ITV

Category: GECs

  • Free Colors HD on Sky in UK from 14 Feb

    MUMBAI: IndiaCast, a joint venture of Viacom18 and TV18, announced the launch of the high-definition (HD) feed for Colors UK on leading DTH platform, Sky. Available on the same EPG number as the SD feed (No. 786), Colors UK HD will adapt to the HD set top box and will be available to viewers starting 14 February 2017.

    Launched in the UK in January 2010, Colors UK SD feed offers variety content from the Colors bouquet of offerings. Its HD feed, to be available to Sky subscribers across Europe, will feature shows including Devanshi, Dil Se Dil Tak, Ek Shringaar…Swabhimaan, Shakti…Astitva Ke Ehsaas Kii, Udann, Karmphal Data Shani, and many more. The channel will also feature well-appreciated weekend content including Naagin 2, Rising Star, upcoming proposition Chhote Miyan, and blockbuster films.

    Commenting on launch, Viacom18 Group CEO Sudhanshu Vats said, “We started out by increasing the footprint of our content offering, across general entertainment and Indian movies, through our channels in the UK. We now want to dial up the experience for our discerning viewers and the launch of Colors HD is a step in that direction.”

    Speaking about this development, Viacom18 CEO – Hindi entertainment Raj Nayak said, “Colors has been the leading entertainment provider to the audience not only in India, but also in international markets. We continue to push the envelope as far as our offering to the South Asian diaspora is concerned. The announcement of the launch of the HD feed for Colors UK will go a long way in enhancing the viewing experience, bringing the audience a slice of home, with better visual clarity, in the comforts of their living rooms.”

    Commenting on the launch, IndiaCast Group CEO Anuj Gandhi said, “Colors UK has been an unprecedented audience entertainer which has provided diverse options for the South Asian audience for over seven years. We are committed towards showcasing top-notch content on our channels and are glad to join hands with Sky to bring HD quality content to viewers in the region, thereby making Colors UK HD the preferred entertainment destination for the audience. We are also in talks with other service providers and distributors in Europe to launch our HD service.”

    Adding further, IndiaCast SVP & business head – UK Govind Shahi said, “As one of the top entertainment brand for the South Asian diaspora, Colors is constantly innovating and this free offering of Colors HD on Sky works on the smart swap technology which enables the HD feed to be available on the same EPG as before. To ensure that no viewer is left out, we continue to provide the SD feed as well. This launch of Colors in HD coincides with the launch of all-new exciting shows as well as the new 9-10pm slot.

    To promote the Colors UK HD feed, IndiaCast has devised a high-intensity marketing campaign with “We are coming closer to you” as its core messaging. The campaign will be delivered via cross-network promotions on Rishtey Cineplex and Rishtey Europe as well as spots across radio stations. In terms of off-air promotions, Colors UK HD communique will be highlighted through innovative print and outdoor mediums.

  • Zee set to launch channel in France with dubbed/sub-titled content

    Zee set to launch channel in France with dubbed/sub-titled content

    NEW DELHI: Zee TV, which has among the largest number of Indian channels being telecast in foreign languages in different countries, is shortly launching a channel in France.

    Zee founder and Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament) Member of Parliament Subhash Chandra told indiantelevision.com that the group, which had recently launched a channel in Germany, Zee One Germany, is aiming to launch in France to expand reach and target the Indian programme loving French and people of South Asian origin.

    “The French channel could be launched within six months or so,” he added without giving a fixed time frame or outlining whether the channel may also at some point of time carry original French content.

    Zee, which through a plethora of TV channels (some of which are dubbed in local languages in various countries) was already reaching 200 million viewers overseas, aims “to increase that reach to 500 million”. Speaking on the sidelines of the SATCAB meet organized here by the All India Dish Antenna Aavishkaar Sangh here yesterday, Chandra said that France was until now receiving the channel launched by the group for the United Kingdom.

    Zee at present has channels in foreign languages running in UAE/KSA (Arab), Russia, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, Africa/Mauritius, the Caribbean, United States, Canada and Brazil.

    According to Chandra, content from Hollywood dominates the world and it earns 65 per cent from overseas markets, while only 35 per cent from within the US market. “India with its content of feature films and appealing television programmes can also make a mark overseas,” he added.

    While pointing out that in the international market, Zee had “successfully” taken popular domestic content in the original as well as repurposed form to focus not just on the South Asian diaspora, but on a wider cross section of global audiences, Zee Entertainment Enterprises MD and Chandra’s elder son Punit Goenka had said in the company’s annual report for FY 2015-16, “This strategy is working for beyond boundaries and being true to our philosophy of `The World is My Family’. Our popular channels in this context like Zee World, Zee Aflam and Zee Magic have witnessed substantial viewership growth in their respective markets. ZEEL expanded its reach to the Asia Pacific region through channels like Zee Bioskop and Zee Nung.”

    Zee Bioskop reaches approximately two million homes in Indonesia and Zee Nung caters to about 2.5 million homes in Thailand.

    Launched in April, 2015 as a GEC pay channel for the local Indonesian audience, Zee Hiburan, for example, is completely dubbed in Bahasa Indonesia and is also available in Hindi. Zee Sine, a 24/7 Bollywood movie channel, customised and packaged for local audiences, was launched in the Philippines in April 2016.

    ALSO READ:

    ZEEL launches new movie channel in Germany

    ZEEL Cignals deal for Filipino channel Zee Sine

    Zee Cinemalu added to US portfolio

  • SAB’s Happii-Fi to target multiple genres, gets 3m views online

    SAB’s Happii-Fi to target multiple genres, gets 3m views online

    MUMBAI: SAB Group’s digital initiative Happii-Fi has set the pace to become a front-runner in the original digital content game. With the digital audience in India growing rapidly SAB Group plans to aggressively expand Happii-Fi by coming up with comedy content in multiple genres like talk shows, web series, music, informative shows and more. The channel will also be releasing humorous music videos touching upon youth trends.

    The channel went live with four new enticing content pieces with a mix of digital videos starting 23 January 2017 and has achieved a whopping 3 million plus views and over 1 lakh organic subscribers in less than two weeks of the release of the first web episode.

    “Many Broadcasters are usually tempted to pump in money to get the targeted views and subscriptions, but we are glad that the content created by our in house team could grab the audience’s attention and organically grow the subscriptions to over one lakh with over three million views in less than two weeks. Since the beginning the objective of Happii-Fi has been not only to entertain but give the youth of the country a mix of content that they have not seen in India before & with this the, new and the future content promises to keep the entertainment quotient up and running high, helping Happii-Fi breakthrough the current digital clutter creating a market for itself in the digital world. We would also like to thank our partner “One Digital” an MCN for optimizing the channel and helping Happii-Fi carve its identity,” said SAB Group group CEO Manav Dhanda.

    The channel has started a new trend in the digital content space with its light hearted mix of content which is beyond the obvious web series and web episodes catering to a variety of audiences across demographics. Having come up with concepts like Bro-Court- a take on the life of engineering college students and their issues that are solved by Bro played by the YouTube sensation Bhuvan Bam, Janhit Mein Jaari – a show that talks about global current affairs giving it a humorous touch, Rat Race – an animated series revolving around rat friends working in a call center called rat race teleservices and Peepal Ka Pedh Party – an alternate take on the UP state elections lead played by Bhojpuri superstar Dinesh Lal Yadav whose fate takes an unusual twist when he is selected as the face of the new party ‘Peepal Ka Pedh Party’ floated by a corrupt, out of power minister.

    Happii-Fi has more such innovative concepts in the pipeline.

  • Sony to expand TV business in India; forex and mobile segment dull Q3-17 numbers

    Sony to expand TV business in India; forex and mobile segment dull Q3-17 numbers

    BENGALURU: Sony Corporation’s (Sony) CFO Kenichiro Yoshida said at the investors meet, “In order to expand our businesses outside the US, primarily in India, we are taking various measures to grow including M&A.”

    Sony plans to turnaround the Pictures (Film and Television business) Division that incurred a loss of ¥106.8 billion) for the quarter ended 31 December 2016 (Q3-17, current quarter). The loss was because by an impairment loss of goodwill to the extent of ¥112.1 billion (about $962 million at the applicable exchange rates at the time. For Q3-16, the division had reported an operating profit of ¥20.4 billion.

    Sony’s Pictures segment reported a 14.1 percent decline in sales and operating revenue from ¥225.2 billion from 262.1 billion due to lower sales of Motion Pictures offset by the higher sales of Television Production business.

    As a part of the turnaround, Sony says it will pursue new sales channels and movie merchandising opportunities. The impairment charge resulted from a downward revision in the future profitability projection for the Motion Pictures business within the Pictures segment.

    The downward revision of goodwill was primarily due to a lowering of previous expectations regarding the home entertainment business, mainly driven by an acceleration of market decline. Underlying profitability projections of film performance were also reduced, but the adverse impact of that reduction is expected to be largely mitigated by measures that have been identified to improve the profitability of the Motion Pictures business says the company.

    Overall, Sony reported a 7.1 percent year-on-year (y-o-y) decline in sales and operating revenue for Q3-17 at ¥2,397.5 billion as compared to ¥2,580.8 billion. The company says that the decline was primarily due to the impact of foreign exchange rates. On a constant currency basis, sales were flat y-o-y due to improved performance by its Games and Network Services (G & NS) division which was partly offset by the poor performance of its Mobile Communications segment.

    Net income attributable to Sony’s shareholders’ declined to less than a sixth (declined by 83.7 percent) in the current quarter to ¥19.6 billion from ¥120.1 in the corresponding year ago quarter. The decline was primarily attributable to the impairment loss incurred by its Pictures division.

    Sony’s Mobile Communication division reported a massive 35.3 percent y-o-y decline in operating and sales revenue in Q3-17 to ¥248.6 billion from ¥384.5 billion. Operating income declined 12.1 percent y-o-y in the current quarter to ¥21.2 billion from ¥24.1 billion.

    The G & NS division reported a 5.2 percent (15 percent on a constant currency basis) y-o-y increase in Q3-17 in sales and operating revenue to ¥617.7 billion from 587.1 billion. Higher sales of PlayStation4 software and PlayStation VR which was launched in October 2016 contributed to the growth. The G & NS division reported 24.5 percent increase in operating income in the current quarter to ¥50 billion from ¥40.2 billion.

    Sony’s Imaging Products and Solutions (IP & S) division reported a 9.6 percent y-o-y decline in sales and operating revenue in Q3-17 revenue to ¥167.1 billion from ¥184.8 billion. Operating income of the segment declined 7.5 percent y-o-y in the current quarter to ¥22.1 billon from ¥22.8 billion. The company attributes the declines to forex fluctuations and a change in its product mix for the division.

    Home Entertainment and Sound (HE & S) division reported a 12.1 percent y-o-y decline in Q3-17 to ¥353.3 billion from ¥402 billion in sales and operating revenue. The company attributes the declines to forex fluctuations and a decline in home audio and video unit sales due to a contraction of the market.

    Operating income of the HE & S division declined 16.7 percent y-o-y in Q3-17 to ¥25.9 billion from ¥31.2 billion.

    Sony’s Semiconductors division reported a 16.9 percent y-o-y increase in sales and operating revenues in Q3-17 to ¥233.9 billion from ¥200 billion. The division’s operating income increased 27.6 percent y-o-y in the current quarter to ¥27.2 billion from ¥21.3 billion.

    Components division reported 10.3 percent y-o-y decline in Q3-17 in sales and operating revenue at ¥51.4 billion from ¥57.3 billion. Operating loss of the segment in the current quarter reduced to ¥3.7 billion from ¥32.7 billion.

    Sony’s Music division reported a 1.8 percent decline in sales and operating revenue in the current quarter to ¥178.5 billion from ¥181.8 billion. The decline was due to the appreciation of the yen against the US dollar and lower Recorded Music sales. Operating income of the segment increased 2.4 percent to ¥28 billion from ¥27.3 billion.

    Sony’s Financial Services division reported 0.9 percent y-o-y decline in revenue in Q3-17 to ¥319.1 billon from ¥322 billion. Operating income of the division declined 44.5 percent y-o-y in the current quarter to ¥29 billion from ¥52.2 billion.

  • Sony to expand TV business in India; forex and mobile segment dull Q3-17 numbers

    Sony to expand TV business in India; forex and mobile segment dull Q3-17 numbers

    BENGALURU: Sony Corporation’s (Sony) CFO Kenichiro Yoshida said at the investors meet, “In order to expand our businesses outside the US, primarily in India, we are taking various measures to grow including M&A.”

    Sony plans to turnaround the Pictures (Film and Television business) Division that incurred a loss of ¥106.8 billion) for the quarter ended 31 December 2016 (Q3-17, current quarter). The loss was because by an impairment loss of goodwill to the extent of ¥112.1 billion (about $962 million at the applicable exchange rates at the time. For Q3-16, the division had reported an operating profit of ¥20.4 billion.

    Sony’s Pictures segment reported a 14.1 percent decline in sales and operating revenue from ¥225.2 billion from 262.1 billion due to lower sales of Motion Pictures offset by the higher sales of Television Production business.

    As a part of the turnaround, Sony says it will pursue new sales channels and movie merchandising opportunities. The impairment charge resulted from a downward revision in the future profitability projection for the Motion Pictures business within the Pictures segment.

    The downward revision of goodwill was primarily due to a lowering of previous expectations regarding the home entertainment business, mainly driven by an acceleration of market decline. Underlying profitability projections of film performance were also reduced, but the adverse impact of that reduction is expected to be largely mitigated by measures that have been identified to improve the profitability of the Motion Pictures business says the company.

    Overall, Sony reported a 7.1 percent year-on-year (y-o-y) decline in sales and operating revenue for Q3-17 at ¥2,397.5 billion as compared to ¥2,580.8 billion. The company says that the decline was primarily due to the impact of foreign exchange rates. On a constant currency basis, sales were flat y-o-y due to improved performance by its Games and Network Services (G & NS) division which was partly offset by the poor performance of its Mobile Communications segment.

    Net income attributable to Sony’s shareholders’ declined to less than a sixth (declined by 83.7 percent) in the current quarter to ¥19.6 billion from ¥120.1 in the corresponding year ago quarter. The decline was primarily attributable to the impairment loss incurred by its Pictures division.

    Sony’s Mobile Communication division reported a massive 35.3 percent y-o-y decline in operating and sales revenue in Q3-17 to ¥248.6 billion from ¥384.5 billion. Operating income declined 12.1 percent y-o-y in the current quarter to ¥21.2 billion from ¥24.1 billion.

    The G & NS division reported a 5.2 percent (15 percent on a constant currency basis) y-o-y increase in Q3-17 in sales and operating revenue to ¥617.7 billion from 587.1 billion. Higher sales of PlayStation4 software and PlayStation VR which was launched in October 2016 contributed to the growth. The G & NS division reported 24.5 percent increase in operating income in the current quarter to ¥50 billion from ¥40.2 billion.

    Sony’s Imaging Products and Solutions (IP & S) division reported a 9.6 percent y-o-y decline in sales and operating revenue in Q3-17 revenue to ¥167.1 billion from ¥184.8 billion. Operating income of the segment declined 7.5 percent y-o-y in the current quarter to ¥22.1 billon from ¥22.8 billion. The company attributes the declines to forex fluctuations and a change in its product mix for the division.

    Home Entertainment and Sound (HE & S) division reported a 12.1 percent y-o-y decline in Q3-17 to ¥353.3 billion from ¥402 billion in sales and operating revenue. The company attributes the declines to forex fluctuations and a decline in home audio and video unit sales due to a contraction of the market.

    Operating income of the HE & S division declined 16.7 percent y-o-y in Q3-17 to ¥25.9 billion from ¥31.2 billion.

    Sony’s Semiconductors division reported a 16.9 percent y-o-y increase in sales and operating revenues in Q3-17 to ¥233.9 billion from ¥200 billion. The division’s operating income increased 27.6 percent y-o-y in the current quarter to ¥27.2 billion from ¥21.3 billion.

    Components division reported 10.3 percent y-o-y decline in Q3-17 in sales and operating revenue at ¥51.4 billion from ¥57.3 billion. Operating loss of the segment in the current quarter reduced to ¥3.7 billion from ¥32.7 billion.

    Sony’s Music division reported a 1.8 percent decline in sales and operating revenue in the current quarter to ¥178.5 billion from ¥181.8 billion. The decline was due to the appreciation of the yen against the US dollar and lower Recorded Music sales. Operating income of the segment increased 2.4 percent to ¥28 billion from ¥27.3 billion.

    Sony’s Financial Services division reported 0.9 percent y-o-y decline in revenue in Q3-17 to ¥319.1 billon from ¥322 billion. Operating income of the division declined 44.5 percent y-o-y in the current quarter to ¥29 billion from ¥52.2 billion.

  • Ajay Bhalwankar-led Sony’s maiden inhouse show partners Beyond Dreams

    Ajay Bhalwankar-led Sony’s maiden inhouse show partners Beyond Dreams

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Network India is all set to produce its first show in-house for the network which will be led by the industry veteran Ajay Bhalwankar.  Also, Sony’s internal production house has partnered with Yash Patnaik’s Beyond Dreams for their first show.

    A source close to the development informed indiantelevision.com that the production house will be headed by the creative director Bhalwankar.

    Bhalwankar, an industry veteran of 20 years, was earlier the content head of Zee TV. Prior to joining to Zee TV, he worked as the programming head for SET from November 2009 to June 2011.  In 2014, he rejoined SET as the chief creative director.

    At the launch of Sony’s historical show Peshwa Bajirao, SPNI CEO NP Singh informed, “The first show of our production house is going into production early next month. It will be a fiction series and will go on air in 3- 4 months time.”

    This is not the first instance that a broadcast network is getting into TV production. Zee Network has its Essel Vision, which has been involved in many of its marquee properties. Star India had taken a 25.99 per cent stake in Balaji Telefilms in April 2004, only to exit it on 5 August 2015.

    ALSO READ :

    Sony Pictures Networks India to foray into TV production

    DD sets up ‘War Room’ to revitalise programming & revenues

  • Ajay Bhalwankar-led Sony’s maiden inhouse show partners Beyond Dreams

    Ajay Bhalwankar-led Sony’s maiden inhouse show partners Beyond Dreams

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Network India is all set to produce its first show in-house for the network which will be led by the industry veteran Ajay Bhalwankar.  Also, Sony’s internal production house has partnered with Yash Patnaik’s Beyond Dreams for their first show.

    A source close to the development informed indiantelevision.com that the production house will be headed by the creative director Bhalwankar.

    Bhalwankar, an industry veteran of 20 years, was earlier the content head of Zee TV. Prior to joining to Zee TV, he worked as the programming head for SET from November 2009 to June 2011.  In 2014, he rejoined SET as the chief creative director.

    At the launch of Sony’s historical show Peshwa Bajirao, SPNI CEO NP Singh informed, “The first show of our production house is going into production early next month. It will be a fiction series and will go on air in 3- 4 months time.”

    This is not the first instance that a broadcast network is getting into TV production. Zee Network has its Essel Vision, which has been involved in many of its marquee properties. Star India had taken a 25.99 per cent stake in Balaji Telefilms in April 2004, only to exit it on 5 August 2015.

    ALSO READ :

    Sony Pictures Networks India to foray into TV production

    DD sets up ‘War Room’ to revitalise programming & revenues

  • ZEEL launches its first radio station in Middle East

    ZEEL launches its first radio station in Middle East

    MUMBAI: Zee Middle East has announced the launch of its first radio station 106.2 Big FM in the UAE.

    This adds to the business portfolio of ATL for this region and makes it the only broadcaster in the South Asian space to have both, television and FM stations. The station’s interesting line-up of content includes original content produced in-house, content acquired from Big FM in India and cricket rights of key series for ball-by-ball commentary.

    Speaking on the launch, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) International Broadcast Business CEO Amit Goenka said “We are proud of the addition of 106.2 Big FM into the Zee and ATL family. We are sure that like all our ZEE brands, 106.2 Big FM will also entertain listeners in the UAE. The product has been developed with a lot of attention to detail and I am sure it will be of immense interest to the advertising community.”

    Goenka further added, “Investing strategically in media and related business has always been at the edge of Zee’s larger perspective for business growth. With the synergy of television and radio, we aim to increase our footprint and market share in the entertainment industry.’’

    The frequency now officially known as 106.2 big fm launches in the UAE today. With Big FM in Zee’s bag, the entertainment conglomerate scores as the strongest player in UAE’s South Asian entertainment field. From being pioneers with the launch of Zee TV in 1992 in the region, to introducing the first Bollywood TV channel for the Arab audience with Zee Aflam in 2008, Zee’s advance into radio is a step higher on the entertainment ladder. With the launch of 106.2 big fm, Zee claims its first international foray into the world of radio entertainment.

    On this occasion, Zee Network (MENA and APAC) CEO Mukund Cairae, said, “The launch of 106.2 Big FM is another prized feather in our cap. A gem in our entertainment business portfolio that further cements our numero uno position among South Asians in the Middle East. With the combined strength of television and radio under our wings, we aim to soar higher and show better commitment to the region. Also with this synergy, we now provide vast audio-visual platforms to our advertising clients, hence creating new business opportunities.”

    Zee Network (MENA) COO Manoj A Mathew who along with Gagan Mudgal the content and creative head curated the product said “We are confident that with radio on board, Zee can leverage people and content across television and radio mediums. With a treasure trove of great music content, along with one of Bollywood’s biggest music labels, Zee Music Company, launching the Big brand in the UAE with high-quality, disruptive content will surely stand out. All shows will be double headers – hosted by the resident music jockeys (MJs), as our presenters will be called, and co-hosted by popular Indian singers.”

    The station currently has Benny Dayal along with MJ Lavanya hosting the morning drive time show, the afternoon show is hosted by MJ Ujjwal, followed by the evening show being hosted by Palak Muchhal and MJ Arpit. Another ace feature is the introduction of a signature show of Big FM India – ‘Suhana Safar by Annu Kapoor.’ The late-night show is hosted by MJ Gagan Mudgal and there is a weekend special hosted by Harshdeep Kaur.

    With this amazing line-up, the station is bound to have listeners tuned in throughout the day.

  • ZEEL launches its first radio station in Middle East

    ZEEL launches its first radio station in Middle East

    MUMBAI: Zee Middle East has announced the launch of its first radio station 106.2 Big FM in the UAE.

    This adds to the business portfolio of ATL for this region and makes it the only broadcaster in the South Asian space to have both, television and FM stations. The station’s interesting line-up of content includes original content produced in-house, content acquired from Big FM in India and cricket rights of key series for ball-by-ball commentary.

    Speaking on the launch, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) International Broadcast Business CEO Amit Goenka said “We are proud of the addition of 106.2 Big FM into the Zee and ATL family. We are sure that like all our ZEE brands, 106.2 Big FM will also entertain listeners in the UAE. The product has been developed with a lot of attention to detail and I am sure it will be of immense interest to the advertising community.”

    Goenka further added, “Investing strategically in media and related business has always been at the edge of Zee’s larger perspective for business growth. With the synergy of television and radio, we aim to increase our footprint and market share in the entertainment industry.’’

    The frequency now officially known as 106.2 big fm launches in the UAE today. With Big FM in Zee’s bag, the entertainment conglomerate scores as the strongest player in UAE’s South Asian entertainment field. From being pioneers with the launch of Zee TV in 1992 in the region, to introducing the first Bollywood TV channel for the Arab audience with Zee Aflam in 2008, Zee’s advance into radio is a step higher on the entertainment ladder. With the launch of 106.2 big fm, Zee claims its first international foray into the world of radio entertainment.

    On this occasion, Zee Network (MENA and APAC) CEO Mukund Cairae, said, “The launch of 106.2 Big FM is another prized feather in our cap. A gem in our entertainment business portfolio that further cements our numero uno position among South Asians in the Middle East. With the combined strength of television and radio under our wings, we aim to soar higher and show better commitment to the region. Also with this synergy, we now provide vast audio-visual platforms to our advertising clients, hence creating new business opportunities.”

    Zee Network (MENA) COO Manoj A Mathew who along with Gagan Mudgal the content and creative head curated the product said “We are confident that with radio on board, Zee can leverage people and content across television and radio mediums. With a treasure trove of great music content, along with one of Bollywood’s biggest music labels, Zee Music Company, launching the Big brand in the UAE with high-quality, disruptive content will surely stand out. All shows will be double headers – hosted by the resident music jockeys (MJs), as our presenters will be called, and co-hosted by popular Indian singers.”

    The station currently has Benny Dayal along with MJ Lavanya hosting the morning drive time show, the afternoon show is hosted by MJ Ujjwal, followed by the evening show being hosted by Palak Muchhal and MJ Arpit. Another ace feature is the introduction of a signature show of Big FM India – ‘Suhana Safar by Annu Kapoor.’ The late-night show is hosted by MJ Gagan Mudgal and there is a weekend special hosted by Harshdeep Kaur.

    With this amazing line-up, the station is bound to have listeners tuned in throughout the day.

  • Zee expands presence in Africa; launches two channels

    Zee expands presence in Africa; launches two channels

    MUMBAI: Continuing with its promise of bringing quality Bollywood entertainment to Africa, leading Indian content company, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) today announced the launch of two new channels, Zee Bollymovies and Zee Bollynova which will broadcast on Africa’s new pay-TV network Kwesé TV.

    With the promise of ‘Bollywood Magic’, Zee Bollymovies is set to captivate African audiences across the board with its award-winning Bollywood movies and series. The channel aims to become the number one destination for Bollywood on the continent, bringing the latest and best Bollywood entertainment to Africa. The other exciting new addition to the ZEE stable, Zee Bollynova promises to create ‘Memorable Moments’ with its offering of a fusion of general entertainment programming, showcasing the best telenovelas and food shows.

    Speaking on ZEE’s expansion in the African market, ZEEL CEO – International Broadcast Business Amit Goenka said, “With great similarities between the two cultures, Africa has always shown a tremendous appreciation for rich, vibrant Bollywood content. Our two previously-launched, specially customised channels, Zee World and Zee Magic, have been warmly received by viewers, resulting in a threefold increase in our viewership since our entry into the continent in 2015. This love and appreciation for our content has encouraged us to introduce two new channels, Zee Bollymovies and Zee Bollynova, which will keep up with the ZEE trend of colour, music, dance, drama and excitement.”

    Sharing more details on the launches, Zee TV Africa CEO Harish Goyal said, “ZEE is continuously striving to make further in-roads into the African continent. We have packaged our latest offerings, Zee Bollymovies and Zee Bollynova with content adapted to suit the African viewer. Both channels are customized and dubbed in English.”

    “Zee Bollymovies will be a one-of-its-kind channel on the African continent, being a 24-hour dedicated Bollywood movie channel exclusively in English. On the other hand, Zee Bollynova will offer viewers innovative and engaging general entertainment programming. This is an extremely exciting launch for us and for viewers on the continent, and we look forward to being hosted on the Kwesé platform,” Mr. Goyal further added.

    Both channels will be available to viewers through Kwesé’s multi-platform offering including linear TV, mobile app, and web streaming services delivering premium entertainment to viewers anywhere, anytime, on any screen. Zee Bollymovies channel is available on Kwesé TV channel 155 while Zee Bollynova can be viewed on channel 150.

    Speaking on the growth of Kwesé general entertainment offering, Econet Media president and group CEO Joseph Hundah said, “As a new African broadcaster we want to ensure that our viewers have access to a diverse content offering that cuts across all programming genres. There is a strong appetite for premium Bollywood content on the continent, thus we are proud to offer these impressive channels on line-up as they provide engaging TV for the whole family to enjoy.”

    Zee Bollymovies and Zee Bollynova will join Kwesé’s exciting channel mix which includes a full range of sports, actuality, news and kids content.

    Zee Africa had earlier launched Zee World in February 2015, followed by Zee Magic in October 2015 which are both premium, fully dubbed English and French channels respectively.