ITV

Category: Regulators

  • For us Accuracy and credibility come first: Nikhil Joshi Editor, News18 Kannada

    Mumbai: News18 Kannada, is the No1 channel in Karnataka, the channels editor Nikhil Joshi is the youngest editor there, Indiantelevision.com in conversation with Nikhil Joshi on the preparedness for the upcoming Karnataka elections, the reach of the channel both linear and digital and much more……

    On your journey with News18 Kannada

    It has been great and I am the youngest editor in the Karnataka electronic media, and the management has shown immense faith in me. Network 18 has a widespread bouquet to offer and is available and a great synergy which we all are working on. We move from one platform to another, one vertical to another and then connect horizontally. I feel that this is the best place for me to be right now. I am putting in my 100% to deliver and do my best

    On News18 Kannada being the No1 and setting the agenda in Karnataka 

    The network’s strength sets us apart and that is the differentiator factor. There are various nuances but the major factor is the network’s ability to bring in variety in a very seamless and frictionless manner, being available in multiple states and covering dynamics of polity and other stories gives us an edge over our competitors. I have options to choose and as a television medium, I can choose what is visually appealing to the viewers. These stories can be from UP or MP or any other state. I don’t need to take content from a social media post. In a minute I can take the feed from the network feed and telecast it on our channel in Karnataka.

    The second point is our digital extension, we are growing from strength to strength. In the month of March, the Karnataka YouTube channel touched a lifetime high in terms of subscribers, views and revenues. Our strength is the availability and the multiple verticals and extensions be it digital or broadcast, all this adds up and makes us the strongest network in the country.

    Digital reach in Karnataka

    We have a Kannada website which is News18 Kannada.com, we also run our business on FB, Instagram and YouTube and we have Daily Hunt as our news aggregator. With respect to YouTube, we have about 2.05 million subscribers as of today and it is growing. In the month of March, we added close to 1 lac subscribers. Earlier there was a different style of working previously now in the past couple of months the methods and means of working has changed and that change is definitely for the good. The numbers I am quoting are not fudged and it is readily available in the public domain. 

    Digital consumption in Karnataka happens in a very interesting manner depending on time band and age group, certain content which works in a particular time band and an age group that is logging in to check that content. We are constantly trying to understand which age group logs in when, the likes and dislikes, and the kind of content that will work at what time of the day. Most importantly the most loyal viewership comes from the age group of 35 – 55, this is the earning mobile population, they are on the move and not watching TV at an appointed time, but are watching the content on their phones. 

    On the News strategy for the upcoming Karnataka elections

    Most of our competitors are racing to be the NO 1 and this being done by a few in Karnataka is all about making a noise. We are doing the highest number of election-related stories from the ground. The show ‘Jana, Mana, Mata’ the title in 3 words explains the show. It’s about the people, what is there in their minds and how will it translate into a vote. We do constituency profiling where the team is visiting all the constituencies to understand the dynamics based on how the voting will happen this time around. This show is touching 100 episodes and we would have done 130 constituencies in the next couple of weeks. 

    There are other shows called, ‘Chunavana Churmuri’, and ‘Chunavane Masale’. The first show is a short snippet capsule, which primarily pokes fun at politicians and political activities in a very healthy manner and the lines of decency are not crossed. Which is the thumb rule for us. 

    ‘Chunavane Masale’ is anchored by a celebrity guest, P D Satish who is a theatre artist, whose forte is comedy. The show travelled to the biggest and known places which serve the best Masala Dosas. The show is Democracy with Masala Dosa.. talk show. The show is garnering a lot of eyeballs and getting positive feedback form the people. They want to talk so the best way to talk is while eating some of the best dosas. 

    ‘Chunavane Chaduranga’, is a political analytical show, we pick 3 -4 stories which are trending on a particular day and then we analyse the news. The show has also guests from political parties, deep dive into it and brings out the best dimensions of a particular story for a better understanding for our viewers. 

    ‘Election to the Point’ is anchored by me and strategically positioned as a regional programme. I travel to Kalyana Karnataka which was formerly called Hyderabad Karnataka. The show discusses the issues pertaining to that particular region. The show talks about Article 371 J, the human development index and why it is lacking, the political leaders and their roles for that region and what should be the reasons on which they should cast their votes this election. 

    This show has travelled to Malanadu, Coastal Karnataka, Old Mysuru region, and in the cultural capital Mysore. A show in Kittur, which was formerly called Bombay Karnataka in Hubli. These shows are very strategically positioned region-based shows which talk about their issues and their problems. It is not a generalised way of looking at issues but deep diving and talking about specific issues. 

    In the coming weeks, we are planning to do a big one in Bengaluru. The election show To The Point is different from the show, ‘To The Point with Nikhil Joshi’, which is on every evening and is largely politics-based due to the coming elections. The two shows are different, the show I do from the studio every day talks about the concerns of the people in the city and the State. It is a people-centric show and all topics related to this are discussed.

    On the market share of the channel

    For the past month, we have constantly risen over 2% and today our market share is at 12%. Our efforts have now started to quantify during this election season. It won’t be surprising if the channel touches the 15% mark in the next 3-4 months, because of the changes and it being implemented and it will have a positive impact. With every step implemented and every positive impact, I can assure you there will be growth in the market share. 

    On fake news

    My team filters out the unnecessary and unbelievable news. There are stories which tempt you to put it on air immediately, but we don’t give in to that temptation, because we represent a brand and we do not want to be the fastest but be the most accurate. This is what we in News18 and particularly News18 Kannada believe in. This is our one-line motto, yes we want to be No. 1, fastest but if it comes at the cost of accuracy, it is a big NO. For us Accuracy, credibility comes first. 

    On preparation for the 2024 elections

    Our network strength is what I benefit from as News 18 Kannada, we have the top heads coming onto our platform when the Home Minister of the country comes to ‘Rising India’ it is a moment of pride for all of us. The network’s strength is our strength and the team here in every possible way will add to it in every possible way. What would be my strategy as a Kannada channel, there are 28 seats in the state and very critical for the BJP. It is the only state they have a strong base and it is of great importance to the party to retain as many seats as possible for which there will be factors at play and this will keep changing as it is situational in nature. One of the factors will be PM’s visit to the state, his campaigns etc will be my first stop. My second stop will be to how the Congress and JDS will look to wean away the seats from the BJP in Karnataka and the larger picture will be to add to the tally of the opposition at the national level. My strategy is to play by my strength and trust my team to do their best and we will be taking a lot of help and support from the network. With all this coming together we will be one of the best in news presentation and news gathering. 

  • Disney Star records the second-highest watch time for the first eight days of IPL ever: Sanjog Gupta, Head – Sports, Disney Star

    Disney Star records the second-highest watch time for the first eight days of IPL ever: Sanjog Gupta, Head – Sports, Disney Star

    Mumbai: This year the IPL is a different animal altogether, with two different entities Linear TV and Digital fighting it out to garner eyeballs and Ad revenues. It was an overwhelming day for Disney Sports yesterday as the data showed that viewership on Linear TV has increased and there has been a 23% jump in watch time as compared to the last year.

    Indiantelevision.com caught up with Sanjog Gupta, Head – Sports, Disney Star on this data published today, the reach of Disney Star, revenues, innovations on Linear TV and much more……..

    On the data released yesterday of the opening day of IPL with 606,230 Crore minute watch time. A 23 per cent increase as compared to the previous IPL your thoughts on this 

    Firstly, it’s overwhelming, the love and support that we have received from fans of IPL and fans of Star Sports. To have this kind of a response to IPL clearly shows that there is a compelling proposition for fans to actively watch IPL on the big screen or linear television. Also, one part of it has to do with the growth compared to last year, but I think what is even more heartening, is the fact that these numbers are the highest ever in IPL history. The number you mentioned is 606230 Crore minutes. The second-highest watch time for the first eight days of IPL ever, other than the 2 years of COVID.

    The reason why we don’t consider those two years of COVID is that one was at home and had nothing to do but sit in front of the TV and watch. But the fact that the watch time in the first eight days is the second highest in IPL history, affirms a lot of confidence in our strategy. It reinstates the power of television as the platform of choice for big marquee sporting events, where viewers and fans aggregate in large numbers. 

    We’ve had 31 Crore viewers over the first eight days, which is the highest ever, it’s now tied with 2019 for the highest-ever number of viewers watching over the first eight days. It reinstates the reach of television, its depth and its width across various demographics, and regions and depth in terms of how deep into tier two and tier three towns TV has penetrated and goes to show that television will continue to be the preferred platform or destination for crores of fans wanting to watch any marquee sporting event. It’s a great day for the industry in general, for IPL and the sport as well. At the end of the day, the growth of IPL is great for the sport and it’s good for the ecosystem.

    On the revenue how it has dropped from last year by 20 per cent

    I think it’s genuinely too early to estimate what the revenue for IPL is going to be for three big reasons. One, it’s a unique IPL, because it is the first year of the new IPL rights cycle and the rights are fragmented in a way that the industry or the market is not used to. The second big reason is the fact that ad spending in general, both in India and around the world and across content genres have been facing significant headwinds, and those headwinds have started dissipating only towards the end of Feb. So far, we’ve seen a real recovery of ad spends in April and it looks quite strong. IPL started at the end of March and there will be a pickup in AD spends on IPL as well, as both the confusion around platforms and media choices that an advertiser wants to make as the genuine rebound of ad spends happens in late March, and now in April, and perhaps we’ll go into May. So, unlike previous IPL the combination of these two factors means that the bookings or the revenue on IPL will not be as front-loaded, as it used to be where all advertisers wanted to spend a disproportionate share of their outlays in the first week itself. This is much better spread out than past editions. 

    I think the pickup has already started. The data for the opening day and now will help agencies, as well as advertisers to firm up their decisions on outlays as well as platforms. As I was saying the recovery and the pickup in AD spends will also mean that some categories that had chosen to perhaps not advertise on IPL, to begin with, will now start kicking in, as they’re seeing recovery and they want to spend more. So, categories such as FMCG, for example, have been increasing their ad spends on media and entertainment in general over the last three weeks or so, and at least a part of it will come into IPL. The typical curve for IPL as I said is front-loaded but will look different this year because there is pickup which is happening after the IPL has started. Typically, you will have a lot of the inventory being sold fairly early for the IPL. 

    Unlike the earlier years, if you look at six months back, which is November and December, the macro-economic environment, combined with the pressures on ad spends and costs, combined with certain sectors being completely muted. Sectors like EdTech, which relied on VC funding meant that the bookings didn’t follow the same pattern. This is a unique IPL in terms of everything that is happening at the same moment in time. I think the final word on this will not be written as early as we are typically used to in IPL.

    On the innovations on TV, is it only across DTH platforms?

    I think it’s important for television itself to redefine itself and evolve. Just because the perception of television is that it’s a traditional medium doesn’t mean that it should operate like a traditional medium, it should always look to innovate and evolve into something more relevant and with a clearer view of addressing consumer needs. That was a big thrust of our strategy for IPL 2023, which was how do we do TV redefined, was the big clarion call for us. 

    As part of that, we identified three, or four consumer needs that we felt television needed to meet if it wanted to stay relevant, and one of those was value-added features, which we’re seeing in Tata Play. So, the first thing was we had to identify the operators who could be able to deliver a seamless experience of these value-added features and that was largely to begin with Airtel and Tata play. The features range from real-time on-demand stats to highlights available at all times for the part of the match that you may have missed key moments and a playlist feature which allows Star on any given day to customise for the consumer we believe who is going to be watching that day, for example, yesterday CSK was playing Rajasthan Royals, for someone for one reason or the other, tuning in late at some point of the match, the highlight should be available for you to quickly catch up on everything that has happened before or during the live match is going on.

    So that is a big thrust of the features we wanted to build on. By the way, yesterday, if you watched the live game, we also had a camera on M S Dhoni. At some point or in a situation where Dhoni wasn’t central to it, the camera on him allowed you to watch what he was doing at any given time during the match. It allows us to customize for viewers and what viewers want to watch. That’s really at the core of what we’re trying to do with TV redefine, on how to personalise and customise the experience to the extent possible on the linear stream. We call it the hero cam. So, on days when Virat, Rohit or Dhoni are playing, we have dedicated a camera at the stadium to these guys and follow them around. Because there’s a lot that they do, which is never seen on screen. 

    The other feature that we’ve introduced on Select, it’s not so relevant for people watching at home, but because we wanted to drive the culture of community viewing, groups watching together in restaurants, pubs, etc. to feel they don’t miss out on the full experience we’ve introduced something called live commentary and subtitle it as an on-demand feature. For example, in a single TV household, a norm in this country maybe someone’s sleeping and you don’t want to turn up the volume to listen to the commentary, you can turn on the subtitles. Similarly, in a restaurant where the music is loud, the restaurant owner or the restaurant manager can switch on subtitles so that you can follow the game better. The idea is to drive community viewing and how can we enhance the service such that viewers genuinely enjoy watching TV in a way that they’re not used to.

    On the ‘Shor on, Game on’ campaign

    The marketing campaign is very simple. It’s all about community viewing. It’s saying that the real enjoyment of the sport is in togetherness and experiencing better together. The best way for you to experience sport is on the big screen with people around you experiencing all the ebbs and flows of the game and the emotions that are associated with that.

    On Fan Parks and other on-ground initiatives

    Yes, those are happening and the additional thing that is happening this time is we’re also sending some of our key talents to screenings that we are being invited to. We’ve opened it up to anyone in any society saying, look, if you’re having a watch party in your society, invite us and we may just send one of our commentators to the watch party to be part of it. So, we’ve sent Yusuf Pathan to societies in Ahmedabad, Mohammad Kaif to societies in Lucknow, Sandeep Patil to societies in Mumbai and Krishnamachari Srikanth to societies in Chennai. What we’re trying to do is we’re trying to get people to come together and give them incentives to do so.

    On breaking many records on the opening day

    Opening Day was also a record-breaking day for us, incidentally, we registered the highest ever peak concurrency, which is the number of viewers watching at the same time and recorded at 5.16 crores and which is more than 3x the peak concurrency that digital has had in the first eight days, which was 1.8 crores. So again, it’s a big validation of our belief that live marquee sport is the thing that will continue to be preferred on a community viewing platform like the big screen or Linear TV.

    On language feeds and the reach

    Frankly, speaking, we don’t see languages as an independent factor or an independent variable. The way that we approach what we call customized fields is that it must go hand in hand with a 360-degree marketing plan, which helps take the feed to those who are not watching the game earlier. Otherwise, why are we introducing these feeds, the reason is that news feeds are that we should be able to get new viewers to connect with the game through these feeds. 

    The first thing that we’ve done is we’ve identified the regions where we believe there is headroom for growth, which can be activated by presenting a customized feed for that region. What the customise feed entails is not just language commentary, but actually, different visuals as well, including graphics in the local script, including pre-and post-shows customised for that region, and surround programming, which goes beyond the pre- and post-shows as well, which cater to those regions, in the same way as regional entertainment channels. It’s not just about the live game, it’s about 24 hours of programming, which is what we’re doing. 

    Thus, more than adding languages, we’ve focused on how we go deeper within certain regions. So, for example, last year, for the first time, we introduced Gujarati. In one year, we are seeing significant growth in Gujarat on the back of the Gujarati feed, but it’s not because of the feed it is also because we have tied up with Hardik Pandya to promote the game in a big way and build followership for him as a hero and the leader of Gujarat Titans. We have also made Gujarat a P one market for us as far as our campaign is concerned, where we have disproportionately invested in building audiences for IPL in that region. 

    It’s not just about introducing a new language; we can keep doing languages. But frankly, we’d rather focus on the languages rather than the feeds in certain states, which we believe can help us get new viewers or deepen the engagement of existing viewers with the IPL. We have 10 feeds this time and we’ve largely focused on Kannada, Telugu and Gujarati as being the three feeds that we want to get behind and grow. We’re seeing great returns in Karnataka, Gujarat and Andhra.

    On some sectors having dropped out this year, is it affecting your revenues?

    EdTech yes, Fintech is not muted as Rupay is one of the advertisers, a lot of startups were depending on the next rounds of funding, which have not come through and are not advertising this year. For a lot of advertisers, IPL is one property that most advertisers don’t like to skip because of how big it is. Now, we’re also seeing new categories emerge, and some categories double down on IPL.  As I said, it’s too early for the last word to be spoken on this IPL.

  • The engagement on our new initiative represents that viewers need content based on its relevancy and availability: Ritu Dhawan, Managing Director and CEO, India TV

    The engagement on our new initiative represents that viewers need content based on its relevancy and availability: Ritu Dhawan, Managing Director and CEO, India TV

    Mumbai: Connected TV is becoming the preferred choice for audiences. As CTV offers flexibility and enhanced technology. 

    Indiantelevision.com in conversation with Ritu Dhawan – Managing Director and CEO – India TV on the evolution of the Connected TV space, the growth of digital and how CTV can be tapped to generate revenue and much more 

    On Connected TV being the new buzzword, only 22 million households today has internet-enabled TVs, how as a broadcaster you see this?

    As per the reports there are around 22 million active CTV devices in India. This number should reach 50 million by 2025 with around 300 million viewers. Now, as CTV has evolved with the internet’s power, we can deliver quality and personalized content, which is also easy to access. Its popularity is based on content experience which is well-provided by the device.

    Being the leading news broadcaster in the country, India TV will soon produce audience-oriented content, especially for CTV. For us, there is an opportunity to go beyond the 24-hour barrier of providing content and facilitating structured information to the viewer. 

    On the growth of the digital platform of India TV in the past two years and how will you capitalise on the growing demand for CTV? 

    The content consumption growth for the brand India TV was phenomenal in the past few years. During COVID Time, News turned out to be a big push for each broadcaster in the country. We “India TV” India’s Most Engaged News Video publisher stepping ahead of others, started an exclusive daily Yoga show with Baba Ramdev which became the most-watched show in its time band. Not only health, but India TV was also the first National Hindi News Channel to broadcast a positive approach-based content show “Jeetega India, Harega Corona” during the difficult time COVID, second wave in India. The engagement on our new initiative represents that viewers need content based on its relevancy and availability. 

    For CTV we are taking the same approach to provide relevant information which is accurate and credible. And on the digital ecosystem, India TV is already a preferred medium as India TV is the Most Watched Hindi News Live Stream on Facebook and No. 1 in the highest time spent per video on YouTube. By combining both understandings of digital as well as CTV, we will expand our user penetration within the CTV space. 

    On the surge of digital and how are brands evolving today in selecting digital/CTV for their communication?

    Advertisers have only two prominent requirements from a media vehicle i.e. where the affinity of the media vehicle is and what is the size of the media. CTV penetration in the NCCS A market is 39 per cent, which is a big opportunity for advertisers who wants to target this segment of the audience while Linear TV has only 27 per cent penetration in the said market. Also, there are some well-researched reports which have proven that CTV delivers more Brand and Ad Re-call than regular advertising, like Media Smart CTV 2022 report. 

    On the break-up, of ad spends when it comes to digital v/s traditional?

    At CTV, Standard digital ad formats along with Rich media with their ability to instant call-to-action are attracting advertisers’ and viewers’ eyeballs. Sponsored content and impactful feature ad formats are also important for advertisers as they can target connected audiences separately. 

    While Linear TV has the limitation of single window challenge, CTV has opportunities to expand its reach for advertisers. Multiple Ad types and better viewer time spent as compared to linear TV and Content format like Live & VOD are key drivers of maximum ad engagement.  

    On the reach of CTV in Tier 2 & 3 markets and how has that audience adapted to CTV?

    The growing number of connected phone users in India is also driving a need for smart TVs as users look to continue streaming content on bigger screens when at home. Availability of internet and low-cost CTV devices are shaping Tier-II and Tier-III markets.  Now Connected TV viewers are exposed to a variety of content beyond the limitation of DTH and Cable operator plans. Furthermore, the AI capability of devices ensures a personalised experience for viewers.

    On India TV innovating this space?

    Language and availability played a successful role in video content engagement patterns in T2 and T3 cities. The popularity of Kantara, RRR or Pushpa not only represents this trend but also highlights a cultural shift for the audience. It is an opportunity for creators and distributors to leverage this platform for maximizing content consumption. For us Digital first, Localization, Explainers, User Generated content presentation in familiar navigation and style will ensure maximum engagement among viewers. 

  • Sonnal A Kakar joins Goldie Behl to produce captivating content for Rose Audio Visuals

    Mumbai: In the new financial year, Rose Audio Visuals has collaborated with the former fiction head of Colors Sonnal A Kakar who will bring her creative expertise to the company apart from focusing on newer stories, getting unique formats, and widening the network of talent at Rose Audio Visuals. Together, they will produce exciting new shows for leading GEC channels and TV+ catering to a wider audience.

    Sonnal has an extensive experience of 19 years in the entertainment industry and has had the privilege of working with renowned channels such as Colors and Zee TV. Her 13-year association with Colors was instrumental in the channel’s success story, wherein she played a pivotal role in the development of path-breaking shows like Shakti, Udaan, Uttaran, Sasural Simar Ka, Thapki Pyar Ki, Ishq Mein Marjawan, Mahakali, and Shani, among others.

    Rose Audio Visuals director Goldie Behl, expressed his excitement over onboarding & collaborating with Sonnal and said, “Sonnal has vast experience in the entertainment industry and her repertoire of work is exemplary and exhaustive, and I am confident that she will add immense value to Rose Audio Visuals’ journey ahead. We are collaborating with her as a producer and she will play a pivotal role in our company’s upcoming plans of building strong content for GEC channels and TV+ networks. We are delighted to welcome Sonnal and look forward to her invaluable contributions.”

    Sonnal A Kakar expressed her enthusiasm about joining the team at Rose Audio Visuals and said, “I am looking forward to the association and collaboration with Rose Audio Visuals. Together we will create and produce content that will engage and entertain our viewers.”

    Rose Audio Visuals plans to strengthen its place in the TV & TV+ industry with this new appointment. Meanwhile, the OTT vertical grows stronger and continues to be headed by Shradha Behl Singh under the creative vision of Goldie Behl.

  • MSG Networks taps Quickplay for streaming service MSG+

    Mumbai:– MSG+, a new streaming service set to launch this summer, will use an industry-first cloud native OTT platform from Quickplay to optimize sports viewing experiences for consumers, MSG Networks and Quickplay has announced.  

    In a platform innovation that will give MSG+ the significantly greater flexibility, agility and control needed to drive engagement and monetization, MSG+ will use Quickplay’s award-winning CMS, edge services, and player – all running on Google Cloud – to support the data-driven delivery of content based on viewers’ specific interests.

    MSG+ is being developed as a state-of-the-art streaming platform to provide fans in the region with the ability to access MSG Networks’ exclusive coverage of their favorite teams wherever they are and on their favorite devices. Fans can subscribe to MSG+ on a direct-to-consumer basis by purchasing monthly and annual subscriptions, which will include MSG channels and all MSG-produced Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, Devils, and Sabres games as well as other live sports, events and programming. Additionally, fans will be able to purchase single games of their favorite local teams, an innovative offering not made available by any other regional sports network.  MSG+ will be available at no additional charge to subscribers of participating pay television service providers of MSG Networks, replacing MSG GO as the company’s authenticated streaming service.

    “In the same way MSG Networks was a pioneer in sports broadcasting, the launch of MSG+ and our migration to the cloud are pivotal for our passionate sports fans,” said MSG Networks senior VP product technology and operations David Schafer. “Using the Quickplay platform, we are creating an industry-leading direct-to-consumer streaming sports service that offers fans a feature rich experience with the choice to subscribe directly or through their TV provider.”

    The Quickplay platform combines the flexibility and scalability of the cloud with the quality and reliability of traditional broadcast and cable environments. The platform is the foundation of an enriched environment in which MSG+ can quickly and efficiently create new features that uniquely cater to diverse subscriber interests and enhance the viewing experience of MSG+’s marquee live sporting events and complementary content.

    “Maximizing viewership today requires the flexibility to meet sports viewers on their terms: live or archived game coverage, real-time highlights, gamification and more” said Quickplay CBO & co-founder Paul Pastor. “MSG Networks’ shift to the cloud is paving the way for truly personalized experiences that will enhance the ability of viewers and sponsors to connect with many of the world’s most important sports brands.”

  • TDSAT orders Kerala Communicators Cable to restore signals of Star channels

    Mumbai: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has directed Kerala Communicators Cable (KCCL) to restore the signals of Star channels.

    TDSAT has ordered the restoration of the signal within 24 hours. This is an interim relief and will be operative till the next hearing of the case, mentioned TDSAT. The next hearing will be on 12 May 2023.

    The petition in this regard was filed with TDSAT by Star. KCCL, a major distributor of television channels in Kerala, had discontinued the signals of television channels offered by Star India. In its submission with TDSAT, Star claimed that KCCL stopped all its channels without giving any notice to either them or the subscribers.

  • JW Player and Bitcentral join the FAST lane to audience reach and monetization

    Mumbai: Bitcentral, the provider of award-winning efficient media workflows for broadcast and digital video, has partnered with JW Player (JWP), the leading SaaS video platform for broadcasters, publishers, and other video-driven companies, to empower JWP customers to find new audiences and drive new revenue streams by delivering free ad-supported TV (FAST) channels to leading distribution endpoints and owned and operated platforms. The collaboration sees JWP harness Bitcentral’s streaming solution to stream video flawlessly, improve audience engagement, and better monetize video content.

    Through the partnership, JWP benefits from Bitcentral’s FAST capabilities, which are combined with JWP’s Live and VOD streaming products to enable it to expand content reach across multiple platforms. JWP customers can now reap the rewards of a simplified workflow that boasts FAST channel management and monetization for content operators, with access to global distribution across owned and operated properties and third-party aggregator, vMVPD, and CTV platforms.

    “Our partnership with Bitcentral is an important step in evolving JWP’s video monetization capabilities for today’s market,” said JWP vice president – global partnerships Christopher Cunningham. “Through Bitcentral, we can expand our all-in-one video solution with FAST capabilities and monetization. The partnership aligns with one of JWP’s primary goals to enable our customers to extend their cross-platform reach to new audiences highly valued by brands and marketers.”

    Bitcentral GM, streaming media group Greg Morrow said, “We are delighted to be working with JW Player to ensure it stays ahead of the curve and delivers winning solutions to customers without the challenges, costs, and complexities of working with multiple vendors. Bitcentral boasts a comprehensive portfolio of tools that are perfect for media companies looking to better connect with audiences and monetize their content – in the most simple and economically efficient way possible.”

    “Bitcentral and JWP give customers the infrastructure to disrupt the status quo in the competitive streaming marketplace,” said Bitcentral CEO Steve Petilli.

  • Shemaroo Entertainment onboards Hitesh Shetty as revenue head for broadcast

    Mumbai: Shemaroo Entertainment, a leading player in India’s media and entertainment industry, has announced the appointment of Hitesh Shetty as the new head of revenue for broadcast. With over two decades of experience in the media & entertainment industry, Hitesh has held prominent leadership positions at renowned companies such as Disney Star and Times of India Group. In his last stint with Disney Star, he handled the west portfolio of the flagship general entertainment channel Star Plus before taking over as director and national sales head for Star Bharat.

    In his new role at Shemaroo Entertainment, Hitesh will be accountable for creating plans to increase revenue from current and upcoming Linear Satellite and Connected TV channels. Additionally, he will have a significant role in creating fresh sources of revenue for the company’s digital businesses. Shemaroo Entertainment COO Arghya Chakravarty said, “We are glad to have Hitesh join us as the new Revenue Head for Broadcast. Hitesh’s expertise and proven track record of driving revenue growth and developing successful teams will be a valuable asset in propelling Shemaroo’s growth. I wish him all the very best in taking the Broadcast business to unprecedented levels of success.”

    Shemaroo Entertainment COO of the broadcasting business Sandeep Gupta further added, “We are pleased to extend a warm welcome to Hitesh as the revenue head for broadcast. We believe that his previous success in driving revenue growth in the media industry and his experience working with prominent names in the industry will be valuable assets as we continue to expand and develop our broadcast business. We are confident that Hitesh will make a significant impact on our business and help us achieve our growth goals.”

    Hitesh’s appointment is a clear indication of Shemaroo’s steadfast commitment to fostering successful teams and driving revenue growth. He will report directly to COO of the broadcasting business Sandeep Gupta.

  • Will AI turn the face of Influencer Marketing?

    Mumbai: With the progressive development in Artificial Intelligence,  the ever evolving faction of Influencer Marketing has seen revolutionary changes, and for the better.  In the past,  the concept of influencer marketing  would be more inclined towards directly promoting the product via mainstream influencers (mainly celebrities). The idea then was to push the sales capacity of the intended product or service by targeting  the majority. For example, the old posters for Lux Body Wash where Hema Malini played a major role in promoting the product appealing to the bollywood fanatics.  

    While the importance of building a strong following and loyalty within the audience was always recognized by the brands, the concept was not quite valued until recently. This is where we witnessed a major shift in the influencer marketing segment which would now focus holistically on building connection and loyalty amongst the consumers for the brands. Ironically, we always run after counting the number of impressions on a post, however, we often forget if that post has made a significant impression on the viewers or not. 

     While AI has always been an integral part of the tech world, the mainstream audiences were unaware about its utility until recently when ChatGPT allowed us the exposure to AI. In my opinion AI can benefit influencer marketing by providing vast amounts of data and information. In many cases, the automation achieved by AI makes things much faster and efficient. When used correctly, the right AI tools can help us – 

    1. Identify and tap into the right influencers

    2. Analyse and produce relevant content and trends 

    3. Provide unfiltered insights which are 100% accurate

    One popular example is Kyra – India’s first influencer on the metaverse that exemplifies innovation at its best. Apart from this, one of the best features of AI in influencer marketing is mass accounting. Moreover, with the introduction of AI, the hassle of accounting and generating invoices has been resolved.  As I mentioned before, AI is the future and we can see numerous brands already set to bring a change, the concept is new so it’s yet to penetrate completely. 

    Deviating from a monotonous approach, we at Django have adopted a dynamic solution system that adapts to the evolving needs of the industry every step of the way. We’re stoked to welcome change and are always open to learning by exploring and experimenting. However, the most precious element is CREATIVITY which is always a constant. We have been in touch with few of the most popular AI and Metaverse vendors to build the unconventional. In the future, we expect flawless execution in influencer marketing, combining creativity complimented by the efficiency that Artificial Intelligence serves.

    The author of this article is Django Digital co-founder Shivang Shah. 

  • Weekend Unwind with: FoxyMoron, Zoo Media NCD Dhruv Warrior

    Weekend Unwind with: FoxyMoron, Zoo Media NCD Dhruv Warrior

    Mumbai: With another weekend upon us, it is time to unwind with the latest Q&A edition of Indiantelevision.com’s Weekend Unwind—a series of informal chats that peek into the minds of business executives through a fun lens in an attempt to get to know the person behind the title a little better.

    aIn this week’s session, we have FoxyMoron, Zoo Media national creative director Dhruv Warrior.

    Warrior started his stint at FoxyMoron as a national creative director in February 2021. In this role, he leads the creative mandate for the agency’s clientele across all three locations including Mumbai, Gurugram and Bengaluru. Warrior’s area of expertise lies in digital advertising, brand building and advertising communications.

    Warrior joined FoxyMoron from VMLY&R Dubai, where he served as an associate creative

    director and executed multiple award-winning campaigns, some of which have also won recognition at the Cannes Lions. Prior to VMLY&R he worked at JWT Bangalore for close to 7 years on campaigns across industries including the iconic #BleedBlue campaign by Nike.

    Warrior holds 13 years of experience having worked with brands across industries from technology, pharmaceuticals, fashion, food, alcohol, real estate, banking and more. He has an exceptional track record of delivering exceptional creative campaigns across these markets.

    He also served as a jury member at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity in 2019. In 2014, he was named amongst India’s top 30 creators under 30 in the Economic Times Hot Young Creatives 2014.

    A year later, in 2015, he was amongst the top 100 copywriters in the world in the Big Won Report. In 2021, he won honours at the Cannes International Festival for his contribution to the Betty Crocker campaign at his previous agency, VMLY&R. Warrior has completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in Industrial Relations, Economics and Sociology from Saint Joseph’s Arts and Science College, Bengaluru.

    So, without further ado, here it goes…

    • Your mantra for Life

    C’est La Vie

    •     A book you are currently reading / plan to read

    Essentialism, The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

    •     Your Fitness mantra, especially during the pandemic

    I’ve been a sportsperson my whole life. Working out has always been a part of my daily and weekly routine. So I exercise as much as I can. I cycle to work every day. During the pandemic, I worked out almost every day and diligently did speedwork and ball control drills for football. So in a nutshell my fitness mantra is do something every day.

    •     Your comfort food

    I don’t really have a comfort food. I enjoy different cuisines. So anything from pizza to rajma chawal, egg curry to burritos, pizza to a delicious salad. I’m not fussy so most food makes me happy.

    •     When the chips are down a quote/ philosophy that keeps you going

    One of my favourite bits of writing from the advertising world. Unsurpsingly it’s related to sports. The manifesto for the Nike Greatness campaign (my laptop wallpaper):

    SOMEHOW WE’VE
    COME TO BELIEVE THAT
    GREATNESS IS ONLY
    FOR THE CHOSEN FEW,
    FOR THE SUPERSTARS.
    THE TRUTH IS, GREATNESS
    IS FOR US ALL. THIS IS
    NOT ABOUT LOWERING
    EXPECTATIONS; IT’S
    ABOUT RAISING THEM
    FOR EVERY LAST ONE
    OF US. GREATNESS IS
    NOT IN ONE SPECIAL
    PLACE, AND IT’S NOT
    IN ONE SPECIAL
    PERSON. GREATNESS
    IS WHEREVER
    SOMEBODY IS TRYING
    TO FIND IT.
    FIND YOUR GREATNESS.

    •     Your guilty pleasure

    Cold Draft Beer

    •     When was the last time you tried something new?

    A week ago, I tried raw tuna.

    •     A life lesson you learnt the hard way

    The ones you hurt the most, tend to be the ones closest to you

    •     What gets you excited about life?

    The endless opportunities to grow and explore, to do the extreme and get your heart racing, to make a change for the better and most importantly, to do good.

    •     What’s on top of your bucket list?

    Snowboarding in Gulmarg

    •     If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?

    Spend more time focussing on your passions and crafting them, and a little less time partying.

    •     One thing you would most like to change about the world

    There are many things, poverty, pollution, inequity, war. We are all capable of so much better. But honestly, I would love to give all the children out there who are suffering and struggling all the security and protection they need to live good lives and succeed.

    •     An activity that keeps you motivated / charged during tough times

    It always has been and always will be sport. Primarily football.

    •     What lifts your spirits when life gets you down?

    My family and friends

    •     Your go-to stress buster

    My incredible wife and daughter