Category: Factual

National Geographic Channel to undergo major rebranding

MUMBAI: Come 14 November and the National Geographic Channel will have a new shortened sobriquet. The word channel will disappear from its name and it will be simply known as National Geographic and a new tagline “Further.”

The change is expected to take place simultaneously across all the 445 million households in 171 countries it is telecast in. The channels are expected to have a new distinctive on-air look, brand IDs, packaging and talent IDs.

A new web series by the same name is expected to launch around the same time.

Almost every property associated with the National Geographic – the magazine, nationalgeographic.com, its social and digital platforms, and its global Hq in Washington DC – will be part of the rebranding exercise. The “Further” tagline embodies “the aspirations of the National Geographic audience and serves as a rallying cry for its employees, explorers, photographers, producers and other constituencies as well as a promise to advertisers, affiliates, educators and other external partners.”

NatGeo has been under the Twenty First Century Fox umbrella after it took majority control of its joint venture National Geographic Partners with the society.

“This rebrand marks a significant turning point in the realization of our transformational new vision for National Geographic Channel,” said National Geographic Global Television Networks CEO Courteney Monroe to World Screen. “As a new brand positioning statement, ‘Further’ aligns perfectly with our new premium programming strategy, which is built on quality, distinctiveness and the relentless pursuit of creative excellence. The new visual design is sophisticated, contemporary and cinematic, and lives up to the promise of the National Geographic brand.”

October 28, 2016
Q2-17: Zee Learn declares maiden interim dividend

BENGALURU: The board of directors of the Essel group’s education company Zee Learn Limited (ZLL) have declared a first time ever dividend of 5 percent per equity share of Re 1 each for the quarter ended 30 September 2016 (Q2-17, current quarter). The dividend of just 5 paise (Rs 0.05) albeit small, could be precursor of better returns, given the fact that the company’s profit after tax (PAT) for the current quarter is more than seven-fold (7.05 times) year-over-year (y-o-y), with operating EBIDTA margins almost doubling y-o-y from 18.2 percent in Q2-16 to 34.9 percent in Q2-17.

ZLL CEO Debshankar Mukhopadyay said, “We are pleased to announce an interim dividend for the first time at Zee Learn Limited. This shows our commitment to the shareholders who beleived in us and continued to invest in the comoany. Q2 and H1-17 are remarkable for us and our strategy to focus on our strenghts has resulted in delivering profits which are multiple times more than profits delivered during the last financial year.”

ZLL reported PAT of Rs 7.59 crore (22.6 percent margin) for the current quarter versus PAT of Rs 1.08 crore (3.5 percent margin) in Q2-16. PAT in the immediate training quarter (Q1-17) was Rs 8.02 crore (19.1 percent margin). Operating EBIDTA in Q2-17 more than doubled (up 2.1 times) y-o-y to Rs 11.70 crore from Rs 5.57 crore, but was 9.8 percent lower q-o-q than Rs 12.97 crore (30.8 percent margin).

Other numbers

ZLL’s Total Income from Operations (TIO) in the current quarter increased 9.7 percent y-o-y to Rs 33.56 crore from Rs 30.60 crore in the correspondin year ago quarter, but declined 20.2 percent q-o-q from Rs 42.06 crore in Q1-17.

The company spent 14.5 percent less y-o-y towards purchase of Education goods and Television content in Q2-17 at Rs 4.91 crore (14.6 percent of TIO) as compared to Rs 5.74 crore (18.8 percent of TIO) and 45.1 percent lower q-o-q than the Rs 8.93 crore (21.2 percent of TIO).

Employees Benefit Expense in the current quarter declined 18.2 percent y-o-y to Rs 5.94 crore (17.7 percent of TIO) from Rs 7.25 crore (23.7 percent of TIO) and declined 14.5 percent q-o-q from Rs 6.94 crore (16.5 percent of TIO).

Selling and marketing expense in Q2-17 increased 18.2 percent y-o-y to Rs 3.98 crore (11.9 percent of TIO) from Rs 3.37 crore (11 percent of TIO), but declined 33 percent q-o-q from Rs 5.95 crore (14.1 percent of TIO).

Mukhopadyay added, “ZLL through its varied forays including Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), K-12 Education, Youth and Vocational Education is playing a strong and transformational role in India’s education system. I am confident that ZLL will continue to grow its business and is commited to create long-term value for its franchisees, parents and students, shareholders, employees and all stakeholders.”

Note:The unit of currency in this report is the Indian rupee – Rs (also conventionally represented by INR).The Indian numbering system or the Vedic numbering system has been used to denote money values. The basic conversion to the international norm would be:

(a) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10,000,000 = 10 million = 1 crore.

(b) 10,000 lakh = 100 crore = 1 arab = 1 billion.

October 21, 2016
Q2-17: Zee Learn declares maiden interim dividend

BENGALURU: The board of directors of the Essel group’s education company Zee Learn Limited (ZLL) have declared a first time ever dividend of 5 percent per equity share of Re 1 each for the quarter ended 30 September 2016 (Q2-17, current quarter). The dividend of just 5 paise (Rs 0.05) albeit small, could be precursor of better returns, given the fact that the company’s profit after tax (PAT) for the current quarter is more than seven-fold (7.05 times) year-over-year (y-o-y), with operating EBIDTA margins almost doubling y-o-y from 18.2 percent in Q2-16 to 34.9 percent in Q2-17.

ZLL CEO Debshankar Mukhopadyay said, “We are pleased to announce an interim dividend for the first time at Zee Learn Limited. This shows our commitment to the shareholders who beleived in us and continued to invest in the comoany. Q2 and H1-17 are remarkable for us and our strategy to focus on our strenghts has resulted in delivering profits which are multiple times more than profits delivered during the last financial year.”

ZLL reported PAT of Rs 7.59 crore (22.6 percent margin) for the current quarter versus PAT of Rs 1.08 crore (3.5 percent margin) in Q2-16. PAT in the immediate training quarter (Q1-17) was Rs 8.02 crore (19.1 percent margin). Operating EBIDTA in Q2-17 more than doubled (up 2.1 times) y-o-y to Rs 11.70 crore from Rs 5.57 crore, but was 9.8 percent lower q-o-q than Rs 12.97 crore (30.8 percent margin).

Other numbers

ZLL’s Total Income from Operations (TIO) in the current quarter increased 9.7 percent y-o-y to Rs 33.56 crore from Rs 30.60 crore in the correspondin year ago quarter, but declined 20.2 percent q-o-q from Rs 42.06 crore in Q1-17.

The company spent 14.5 percent less y-o-y towards purchase of Education goods and Television content in Q2-17 at Rs 4.91 crore (14.6 percent of TIO) as compared to Rs 5.74 crore (18.8 percent of TIO) and 45.1 percent lower q-o-q than the Rs 8.93 crore (21.2 percent of TIO).

Employees Benefit Expense in the current quarter declined 18.2 percent y-o-y to Rs 5.94 crore (17.7 percent of TIO) from Rs 7.25 crore (23.7 percent of TIO) and declined 14.5 percent q-o-q from Rs 6.94 crore (16.5 percent of TIO).

Selling and marketing expense in Q2-17 increased 18.2 percent y-o-y to Rs 3.98 crore (11.9 percent of TIO) from Rs 3.37 crore (11 percent of TIO), but declined 33 percent q-o-q from Rs 5.95 crore (14.1 percent of TIO).

Mukhopadyay added, “ZLL through its varied forays including Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), K-12 Education, Youth and Vocational Education is playing a strong and transformational role in India’s education system. I am confident that ZLL will continue to grow its business and is commited to create long-term value for its franchisees, parents and students, shareholders, employees and all stakeholders.”

Note:The unit of currency in this report is the Indian rupee – Rs (also conventionally represented by INR).The Indian numbering system or the Vedic numbering system has been used to denote money values. The basic conversion to the international norm would be:

(a) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10,000,000 = 10 million = 1 crore.

(b) 10,000 lakh = 100 crore = 1 arab = 1 billion.

October 21, 2016
TV Superhighway: beIN, Yaddo, AfricaXP have joined us, says Magine CEO Ambuj Goyal

CANNES; Magine has secured partnerships with four of the industry’s most exciting sports, documentary and entertainment content providers. Partnerships with beIN, the international media group and owner of MIRAMAX; Yaddo, the new documentary streaming service headed up by former head of The BBC’s documentary division, Nick Fraser; Africa XP and a Chinese digital TV distributor have activated Magine’s TV Superhighway in over 35 markets.

Magine’s TV Superhighway aims to fully democratise content distribution, providing a global network of content providers and distributors, liberated from geographical limitations; enabling ambitious content owners to quickly access and monetise new markets and audiences anywhere in the world.

The TV Superhighway empowers content creators, allowing them to utilise Magine’s cloud technology, distribution network, and industry expertise to choose which market to enter when and how. This new approach to content distribution opens up channels for broadcast producers, giving them the opportunity to tap into Magine’s technology and distribution network and decide where, when and which content is available in each market, with real time data analytics available throughout the process.

Magine CEO Ambuj Goyal said, “Our recently announced partnerships with beIN and Yaddo mark significant proof points in Magine’s development of the ‘TV Superhighway’, and we’re looking forward to introducing our unique opportunity to new content partners with global ambitions.”

Magine’s growth and innovation in global content distribution is hitting important milestones, accelerating beyond its German and Swedish origins and introducing the TV Superhighway to the Middle East, African and Chinese markets.

The new partnership with beIN, a global sports and entertainment leader within the media industry, parent company of MIRAMAX, and broadcasting 75 channels across five continents – sees Magine’s platform enabling the access to the FIFA World Cup, the NFL, Formula 1, and the French, US, and Australian Opens in 16 countries.

beIN director of digital Olivier Dufour comments: “Magine serves our premium content to hundreds of thousands of customers each day in 16 countries. They supported the launch of beIN’s digital on-demand services securely, delivering our premium content on a reliable and proven platform.”

In addition to servicing established and multinational blue-chip companies like beIN, Magine will also provide an end-to-end service for new content providers. Magine’s recent partnership with Nick Fraser’s new documentary streaming service, Yaddo, will see some of the world’s most critically acclaimed documentaries streamed to over 160 territories this autumn.

Yaddo founder and former head of documentaries at The BBC Nick Fraser notes that “Magine was the obvious choice as a distribution partner when we looked beyond technical capabilities. Their commitment to providing a TV Superhighway, at the service of great content, makes them the perfect partner to build a truly innovative global business model with.”

Furthermore, a new agreement, announced in August with a Beijing-based digital TV system operator saw the start of a drive to build, launch and operate a cloud-based video streaming system for the Chinese market, which will see Magine’s TV Superhighway Stream Live TV to Over 100 Million Chinese Households. Mr Marten Liu, Chinese a digital TV executive said: “We are delighted to have Magine as our partner for this important development of our internet video streaming system and service offerings.”

Magine recently entered into a partnership with Africa XP to extend their business beyond existing conventional broadcast platforms, additionally monetising their channels in partnership with dynamic, new and direct to consumer digital platforms.

Africa XP CEO Craig Kelly had this to say: “Magine gives our channels global reach affordably and offers our operator partner’s instant OTT deployment of our channel bouquet in their markets – this expands our footprint and revenue generation potential exponentially”.

October 21, 2016
TV Superhighway: beIN, Yaddo, AfricaXP have joined us, says Magine CEO Ambuj Goyal

CANNES; Magine has secured partnerships with four of the industry’s most exciting sports, documentary and entertainment content providers. Partnerships with beIN, the international media group and owner of MIRAMAX; Yaddo, the new documentary streaming service headed up by former head of The BBC’s documentary division, Nick Fraser; Africa XP and a Chinese digital TV distributor have activated Magine’s TV Superhighway in over 35 markets.

Magine’s TV Superhighway aims to fully democratise content distribution, providing a global network of content providers and distributors, liberated from geographical limitations; enabling ambitious content owners to quickly access and monetise new markets and audiences anywhere in the world.

The TV Superhighway empowers content creators, allowing them to utilise Magine’s cloud technology, distribution network, and industry expertise to choose which market to enter when and how. This new approach to content distribution opens up channels for broadcast producers, giving them the opportunity to tap into Magine’s technology and distribution network and decide where, when and which content is available in each market, with real time data analytics available throughout the process.

Magine CEO Ambuj Goyal said, “Our recently announced partnerships with beIN and Yaddo mark significant proof points in Magine’s development of the ‘TV Superhighway’, and we’re looking forward to introducing our unique opportunity to new content partners with global ambitions.”

Magine’s growth and innovation in global content distribution is hitting important milestones, accelerating beyond its German and Swedish origins and introducing the TV Superhighway to the Middle East, African and Chinese markets.

The new partnership with beIN, a global sports and entertainment leader within the media industry, parent company of MIRAMAX, and broadcasting 75 channels across five continents – sees Magine’s platform enabling the access to the FIFA World Cup, the NFL, Formula 1, and the French, US, and Australian Opens in 16 countries.

beIN director of digital Olivier Dufour comments: “Magine serves our premium content to hundreds of thousands of customers each day in 16 countries. They supported the launch of beIN’s digital on-demand services securely, delivering our premium content on a reliable and proven platform.”

In addition to servicing established and multinational blue-chip companies like beIN, Magine will also provide an end-to-end service for new content providers. Magine’s recent partnership with Nick Fraser’s new documentary streaming service, Yaddo, will see some of the world’s most critically acclaimed documentaries streamed to over 160 territories this autumn.

Yaddo founder and former head of documentaries at The BBC Nick Fraser notes that “Magine was the obvious choice as a distribution partner when we looked beyond technical capabilities. Their commitment to providing a TV Superhighway, at the service of great content, makes them the perfect partner to build a truly innovative global business model with.”

Furthermore, a new agreement, announced in August with a Beijing-based digital TV system operator saw the start of a drive to build, launch and operate a cloud-based video streaming system for the Chinese market, which will see Magine’s TV Superhighway Stream Live TV to Over 100 Million Chinese Households. Mr Marten Liu, Chinese a digital TV executive said: “We are delighted to have Magine as our partner for this important development of our internet video streaming system and service offerings.”

Magine recently entered into a partnership with Africa XP to extend their business beyond existing conventional broadcast platforms, additionally monetising their channels in partnership with dynamic, new and direct to consumer digital platforms.

Africa XP CEO Craig Kelly had this to say: “Magine gives our channels global reach affordably and offers our operator partner’s instant OTT deployment of our channel bouquet in their markets – this expands our footprint and revenue generation potential exponentially”.

October 21, 2016
‘Style Inc. with Aalim’ generates sensation on social media

MUMBAI: TLC’s latest edition to its content library, ‘Style Inc. with Aalim Hakim’, which is slated to go on air on 20 October at 10 pm has already created a sensation in Bollywood and social media platforms. It claims to have generated an astounding 200 million impressions from the time the new season was announced. The series campaign has trended 5 times in the last two weeks on Twitter.

Based on the response, it has launched a campaign with a layered approach by Bollywood stars like Hrithik Roshan, Shahid Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, Bipasha Basu, Suniel Shetty, Riteish Deshmukh and Sachin Tendulkar talking about the upcoming series. They have also taken their views to the social media platform Twitter.

“The marketing strategy was to deliver an unmatched digital impact and social buzz, matching the finest in Indian entertainment. To be trending for all five campaigns within the same week demonstrates the content affinity and the creative ingenuity of the team. We are super excited with the deep affection been shown by our discerning millennial fans,” said Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific (South Asia) vice president female and family entertainment products Rajiv Bakshi.

Creating a social blitz, the quirky campaigns so far include:

#DontTalkCute with Ranveer Singh

https://www.facebook.com/TLCIndiaOfficial/videos/1082271151886621/

#MakeItJhakaas with Arjun Kapoor

https://www.facebook.com/TLCIndiaOfficial/videos/1087216114725458/

#VarunDhawanMakesMe with Varun Dhawan

https://www.facebook.com/TLCIndiaOfficial/videos/1083956081718128/

#ShowYourPunnyBone with Ayushmann Khurrana

https://www.facebook.com/TLCIndiaOfficial/videos/1092411497539253/

#MereVarunArjunAayenge with Varun Dhawan & Arjun Kapoor

https://www.facebook.com/TLCIndiaOfficial/videos/1090553541058382/

Hakim added, “Viewers have seen some candid moments from their favourite stars’ lives on social media so far. There is a lot more to look forward to on the show.” The series stars Aditya Roy Kapur, Arjun Kapoor, Ayushmann Khurrana, Ranveer Singh, Siddharth Malhotra, Varun Dhawan, Tiger Shroff and Sanjay Dutt, who will share style secrets along with the ubiquitous Bollywood stylist Aalim Hakim.

Also read: TLC gung-ho about Aalim’s Bollywood hair style show; more Indian originals coming up

October 19, 2016
‘Style Inc. with Aalim’ generates sensation on social media

MUMBAI: TLC’s latest edition to its content library, ‘Style Inc. with Aalim Hakim’, which is slated to go on air on 20 October at 10 pm has already created a sensation in Bollywood and social media platforms. It claims to have generated an astounding 200 million impressions from the time the new season was announced. The series campaign has trended 5 times in the last two weeks on Twitter.

Based on the response, it has launched a campaign with a layered approach by Bollywood stars like Hrithik Roshan, Shahid Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, Bipasha Basu, Suniel Shetty, Riteish Deshmukh and Sachin Tendulkar talking about the upcoming series. They have also taken their views to the social media platform Twitter.

“The marketing strategy was to deliver an unmatched digital impact and social buzz, matching the finest in Indian entertainment. To be trending for all five campaigns within the same week demonstrates the content affinity and the creative ingenuity of the team. We are super excited with the deep affection been shown by our discerning millennial fans,” said Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific (South Asia) vice president female and family entertainment products Rajiv Bakshi.

Creating a social blitz, the quirky campaigns so far include:

#DontTalkCute with Ranveer Singh

https://www.facebook.com/TLCIndiaOfficial/videos/1082271151886621/

#MakeItJhakaas with Arjun Kapoor

https://www.facebook.com/TLCIndiaOfficial/videos/1087216114725458/

#VarunDhawanMakesMe with Varun Dhawan

https://www.facebook.com/TLCIndiaOfficial/videos/1083956081718128/

#ShowYourPunnyBone with Ayushmann Khurrana

https://www.facebook.com/TLCIndiaOfficial/videos/1092411497539253/

#MereVarunArjunAayenge with Varun Dhawan & Arjun Kapoor

https://www.facebook.com/TLCIndiaOfficial/videos/1090553541058382/

Hakim added, “Viewers have seen some candid moments from their favourite stars’ lives on social media so far. There is a lot more to look forward to on the show.” The series stars Aditya Roy Kapur, Arjun Kapoor, Ayushmann Khurrana, Ranveer Singh, Siddharth Malhotra, Varun Dhawan, Tiger Shroff and Sanjay Dutt, who will share style secrets along with the ubiquitous Bollywood stylist Aalim Hakim.

Also read: TLC gung-ho about Aalim’s Bollywood hair style show; more Indian originals coming up

October 19, 2016
History TV18 brings Indian version of ‘Ice Road Truckers’ starring Mandira Bedi

MUMBAI: History TV18 is all set to bring the India edition of Ice Road Truckers. In this Indian chapter titled India’s Deadliest Roads (IRT), the show features Mandira Bedi, Sangram Singh and Varun Sharma, and is slated to go on air 21 October. The trio will travel through the countries deadliest roads across the rugged mountains and valleys of Himalayas.

“I’m sure it’s exciting news for all our viewers that local content & characters are being featured in formats of global repute. The show best epitomizes what the channel stands for: excellent production values, edge of the seat entertainment with innovative never seen before formats,” said History TV18 VP and head marketing Sangeetha Aiyer.

During harsh winters, remote villages and work camps at the highest army stations of India’s Himalayan states are cut off from the world. To keep them supplied with essential commodities and also bring to fore connectivity issues, our hosts will drive trucks across 1500kms, at a height of 18,380 feet at sub- zero temperatures, for around two weeks.

The journey begins from Manali in Himachal Pradesh and goes up to Turtuk in Ladakh through some of the highest motorable passes in the Himalayan ranges. The show captures the dangerous and life-threatening conditions that truckers have to face while scaling these heights.

“We have associated with HistoryTV18, as we found the concept of the show very challenging and fascinating. It is the perfect format to visually showcase how Bharat Benz trucks are tailor-made for our customers’ needs. They are robust, reliable and the ideal vehicles to handle all kinds of road and weather conditions as well as the toughest of terrains,” added Daimler India Commercial Vehicles product management and network vice president domestic sales Sominder Singh. The trucks used for the shows were vehicles by Bharat Benz.

October 19, 2016
History TV18 brings Indian version of ‘Ice Road Truckers’ starring Mandira Bedi

MUMBAI: History TV18 is all set to bring the India edition of Ice Road Truckers. In this Indian chapter titled India’s Deadliest Roads (IRT), the show features Mandira Bedi, Sangram Singh and Varun Sharma, and is slated to go on air 21 October. The trio will travel through the countries deadliest roads across the rugged mountains and valleys of Himalayas.

“I’m sure it’s exciting news for all our viewers that local content & characters are being featured in formats of global repute. The show best epitomizes what the channel stands for: excellent production values, edge of the seat entertainment with innovative never seen before formats,” said History TV18 VP and head marketing Sangeetha Aiyer.

During harsh winters, remote villages and work camps at the highest army stations of India’s Himalayan states are cut off from the world. To keep them supplied with essential commodities and also bring to fore connectivity issues, our hosts will drive trucks across 1500kms, at a height of 18,380 feet at sub- zero temperatures, for around two weeks.

The journey begins from Manali in Himachal Pradesh and goes up to Turtuk in Ladakh through some of the highest motorable passes in the Himalayan ranges. The show captures the dangerous and life-threatening conditions that truckers have to face while scaling these heights.

“We have associated with HistoryTV18, as we found the concept of the show very challenging and fascinating. It is the perfect format to visually showcase how Bharat Benz trucks are tailor-made for our customers’ needs. They are robust, reliable and the ideal vehicles to handle all kinds of road and weather conditions as well as the toughest of terrains,” added Daimler India Commercial Vehicles product management and network vice president domestic sales Sominder Singh. The trucks used for the shows were vehicles by Bharat Benz.

October 19, 2016
New Discovery India chief joins office; verticals created under two VPs

NEW DELHI: Discovery Networks Asia Pacific, home to iconic brands like TLC, Animal Planet, ID, Discovery channel and Discovery Life, has effected a restructuring in its Indian operations, after its Indian head Rahul Johri quit earlier this year, by creating two verticals under two vice-presidents which will now report to the newly-appointed South Asia Senior Vice President & General Manager Karan Bajaj.

Bajaj in turn reports to Discovery Networks Asia Pacific president & managing director Arthur Bastings, who has been charged with the responsibility of scaling up the network’s operations in the region and steering it into the digital ecosystem.

The Delhi-based heads of the two verticals under Discovery South Asia — Rajiv Bakshi and Richard Pembroke — female & family entertainment product and real world entertainment product, respectively — report to Bajaj who joined duties a couple of days ago. TLC, ID, Kids, and their HD and other language cousins fall under the female, & family entertainment product, while Discovery, Science, Turbo, Animal Planet, and their HD and language versions come under the Real World vertical.

According to Discovery sources, the changes that came into effect in recent months are aimed at revitalising the Indian operations, which the Asian regional head office located in Singapore felt was necessary after a period of slow growth in Asia’s biggest market, India.

Discovery, which broadcasts in English and several Indian languages aimed at increasing the reach beyond the English speaking areas, has also been increasing generation of local content for broadcast in South Asia and also on its global network.

The sources, however, clarified that the changes are interim in nature and as Bajaj settles down in his new assignment more rejigs may be in the offing.

Discovery, which launched its operations in India in the mid-1990s with former ISRO executive Kiran Karnik at the helm, has been witnessing churn since long-time executive Johri quit the organisation early 2016, which was also part of changes taking place in Discovery after Singapore-based Tom Keaveny, President and MD for Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, was relocated to London in 2013 and Discovery bought over Eurosport subsequently.

Still, Indian broadcast industry observers said that Johri, a protégé of former India head Deepak Shourie (he was at the helm after Karnik departed in 2001), had navigated Discovery’s India operations quite ably during challenging times in the first decade of 2000.

In recent times, the whole Discovery group has been focusing on initiatives to keep pace with the changing technological space, including recently announcing a U$100 million investment in a digital JV as a minority stakeholder in Group Nine Media.

ALSO READ:

Marketing wizkid Karan Bajaj to head Discovery India

Discovery APAC EVP & GM – South Asia Rahul Johri quits

October 19, 2016