices in Bengaluru, Noida, Gurugram, Kolkata and Mumbai. He has been National Sales Head in the past for Times Now and also National Sales Head for the English Movie Cluster at Turner International India.  Before onboarding with Republic TV, his last assignment was with TV Today.

     

    Arnab Goswami

    Said Arnab Goswami, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Republic Media Network: “The induction of strong business talent is part of the expansion of the Network and creation of a strong organizational base to take the plans forward,: adding: “I am excited about the new roles for both Hersh and Darius. The broadcasting division under Hersh will see rapid growth, like never before. Our digital business is being expanded by 100 percent and together with our Strategic Business partnerships, will be hived off into separate business divisions, each with their own leadership and goals. At a consolidated level, this should place us in a fantastic position to be the number one TV+Digital News company across the board in two years.”

     

    On his elevation, Bhandari said: “At Republic Media Network, we continue to consolidate and strengthen ourselves with speed for the growth that beckons us. I’m energised by the trust reposed in me by the Board, Management, and my colleagues, to help shape and deliver the next phase of growth. We think and move as one, shoulder-to-shoulder.”

    Added Maneckji: “I’m excited to join India’s fastest growing news Network. I look forward to working with one of the best teams in the business to ensure we continue to command and establish our leadership role in the English News genre.”

     

    Priya Mukherjee
    Priya Mukherjee

    Khanchandani is the second senior person in the founding team of Republic TV. Distribution head Priya Mukherjee had moved out last year. Both Khanchandani and Mukherjee were part of Republic from before it started in 2017.

     

  • 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…

  • Former BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta too suffers collateral damage of Arnab Goswami-Maha govt feud

    By A Correspondent

     

    Partho Dasgupta

    Republic Media Network Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami may be in the comfortable climes of Noida or wherever he is currently, but his colleagues and friends are facing the heat. Collateral damage is perhaps how it could be best described.

     

    The TRP scam, as it’s called, surfaced in October 2020 when the Mumbai police commissioner virtually announced an attack on Goswami and pulled his channel’s name and reputation.

     

    Since then 14 people have been arrested, and on Christmas Eve an arrest warrant was produced for former BARC India CEO and management consultant Partho Dasgupta. Dasgupta, who is said to have been in Goa on a holiday to celebrate the Christmas-New Year break, was reportedly held on the outskirts of Pune. Last week, former BARC COO Romil Ramgarhia was also arrested but was released on Thursday.

     

    Details of what were the reasons cited for the arrest are still awaited, but what we do know is that he will be produced before a Mumbai court on Friday (Dec 25).

     

    Dasgupta, an MBA from IIM Calcutta and an engineer from Jadavpur University, has worked with several leading organisations including The Times of India group, Crisil, Future Group and BARC India where he was the measurement body’s first CEO. He spent six-and-a-half years at BARC India and exited BARC India in November 2019. He is currently President of the Advertising Club. Veteran mediaperson Sunil Lulla is currently at the helm at BARC India.

  • The numbers tell the story. Time for the genre to wake up, and stop fighting, writes Pradyuman Maheshwari.

    Present Imperfect. Future Shock. News Channels lose as GECs gain

    By Pradyuman Maheshwari

     

    Ring-a ring-a ratings

    Claims versus shoutings

    Cops, CBI, advertisers & viewers frown

    And we all fall down!

     

     

    So here’s another take-off on our favourite nursery rhyme, partly courtesy a friend and fellow-columnist. But before you look at the graphs: here’s an exercise.

     

    Fill in the Blank:

     

    The News Channels genre is getting _______.

     

    Since you have to putting the answer in your own language, choose whatever word you would like.

     

    The numbers tell the story.

     

    Here they are:

    Please click on image if you find this unclear

     

    If you prefer graphs, look at these:

     

    May we alert you that these numbers are not validated from BARC. They have come in from two different sources. But we will update if necessary, when we’ve got it from BARC. Btw, we chose 2+ and not 15+/22+ AB one mn plus or all-India, because it was easier to compare with GECs.

     

    The message is clear. News channels – in Hindi, Regional, English and Hindi Regionals (like MP, Bihar etc) need to do some soul-searching.

     

    If they continue to fight, if they continue to not do the right things, there’s bound to be trouble. For themselves.

     

    News channels owners, editors and managers need to stop fighting. The best of political and corporate forces have buried their differences. Many moons ago, India TV had exited the News Broadcasters Association for reasons that are best not recalled now. More recently TV9 quit the association and we heard of some talks of a possible litigation. So there’s no reason why NBA and NBF can’t combine forces. Call it something else if necessary. Rejig the set of officebearers. But it’s important to have a strong, joint force.

     

    Be competitive. Stop fighting. Let’s stop putting each other’s images on telly. Let’s stop group media entities to participate in a ‘maaro saale ko’ campaign.

     

    We’ve seen what’s happened thanks to all of this. It could only get worse. Serious.

     

    Advertisers have not yet said goodbye, but if they see lower ratings, they could.

     

    Enough said. Have a good weekend.

     

    And this Dassera, Dussehra or however you spell it, let’s kill the (d)evils within us.

     

  • BARC has said that mail contents made public by Republic are confidential

    BARC says it hasn’t commented on TRP issue. Says mail contents made public by Republic are confidential

    By Our Crime Correspondent

     

    Dear God, Grant us a day’s break on a Sunday. In a week, a day’s chutti should be fine, no?

     

    But the A&M beat is suddenly on an overdrive.

     

    So we just received this statement: ” BARC India has not commented on the ongoing investigation and it is providing necessary assistance to the law enforcement agency. BARC India is highly disappointed with the actions of the Republic Network by disclosing private and confidential communications and misrepresenting the same. BARC India reiterates that it has not commented on the ongoing investigation and without prejudice to BARC India’s rights, it expresses its dismay at the actions of the Republic Network.”

     

    So what’s this “action” about Republic all about? Since it’s about a confidential mail, we’ll stick to a story on Republicworld.com. Here’s the link https://www.republicworld.com/india-news/general-news/barc-email-shreds-param-bir-singhs-trp-case-lies-against-republic-fa.html

     

    Meanwhile, our siesta has been disrupted. Dear God…

     

  • TechComm will review process and take 8-12 weeks to come up with a report on niche genres ratings

    Ratings Bandh! BARC to stop releasing viewership data for individual news channels

     

    By Pradyuman Maheshwari

    [updated with News Broadcasters Federation story link]

     

    Ring-a-ring-a Ratings,

    A mess-up full of claims,

    Yeh Dishoom, Yeh Dishoom!

    We all fall down

     

    Pardon this hurriedly written parody of everyone’s favourite nursery rhyme by a friend. But kya karein. C’est la vie.

    As we wrote last week, ask anyone associated with the television broadcast business, and they’ll tell you how news channels are the Indian television measurement business’ Achilles’ heel. However advanced the measurement craft, successive regimes in the TV measurement business have experienced testing times thanks to the mess dealing with the news business. Plus the penchant to run to the government, and complain. “Uncle, uncle, see this guy is acting very funny.” Not funny at all.

    It happened with the previous ratings body TAM. NDTV took it court, and that eventually led to TAM losing its measurement business, its mojo. And this despite all the might of then co-owners WPP and Nielsen.

    Then BARC happened, it was all hunky-dory in the early days. NDTV was still not high on the ratings roster. But soon enough the news biggies started getting tough on the BARC bosses.

    But we aren’t batting for BARC and TAM. Ask the newswallahs. They too will cite various reasons for being upset with things. With reason. After all when your ratings are low, despite the belief and in actuality you are doing a good job.

    The final straw was the ratings controversy of last week. Mumbai Police Commissioner’s declaration that threw in Republic’s name for allegedly rigging ratings, and Republic’s expose of an FIR naming India Today.

    Conventional wisdom would say that it’s not right to base stories on allegations by folks or FIRs. They are not based on any investigations and chargesheets. Or even court orders. But, darlings, that’s conventional wisdom. We are talking of the news business.

    Over the last week, there is been a bloodbath. Unfortunately. Some media companies haven’t fallen short of anything. Arnab Goswami is being painted as Villain #1. There are many who don’t like his journalism. There are many who think he’s too pro-BJP and the Narendra Modi government. But then there are issues with many others too.

    This report is not an attempt to list the kind of stories which news channels keep doing. And their editorial stance.

    It’s about the decision that BARC has taken. In the light of the recent developments, the BARC Board has proposed that its Technical Committee (Tech Comm) review and augment the current standards of measuring and reporting the data of niche genres, to improve their statistical robustness and to significantly hamper the  potential attempts of infiltrating the panel homes. This exercise would cover all Hindi, Regional, English News and business news channels with immediate effect.

    Therefore, starting with the ‘News Genre’, BARC will cease publishing the weekly individual ratings for all news channels during the exercise. This exercise is expected to take around 8-12 weeks including validation and testing under the supervision of BARC’s Tech Comm. BARC will continue to release weekly audience estimates for the genre of news by state and language. So no individual numbers.

    Explaining the need for this move, Punit Goenka, Chairman of BARC India Board said: “Given the most recent developments, the BARC Board was of the opinion that a pause was necessitated to enable the industry and BARC to work closely to review its already stringent protocols and further augment them to enable the industry to focus on collaborating for growth and well-natured competitiveness”.

    Added  Sunil Lulla, CEO, BARC India: “We at BARC take our role in truthfully and faithfully reporting ‘What India Watches’ with the greatest sense of responsibility and work with integrity to ensure that our audience estimates (ratings) remain true to their purpose”. He added: “Besides augmenting current protocols and benchmarking them with global standards, BARC is actively exploring several options to discourage unlawful inducement of its panel home viewers and further strengthening its Code of Conduct to Address Viewership Malpractice”.

    Meanwhile, the News Broadcasters Association has welcomed the 12-week suspension of TV ratings. NBA, which represents a large section of news broadcasters – but not the entire universe of news channels, believes that the suspension is an important step in the right direction. [update: News Broadcasters Federation has opposed the BARC move. Please read: https://www.mxmindia.com/2020/10/daggers-drawn-nbf-opposes-barc-move-says-it-wasnt-consulted-on-ratings-pause]

    Said Rajat Sharma, President, NBA: “Recent revelations have brought disrepute to the measurement agency and by extension the broadcast news media. The corrupted, compromised, irrationally fluctuating data is creating a false narrative on What India Watches and has been putting pressure on our members to take editorial calls that run counter to the journalistic values and ideals of journalism. The current atmosphere of toxicity, abuse and fake news is no longer tenable and NBA as the custodian and guardian of Indian broadcast media believes a bold step of putting ratings of news genre on hold will help in improving the content. For many years NBA has been highlighting its concerns about the veracity of TV viewership data, which have been prone to irrational fluctuations. Recent events have shown that there is much more at stake than just the measurement of news channels’ popularity. Indeed, a healthy and vibrant TV news industry is vital to Indian democracy. We expect that the period of suspension will be utilised to implement important reforms at BARC. To safeguard the integrity of viewership data, human intervention in its collection and processing must be totally eliminated. Data security, including encryption and restricting access to key information, must be ensured. Complaints, if any, should be dealt with in an independent and transparent manner. NBA also expects greater consultation and openness when important decisions are taken by BARC.”

    What led to this? Loads of things. The last straw was the expose, the threat of government intervention, and the summoning of media agency network stalwarts for an intense conversation with the Mumbai. Madison World CEO Sam Balsara is said to have spent seven-and-a-half hours with the cops. IPG Mediabrands CEO Shashi Sinha and GroupM CEO Prasanth Kumar some 4.5-5 hours. All on Saturday, when many of us may have been taking it easy with a siesta.

    So what happens now? You couldn’t have invested so much time reading this just to get the same stuff that’s on other platforms. It’s a win-win for everyone. But only prima facie. Channels that are doing well currently will be stay on top in terms of perception. So Advantage Republic TV and Republic Bharat. Not too much of a disadvantage for the others who are getting the revenues – like Aaj Tak and the other leaders of the pack. For those which are emerging or getting out of the woods, the absence of ratings is a setback.

    That something needs to be done with the ratings has been spoken about by TAM and BARC in the past. LV Krishnan will tell you that. As will Partho Dasgupta. And now Sunil Lulla will as well. But folks like Goswami and some others are said to have been opposed to the idea. The leader after all wants it to be known that s/he is the leader.

    And what does it mean for BARC? Some peace of mind. Messrs Lulla & Co can sleep those extra 10 minutes every day, and 20 on a Thursday, the day ratings are published. Also, as a wag said: Even if news channels were to go out of BARC’s measurement it would mean 10 per cent revenue gone but 90 per cent of the problems as well.

     

     

  • If channel-owners don’t end this all-out war, advertisers may pull out and the government will interfere in their content, writes Pradyuman Maheshwari

    Peace or Perish!

     

    [updated with India Today Group quote & Republic TV statement]

    By Pradyuman Maheshwari

     

    Ask present and past TV audience measurement professionals who or what is pulling down the reputation of their business, the response would be an emphatic: news channels.

     

    TAM, a joint venture of Nielsen and Kantar (then owned by WPP and now majority owned by Bain), lost its measurement contracts from broadcasters, advertisers and agencies thanks essentially to news channels warring against it. Premier news network NDTV took TAM to court over allegations of faulty data, and this hastened the effort to set up the joint industry owned body Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC). Eventually TAM sold its measurement business to BARC.

     

    Like TAM in the past, the BARC team faced turbulent times from the news channels, and in a letter to the BARC chairman Punit Goenka, the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) is said to have expressed its reservations about the BARC leadership of the past.

     

    There are murmurs that BARC CEO Sunil Lulla too has experienced some angst from news channels.

     

    The problem is always with ratings. That some of the channels have deep political connections makes matters worse. So every time there is a peeve, news channels flock to the I&B minister for intervention. In the past, matters have also gone to Parliament and there have been committees set up to examine nuances of the business. And if it’s not the law-makers who assert themselves, it’s regulator Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) which intervenes.

     

    Frankly, the government ought not to have role in the business of news television. Except for running its own Doordarshan news channels, its publicity department DAVP which doles out advertising and monitoring objectionable content and addressing the media on issues and make announcements.

     

    But by running to the government often, channel owners have invited the ministers and bureaucracy to step into a territory which they shouldn’t be treading on.

     

    For instance, BARC’s weekly viewership data ensures that advertisers and the agencies make wise media buying decisions. It also helps broadcasters and content-makers better their content, sales and marketing act.

     

    But the ecosystem dominated by broadcasters inflicted on itself the government’s intervention (or interference?) and got BARC to be governed by a set of rules and regulations.

     

    There’s nothing new with what happened on Thursday. It occurred when TAM was around and it’s taken place under the BARC regime. There has been pilferage of information on the placement of set-top boxes, but the machinery is well-oiled to issue alerts when necessary.

     

    That’s what happened when Hansa Research, one of BARC’s vendors on engagement with panel homes, alerted the police about a mess up.

     

    Was Republic named in any written complaint? We don’t know. An FIR shared with MxM has a mention made of the India Today channel. Both Republic and India Today (by way of a report on the site) have presented their points of view.

     

    What we did find last night was various channels shaming Republic TV and founder, editor-in-chief and managing director Arnab Goswami. Newspaper reports today – owned by media companies which also run news channels as well as a few others – have also named Republic and Goswami prominently. The reference to other channels and India Today has been understated or is missing.

     

    So when did it all start? The war of words and ratings began even when Goswami was with Times Now. The channel was doing exceedingly well, on the back of the heated debates that it would air.

     

    But when Goswami quit the Times Network to start Republic, the daggers were pulled out from all directions. All sides are to blame. Times Now had its issues with Goswami for quitting, hiring some ex-staffers and making no bones of the fact that he was taking on his former employer. The others got on to the act the moment Republic shot to #1 in the ratings roster. ‘News without Noise’, became India Today’s credo.

     

    Various attempts were made to isolate Republic, including the rest of the news channels pulling out their watermarks so as to boycott BARC. On its part, Republic too countered the others – and compared its ratings with that of the others. Nothing wrong with it, except that the comparison was accompanied by much bombast. Surefire formula to rile others.

     

    But the war took on a new turn when Goswami launched Republic Bharat. While English news channels are influential and earn fair monies, the real bucks is in Hindi news. Aaj Tak, ABP News, Zee News have been raking in the moolah over the years. While Bharat made its presence felt, it didn’t create much of a dent until the Covid-19 pandemic-led lockdown happened and the Arnab Goswami brand of hyper-aggressive, right of centre journalism took over.

     

    And then came the controversy around actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death. The line that Republic Bharat took on the controversy ensured it was numero uno. And not just for one week, but for now many weeks.

     

    Advertisement buying decisions are not taken in a hurry, but buoyed by its success, Republic Bharat has hiked its ad rates.

     

    On Thursday evening, the Mumbai police commissioner named Republic TV based on what appear to be unverified complaints and allegations. Later, on its primetime bulletin, Republic TV showed scans of the FIR naming India Today. The joint commissioner of police is reported on the India Today website stating that while India Today was named in the FIR, neither the accused nor the witnesses supported the claim. “On the contrary, the accused and witnesses are specifically mentioning the names of Republic TV…”

     

    The India Today Group issued a statement late on Friday: “There is a malicious campaign on right now by a few vested interests to drag the name of the India Today Group into the TRP scandal that broke out on October 8, 2020,” adding: “We welcome any probe the police may wish to conduct and are fully confident that we will come out unscathed as we have not acted in any inappropriate manner. What we have right now is nothing but malicious, unsubstantiated allegations by a vested party.”

     

    Republic TV has taken on the Maharashtra government and Police Commssioner Param Bir Singh over the last few months in Sushant Singh Rajput case. Meanwhile, Goswami has threatened to sue Singh.

     

    So what next on this? The news channels business in India is a divided house. There is the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) which comprises most of the big players operating nationally and there’s News Broadcasters Federation (NBF) which is spearheaded by Goswami and Republic. Recently TV9 pulled out of the NBA with the association lodging a complaint with BARC saying that the network had used unfair means to forge ahead on the ratings roster. The network is now back as its member.

     

    Singh was quoted on a channel saying that advertisers may also be called for interrogation. So will Amul managing director R S Sodhi have to make the rounds of the commissioner’s office? Perhaps he will be. Will media agency network bosses Prasanth Kumar of GroupM and Shashi Sinha of IPG Mediabrands also be questioned by the cops? If Sodhi is, surely Kumar and Sinha will be called in.

     

    It suits the government perfectly well to have channels warring each other. But if the police summons advertisers and agency bosses for questioning, there could be trouble. Large, pedigreed advertisers would prefer to stay away from the murky world of news television. Channel owners would do well to smoke the piece pipe.

     

    If warring countries and corporates can get together, surely Arnab Goswami and Rajdeep Sardesai can.

     

    Updates:

     

    Media agency bosses Sam Balsara, Shashi Sinha and Prasanth Kumar have been called to the police station for seeking information. So these may not be summons, but a request from the cops is never for a chat about the weather. There are rumours that names of certain advertisers have also been handed over to the police.

     

    The Republic Media Network has issued a press release: https://www.republicworld.com/india-news/general-news/full-news-release-from-republic-media-network.html. “The Republic Media Network has approached the Honourable Supreme Court of India. We have served notices of our legal action to the Maharashtra Government as well. While we will follow the law, we are determined to seek a legal remedy against this atrocious witchhunt,” the release says.

     

     

    Although Pradyuman Maheshwari is Editor-in-Chief and CEO of MxMIndia, the views here are personal and are not necessarily that of MxMIndia. He can be reached via Twitter at @pmahesh. A version of this has also appeared on The Wire at The ‘TRP Scam’ Could Open the Doors for the Government to Enter the Picture

     

     

  • 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 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.