MxMIndia

Tag: Tarun Katial

  • Mr Koshy will be responsible for driving revenues along with profitability growth for the channel, while being responsible for the overall operations in India.

    Vijay Koshy to head Big RTL

    By A Correspondent

     

    Vijay Koshy

    Big RTL, the joint venture between Reliance Broadcast Network and Europe’s RTL Group, has announced the appointment of Vijay Koshy as vice president. He will head the Big RTL business and be responsible for driving revenues along with profitability growth for the channel, while being responsible for the overall operations in India. He will report to the joint venture board.

     

    With over 20 years in the advertising and media industry, Mr Koshy began his career with InteractVision in 1991 and went on to work with some of the most reputed names in the media industry like Enterprise Advertising, Grey, Lowe Lintas and JWT Fulcrum before moving to the broadcasting industry. Beginning with Star TV in the 2000, Mr Koshy worked with leading broadcasters like ESPN Star Sports and Sony Entertainment over the next nine years before moving into the retail space around four years ago. His last assignment was with the Future Group’s media venture Future Media in the capacity of National Sales Head.

     

    Tarun Katial

    Speaking on Mr Koshy’s appointment, Tarun Katial, CEO, Reliance Broadcast Network, said, “We are delighted to have Vijay on board with us. With a vision to grow through emphasis on innovation, repute of negotiating favourable deals, securing strategic alliances and laudable client development, and driving teams to achieve greater value, we are confident of him leading the business through its next phase of growth.”

     

    Speaking on his appointment, Mr Koshy said, “RBNL is a young multimedia conglomerate with a fantastic management team. They have made an impactful start to their television business and I am very excited to be part of this young dynamic media house, backed with the might of Reliance. I look forward to using my varied experience, to take the business to newer heights.”

     

  • Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd. (RBNL) has announced the consolidation and strengthening of functions within its radio business, 92.7 Big FM, through strategic elevations across key positions

    Big FM announces leadership changes

    By A Correspondent

     

    Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd. (RBNL) has announced the consolidation and strengthening of functions within its radio business, 92.7 Big FM, through strategic elevations across key positions.

     

    Ashwin Padmanabhan

    Ashwin Padmanabhan takes over as Business Head from being Business Head for West and South; while Nitin Jain takes over as National Sales Head, at Big FM. Mr Jain will now oversee the national sales function as he leads the team from the front. Shalini Dureja has been appointed as Vice-President, Head Impact Sales West & South. In her new role, she will service key clients, sell key innovations and intellectual properties, while maximising revenues. Kiran Thangarajan gets promoted to Cluster Head, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

     

    Charanjeet Arora moves to the position of Regional Business Head – North 2, which includes the regions of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan. Sanjeev Sharma joined 92.7 BIG FM in 2010 as the Regional Head (Govt. Business) based in Chandigarh growing quickly through the hierarchy to his current role as National Head – Government Business, where he will be responsible for revenue generation for both the radio and television businesses.

     

    Tarun Katial

    Tarun Katial, CEO, Reliance Broadcast Network said, “We have always been immensely proud of the quality of our workforce. It is they who help create ever-growing value for our customers while driving profitable growth for the company. As the radio business continues to dominate key markets across India, we feel the need to streamline business divisions to derive maximum value within us. We are confident that these moves will help us transform into a more holistic radio business and see us achieving better growth in the near future.”

     

  • The campaign across 38 cities in DAS Phase II is aimed at empowering consumers with information on digitization and distribution partners with the opportunity to strengthen brand equity

    RBNL launches ‘Choose Your Set Top Box Wisely’ campaign

    By A Correspondent

     

    As India gears for phase II of digitization, positively affecting a population of more than 50mn+ Indians across 38 cities of the country, Reliance Broadcast Network has launched ‘Choose Your Set Top Box Wisely’ consumer awareness campaign across 38 cities in DAS Phase II. The 12-week campaign launched on April 1, has been designed to empower consumers with information on digitization. Simultaneously, it also offers distribution partners an excellent opportunity to strengthen brand equity. The 12-week campaign will see an extensive multi-media marketing push with the help of RBNL’S marketing muscle and expertise and will be promoted across the platforms of television, radio, cinemas, digital, outdoor, on ground and road shows.

     

    Currently, RBNL distributes 8-channel television bouquet catering to different markets in the country. The campaign will play in both the Hindi and English language, based on the cities and audience. With different channels leading the campaign in different markets basis priority, the campaign will be primarily led by the BIG CBS Channels -Prime Hindi and Love; Big Magic and Big RTL Thrill and Spark Punjabi across the Hindi speaking markets of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar and Jharkhand and Punjab. With FM presence in 24 out of the 38 markets, the brand plans to leverage its local connect.

     

    Tarun Katial

    Speaking on the new campaign, Tarun Katial, CEO, Reliance Broadcast Network said, “We are excited to launch this campaign deeper into India. After its success in the 4 metros, we are now ready to reach out to 38 cities, educating consumers on the opportunities of digitization and the choices available to make an informed decision. Our multi-media campaign promises to benefit all stakeholders who are part of the value chain.”

     

  • BIG RTL Thrill strengthens reach of channel to Mumbai and Delhi, to launch this week

    BIG RTL to ‘Thrill’ Mumbai & Delhi

    By A Correspondent

     

    BIG RTL Thrill, the action channel from the joint venture between Reliance Broadcast Network and Europe’s RTL Group, will now be available on digital distribution platforms in Mumbai and Delhi. Launched earlier this year with much fanfare in Uttar Pradesh, the channel with the tagline Action ka Baap, airs internationally acquired content dubbed in Hindi.

     

    Tarun Katial

    Speaking on the occasion,  Tarun Katial, CEO, Reliance Broadcast Network said, “BIG RTL Thrill has performed excellently in the regional market of Uttar Pradesh, consistently delivering strong numbers. With its distinctive international dubbed content, the channel has already outperformed other regional male-targeted channels and now makes its entry into the metros of Mumbai and Delhi.”

     

    On plans for the future, Mr Katial said the channel plans to further grow to other key markets in the Hindi-speaking belt in a phased manner.

     

    In Mumbai and Delhi, the channel has signed deals with Indigital, Hathway, Digicable, 7 Star, JPR Spacevision, ABS, Siticable, Home Cable and Star Broadband enabling it to expand its coverage to reach out to over 6.5 million households across both cities. This move is in line with its business plan of reaching out to audiences across 1mn+ towns in the Hindi-speaking markets (HSMs) in a phased manner.  The channel aims at creating a new genre of entertainment for male audiences across Hindi-speaking markets.

     

  • In the session on 'The second phase of TV digitization' noted panelists from the sector came together to discuss and mull options of making the exercise a more robust and achievable one

    #Frames2013: Making Phase 2 of TV digitization a reality

    By Johnson Napier

     

    When phase 1 of digitization became a reality in India there was a sense of accomplishment that was witnessed amongst most factions within the broadcast industry. Apart from the huge advantages that it presented to the broadcasters and allied interests, it was also seen as an exercise that enabled the consumer to become empowered like never before. But while issues remain about the impending challenges emanating from phase 1 of the rollout exercise and also the non-interest shown by some metros, the industry seems to be waiting with bated breath for phase 2 of the rollout to take shape.

     

    In the session on ‘The second phase of TV digitization’ noted panelists from the sector came together to discuss and mull options of making the exercise a more robust and achievable one. The panellists comprised of N Parameshwaran of TRAI, Sameer Manchanda of DEN, Sunil Lulla of TTN, Man Jit Singh of Multi Screen Media, Raman Kalra of IBM, Tarun Katial of Reliance Broadcast and Anuj Gandhi of Indiacast. The session was moderated by Vivek Couto of Media Partners Asia.

     

     

    N Parameswaran

    N Parameswaran, Principal Advisor, TRAI began by highlighting the outcomes witnessed by rolling out of P 1 of digitization. “We all know what has happened with P1 of digitization where metros like Mumbai and Delhi have recorded a remarkable conversion rate. We may have questions about the metros of Kolkata not yet achieving their target and Chennai not yet taking off but rather than the negatives we should focus on the positives from this exercise, including the role that the industry players and stakeholders played in making this dream a reality.” According to Mr Parameshwaran, while P2 digitization would be kicked off from March 31, 2013 it would again require the coming together of industry players, trade bodies, MSOs/LCOs and the government itself in making this dream an achievable one.

     

     

    Sameer Manchanda

    Sameer Manchanda, Chairman and MD of DEN began by appreciating the efforts put in by all from the industry and added that “digitization has been the biggest change that has ever happened to our industry. While there are a lot of positives from this exercise, one of the big drawbacks as been lack of accountability. The MSO/LCO operators have to ensure that the KYC forms are filled by the consumers as it is mandatory and binding on them. There is still some time to go before that becomes a reality. Where I see it, P2 of digitization is a transition phase and will start rolling out over the next 60 days.”

     

     

    Anuj Gandhi

    Without wanting to sound too cynical, Anuj Gandhi, Group CEO, Indiacast said that while digitization has bought about a positive change for the industry there was some serious thinking that is needed. “If P1 of digitization is taking us about 7-8 months to become a reality we can imagine what P2 would be like. The onus lies on the MSO/LCOs to make this rollout a reality but I can assure you that this won’t be possible without the coming together of all from the industry.”

     

     

     

    Man Jit Singh

    Man Jit Singh, CEO, Multi Screen Media had a similar feeling to share as he voiced his excitement at the good that was seen from rolling out P1 of digitization. “Due credit should be given to one and all from the industry who made this a possibility and we can hope for a similar outlook from P2 as well. Even the government’s role has been encouraging but there are a few shortcomings that have to be worked upon if further rollout is to become more successful. There are issues that are cropping up at the MSO/LCO level regarding filling of KYC forms, data collection etc. All these have to be addressed immediately.”

     

     

    Raman Kalra

    Raman Kalra of IBM Global Business Services said, “We have entered an era where it is the end of digital. By that I mean that we are already in the know-how of how digital works and the benefits that the medium presents but the challenge now is how do we take it to the next level. There is need for the industry to come up with strategies to cater to the ever-evolving ecosystem.” Pointing out that the consumer today was faced with an array of choices to access entertainment, he said that consumers won’t mind paying more money to access content but it is essential that we know who our customer is and what are his likes/dislikes.”

     

     

    Tarun Katial

    Tarun Katial, CEO, Reliance Broadcast said that what DAS has done is enabled channels to have a wider reach and get carried more easily. “Early data has shown how most channels, especially those offering niche offerings, have benefitted in terms of ratings and acceptability from DAS. For new players, as you sharpen your positioning there are high chances of they getting lapped up more easily. The exercise has also opened new avenues for advertisers who will be looking at niche channels with renewed interest. I guess the advertisers will have to shell out more advertising dollars where niche channels are concerned.”

     

     

    Sunil Lulla

    Sunil Lulla, MD & CEO, TTN highlighted that the current economics do not fund the ecosystem as the industry is going through a transition and there is need for change. According to Lulla, it would do the industry a lot of good if the prices were to be lowered but that is not a logical thing to do. “In fact it is commendable to see how the industry has come together in making phase 1 a reality and the same can be expected from phase 2 too. At the end it is essential that we keep the customer at the centre of all that we do and keep on satisfying him so that he comes back to us for more.”

     

     

  • Stakeholders and consultants on their expectations from the Union Budget, set to to be presented by Finance Minister P Chidambaram

    What M&E wants from this year’s Budget

     

    By Ananya Saha and Meghna Sharma

     

    Girish Agarwal, Promoter Director, DB Corp Ltd

    Fundamental need of the hour is to boost the economy, which is essential for growth of M&E. The following steps are expected for sustained economic growth:

    • The budget should send a clear message of “Stability, credibility and long-term vision for reforms”.
    • Government revenues should increase without hurting growth while strict control on expenditure (especially non-plan) is expected from the budget.
    • Clear roadmap for reforms/key bills viz.: Companies Bill, Mining, GST, DTC, Insurance, land acquisition etc. is expected.
    • With rise in inflation and reduced earnings, savings have substantially gone down over the past 2-3 years. Appropriate tax breaks would boost savings.

     

    The above basic steps should result in fresh and long term investments from domestic as well as international markets. Old policies for governing M&E sector must be revisited and reworked considering current business scenario. Policies should be framed in such a fashion that decisions at Govt. level are smooth and fast.

     

    For Radio industry, we expect Govt. to roll out old pending 3rd phase of auction, immediately with clear transparent bidding process. We expect the 3rd phase license with larger period validity and also extension of time period to 15 years, for players related to 2nd phase of bidding. Prior to the same, we expect Govt. to address music royalty issue along with long pending demand of radio players of relay of news bulletins in FM radio. Further, renewal of 2nd phase of license, after expiry of its period, needs to be worked out in an acceptable and reasonable valuation, in order to ensure adequate return on investment for all radio players.

     

    T Gangadhar, Managing Director, India, MEC

    It is important for the government to create policies that stimulate taxes and widen the tax base, not necessarily by lowering the taxes. It is important that in current economic situation, to raise consumer sentiment. We have been hearing of uniform GST, which has not been undertaken yet. Also, it is important to lower interest rates.

     

     

     

    Rakesh Jariwala, Partner, Tax and Regulatory Advisory Services, Ernst & Young

    In the Direct tax category:

    • Reintroduce erstwhile benefit available under Section 80-IB of the Income-tax Act, 1961 – profit linked deduction for multiplexes to boost their growth for tier 2 and tier 3 cities
    • Introduce alternate mechanism or a monetary threshold for obtaining income-tax clearance for foreign performers, entertainers, etc before departing from India as the procedure is time consuming and onerous
    • Introduce incentives for content creation and infrastructure to encourage the Indian film industry
    • Currently, there is uncertainty with respect to income attributable to India in case of Foreign Telecasting Companies (‘FTCs’). Guidance should be provided by way of specific provisions for determining taxable income of FTCs.

     

    Indirect tax:

    • Provide exemption from service tax on costs of film making in line with the exemption provided on temporary transfer of copyright in cinematograph films
    • Reinstate the exemption on service tax on services provided by digital cinema service distributors in a digitized encrypted format transmitted directly to a cinema theatre for exhibition – this exemption was withdrawn with the introduction of the negative list based service tax legislation
    • Clarify that service tax is not attracted in case of post production services provided in respect of content temporarily imported into India for the purpose of re-export
    • Exempt from service tax, services rendered by players and coaches to private sports leagues / bodies in line with the exemption provided for services to recognised sports leagues / bodies
    • Subsume entertainment tax in the proposed Goods and Services Tax legislation without creating a window for its levy at the local or state level to ensure simplicity in the tax structure

     

    M&E industry is expected to outgrow the Indian economy with an expected cumulative annual growth rate of around 15% over the next four years. To keep up the momentum, the industry deserves tax incentives in the upcoming Finance Bill, 2013 thereby providing an impetus to the industry and bolstering growth.

     

    Budget 2012 was a bag of mixed beans and a budget wherein the M&E industry was not given its share of adequate encouragement. Key highlights are cited below:

    Incentives:

    Indirect tax

    • Exemption of service tax on temporary transfer of copyrights in cinematograph films
    • Inclusion of admission to entertainment events and amusement parks in negative list of taxable services
    • In addition to the print sector, advertisements in media (except radio and television) including the internet or in outdoor media shall not be liable to service tax
    • Services provided in capacity of referee, umpire, coach or manager to recognised sports body for participating in tournaments shall not be liable to service tax

     

    Dampeners for M&E industry:

    Direct tax

    • Retrospective amendment to the definition of royalty thereby characterising payments for use of computer software, transponder, information databases, uplinking facilities, leased lines, etc as royalty under domestic tax laws. Hence, impacting the use of digital media
    • Tax rate of non-resident sports persons and sports associations increased from 10% to 20%

     

    Indirect tax

    • Levy of service tax on costs on film-making
    • Withdrawal of exemption of service tax on digital distribution of films tantamounting to the levy of service tax on such services
    • Levy of service tax on services provided by players and coaches to private sports leagues / bodies

     

     

    Tarun Katial, CEO, Reliance Broadcast Network

    For the broadcasting industries of radio and television we look forward to clarity, uniformity and relief from taxes. Advertisement in free to air mediums like radio should be treated differently and lower or nil service tax should apply for the same, aligning with the print and out of home industries. Also, FDI in non-news radio operations needs to be brought at par with television broadcasting. Customs duty on radio and television broadcast equipment should also be relaxed.

     

    The TV Broadcast and Distribution industry is already reaping benefits from the success of the digitization initiated by the Government. We look forward to necessary fiscal incentives in the form removal/ reduction of multiple taxes and levies and regulations which ensure transparency and power of choice to the end customer.

     

    Sandeep Ladda, Executive Director/Partner and National Leader – Entertainment & Media – Tax and Regulatory, PwC

    On the direct tax front, we could look at the following key areas:

    • Clarification on the applicability of withholding tax provisions on discount offered by DTH operators for selling recharge coupons through subscribers to third parties and on payments made by TV channel companies to uplinking companies
    • Providing a clarification stating that benefits of carry forward and set off of unabsorbed losses in amalgamation or demerger etc. also available to service sector companies
    • Proposal to sign more Co-production treaties, to get the tax credits and subsidy benefits
    • To provide a 10-year tax holiday to exports in the gaming, animation and the VFX (visual effects) industry for Indian content development, as they are emerging sectors (whether or not these are set up in an SEZ)

     

    Key expectations on the indirect tax front include:

    • To promote the domestic gaming industry, excise duty on local manufacture of gaming content could be brought down to 0%
    • Service tax applicability to the DTH industry could be eased for a limited period till the phased implementation of digitization is complete
    • Copyright services could be excluded from service tax net to avoid dual levy of service tax and VAT
    • Multiplex operators could be exempted from levy of service tax on property rentals and to distributors for exploitation of cinematographic rights, till GST is introduced to result in a seamless pass through of these indirect taxes

     

    The industry has been growing at a pace of around 17 percent YoY and is expected to maintain the momentum. The recent liberalization of foreign investment norms for a majority of broadcasting carriage segments and the radio phase III roll out will surely provide a fillip to the entertainment and media sector. Similar liberalization measures could be extended to the remaining broadcasting carriage segments like local cable operators. Also, the Phase III rollout could be implemented early for the industry to reap in the allied benefits flowing from the same.

     

    There were a few positive steps seen in the 2012 budget such as eligibility of investment linked deduction to hotel owners even if operations are carried out by third parties and service tax exemption on temporary transfer of copyright in cinematographic films. However, on the whole, budget of 2012 left a lot to be desired:

    • Retrospective amendments to widen the scope of royalty by including payments for transmission by satellite cable, optic fibre etc. as royalty were not expected. The relative standing of some of these retrospective amendments vis a vis India’s tax treaties has also been questioned by recent tax tribunal decisions. This has only added to existing confusion surrounding such royalty payments.
    • The budget also introduced provisions casting obligations on a non resident having no presence in India to withhold tax on any payments being made to a non resident of income accruing in India. This measure has impacted some of the India content broadcasting transactions happening between non resident parties.
    • Tax rates in case of non-resident, non-citizen sportspersons, non resident sports associations were increased from 10 percent to 20 percent on gross basis. Similarly, non resident entertainers were also brought under the tax net @ 20 percent on gross basis. Both these measures were burdensome.

     

    Sunil Lulla, Managing Director and CEO, Times Television Network

    The burden on the growing service sector needs to be reduced, so it may accelerate India’s growth. In prior years, in recent times, we have not seen anything progressive as such via the budget. Investment norms in some parts of the sector have already changed, for encouraging investment. The industry has been asking for lower duties on STBs so that digitization can progress and benefit millions of consumers. This is vital. As for the last year, the economy has been slow, sluggish and behind expectations – 2012 has been a disaster!

     

     

    Responses are in alphabetical order by surname.

     

  • The company reported total income of Rs 73.2 crore and reported the highest ever revenues for radio at Rs 51.7 crore

    RBNL announces quarter results

    By A Correspondent

     

    Reliance Broadcast Network Limited, a Reliance Group company, has announced its un-audited financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2012. The company’s board of directors approved the financial results at their meeting on February 9.

     

    The company reported total income of Rs 73.2 crore and reported the highest ever revenues for radio at Rs 51.7 crore. The company’s television business also delivered healthy growth with revenue at Rs 11.7 crore. Both radio and television businesses consolidated their leadership positions delivering robust revenue growth and tight control over costs. EBIT excluding TV business was positive at Rs 4.8 crore.

     

    Tarun Katial

    Commenting on the performance, Tarun Katial, Chief Executive Officer, Reliance Broadcast Network Limited, said, “Reliance Broadcast has delivered impressive results in both radio and television businesses, with radio recording its highest ever revenue quarter. The television business has reported significant growth in revenue and reduction in carriage, reaping benefits from digitization, and a well crafted business strategy. We are on track to deliver improved margins, and build reach and value in the long term.”

     

  • Advertisers at L’Oreal, Nokia, Samsung, M&M and Vodafone jostling for ad spots on popular comedy programmes

    Advertisers serious about backing comedy

    By Vijaya Rathore

     

    Laugh and the viewers -and advertisers – laugh with you. That’s a formula working like a charm for broadcasters who are riding on the increasing popularity of comedy programming.

     

    And with a record 151 million people watching comedy shows on Hindi general entertainment channels in the first 10 months of 2012 -as per data from TAM Media – marketers at Procter & Gamble, L’Oreal, Nokia, Samsung, M&M and Vodafone are jostling for ad spots on a variety of standups and sitcoms on Hindi, English and even regional entertainment channels.

     

    Popular shows like Comedy Circus now sell on a par with primetime soaps, pulling in as much as Rs 2.5 lakh for a 10-second spot. The year-old Comedy Central channel, which has 150 advertisers on board, is developing local content and is expanding its network beyond the top seven cities of the country.

     

    According to TAM data sourced from a broadcaster, the comedy genre was the second-largest contributor to ratings, after action/thrillers between week 49 and week 52 in six metros. Among English programmes, half of the top 10 shows were comedies in seven metros in this period.

     

    These include comedies like Everybody Loves Raymond, Last Man Standing and How I met your Mother.

     

    Reliance Broadcast Network, a part of the Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group, is working on producing Prime Nights, a stand-up comedy property. The company is currently engaged in discussions with sponsors. “We will do onground events and televise them in order to reach out to a larger audience,” says Tarun Katial, CEO, RBNL, which has a joint venture with BIG Studios. Says Abraham Koshy, professor at IIM-A: “The audience may enjoy seeing others’ sorrows on national TV, but such programmes may not be popular in terms of brand association. Brands prefer to associate with happiness.”

     

    “Every brand wants to get associated with comedy,” adds Rohit Gupta, president network sales, MSM India, which has channels like Sony Entertainment, SET Max and SAB TV in its bouquet.

     

    SAB TV is a Hindi channel focused entirely on comedy, and Sony TV has Comedy Circus, a reality-based stand-up comedy show that is one of its most popular programmes. Comedy Central, the English entertainment TV channel owned by Viacom18 Media, which completes a year this week, has done “exceptionally well”, according to business head Ferzad Palia. “The channel is expected to break even much ahead of the original business plan on the back of strong advertising and subscription revenues,” adds Mr Palia without sharing financial details.

     

    Endemol India, which was the one of the first production houses to bring in stand-up comedy shows on Indian television about eight years back, is experimenting with formats such as comedy panel game shows and sitcoms.

     

    “We plan to bring in new formats to India in line with the international markets that have popular comedy game shows and sitcoms. Talks are on with broadcasters,” says Deepak Dhar, chief executive, Endemol India, adding, “This is a staple diet for Indian audience.” Endemol boasts of shows such as Bigg Boss, Laughter Challenge, Fear Factor – Khatron Ke Khiladi, Jo Jeeta Wohi Super Star, Wipeout and Chottey Miyaan.

     

    Advertisers for their part have a sound reason for associating with the comedy genre.

     

    “When consumers are watching content in a good or happy state of mind, the message is clearly more effective. Comedy shows are often watched by families which helps a lot of brands get the message across in the right way to the right set of audience,” says Alok Bharadwaj, senior vice-president at Canon India. TAM data indicates that comedies are most popular with kids (between 4 and 14), the 15-24, 35-44 and 45-54 age brackets, which pretty much covers most of the Indian demographic.

     

    According to media planners, comedy attracts advertisers from automobile makers to financial services providers and from shampoo brands to telecom companies.

     

    According to Hiren Pandit, managing partner with media-buying agency Group M, brands that use the humour element in their advertising prefer to ride on comedy. “However, brands cannot survive purely on the back of one genre and should plan the media mix diligently,” he adds.

     

    Source:The Economic Times

    Copyright © 2013, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All Rights Reserved

     

     

     

  • Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd in association with Star India have announces the third edition of the 'BIG Star Entertainment Awards' which will be aired on December 31, 2012

    RBNL and Star to usher in 2013 with 3rd ‘BIG Star Entertainment Awards’

    By A Correspondent

     

    It’s the season of awards and Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd in association with Star India have announces the third edition of the ‘BIG Star Entertainment Awards’.

     

    The Awards will feature 31 categories, winners for which will be selected through online and SMS votes sent in by 92.7 BIG FM listeners and Star Plus viewers. The awards night is scheduled for December 16, though the show, which clocked in 6.8 TVRs on Dec 31, 2011, is scheduled to be on air on December 31, 2012.

     

    Tarun Katial
    Nikhil Madhok

    Speaking on the announcement, Tarun Katial, CEO, Reliance Broadcast Network Limited said, “The unique format of BIG Star Entertainment Awards has clicked with audiences as an exceptional usher in to their New Year!”

     

    Said Nikhil Madhok, Senior VP Marketing, Star Plus, “New Year’s eve is a special night that all families like to spend together. Star Plus is back with the 3rd season of BIG Star Entertainment Awards which promises to be a great opportunity for families to bond and bring in the New Year.”

     

  • Action entertainment channel from Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd and RTL Group jv to launch in UP next week and phase-wise in other markets

    BIG RTL Thrill to launch on Nov 5

    By A Correspondent

    Reliance Broadcast Network (RBNL) and RTL Group, the leading European entertainment network, have announced the launch of their joint venture channel BIG RTL Thrill. To be positioned as an action entertainment channel targeted at male audiences, with the tagline Action ka Baap (Ultimate Action Destination), the channel will launch on November 5 in India.

    Initially, the channel will go on air in Uttar Pradesh, featuring international content dubbed in Hindi. Phased expansion to other Hindi-speaking markets and the SAARC region (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation which include the countries of Sri Lanka, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan) will follow. The channel will cater to a largely untapped market segment, with an entertainment mix developed by detailed sampling of content, focus group research and comprehensive market analysis.

    Thrill will target at male viewers aged 15 to 44  and promises to offer adrenaline rush, ‘edge of the seat’ entertainment with hand-picked content from across the globe including reality shows, action series, wrestling, extreme sports, game shows and movies. Content has been acquired from some of the world’s best production companies such as FremantleMedia, Endemol and Red Bull with key shows including Fear Factor, Cobra 11, Criss Angel, WipeOut and BayWatch. The line-up will also feature a strong library of international action films.

    The channel will complement and provide synergies with RBNL’s 92.7 BIG FM which has six stations in the state, along with its variety entertainment channel BIG Magic. This consolidates Reliance Broadcast Network’s position as a leading media platform in Uttar Pradesh, offering maximum focussed reach to marketers. The channel will be marketed through a holistic multi-media campaign across television, radio, out of home, on ground, print and digital.

    Speaking on the occasion, Tarun Katial, CEO, Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd. said, “BIG RTL Thrill comes as an answer to the Indian males’ quest for action entertainment. The product is world class, served in Hindi, and has been designed to fill a clear void that exists in the market, ensuring high audience engagement. With the launch of this channel, RBNL fortifies its standing in Uttar Pradesh, offering advertisers a robust and unmatched offering in the region, delivering exceptional value for their brands.”

    Andreas Rudas, Executive Vice President Regional Operations & Business Development CEE and Asia of RTL Group, said: “This is an exciting moment for us at RTL Group; it’s our first step into the Indian broadcasting market, which offers very promising growth opportunities. We will contribute our long-term broadcasting and programming expertise to BIG RTL Thrill – with high-quality content targeting a clearly defined audience. The powerful combination with Reliance Broadcast Network will help ensure that BIG RTL Thrill becomes a strong new brand on the Indian market.”

  • This is Mr Dhanda's second stint with the Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd

    Manav Dhanda to head programming @ Big FM

    Manav Dhanda

    By A Correspondent

     

    Manav Dhanda has been appointed as Network Programming Head for 92.7 Big FM. In this second stint with Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd (RBNL), he will be taking care of the programming strategy of the Stations across the country. His first stint was in 2006-08. He will be reporting to Tarun Katial, CEO, Big FM.

     

    A media professional for over 15 years, Mr Dhanda began his career with directing serials and working as a freelance writer. He has worked with Sony Entertainment Television, Radio Mirchi and Miditech.

     

    Before returning to RBNL, Mr Dhanda was associated with World Band Media – a Canadian company with operations in the multicultural, multiplatform media market in the United States – as the Chief Operating Officer.

     

    While RBNL sources have confirmed that Mr Dhanda joined the organization in early September, there is no official communication on the development.

     

  • ICC to take legal action against radio stations and brand resorting to ambush marketing in T20 World Cup

    Radio stations (except AIR & BIG FM) can’t commercially exploit T20 World Cup: ICC

    By A Correspondent

     

    Radio stations and brands planning to commercially exploit the T20 World Cup that starts in Sri Lanka next week (Sept 18-Oct 7) need to beware.

     

    According to an official communication sent by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to the Association of Radio Operators for India, the exclusive rights holders for radio/audio stream services across all mediums, including the internet in India are BIG FM and All India Radio (AIR).

     

    The biggest rider is that “member agencies (of Association of Radio Operators) may not undertake any unlicensed commercial exploitation or selective commercialization of ICC Proprietary Content through third party sponsorship and presentation of the same”.

     

    A point in the statement reads, “Other than International Management Group (IMG) and its licensees, BIG FM and AIR, no entity operating or making available radio/audio stream services is entitled to use ICC Names, ICC Marks and ICC Proprietary Content, claim official association or commercially associate in any other way, either expressly or impliedly, including through marketing promotions, contests, advertising, score updates or other commercial activity (including by monetizing any of the ICC Proprietary Content), with the ICC or the ICC World Twenty20 Sri Lanka 2012.’

     

    It further states, ‘Should your member agencies fail to adhere to the above, the ICC will engage with them to bring to their attention the permissible parameters of activity and work with them to resolve the matter. However, should such activities persist, your member agencies will be deemed to have knowingly breached the exclusive rights granted by the ICC to IMG and its licensees, BIG FM and AIR, and the ICC will have no other option but to initiate further action, including legal recourse.’

     

    Lauding the initiative, Tarun Katial, CEO, Reliance Broadcast Network said, “In an extremely encouraging move, ICC has decided to come down on anyone misusing content to offer packages to advertisers. As radio partners, we look forward to offer consumers the best possible entertainment package with exclusive and highly engaging content, while offering marketers an approved and ethical platform by which they can reach out to their audiences.”

     

    Strict action against channels which do not adhere to the stipulations laid down by the governing body will be taken this year.

     

    A source close to the development said that the ICC diktat doesn’t mind score updates interspersed in the programming, but radio stations can’t get these get sponsored.