ITV

Category: Television

  • Power of IPL on HD for brands

    Power of IPL on HD for brands

    Mumbai: The record-breaking growth of premium audiences on HD during cricket events drew a massive assembly of advertisers in 2023.

    The measurable growth of HD households and the viewership amassed by HD during major cricket events has given brands a clear choice this IPL. As per BARC, in just three years HD TV households have doubled from 36 million to a massive 71 million, accumulating over 215 million premium audiences. On the back of this growth, IPL 2023 on HD crossed the 100 million mark for the first time ever. HD drove a viewership of 113 million viewers, a spectacular 4X growth compared to IPL 2022. The towering growth was enjoyed by a plethora of brands targeting premium audiences. Both IPL and Cricket World Cup witnessed a massive turnout of brands like Mahindra Auto, Emirates, Visa, Blackberrys, Happilo, Renault, Skoda, Kent, and Spinny among others.      

    IPL on HD witnessed a massive growth in veritably young affluent cohorts:

    IPL 2023 on TV led by HD witnessed a massive influx of young and affluent cohorts as BARC reported a 37 per cent reach growth in Male A Urban viewers, 40 per cent in 15-30 AB Urban and 36 per cent in 15-30 AB 10 Lakh+ Cities. Additionally, the reach growth in English feed audience was an incredible 127 per cent on TV last year. The unmatched and seamless high-definition viewing experience that HD has dominated viewer preference. The scale of collective viewing that HD is a critical factor for premium advertisers and the improvement in key business goals of brands leveraging IPL on HD backs the choice.  

    Brands leveraging IPL and World Cup on HD in 2023 witnessed 4X uplift in business KPIs: Research Studies

    Digital BFSI brand: This brand was promoting a new premium offering and through its HD association with IPL on TV it witnessed a 35 per cent increase in top-of-mind awareness. To put that into perspective, it generated a 4.5X higher uplift compared to other mediums which claim to reach premium audiences. (Source: Hansa Research)

    Premium international brand: During the Cricket World Cup, the brand had launched a new campaign to solidify its position in the Indian market. A YouGov research showcased that the brand witnessed major uplifts across KPIs: ~2X uplift in awareness metrics, 3X uplift in daily active users on it’s app and a massive 4X growth in overall brand metrics compared to other mediums that claim to reach premium audiences. (Source: YouGov)

    Brands custodians on how they leveraged the power of cricket on HD

    Amit Doshi (Britannia) – “The good thing about live sports broadcasts is the multiple feeds that have been created, which are language feeds, HD feeds, and what it allows, brands to do today is to be far more intelligent, far more precise about how we’re using media. We’ve always seen good results.”

    Krishnarao Buddha (Parle Products) – In a recently concluded panel discussion, Buddha stated, “Last year during our association with Star Sports on IPL, while SD feed allowed us to instantly reach a large aggregation of masses, HD feed allowed us to reach a large sum of premium audiences. It became a great vehicle for us to reach the right audience for our premium offering Parle Platina.”  

    IPL on HD has showcased it can amass the largest gathering of affluent audiences in the shortest span, delivering scale with incredible efficiency. With cricket viewership on TV at an all-time high, IPL 2024 presents an unmissable opportunity for brands to drive high consumption among affluent audiences.

  • Cricket Australia & Star Sports partnership soars with viewership surge

    Cricket Australia & Star Sports partnership soars with viewership surge

    Mumbai: Cricket Australia and Star Sports, the official broadcaster of Australian Cricket in India, are pleased to announce a surge in Indian viewership of the recently concluded Men’s Big Bash League (BBL) 2023/24 and Pakistan tour of Australia. More than 55 million viewers watched the entire BBL 23/24 season on Star Sports Network, 203 per cent more than the previous season, making it the most-watched edition in India. Furthermore, the broadcaster has recorded 3.75 billion minutes of watch time, 105 per cent higher than the previous season. The playoffs and the final on Star Sports were produced in five languages for the first time ever.

    Furthermore, the bilateral series between Australia and Pakistan witnessed more than 9.5 million viewers tune in for the 3 test matches, a remarkable 54 per cent increase compared to the previous Pakistan tour down under.

    The increased interest in Australian Cricket after a successful World Cup campaign in India and the promise of action-packed contests combined with growing penetration of the Star Sports Network (available in nine out of 10 pay TV homes), a well-rounded marketing campaign promoting the Australian summer and high-quality broadcasts customised for Indian fans, paved the way for this surge in viewership.

    Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said, “We are delighted with the strong interest in Australian cricket in India and that this has translated into such big viewing audiences on Star Sports. It is particularly pleasing that the BBL has reached a massive 55 million viewers this season, which is a testament to the quality of cricket and the brilliant coverage being offered by Star Sports, including in multiple languages for the BBL Finals. That more than 9.5 million viewers tuned into Star Sports for the recent series against Pakistan is a testament to the interest in this world champion Australian team and the enduring passion for Test cricket in India.”

    “We can’t wait to host India next summer for the five-Test Border Gavaskar Test Series, at a time when Australia and India are the two top-ranked Test teams in the world. We look forward to working with Star to expand our localised offering to Indian fans in time for next summer’s blockbuster season”, he added.

    Disney Star head sports Sanjog Gupta said, “The growth in viewership for the Australian summer is testament to the compelling combination of Australian Cricket’s popularity, Star Sports’ brand equity (as the most loved destination for sports) and the TV network’s wide distribution.  The significant growth in watch time and engagement also demonstrates the Indian fan’s appreciation for quality Cricket and willingness to watch different forms of the sport. The added context of Australia’s World Cup win in India and key content initiatives including the addition of Indian languages for BBL playoffs, have acted as boosters to the inherent strength of this collaboration between CA and Disney Star. We are thrilled with the strong start of the journey together.”

    Star Sports is currently airing the West Indies tour of Australia, a riveting series comprising two tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is. Considering the growing interest in Australian cricket on Star Sports, the T20Is between Australia and West Indies will be broadcast in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada on the Star Sports Network. The Women’s cricket series between Australia and South Africa is also being aired on the Star Sports Network in India. As the partnership between Cricket Australia and Star Sports continues to evolve, fans can expect even more exciting initiatives, innovative technology, and captivating content that will further elevate the cricket viewing experience for viewers across India.

    Source: BARC 2+U+R

  • News18 India’s flagship summit Chaupal to happen in Delhi on 5 February

    News18 India’s flagship summit Chaupal to happen in Delhi on 5 February

    Mumbai: News18 India, Hindi news channel, is all set to host the next edition of its flagship summit, News18 India Chaupal, on 5 February 2024, in New Delhi. This year’s Chaupal will mark a new chapter in the property’s history with a completely overhauled visual identity. Chaupal will continue to focus on the real issues of Bharat but from a futuristic lens – looking at strategies for driving inclusive and transformative growth that will fuel India’s journey to becoming a developed nation by 2047, a goal that PM Modi has set out for the country.

    Hindi News, Network18 CEO Karan Abhishek Singh, articulating his vision for News18 India Chaupal said, “At this crucial juncture in India’s growth journey, this year’s Chaupal will serve as a catalyst, driving discussion on strategies for impactful change that can contribute significantly to the nation’s progress. We are proud to be at the forefront of shaping this narrative and fostering positive development for the future.”

    News18 India and Hindi digital editor Jyoti Kamal expressed his excitement for the upcoming summit and remarked, “News18 India Chaupal enables us to not only discuss but actively contribute to shaping India’s future. I am thrilled about the diverse lineup we have curated for Chaupal and am confident that our viewers will find the discussions both compelling and insightful.”

    Top political leaders such as national BJP president J P Nadda, union minister of road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari, union minister of commerce and industry Piyush Goyal, union minister of education, skill development and entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan, union minister of women & child development and minority affairs Smriti Irani, union minister of information & broadcasting and youth affairs & sports Anurag Thakur, union minister of railways, communications and electronics & information technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, union minister of earth sciences Kiren Rijiju, former union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav, Rajya Sabha MP Digvijay Singh, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, cricketers Mohammed Shami & Shikhar Dhawan, and Bollywood actors Ayushmann Khurrana, Taapsee Pannu, Ashutosh Rana, and many others will speak at the summit.

    News18 India Chaupal will be aired live on News18 India on 5 February 2024,10 AM onwards.

  • SportVot raises Rs 9.4 Cr to Digitise Grassroots Sports

    SportVot raises Rs 9.4 Cr to Digitise Grassroots Sports

    Mumbai: SportVot, a sports broadcast, and talent discovery platform, today, announced that it has raised Rs 9.4 Crore in a pre-series round. Led by Omidyar Network India, with participation from Anicut Capital, StartupLynk, Ventana Ventures, as well as existing investors Capital A, Ankur Capital, SucSEED Indovation Fund, and Marwah Sports, the funding marks a significant milestone in SportVot’s mission to democratise sports through technology. This capital will help SportVot increase the creation of opportunities for emerging sports talent while enhancing sports participation at all levels across India.

    Sportvot is a platform that provides a full suite of online services to stream sports events and help discover sports talent from the grassroots of India. Founded in 2019, SportVot has successfully delivered and commercialised grassroots-level sports, helped bring investment to local sports associations, and innovated sports broadcasting by utilising cloud technology. The firm has partnerships with the likes of the Brahmaputra Volleyball League in Assam, the Maharashtra State Kabaddi Association, the Football Delhi Association and the Nashik District Cricket Association, proving that even remote regions can participate in the global sports dialogue.

    Highlighting the impact of this funding, SportVot’s co-founder Sidhhant Agarwal said, “We are thrilled to have the backing of such esteemed investors. With this substantial investment, we aim to expand our technology and product offerings, not just within India but also internationally. Our goal is to make sports and advanced sports technology accessible to the millions of athletes and sports organisations across India and beyond”

    Omidyar Network India director Rohan Vyavaharkar commented, “As an investment firm focused on the next half billion or NHB, we believe in the power of sport to create impact in this segment. SportVot is providing a platform for nurturing grassroots-level sports and democratising the process of talent discovery, especially those with limited opportunities such as the NHB.  Its cutting-edge technology that allows anyone to broadcast from anywhere using any internet-enabled device with a camera makes it uniquely placed to help create impact. We believe in Sidhhant, Shubhangi and Yash’s vision and that SportVot will play a pivotal role in helping transform significant aspects of the sports sector in India.”

    The funding will primarily be used to make LIVE Sports Content and data capturing more accessible at all tiers of sport in India as well as globally, promote the culture of playing – professionally as well as casually and commercialise sports at the domestic level. Over the past four years, SportVot has digitised over 95,000 games from more than 15 sports, providing visibility to over 350,000 athletes. “We’re ready to scale new heights, over the past four years, we have enabled digitisation for over 100,000 games from more than 15 sports, we look to take this number to over 500,000 in India and globally. Our aim continues to be to bring unprecedented opportunities to emerging talents,” added SportVot co-founder Sidhhant Agarwal.

     

     

  • Hungama & Phoenix Citadel features exclusive concert of Ritviz

    Hungama & Phoenix Citadel features exclusive concert of Ritviz

    Mumbai: Hungama Digital Media and Phoenix Citadel Indore proudly present a concert featuring the multifaceted Ritviz. The singer, songwriter, and electronic music producer will grace the stage at Phoenix Citadel, Indore, on 17 February 2024, starting at 5 pm.

    Renowned for chart-toppers like ‘Udd Gaye,’ ‘Barso,’ and ‘Liggi,’ Ritviz promises to weave an unforgettable musical journey. Feel the pulse of his unique fusion of electronic beats and classical echoes, delivered with soulful vocals that have garnered a global fan following. This concert isn’t just an event; it’s a sonic adventure that will resonate long after the last note. 

  • The Shark Tales : Thoda sa hot chocolate, thoda tech and a lot of hustle!

    The Shark Tales : Thoda sa hot chocolate, thoda tech and a lot of hustle!

    Mumbai : Shark Tank India Season 3 started premiering on 22 January 2024, showcasing a diverse array of pitches and narratives from emerging entrepreneurs. With a lineup of 12 sharks in the latest season, the pool of guidance and support for aspiring entrepreneurs has doubled up, promising enhanced mentorship and opportunities.

    CarDekho founder and CEO Amit Jain has been an integral part of this journey since season 2, offering investment and mentorship to ventures spanning various sectors. Amit’s commitment to nurturing and empowering young entrepreneurs has been a cornerstone of his involvement. His investment decisions are often guided by a shared ethos of determination, creativity, and sustainability. The same was seen in the very first episode of Shark Tank India Season 3 where Amit saw a connection between himself and the sustainable business philosophy of The Honest Home Company founder Mayank Sisodia.

    In Season 3, episode 8 of Shark Tank India, Amit’s dedication to supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs was evident in his interaction with Anuva Kakkar, the founder of Tiggle.

    Acknowledging the importance of fostering an ecosystem that uplifts visionary entrepreneurs like Amit Kakkar said, “Magar iss show par aakar maine aap jaise entrepreneur ko support nahi kiya toh mere yahan aane ka faida hi nahi.” Tiggle, which offers vegan and dairy-free ready to make hot chocolate mixes, represents a promising player in the rapidly evolving market landscape.

    Among the ventures Jain backed in the previous season are notable names like Mopp India, Licksters, Maisha Lifestyle, Ekatra, and Gladful, showcasing his diverse portfolio and unwavering commitment to driving innovation and success in the Indian startup ecosystem.

    Read about Amit Jain’s learnings from the three pitches below:

    Tiggle:

    The episode started on a sweet note with Anuva Kakkar, founder of Tiggle, pitching her brand that sells ready-to-make hot chocolate mixes. Her pitch was solid, the packaging was on point, and the chocolate tasted really good. Plus, being vegan and dairy-free, Tiggle is catering to a fast-growing market and has a bright future, even more so if they focus more on targeting their products to kids, in my opinion.

    Anuva’s story was also inspiring. It was inspiring to hear her bootstrapped story. This is how I feel any startup story begins, with the founder trying to find product market fit. She started from a small room and sold her first batch with a steel jar in hand at a bustling Gurgaon metro station within 40-50 minutes. It showcased the demand and appeal of Tiggle and her ambition. She lives the dream of every entrepreneur – turning their passion into a startup.

    I definitely appreciated Anuva coming prepared with precise unit economic data and dressed to match her brand! Her grip on her numbers was just amazing to see. I love such founders with this level of attention to detail. Glad I partnered with Peyush and sealed the deal with Tiggle. It’s a bet on Anuva’s entrepreneurial passion to create not just good products but a good culture – be it a team of 9 or 9000, her strong potential, and a delicious future for Tiggle. Because like always, Pehle Banda, Phir Dhanda!

    Wyld :

    Next came WYLD, a Visa-powered social currency card, founded by IIT-B alumni, offering cashback for Instagram posts. I loved their idea, especially gestures like customised cards that read ‘Founder Member’, but I think execution is key. They had the right partnerships in place, and their algorithms for assigning “WYLD scores” seemed great. I loved the way they solved working capital by getting money to pay cashback from brands in advance.

    I appreciate the founders, their love for tech and their ambitions – they were young, adaptable, and loaded with energy. Namita and Anupam saw the potential too. I gave them an offer, but they went ahead with Anupam’s offer. It will be interesting to see them turn those influencer dreams into reality. I wish them all the best.

    Upliance.ai:

    Lastly, we had Upliance.ai, an AI-powered personal cooking assistant. Now, I love AI & innovation, but this one wasn’t for me because I found the AI bit missing. While the technology and patented recipes were interesting, the price point and lack of market fit raised questions. It’s great that they have a feedback system in place, but is it enough to justify the cost? The limited market and slow growth raised more questions.

    AI is surely going to be a game-changer, but it needs to solve real problems and offer value at a reasonable price. Upliance.ai has to cover some distance to get there. I do hope they adapt and get there eventually!

    Overall, the episode was a mixed bag of promise, treats, tech and more. And that’s the beauty of Shark Tank. Stay tuned for more Shark Tales!

     

  • “We are confident, people have unstinted faith in PM Modi’s leadership”: Nirmala Sitharaman in her first interview post-budget

    “We are confident, people have unstinted faith in PM Modi’s leadership”: Nirmala Sitharaman in her first interview post-budget

    Mumbai: In her first post-budget interview to any private network, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has highlighted what she called people’s unshakeable faith in prime minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing that this trust gave the government confidence to focus on empowerment instead of populism just before elections

    In an exclusive interview with NDTV’s editor-in-chief Sanjay Pugalia, Nirmala Sitharaman said the unflinching public faith in prime minister Modi empowered the government to prioritize long-term fiscal responsibility without compromising on the allocation to welfare schemes.

    “We are confident because, in the last 10 years, we have consistently launched schemes that benefit the people. And we don’t just launch the schemes, we ensure that the benefits reach the last person in the queue,” the finance minister said, to a question on the confidence on display with a budget that skipped any populist measure, including tax changes.

    “This is why we are confident that we have got the people’s blessings twice and will get it again. The people’s confidence in Prime Minister Modi is unshakeable and that gives us confidence.”

    Sitharaman, in the last budget before national polls, also trimmed the subsidy spend to Rs 3.81 lakh crore for FY25 compared to Rs 4.13 crore for FY24. Resisting the temptation of spending on schemes for the poor in the pre-election budget, the government stayed firm on fiscal consolidation to attract investors.

    “Our initiatives are not about populism or entitlement but of empowerment,” Sitharaman said, “We don’t believe in handholding people in a way which hampers their own decision-making. We will do welfare spending for healthcare and education.”

    Fiscal discipline and subsidies, she explained, are not substitutes to one another.

    To NDTV’s question on plans to raise capital expenditure, the finance minister said, “We will treat capex exhaustively in July (Union Budget).”

     

  • Celebrity Cricket League 2024 promo launch on the Burj Khalifa

    Celebrity Cricket League 2024 promo launch on the Burj Khalifa

    Mumbai : Celebrity Cricket League kicked off the 10 season with a spectacular show in Dubai on 2 February , right in the heart of the global metropolis, projecting this season’s promo on the magnificent Burj Khalifa. Superstars and captains from all 8 teams of CCL, including Kichcha Sudeep (Kannada),  Sohail Khan (Hindi), Arya and Jiiva (Tamil), Thaman & Sudheer Babu (Telugu), Jissu Sengupta (Bengal), Bunnu Dhillon and Sonu Sood (Punjabi), Indrajit Sukumaran and Unni Mukundhan (Malayalam) watched it live in Dubai.

    Celebrity Cricket League is the sportainment spectacle combining cinema and cricket. It is the only sports league in India that brings more than 200 actors from 8 different languages together. It is the convergence of sports and entertainment and is the only IP of its kind in India.  

    The grandiose league starts on 23 February in Sharjah, continuing for another three weekends in India with 20 action-packed and entertaining matches that appeal to a wide audience cohort beyond cricket fans. The adrenaline-pumping tournament will be live-streamed on Sony Sports Ten 5 and Jio Cinema along with multiple regional channels.

    Celebrity Cricket League founder & managing director Vishnu Vardhan Induri says, “CCL is always powerful and entertaining from day one and seeing the league grow every year is a reflection of the passion of all actors playing cricket in CCL on par with their busy schedules. When we say CCL 2024 is bigger than ever, we mean it.”

    Speaking about the promo launch on Burj Khalifa, Kichcha Sudeep said, “I have been on the Burj Khalifa earlier for my films, but seeing myself on the Burj Khalifa as a cricketer is very special and unforgettable. This is a massive statement from CCL that we are bigger than ever. ”

    Sonu Sood also shared his thoughts on the stunning visual on the Burj Khalifa – “Being alongside superstars representing 8 vibrant film industries of our great nation, standing together in front of the world’s tallest iconic structure watching the launch of something the whole India passionately love to is an amazing experience. This happens only at CCL, and my team will make CCL a remarkable edition this year.”

     

  • News18 India tops BARC ratings in Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha coverage

    News18 India tops BARC ratings in Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha coverage

    Mumbai: During the coverage of the historic inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, News18 India continued to be the viewer’s top choice. It garnered the highest viewership in the week of the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha – a testimony to the superlative quality of coverage and content that it brought to the viewers. 

    Channel

    AMA 000’s

    News18 India

    94,848

    Aaj Tak

    93,276

    Republic Bharat

    81,267

    India TV

    80,109

     

    During the crucial week of coverage of the consecration, News18 India secured 9.48 crore AMAs, claiming for itself the top spot in the category. Source: BARC |Metric: AMA’s | TG: NCCS All 15+ | Period: Wk 04’24, All Days, 24 Hrs |Market:HSM | 14 channels considered

    The channel’s endeavour was to bring truly diverse content that allowed viewers to experience the grandeur of the occasion. News18 India had the biggest and the most high-profile line-up of anchors on ground in Ayodhya including Kishore Ajwani, Amish Devgan, Prateek Trivedi, Aman Chopra, Rubika Liyaquat and Pankaj Bhargav. Multiple locations were used including a grand set that was built on the banks of the Saryu to capture the true essence of the festivities happening all around Ayodhya.

    From a Kavi Sammelan and on-ground events to documentaries, different formats were used to create really riveting programming. Innovative production techniques and graphics were used to deliver an enhanced viewer experience. Staying true to its legacy of bringing a fresh and clutter-breaking approach to high news-value event, News18 India’s compelling coverage of this momentous occasion ensured that channel continued to remain the most watched channel in the genre.

  • Gautam Krishna joins Odisha TV Network as national sales head

    Gautam Krishna joins Odisha TV Network as national sales head

    Mumbai: Gautam Krishna has joined Odisha Television Ltd as the national sales head moving on from BARC India where he served as VP client partnership & revenue – North & East.

    Krishna announced the same through a LinkedIn post.

    Krishna is a sales professional with over two decades of experience in strategic business development and building alliances. He has worked across TV, print, and radio, including earlier positions at Sony Pictures Networks India, Disney Star, BIG FM, Times Group, among others.