Tag: Vishal Rally

  • Spark 2B ultimate music destination: Rally

    By A Correspondent

     

    At a time when the numerous music channels are fighting to survive, it’s a big deal to turn one. Big CBS Spark, part of the Big CBS Network – the JV between Reliance Broadcast Network and CBS Studios International, completed one year on May 2.

     

    The channel, which has positioned itself as a youth channel with the core target group of 10-24, boasts of having an intense understanding and research of the entertainment requirements of their target audiences. “The transition to a music channel has helped, as the music content has increased and now people are able to relate to the channel as we are doing more and more stuff on Indian music scene,” said Vishal Rally, business head, Big CBS Networks.

     

    To stand out of the clutter and to reach out to the correct audience,  the channel conducted an extensive research study on various time slots catering to different age groups (what time of the day which age group (TG) prefers to listen to what kind of content). “We have created music time bands like Hip Hop MCs (for rap, hip hop music), Indie Rock Mania (for rock music and independent bands) and Hot Hitz. As we had the music library of major labels, we had the content. Our concern was planning and finding out the right kind of audience. Besides music, the channel also airs shows like the Cheaters, Maximum Exposure, Smash Cuts, Oblivious and Real TV targeting the youth audiences,” added Mr Rally.

     

    Apart from international music, the channel is also concentrating in providing a unique platform for independent artistes of the country to make Spark “the ultimate music destination”. “We offer original local content too with properties like Indie Music and The Great Gig in the Sky. The channel is attempting to incorporate almost every genre of music so that it has something to offer to everyone,” said Mr Rally.

     

    Talking about the channel’s future plans, Mr Rally said: “Our plan is to ensure the channel reaches the best content to its target audiences and strengthens its positioning as the ultimate music destination.”

     

    The first anniversary celebrations kicked off with a jam session between the pioneers of Sufi rock music, Junoon and the Indie Rock artist, Ankur Tewari.

     

  • Spark Punjabi emerges winner for BIG-CBS

    By A Correspondent

     

    Spark Punjabi, the innovative international Punjabi channel launched by BIG-CBS, the Reliance Broadcast Network and CBS  jv, has reported excellent ratings by TAM. The channel has been rated as the leader during primetime of 7pm-12am, according to TAM reports, week 3-6 2012 (TAM India: CS4+ Males, Punjab 1 Mn+)

    With its endeavour to offer hand-picked world class content, dubbed in Punjabi to the audiences, the channel offers advertisers the best possible platform that they could seek, to reach out to audiences with minimal spill-over. The region is one of the richest regions and boasts of a strong base of affluent consumers. The market offers a good business opportunity for this channel format as it has excellent TV and C&S penetration, coupled with limited local language entertainment options.

     

    The channel is being supported by an integrated marketing plan leveraging multi-media platforms. With RBNL’s existing radio brand 92.7 BIG FM reaching 22 cities in the region and its OOH arm BIG Street’s 3,000+ ambient media options across the markets, BIG CBS Spark Punjabi offers marketers an integrated media opportunity.

     

    Speaking on the rating, Vishal Rally, Business Head, BIG CBS Networks said: “The strategy of taking world class content, tailoring it to meet local sensibilities and catering to the entertainment requirements of the people of Punjab has worked! Audiences have lapped up the channel, while advertisers are seeing excellent value for their brands.”

     

    The channel is available across Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh (PHCHP) region and distributed on digital and analog platforms, with an extensive reach of over 6mn+ C&S households in the region.

  • Reliance Broadcast launches ‘Choose Your Set-Top-Box Wisely’ campaign

    By A Correspondent

     

    Digitization is all set to revolutionize the television viewing experience. While operators are undertaking activities to build their brand equity and ensure that they gain from the eminent shake-out, the consumers now understand that the power to enhance their television viewing experience lies with themselves.

     

    Reliance Broadcast Network, which in a little over a year successfully created a bouquet of channels through a well-crafted strategy, has conceptualized a campaign that complements its television broadcast business. Aptly titled ‘Choose Your Set-Top-Box Wisely’, the campaign is tailored to increase awareness and empower consumers with adequate information to make the right choice while choosing their set top boxes, while also enabling operators to build their brand equity.

     

    Come digitization, the discerning consumer would look for quality, variety and a strong value proposition and operators who have the potential to offer these will stand to gain significantly. Backed by the belief that ‘content is the cornerstone for success’ and a deep understanding of the discerning consumers’ demand for quality and variety entertainment, the Company has positioned its 7-channel strong bouquet to cater to a wide viewer palette:

     

    1.     BIG CBS Prime, a male skewed premium entertainment Channel (male 15+, SEC A, 7 metros)

    2.     BIG CBS Love, the first ever international women’s entertainment channel (female 15+, SEC A, 5 metros)

    3.     BIG CBS Spark, the first ever International youth Channel (4-24, SEC A, 7 metros)

    4.     BIG MAGIC, a variety entertainment Channel for the Hindi heartland (CS 4+ MP, UP,Bihar)

    5.     Spark Punjabi, the country’s first international Punjabi Channel (CS 4+,Punjab, 1mn+)

    6.     BIG RTL Channel in the action space

    7.     BloombergUTV,India’s premier Business news channel (male 25+, SEC A, 7 metros)

     

    With the latest content fromAmericathrough BIG CBS Networks, Indian homes can continue to enjoy an unparalleled viewing experience of their favorite international shows. Similarly, the first international Punjabi channel – Spark Punjabi ensures the PHCHP region also enjoys the best international content, dubbed in their local language. BIG MAGIC is the Hindi heartland’s only variety entertainment channel offering the best home grown content, which meets local sensibilities and is already a favourite amongst consumers. BIG RTL will bring with it some of the best reality and action programming from the world renowned RTL Group, which also houses Fremantle. And finally, BloombergUTV, powered by Bloomberg, the final word in business news globally, offers Indian viewers a differentiated business news viewing experience amongst the monochromatic competitive offering. The channels come together to offer both consumers and operators an excellent offering.

     

    The multi-media campaign will spread across television, radio, out of home and the digital platforms and will be one of the largest initiatives in this space by any broadcaster. The campaign will be further sustained over the next 26 weeks across all Reliance Group platforms, including BIG FM’s 45 station radio network, it’s out of home arm – BIG Street, its 7-channel television network and its digital platforms.

     

    Speaking about the campaign, Mr. Vishal Rally, Business Head, BIG CBS Networks said: “Digitization will usher a new era of television broadcasting and the Choose Your Set-Top-Box Wisely campaign has been conceptualised and designed to benefit multiple stake-holders across consumers, operators and the channels. We are excited to present the most distinctive and eclectic content mix to the Indian viewers through our bouquet of channels, and encourage them to make a wise decision so they can continue to enjoy experience.”

     

    Reliance Broadcast Network Limited is a multi-media entertainment conglomerate with play across radio, television, intellectual properties and out of home. It is part of the Reliance Group and specializes in creating and executing integrated media solutions for brands.

     

  • Big CBS Network’s channels expand reach into Sri Lanka

    By A Correspondent

     

    Big CBS Networks, a joint venture between Reliance Broadcast Network Limited and CBS Studios International, recently announced its expanded reach into the SAARC region, beginning withSri Lanka.

     

    The company offers its three-channel bouquet – Big CBS Prime, Big CBS Love and Big CBS Spark, and will target the 15+ English speaking audiences inSri Lanka. The channels will be available inSri Lanka, across cable platforms and key hotels in the English language. BIG CBS Networks will also evaluate the possibility of dubbing the content in local languages in the future.

     

    With a GDP of $64.047 billion and a growth rate of 6.5 per cent,Sri Lankais one of the fastest growing economies in the world. It has a youth literacy rate of 98 per cent with the highest literate population amongst developing nations, an indication of a fast-growing English entertainment seeking audience. With limited English entertainment options, the Big CBS Channels are designed to targetSri Lanka’s fast-growing, upwardly mobile population.

     

    The channels will be launched on a fixed licensee fee model and will ensure regular and streamlined revenue from the market which will add to the bottom-line of the JV. Also, the same satellite with existing feed being utilized for this expansion ensures no technical cost to the JV.

     

    At start, the channels will be distributed with the biggest cable operator Lanka Broadband Network but plans are on to soon launch across all platforms across the entire SAARC region comprising of Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

     

    Commenting on the same, Mr. Vishal Rally, Business Head, BIG CBS Networks said: “This is a natural extension to make accessible the superlative content of Big CBS to audiences in the international markets. With audience demographics similar to those of urbanIndia, we are confident of the channels doing exceedingly well. As a business model, this is a cost neutral expansion enhancing the JV’s profitability.”

     

    The wide range of popular CBS content to be offered by the channels will include hits such asHawaiiFive-0, America’s Next Top Model, NCIS, Survivor, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, 90210, Frasier, Everybody Loves Raymond, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Entertainment Tonight and more.

     

    Big CBS Networks Private Limited is an equal joint venture between Reliance Broadcast Network Limited and CBS Studios International, BIG CBS Networks has changed the way English language television entertainment is served to Indian audiences.