MxMIndia

Tag: Zee Anmol

  • The media stalwart gets set to launch Azaad, a GEC targeted at rural audiences. An interview with Pradyuman Maheshwari

    MxM Live with Bharat Ranga

     

    Media stalwart Bharat Kumar Ranga’s venture Beginnen Media is putting the finishing touches on an all-new general entertainment channel targeted at rural audiences. Ranga, who moved out of Zee Entertainment in late 2014, has had first-hand experience with Zee Anmol, Zee’s FTA channel, as well as heading the international and new domestic businesses at entertainment conglomerate. After leaving Zee, Ranga set up regional channels, an ad sales outfit and film production firm as an entrepreneur.

     

    In this interview with MxMIndia founder and editor-in-chief Pradyuman Maheshwari, Bharat Kumar Ranga speaks at length about why he is looking at the rural landscape, the opportunities therein, and his plans for Azaad and Beginnen Media.

     

    Watch. Enjoy. Like

     

     

    (References in the interview to Usha, is Usha Thomas, the senior PR professional, who is heading the comms function at Beginnen. The reference to Rachin is Rachin Khanijo, who led team in marketing at Zee and Eros Now in the recent past)

     

  • With effect from June 10

    Zee Anmol & Zee Anmol Cinema make comeback on DD Free Dish

    By A Correspondent

     

    With a view to consolidate its viewer base and reclaim its leadership position in the HSM rural market, Zee entered the free-to-air space with its return to DD Free Dish starting June 10.

     

    Commenting on the relaunch of Zee Anmol on DD Free Dish, Zee Chief Consumer Officer Prathyusha Agarwal said: “Over the years, Zee Anmol has shared a special relationship with rural India through its deep-rooted understanding of the rural viewer. In the current scenario, we see a tremendous increase in demand for differentiated content on DD Free Dish, especially as a learning from recent wins in Bhojpuri with Zee Biskope and Punjab markets with Zee Punjabi. Our library at ZEE has riveting stories of women with vision and resilience that have the potential of inspiring women in the rural markets who are in search of a role model to look up to. We see this as an opportunity for Zee Anmol to reclaim its leadership position in the HSM Rural market through the channel’s reintroduction on DD Free Dish.”

     

    With Zee Anmol Cinema’s comeback, the channel aims to occupy a distinct position in the Hindi Movie space by establishing a personal connect with our viewers. Added Ruchir Tiwari, Zee Hindi Movies Cluster, Business Head: “Rural markets take the centrestage with more than half of the TV viewership coming from the heartland. With the on-going health concerns, there is an increasing need for entertainment across the country, especially FTA channels considering spending power is decreasing. The recent jump in viewership of movie genre is a testimony to that.  With this move, we are hoping to, once again, reach out to a large, content hungry audience base and become their number one choice for wholesome family entertainment.”

     

     

  • Over 3500 employees of Zee have joined the initiative with personal contributions

    Zee intensifies drive for Covid-19 relief, offers financial relief to 5k+ daily wage-earners

    By A Correspondent

     

    Media and Entertainment conglomerate Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zee) has announced a financial relief to over 5000 daily wage-earners, working directly or indirectly for the company in its overall production ecosystem.

     

    In order to further support Prime Ministers’ Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM Cares Fund), ZEEL will leverage the strength of its global media network across encouraging people to contribute. Over and above this step, Zee has also provided an opportunity to all of its 3500 employees to offer voluntary contributions towards the PM Cares Fund through an intranet portal. The Company will match the corpus collected from the employee contribution and the collective amount will be donated to PM Cares Fund.

     

    Speaking on this announcement, Punit Goenka, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Zee Entertainment said: “We stand committed to financially support all the daily wage earners working in our production ecosystem. We firmly believe in the extraordinary power of coming together and fighting against a situation. In these challenging times, it is extremely critical for India Inc. to come together and support the National level initiative undertaken by our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri. Narendra Modi. Apart from the financial support, we will also contribute in creating nationwide awareness about the noble initiative. Leveraging our strong reach across the Nation and World at large, we are urging our esteemed viewers to join this movement. This is a time where the entire Nation needs to come together as One Family.”

     

    Earlier, Zee had implemented an initiative titled #BreakTheCoronaOutbreak where content across 40+ channels was paused for a 30-second break throughout the day, encouraging viewers to wash their hands. In line with the decision undertaken by Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), television channel Zee Anmol has also been available free-of-cost to all viewers across all DTH platforms and cable TV networks for a period of two months.

     

    On the company’s digital side, Zee5 ensured that the internet bandwidth across the country was optimized by replacing High Definition (HD) content to Standard Definition (SD) content. Zee5 also ensured that the viewers remained calm and composed during the lockdown phase with its #BeCalmBeEntertained initiative.

     

     

  • The broadcasting fraternity feels that this will provide people who are restricted to their homes, wholesome entertainment

    IBF members to offer four pay channels for free to viewers

    By A Correspondent

     

    Given the impact on advertising revenue for the industry due to the Covid-19 outbreak, IBF sent us a communique saying it stands together to support the government’s effort to help people in these difficult times. Thus, four major broadcasting networks have come forward and decided to waive off all tariffs and charges for four channels for a period of two months.

     

    Added the communique: “The Sony Pictures-run Sony Pal, Star India run Star Utsav, Zee TV operated Zee Anmol and Viacom18’s Colors bouquet channel Colors Rishtey will be available to all viewers across the country for a period of two months free of charge on all DTH and cable networks. The broadcasting fraternity feels that this will provide people who are restricted to their homes, wholesome entertainment and will help provide relief during the period of lockdown.”

     

     

  • An interview with Priyanka Datta, Cluster Head (FTA channels and Zindagi) at Zee Entertainment for her sentiments post Anmol's amazing rise

    Jaldi 5 with Priyanka Datta: On how focus on the brand ensured Zee Anmol rise to #3 Hindi

    One of the highlights of the new BARC urban-cum-rural ratings is the rise in viewership of all free-to-air (FTA) channels. Particularly noteworthy has been the performance of Zee Anmol which attained the #3 slot, ahead of the network’s flagship Zee TV.  We spoke with Priyanka Datta, Cluster Head (FTA channels and  Zindagi) for her sentiments post Anmol’s amazing rise.

     

    01. Congratulations on the rise of Zee Anmol on the combined urban and rural (U+R) ratings roster as released by BARC earlier today. Would you say this is something you always knew but were looking at some ratification from a ratings agency?

    Thanks for the good wishes.  Zee Anmol has been a leader in the FTA genre for over one year now. It is indeed very heartening to see the rise in the U+R ratings roaster as released by BARC yesterday as well. The channel has truly lived up to its brand promise of “Dil Choo Jaye” and touched the hearts of many.

     

    1a. To what would you attribute the success of Zee Anmol?

    There has been complete focus on this brand and constant on ground initiatives taken, be it for sampling of the brand, engagement or visibility and that has given positive results. Add to it extremely engaging and entertaining programming which largely comprises of some excellent shows Zee TV has produced clubbed with shows from some other channels that we showcase on our channel. Earlier this fiscal, we launched our very first original reality show, Grihani No 1.

     

    02. Other FTAs like Star Utsav and Colors Rishtey have done well in the U+R ratings. Would you say this is a given for the entire genre, considering they are Free to Air and showcase reruns of popular content?

    We would however like to reserve our comment till we see the data of a few more weeks.

     

    03. Now that you have tasted success, will you prop up the channel with more current or even original content or will the mix stay the same?

    At this stage, all I would like to say is that the channel team will continue to focus on the channel as always. There are a lot of things planned, which will be put into action or even newer ways crafted, after we analyse the data of a few more weeks of BARC ratings.

     

    04. Pardon our ignorance, but how is Anmol doing in terms of advertising? Will you now push the channel a lot more with advertisers?

    The channel has a dedicated sales team and has been in the mind space of advertisers since its inception & the BARC ratings only further substantiate that their investments have been right. I am positive that they will continue to patronise and support Zee Anmol.

     

    05. Zee Anmol has crossed the flagship Zee TV. Any sentiments on this, or are we in the media making much about it?

    It is a very encouraging and proud moment for Zee Anmol. Largely, the content that is shown on Zee Anmol is the rich quality shows produced by our Zee TV team and that makes us collective winners.

     

  • Week 41 had data for rural television audiences included for the first time in Indian television history

    Zee Anmol is the new #3 Hindi GEC as BARC goes rural

    On Friday, the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India released the much awaited rural India. Data for Week 41 was released today for October 10 to 16, 2015 and the combined numbers for rural and urban were presented among the toplines.  BARC India, a joint industry body comprising the broadcasters, media agencies and advertisers, started rolling out ratings from April, 2015, and the release of rural numbers has been hailed as a significant achievement, even as there was a section of influential broadcasters who were trying to get it delayed.

     

    With the release of the All India data, BARC India has expanded its reach to 153.5 million TV households, representing All India and all modes of signal. Of this 77.5 million are urban TV households and 76 million are rural TV households. BARC India will now be reporting Megacities, 10-75 lakh towns, less than 10 lakh urban areas and rural.

     

    The BARC India survey shows that lesser time is spent on TV in rural areas. Two in five rural audiences fall in the NCCS AB category, rural India gives younger audiences in the age group of 15-40 years. Last but not the least, with rural India’s ‘Early to bed and Early to rise’ philosophy, the conventional definition of prime time for channels may change.

     

    Highlights of BARC India Week 41 (October 10-16) ratings:

    • Star Plus maintains its leadership with 804214 Rat (000s) followed by Colors at 708747 Rat (000s).
    • Zee Anmol jumps to number 3 with 609189 Rat (000s).
    • DD National registered an Average Time Spent (ATS) of 53 Min 39 Sec highest among Hindi GECs.
    • Rishtey is amongst top 10 Hindi GECs with 270072 Rat (000s).
    • In the news genre, Times Now maintains its leadership with 560 Rat (000s) followed by CNN IBN at 233 Rat (000s).
    • Sports sees major spike in ratings. Star Sports 1 holds number 1 position with 162592 Rat (000s) on the back of Paytm ODI Trophy 2015- India vs South Africa.
    • Star Gold becomes No 1 Hindi Movie channel with 486374 Rat (000s) with the premier of Bajrangi Bhaijaan.
    • Aaj Tak is number one in Hindi News genre with 72067 Rat (000s).
    • Sun TV with 1092231 Rat (000s) topped the Tamil GEC genre. It also becomes the No 1 channel on All India basis ahead of Star Plus and Colors.
    • ETV Telugu maintains No 1 position in Telugu GEC market with 424252 Rat (000s).
    • Colors Kannada maintains its ranking order in the Kannada GEC space with 211268 Rat (000s).
    • Zee Marathi with 116598 Rat (000s) leads the Marathi GEC genre.
    • In the Malayalam GEC genre, Asianet topped the chart with 413385 Rat (000s).
    •  Star Jalsha tops Bengali GEC space with 241463 Rat (000s).
    • Discovery Channel stays ahead of competition with 6433 Rat (000s).
    • Kids genre sees spike in ratings, Nick is the number one kids channel with 97227 Rat (000s).
    •  MTV is the No 1 Youth channel with 14219 Rat (000s).
    • ET Now tops the English Business news genre with 484 Rat (000s).
    • Movies Now maintains its leadership in English Movies genre with 3200 Rat (000s) followed by Sony Pix at 1893 Rat (000s).
    • Zee Café maintains its leadership in English Entertainment genre with 103 Rat (000s).

     

    “I am delighted to present to the Broadcast and Advertising industry the All India Ratings. We have been able to give to the country a view of “What India Watches” as promised,” said BARC India CEO Partho Dasgupta.

     

  • All-time favourites and interactive elements to be highlights of the free-to-air Hindi GEC that will be launched on September 1

    Zee Anmol to launch Sept 1 on TV & mobile

    By A Correspondent

     

    L-R Content-Head, Hindi GECs, ZEEL Ajay Bhalwankar, Head-Marketing, National Channels, ZEEL Akash Chawla & Chief Creative & Content Officer, ZEEL Bharat Ranga at the launch of Zee Anmol

    When we spoke about this channel to Bharat Kumar Ranga and Akash Chawla at the time of the &pictures announcement, they said the channel will be a lot more than just repeats of popular shows a la Star Utsav and DD India. Wait for the launch, they had said.

     

    And the key differentiator will be the simultaneous launch of the free-to-air general entertainment channel on September 1 on the mobile and television platforms. Popular stars Kratika Sengar, Sayantani Ghosh, Binny Sharma and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2012 winner Jasraj Joshi alongside Zee’s official spokespersons announced the launch of the new channel in New Delhi on Tuesday.

     

    Positioned as ‘Dil Choo Jaaye’, ‘Zee Anmol’ stands for the most invaluable things in life – Love, family, memories!

     

    Said Mr Ranga, Chief Creative & Content Officer (CCCO): “We have easily the richest library of content in the country and our shows are products of people’s love. Our insighting mechanism, which cuts across the length and breadth of the country, strongly indicates that the audiences today are craving for some of their all-time favourite shows from Zee’s library and ‘Zee Anmol’ is an attempt to bring these popular shows back in to their lives!”

     

    “The content of Zee Anmol will be first-time consumption for a vast majority of viewers across smaller towns where C & S penetration is still picking up,” he added.

     

    Taking the route of ‘Entertainment along with Value’, the channel will interact with its viewers through interesting on-air contests that ask learning-based questions centered around its shows.

     

    The programming line-up of ‘Zee Anmol’ in its launch phase includes shows like  ‘Pavitra Rishta’, ‘Choti Bahu’, ‘Saat Phere’, ‘Naagin’, ‘Maayka’, ‘Kasamh Se’, ‘Sindoor’, ‘Jhansi ki Rani’, ‘India’s Best Dramebaaz’, ‘Shabaash India’ and ‘Dance India Dance’ amongst others.

     

    Speaking of the channel’s simultaneous launch on mobile and television, Mr Chawla, Marketing Head, National Channels, ZEEL said, “With the mobile internet penetration in India reaching almost 100 million, a simultaneous mobile launch of ‘Zee Anmol’ will significantly aid in increasing the reach of the brand. Viewers, even with 2G connections and non-smart phones, will be able to keep up with the channel through its WAP site zeeanmol.tv. The idea is to present viewers with ‘convenience of consumption’. We will use repurposed content such as concise 2-3 minute webisodes of our shows, mood-based videos, most memorable dialogues of our show’s artistes to facilitate convenient, on-the-go, “snacking” consumption of the channel.”

     

    Added Ajay Bhalwankar,  Head-Content, Hindi GECs, ZEEL: “Countless viewers who constantly write into us demanding that we bring back these iconic shows will rejoice at the proposition of Zee Anmol. The launch of this FTA channel opens up new horizons of reach for Zee. ”