MxMIndia

Tag: Star India

  • Star India has launched a TVC featuring Bangla superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee to promote the same

    Prosenjit to champion Jalsha Movies for Vivo IPL 2018

    By A Correspondent

     

    Star India has announced Jalsha Movies as the destination for the Bengali language broadcast of Vivo IPL 2018. Star India has launched a TVC featuring Bangla superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee to promote the same.

     

    The film opens with Prosenjit in his living room, looking for something. As he strolls about, he excitedly starts talking about possible match scenarios. As the film progresses, the viewer realizes that it’s his TV remote that Prosenjit is looking for, following which he reveals that VIVO IPL 2018 will be more special this year as the Bengali cricket fans will get to catch the Best vs Best action in their mother tongue, Bangla.

     

     

  • The national campaign “Sher vs Sher” has been conceived and conceptualized by the in-house creative team at Star Sports

    Star India launches the second phase of its campaign for IPL 2018

    By A Correspondent

     

    Star India has launched the second phase of its Best vs Best Vivo IPL campaign that attempts to answer the question: from Bundelkhand to Madurai – as to who would win when a Tiger would take on another?

     

    The national campaign, “Kaun Jeetega?” (Hindi) “Who would Win?” portrays a young child posing the question to all around him – as to who would win when two Tigers take on each other? As his question goes unanswered by everyone, his father takes him to watch an IPL match, concluding that, when a Tiger takes on another, the Tiger is always the winner.

     

    The national campaign “Sher vs Sher” has been conceived and conceptualised by the in-house creative team at Star Sports and is directed by Shlok Sharma in Bundelkhandi and Prakash Varma of Nirvana Films in Hindi, along with Vijay Prabakaran in Tamil.

     

    Commenting on the launch of these films, Rahul Johri, Chief Executive Officer, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said: “With fans across the globe waiting for the Vivo IPL 2018 to start, we decided to launch the second leg of the #BestVsBest campaign today. It is all about the universal appeal of IPL. This aspect is something I believe will keep fans glued to all the action in Vivo IPL 2018 which will further enhance this global celebration of the brand IPL.”

     

    Added Gayatri Yadav, President Consumer Strategy & Innovation, Star India: “The Sher vs Sher campaign is a representation of what Vivo IPL 2018 has in store for millions of cricketing fans across the globe. Continuing from the IPL anthem launch earlier this month, with this motive we would like to reinforce how intense and unpredictable the contest would be between the teams to win the coveted Vivo IPL 2018 trophy. This April stars from across the cricketing world descend upon India to prove their mettle in one of the most testing tournaments in the world giving fans across a truly exhilarating and nail-biting experience.”

     

     

  • John Hegarty, one of the world’s most celebrated creative directors Piyush Pandey, acclaimed filmmaker Raju Hirani, marketing veteran Vibha Rishi, digital evangelist Rahul Welde and adman V Sunil will constitute the jury

    Star announces awards for IPL advertising. Two 24-member teams will all-expenses-paid trip to major sporting event

    By A Correspondent

     

    In the good old days (or perhaps still) Reader’s Digest magazine would run the Pegasus Awards for the best ads published in the magazine. There have been various attempts made for similar awards including one that’s ongoing in The Times of India. But given that there are so many ads especially crafted for airing around the Indian Premier League (IPL), this one seemed a no-brainer.

     

    Star India, the television and digital broadcast partners of the tournament, has been dreaming ways to raise the bar (and hence revenues) and as part of the process came the announcement of the Star Re.Imagine Awards.

     

    On Monday, the network announced details of the awards, the jury and the process. So every creative broadcast on Star Sports and streamed on Hotstar during the Vivo IPL 2018 will automatically be eligible for the Star Re.Imagine Awards. A high powered jury including ad veteran Sir John Hegarty,  Piyush Pandey,  filmmaker Raju Hirani, marketing honcho Vibha Rishi, Unilever’s Rahul Welde and adman V Sunil will deliberate on the winners on May 26th and select two campaigns that they believe have excelled in terms of creativity and leveraging the platform. “The awards will not only celebrate creativity but also recognize and appreciate teamwork,” a communique notes. Two winning teams of 24 members each will be hosted for a premier global sporting event. Partnering with Star India in this initiative are Åbhijit Avasthi’s Sideways, Rajesh Kejriwal’s Kyoorius and audit firm PWC.

     

    Said Gayatri Yadav, Head Consumer Strategy & Innovation, Star India: “VIVO IPL 2018, is poised to be one of the biggest sporting events ever and is the most powerful platform to connect with consumers and build brands. Star Re.imagine Awards is a first-of-its-kind initiative that will celebrate and recognise creativity and the integrated use of media on this the largest stage of any campaign. We are very excited to bring together a bespoke independent jury of some of the most eminent names across marketing, media and storytelling to celebrate two campaigns aired during this VIVO IPL 2018 on Star Sports network & Hotstar which push the boundaries of creativity. Recognising that great campaigns are powered by great teamwork the award will celebrate members of the integrated team across marketing, creative and media, who will be hosted for a premier global sporting event.  We hope to make Star Re.imagine Awards the space where new legends will be born!”

     

     

  • The study reports nearly five times growth in video consumption in the last 12 months, with 96 percent of all usage being focused on long form video

    Video lighting up data and smartphones, says Hotstar study

    By A Correspondent

     

    Star India’s OTT platform has released its first India Watch Report 2018 with usage patterns on its platform. The study reports nearly five times growth in video consumption in the last 12 months, with 96 percent of all usage being focused on long form video. The last 12 months have also seen access to data and consumption of video go deeper into inner India, notes the report.

     

    Speaking about the report, Ajit Mohan, CEO, Hotstar said: “A new generation of users are emerging in India who take for granted round the clock access to the best stories; who know that they can watch the best shows from around the world at the same time as the world (and sometimes way ahead of most of the world); who do not worry about being forced to skip their team’s weekend football games because they are not at home in front of their television; and who have the implicit faith that all breaking news will reach them without any effort on their part.”

  • Star India has also announced the Star Reimagine creative award – a recognition of the Top 2 advertisers in IPL

    Star India reimagines IPL 2018 with VR

    By A Correspondent

     

    Star India has announced major plans to ‘reimagine’ the Vivo Indian Premier League 2018 with a slew of measures. The matches will be broadcast live in six different languages targeting a reach of 700 million fans across TV and Digital.

     

    In a first, Star will stream IPL 2018 on its OTT platform Hotstar in Virtual Reality. At a press meet held in Gurgaon on Wednesday, Star officials underscored the interplay of TV and Digital offering advertisers many opportunities to build brands across platforms. Star India also announced the Star Reimagine creative award – a recognition of the Top 2 advertisers in IPL.

     

    Said Sanjay Gupta, Managing Director, Star India: “Over its 10-year journey, the IPL has grown into the single biggest property by far on Indian television. And now that it is on the Star India network across both, television and digital, we are set to use the confluence of technology, consumer insight, and experience in cricket coverage, to broaden the outreach and experience even further. The Vivo IPL 2018 will be a six-month-long fiesta with new-age technology putting fans at the heart of the experience. We are confident that the VIVO IPL 2018, as re-imagined by Star India, will empower viewers, advertisers and the media & entertainment eco system of India with greater convenience and viewing pleasure, audience deliveries and all-round growth.”

     

    Added Rahul Johri, CEO, BCCI: “Over the last decade, the BCCI has transformed the Indian Premier League from a radical new idea into India’s biggest sporting phenomenon and despite the scale of its success, the sky remains the limit for the VIVO IPL 2018.  In Star India, we have a partner that not only believes in the immense potential of the IPL, but also believes in pushing the boundaries of sports broadcasting, which gives it the power and ability to take the IPL to even greater heights. With even richer content across a six-month entertainment calendar, we are happy it will delight a much larger number of cricket lovers across the length and breadth of India.”

     

     

  • Athletes are stars and need to be respected and importance needs to be given to the game rather than celebrities

    India Football Forum 2017 highlights growing importance of game

    By A Correspondent

     

    The 2017 edition of the India Football Forum was conducted last week bringing together senior industry leaders to speak on the business of football.

     

    Delivering the keynote address, Gayatri Yadav, President – Consumer Strategy and Innovations, Star India, said: “Our Khelo India’s mission is for kids to play at least 60 minutes, and the focus is to build Indian talent and the aim is to get 10,000 professional players down the line,” said Yadav.

     

    Established in 2010, the India Football Forum is one of the key properties of the SportzPower Knowledge Series (SKS).

     

     

  • The deal will include 21 Century Fox's interests in Tata Sky and Endemol Shine

    If regulators approve, Star India will soon be owned by Disney

    By A Correspondent

     

    So the headline is that 21st Century Fox has  announced that its has entered into a definitive agreement to combine a part of its businesses with Disney that includes the film and television studios, cable entertainment networks and international TV businesses.  The deal value: $52.4 Billion

     

    The merger move is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory and shareholder approval. But as we have seen in the recent past, these could well be more than just a formality as we’ve seen in the AT&T acquisition of Time Warner.

     

    It intends to spin off a portfolio of its news, sports and broadcast businesses to create a new “Fox,” which will be a growth company centered on live news and sports brands, anchored by the strength of the Fox Network. The new “Fox” will include Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox Sports, Fox Television Stations Group, and sports cable networks FS1, FS2, Fox Deportes and Big Ten Network (BTN). It will also include the Company’s studio lot in Los Angeles and equity investment in Roku.

     

    Combining with Disney are 21st Century Fox’s critically acclaimed film production businesses including Twentieth Century Fox, Fox Searchlight and Fox 2000, which together offer diverse and compelling storytelling businesses and are the homes of Avatar, X-Men, Fantastic Four and Deadpool, as well as The Grand Budapest Hotel, Hidden Figures, Gone Girl, The Shape of Water, and The Martian – and its storied television creative units, Twentieth Century Fox Television, FX Productions and Fox21, who have brought The Americans, This Is Us, Modern Family, The Simpsons, and so many more hit TV series to viewers across the globe. Disney will also acquire FX Networks, Fox Sports Regional Networks, Fox Networks Group International, Star India, and 21st Century Fox’s interests in National Geographic Partners, Hulu, Sky, Tata Sky and Endemol Shine Group.  21st Century Fox remains committed to completing its proposed acquisition of the shares in Sky it does not own, and anticipates that the acquisition of Sky will close by June 30, 2018. Robert A. Iger will stay on as Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company till the end of calendar year 2021.

     

    “The acquisition of this stellar collection of businesses from 21st Century Fox reflects the increasing consumer demand for a rich diversity of entertainment experiences that are more compelling, accessible and convenient than ever before,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company, adding: “We’re honored and grateful that Rupert Murdoch has entrusted us with the future of businesses he spent a lifetime building, and we’re excited about this extraordinary opportunity to significantly increase our portfolio of well-loved franchises and branded content to greatly enhance our growing direct-to-consumer offerings. The deal will also substantially expand our international reach, allowing us to offer world-class storytelling and innovative distribution platforms to more consumers in key markets around the world.”

     

    Added Rupert Murdoch, Executive Chairman of 21st Century Fox: “We are extremely proud of all that we have built at 21st Century Fox, and I firmly believe that this combination with Disney will unlock even more value for shareholders as the new Disney continues to set the pace in what is an exciting and dynamic industry.Furthermore, I’m convinced that this combination, under Bob Iger’s leadership, will be one of the greatest companies in the world. I’m grateful and encouraged that Bob has agreed to stay on, and is committed to succeeding with a combined team that is second to none.”

     

     

  • Star Sports is the official broadcaster of the Vodafone Premier Badminton League

    Stage set for Vodafone Premier Badminton League

    By A Correspondent

     

    As the third edition of the marquee badminton tournament is around the corner, the #Baddies are back in a new film released by Star Sports, the official broadcaster of the Vodafone Premier Badminton League.

     

    Star Sports has released a new ad film to coincide with the upcoming Vodafone Premier Badminton League. The players flaunt their distinctive badminton moves to intimidate competitors, in the new film titled #SmashTheHouseDown. The campaign film features Olympic medalist and World Number 2, PV Sindhu, Commonwealth Games medalist, Saina Nehwal, World Number 3 Kidambi Srikanth and Indian badminton mavericks like HS Prannoy, Ashwini Ponappa, Sai Praneeth, and Ajay Jayaram.

     

    This is what a Star India spokes person said: “The Vodafone Premier Badminton League has transformed the sport of Badminton for Indian sports fans. In the campaign, #SmashTheHouseDown, fans can see aggression of a typical shuttler, coupled with style and the uniqueness to flaunt their skills on or off the court. The league is bigger and better this year, and we are looking forward to some smashing Badminton action.”

     

     

  • The former journalist will helm Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox operations in Asia

    Stars shine on Uday Shankar. To helm 21st Century Fox Asia

     

    By A Correspondent

     

    It’s a piece of news that every Indian media and entertainment industry person will be proud of. Or envious of. 21st Century Fox, the parent company of Star India, and Rupert Murdoch’s entertainment empire has announced the elevation of Star India Chairman and CEO Uday Shankar to President, 21st Century Fox, Asia. It is effective immediately. Shankar will continue to lead Star India. This, it may be noted, is an additional responsibility.

     

    It is interesting that the news comes even as discussions with Disney have reached a fairly advanced level for the sale 21CF (as 21st Century Fox is better known). In fact, according to some observers, the deal with Disney could well be inked before the year ends.

     

    But there is more reason then this ‘Mere Bharatiya Mahaan’ sentiment. Shankar has possibly none of the makings of one of India’s Top 5 media conglomerates. He is an MPhil graduate from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). He started out as a political journalist, worked in the print media for a bit and finally helming the editorial team at AajTak and Headlines Today. He was later appointed CEO and Editor of Media Content and Communications Services, the holding company of Star News (now ABP News).

     

    And then, in a move that surprised many, except those who knew him very well, he was appointed CEO of Star India. The network was doing well, but staring at competition from existing networks and with two of its top executives launching general entertainment channels.

     

    Shankar has been at the helm of Star India since October 2007 and has guided the transformation of Star into a diversified media company, leading initiatives in distribution through Media Pro, movies through Fox Studio, regional television through Asianet, and sports, following 21CF’s (then News Corp) acquisition of its joint venture with ESPN in 2012. His tenure has been marked by persistent leadership in television through innovative programming and investments in leading technologies, both of which have set the benchmark for the industry. So notes a 21CF communique. But we don’t need to be told that. The fact is that in the last decade-odd, Uday Shankar stands tallest amongst M&E professional captains and has led the organisation with entrepreneurial zeal.

     

    He has also led industry associations and has ensured that it follows the path of professionalism. He has taken on the government and TRAI when he has needed to and been a strong ally of successive governments in its various programmes.

     

    In his new role, Shankar will lead 21st Century Fox’s (21CF) video businesses across all of Asia, including Star India and Fox Networks Group, and work closely with 21CF leadership on key strategic initiatives in the region. He will continue to serve as Chairman and CEO for Star India, a key driver of 21CF’s growth and one of India’s largest media and entertainment companies, comprising 60-plus channels across entertainment and sports and eight languages, as well as leading digital video platform Hotstar.

     

    Said 21st Century Fox Executive Chairman Lachlan Murdoch and CEO James Murdoch: “Uday’s new role will enhance our strategic focus across all of Asia and enable us to further capture opportunities, building on the transformation Star India has driven in our most important growth market. Under Uday’s leadership, our India business has firmly established itself as a world-class asset with durable businesses across entertainment, sports, satellite distribution and OTT. His strategic vision has put 21CF at the forefront of content and distribution in one of the world’s fastest growing economies, and we are very fortunate to benefit from Uday’s expanded leadership at a global level.”

     

    Zubin Gandevia, President of Fox Networks Group Asia (who old timers will remember for the cable business he ran in Mumbai), will continue to oversee video brands across 14 markets and now report to Shankar under this realigned regional structure. 21CF’s film business in Asia will continue to report directly to Stacey Snider, Chairman and CEO of 20th Century Fox Film.

     

    Meanwhile, for journalists across the country, whether they are from Patna or Pune, Mumbai or Meerut, the rise and rise of Uday Shankar speaks a lot for how hard (and smart) work always works. Even in the big, big world of media and entertainment.

    A previous version of this story had an incorrect headline. Dunno how it happened, but it did. VIBGYOR-faced 🙁

     

     

  • The series starts November 26, Sundays 10pm on Star World & Hotstar

    Star World Originals to air crime documentary series on the Talwar family

    By A Correspondent

     

    We reported on Monday about the interview of Aarushi Talwar’s parents scooped on Hotstar.  It was actually a teaser to ‘The Talwars - Behind Closed Doors’, Star World’s maiden investigative crime documentary.

     

    The four-part series will air on Star World and Hotstar beginning November 26, every Sunday at 10 pm.

     

    The series has been produced in association with HBO Asia and created by executive producer Sarah MacDonald. Also associated with the project is Emmy winner Miikka Leskinen.

     

    Said a Star India spokesperson in a communique: “At Star, it has always been our endeavour to present differentiated content that strikes a chord with our audiences. We’re proud to present yet another Star World Originals production, this time in partnership with HBO Asia. The Talwars - Behind Closed Doors focuses on the destruction that one night of violence in May 2008 wreaked in the Talwar household. The series echoes the sentiment of the country on whether the pieces of the puzzle will ever fall in.”

     

    Now one wonders why the Star India spokesperson would want to remain unnamed. That’s a question which MacDonald should address next.

     

     

  • Channel reiterates its philosophy, Bhula de darr, kuch alag kar with a star studded brand campaign

    Star Bharat’s new film urges all to be fearless

    By A Correspondent

    Star Bharat has unveiled a campaign which reiterates the channel’s brand philosophy of ‘Bhula de darr, kuch alag kar’.

    Leading the movement “Burn your Fear” are icons of the nation. MS Dhoni, Mithali Raj and Ajay Devgn who star in the campaign produced and directed by Star India’s creative team in association with Leo Burnett who created the campaign idea and script.Music director AR Rahman’s signature music for Star Bharat is used in these films.

    “As a society we instill fear from childhood right up to adulthood,”said Amit Chopra, CEO, Entertainment, Star India talking about the thought behind the campaign, adding:“Of course, this is disguised as caution, prudence or even concern. But the fact of the matter remains that this fear holds us back from achieving our dreams or, maybe even dreaming. “Burn your Fear” inspires people to conquer their fears, unleash their true selves and chase their dreams. Just like the icons in our brand film. The campaign which culminates this Dassera will be all about burning one’s fears.”

     

     

  • These are two questions that the industry has been asking since Star's winning IPL bid

    Has Star overstretched with Rs 16,347.50 cr bid? Why did Sony not make a global bid?

     

    By A Correspondent

     

    Star India Chairman and CEO Uday Shankar is known to think big and take big risks in his broadcast business. Even his rivals concede that the former news journalist has given a new definition to scale.

    But is a bid of Rs 16,347.5 crore for global television and digital rights for the Indian Premier League for 2018 to 2022 too big to chew. Has Star overstretched itself. Ever since the announcement was made on the afternoon of Monday, September 4, these are the questions that many mediapersons have been asking.

    The Rs 16.3+kcr bid for 300 matches of the IPL would mean the need to recover Rs 54 crore match and this is a big, big ask, some of the naysayers have been saying. However, not everyone is in agreement with this fear. Said one observer: Cricket is a religion in this country and with the Indian diaspora across the world. Over the years, the format has got exciting, the players have improved, so the consumption of the sport has increased. And hence there will be takers to reach this growing community.

    According to media agency professionals we spoke with, the rates for ad spots around the IPL will leapfrog. And so will the access rates via Hotstar, Star India’s digital platform. Their worry is whether advertisers will pay the extra dollar just because Star has to recover its monies.

    According to Vinit Karnik, Business Head, ESP Properties at media agency network GroupM, Star India hasn’t overstretched itself on the bid. Karnik also observed that the recovery of the commitment by Star will be done in not just advertising revenues but also via digital which is going to grow rapidly in the next few years and via distribution.

     

     

    “This is a historic moment for Indian sports industry as BCCI has demonstrated highest media rights sales in the history of world cricket. These media rights numbers are now comparable to the best of sports around the world. IPL once again proves to be the best sporting league that build exponential value for all stakeholders,” Karnik said in a statement.

    Earlier, there were 14 bids were received, earlier in the morning from beIN IP Ltd., Star India Pvt. Ltd., Followon Interactive Media Pvt. Ltd, Sony Pictures Networks Pvt. Ltd., Times Internet Ltd, Supersport International (Pty) Ltd., Reliance Jio Digital Services Pvt. Ltd., Gulf DTH FZ LLC, Econet Media Ltd., Facebook Inc., DAZN / Perform Group, Yupp TV, Airtel and BAM Tech.

    Said Uday Shankar, Chairman and CEO, Star India: ”We are honoured to be selected as IPL’s Global Media Rights Partner and we thank BCCI for conducting such a transparent process. The Vivo Indian Premier League is undoubtedly one of the most exciting sporting leagues in the world and this acquisition of media rights reaffirms our commitment to serve cricket fans and make cricket even bigger than it is. We are delighted that in Star, IPL has found its natural home. We look forward to bringing this exciting format to our audiences across the world in a quality that all our viewers are accustomed to both on television as well as on digital on Hotstar.”

    Elaborating on Star India’s commitment to sports, Shankar added: “At Star India, we believe that Indian sports have barely scratched the surface of its potential. Both the viewership of sports and more importantly participation in sports is something that we would like to grow substantially over the next few years. The acquisition of these rights is symbolic of our commitment to not just cricket but to the growth of a wider sports culture in the country.”

    Another question that has been raised by some A&M professionals is why Sony didn’t make a global bid after having made a fairly ambitious bid of Rs 11,050 crore for television rights alone. This some feel is an aberration from Sony’s aggression in the past.

    A media agency professional said that while the loss of IPL rights is a significant loss for Sony Pictures Network, all is not lost yet for the network which has made sizeable investments in sports in the recent past. The India rights are scheduled to come well ahead of IPL 2018, and Sony will definitely make a huge bid for that, the professional who requested anonymity noted.

    Perhaps. We’ll wait and watch. In the meantime, it’s sunny days ahead for Star India.