ITV

Category: GECs

  • Live Viacom18’s Vh1 Supersonic has a new address

    Live Viacom18’s Vh1 Supersonic has a new address

    MUMBAI: One of the most anticipated dance music festivals, Vh1 Supersonic, has a new home. Scheduled to take place for three days starting from 10 February, the live property, after much assessment, will be held in Pune. Known as ‘Oxford of the East’, the city exudes a vibe of being one large college campus and the cultural capital of Maharashtra.

    “Carrying a legacy of offering the best in dance music, we are excited to host the upcoming edition of Vh1 Supersonic in Pune. Deeply-rooted in culture and traditions, the city is known for its openness towards modern influences and thought. Party-goers can enjoy a gamut of experiential activities beyond the mammoth artist line-up across the three days of Vh1 Supersonic. They can lose themselves in numerous hangout zones, filled with fun and adventurous activities, weave through engaging art installations, shop till they drop at flee markets and a lot more!,” said Live Viacom18 head Saugato Bhowmik.

    The music festival has brought to India some of the greats from the international world of EDM like Skrillex, Axwell, Zedd, W&W, Steve Aoki Paul Van Dyk, Above & Beyond, The Chainsmokers, Dash Berlin, etc. Moving beyond just three days annual festival, Vh1 Supersonic is also popular for its year long-experience sets through multiple brand extensions; i.e.Vh1 Supersonic Club Nights, Vh1 Supersonic Arcades which enables fans to engage with their favorite artists in their city through the year.

    Pune has always had an intrinsic connection with theatre, music, arts and literature and been a centre of learning and research in all fields.

  • Colors Naagin II to slither in on 8 October

    Colors Naagin II to slither in on 8 October

    MUMBAI: Who ever thought that the traditional age-old contrived tale of snakes taking human form to avenge their parents death? Well Ekta Kapoor, Raj Nayak and Manisha Sharma did. And the trio had a runaway Naagin on their hands last year on Colors, which ran on weekends on the channel for eight months. So much so that it reached numero uno status even in Pakistan.

    Nayak and Sharma decided to give it a break to accommodate other weekend programmes. Three months later, it is ready to make a comeback in Naagin season II on 8 October at 8 pm.. Season I saw it became the No1 show across television channels within 30 episodes of debut. The show proved to be a game-changer for Colors.

    In the first week of the launch itself, the fiction show ‘Naagin’ overtook the top five programmes on Hindi general entertainment channels (GECs). Additionally, ‘Naagin’ also became one of the first weekend shows which totted more ratings than the top-rated weekday shows.

    Says Colors CEO Raj Nayak: “Naagin has been a gloriously successful proposition for us, whose precise casting, gripping narrative and flawless execution has found appeal with audiences across the country, and has redefined the 8pm slot on weekends. As content creators, our challenge with a show like this was to weave the perfect narrative connecting childhood folklore to its real-life projection on screen, thus making Naagin a landmark show. It has been the numero uno show amongst Hindi GECs, and the feedback that the rushes have received gives us confidence that the second edition will surpass all previously set benchmarks.”

    Naagin, in its first season, highlighted a saga of love laced with revenge. As the story drew to a close, Naagin claimed triumph over evil. Ritik (Arjun Bijlani) and Shivanya became parents to a young girl, Shivangi. And, as time passes, Naagin 2 will progress by 24 years, now focusing on Shivangi’s life as she blossoms into a young woman, against the scenic backdrop of Dehradun.

    Says Colors programming head Manisha Sharma: “With Naagin, we opened up another genre of entertainment for the viewers. Naagin created history with its compelling storyline to become the unprecedented No 1 show on Indian television. And now, as we kick off Naagin 2, here’s another tale with a shape shifting snake at its helm that will once again make fantastical characters television’s newest stars.”

    Balaji Telefilms producer Ekta Kapoor adds: “Naagin is a very special show for me. The show marked my first foray in the mystical genre, and empowered us to explore a different kind of storytelling altogether. As we march ahead, we bring together not only the show’s original cast, but also a volley of newer faces who will narrate Shivangi’s tale, as she takes the mantle of being the Nagmani’s protector forward. This season we are raising the bar on visual effects to incorporate newer technologies, and will put together a tight and engrossing narrative to heighten viewer experience and build intrigue like never before.”

    To promote Naagin 2, Colors has devised an extensive integrated marketing campaign across mediums including print, cable and DTH, radio, news channels, OOH, cinema, etc. This will be complemented by a robust digital campaign incorporating multiple social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. . The channel has also planned on-ground activations aligned with the Colors Golden Petal Club across multiple markets. Sources indicate that a marketing budget of round Rs 2 crore has been kept aside for the show.

  • Colors Naagin II to slither in on 8 October

    Colors Naagin II to slither in on 8 October

    MUMBAI: Who ever thought that the traditional age-old contrived tale of snakes taking human form to avenge their parents death? Well Ekta Kapoor, Raj Nayak and Manisha Sharma did. And the trio had a runaway Naagin on their hands last year on Colors, which ran on weekends on the channel for eight months. So much so that it reached numero uno status even in Pakistan.

    Nayak and Sharma decided to give it a break to accommodate other weekend programmes. Three months later, it is ready to make a comeback in Naagin season II on 8 October at 8 pm.. Season I saw it became the No1 show across television channels within 30 episodes of debut. The show proved to be a game-changer for Colors.

    In the first week of the launch itself, the fiction show ‘Naagin’ overtook the top five programmes on Hindi general entertainment channels (GECs). Additionally, ‘Naagin’ also became one of the first weekend shows which totted more ratings than the top-rated weekday shows.

    Says Colors CEO Raj Nayak: “Naagin has been a gloriously successful proposition for us, whose precise casting, gripping narrative and flawless execution has found appeal with audiences across the country, and has redefined the 8pm slot on weekends. As content creators, our challenge with a show like this was to weave the perfect narrative connecting childhood folklore to its real-life projection on screen, thus making Naagin a landmark show. It has been the numero uno show amongst Hindi GECs, and the feedback that the rushes have received gives us confidence that the second edition will surpass all previously set benchmarks.”

    Naagin, in its first season, highlighted a saga of love laced with revenge. As the story drew to a close, Naagin claimed triumph over evil. Ritik (Arjun Bijlani) and Shivanya became parents to a young girl, Shivangi. And, as time passes, Naagin 2 will progress by 24 years, now focusing on Shivangi’s life as she blossoms into a young woman, against the scenic backdrop of Dehradun.

    Says Colors programming head Manisha Sharma: “With Naagin, we opened up another genre of entertainment for the viewers. Naagin created history with its compelling storyline to become the unprecedented No 1 show on Indian television. And now, as we kick off Naagin 2, here’s another tale with a shape shifting snake at its helm that will once again make fantastical characters television’s newest stars.”

    Balaji Telefilms producer Ekta Kapoor adds: “Naagin is a very special show for me. The show marked my first foray in the mystical genre, and empowered us to explore a different kind of storytelling altogether. As we march ahead, we bring together not only the show’s original cast, but also a volley of newer faces who will narrate Shivangi’s tale, as she takes the mantle of being the Nagmani’s protector forward. This season we are raising the bar on visual effects to incorporate newer technologies, and will put together a tight and engrossing narrative to heighten viewer experience and build intrigue like never before.”

    To promote Naagin 2, Colors has devised an extensive integrated marketing campaign across mediums including print, cable and DTH, radio, news channels, OOH, cinema, etc. This will be complemented by a robust digital campaign incorporating multiple social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. . The channel has also planned on-ground activations aligned with the Colors Golden Petal Club across multiple markets. Sources indicate that a marketing budget of round Rs 2 crore has been kept aside for the show.

  • Quo Vadis ZEEL-RBNL

    Quo Vadis ZEEL-RBNL

    MUMBAI: It was hardly a month or so ago that ZEEL MD Punit Goenka had issued a denial, saying that it was not interested in acquiring the radio and TV business of the Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Broadcast Networks Ltd (RBNL) because radio regulations do not permit FDI equity beyond 49 per cent.

    But, the media was awash once again with the news that it had restarted negotiations with RBNL just two days ago. When Indiantelevision.com got in touch with the ZEEL corporate spokesperson whether this was true, this is the response, we got: “From time to time, we keep exploring strategic opportunities for entering new businesses or in our existing businesses. However, as a matter of policy, we do not comment on media speculations,” the response said.

    To us, this sounds ominously familiar. This is the exact response ZEEL and Essel had issued when news reports appeared about the sale of its TEN Sports business to Sony Pictures Networks India. When speculation about Siticable buying DEN Networks gathered steam, a similar line was thrown.

    Ditto was the response with Dish TV’s ongoing discussions to acquire Videocon d2h from the debt-laden-and struggling Videocon group. Dish TV is a part of the Essel group as well.

    And, we all know what happened with Ten Networks. After denying it for a few months, SPNI bought it over for a cool Rs 2,600 crore.

    The DEN Networks talks turned out to be just talks. Now, the Sameer Manchanda-promoted cable company has got an infusion of cash and the rumour mills state that it will be acquired by Star India at some stage.

    As far as Dish TV is concerned, the company recently moved its registered corporate office from Noida to a Mumbai address of Marathon Futurex, which also houses other Essel group ventures. Observers believe this move could help facilitate its Videocon d2h acquisition. The two groups will have to approach only one court – the Bombay High Court — for approvals. Whether this is true or not, only time will tell.

    Overall, the media industry is ripe for consolidation. And, the hungry to grow, Zee (Essel) group is scouting around for opportunities, chatting with almost everyone who could be a potential good addition to its portfolio. Analysts feel the prospective RBNL deal will be a win-win for Ambani as well as for the Essel group, of which ZEEL is a part.

    The Essel group is present in television, films, print, music, events and live, and digital. What’s missing is radio. The acquisition, when and if that does happen, will herald the group’s entry into that segment as well. It recently announced its diversification into that segment in the UAE by leasing the frequency, which was operated by the radio channel Hum. The lease becomes active cum January 2017.

    RBNL will also add a Bhojpuri regional channel BIG Ganga and a comedy-centric national channel Big Magic to the Zee TV bouquet. Both these genres are strikingly absent in the ZEEL bouquet. In July 2015, ZEEL gobbled up Odia channel Sarthak TV for Rs 115 crore.

    Anil Ambani has been attempting to find buyers for his media and entertainment assets for some time now. Lured by the sector, he rushed into it in the previous decade setting up a DTH venture, poured investments in DreamWorks, in his Bollywood studio, in a VFX studio and in shooting floors, a TV production company, and in radio and TV broadcasting.

    The oodles of cash he kept on pumping into the sector have not got the return he expected. One bright spark has been his radio and TV venture, especially the FM station and the regional channels. Recently, the group announced that it was carving out its DTH venture Reliance Digital TV into a separate company from Reliance Communications.

    Observers say that the Zee group and RBNL are examining ways of slicing and dicing the RBNL business to facilitate a buyout. Among the options being considered is ingesting FM radio into Zee Media, and incorporating the Big Magic channels into ZEEL. According to BSE filings, Zee Media does not have any significant foreign holding. Hence, the foreign investment cap will not come in its way of digesting Big FM. And ZEEL’s acquisition of the Big channels is but a shoo-in.

    Of course, pricing has to be agreed between the two parties. Figures of Rs 2,000 crore-Rs 2,500 crore that are being bandied about seem far too inflated considering the scale of RBNL’s radio and TV business. The acquisition tag could more likely be at half of that. Or, if one stretches ones pockets, at a discount of Rs 500 crore to that.

    We, as media observers, can only wait and watch to see which way the pendulum swings.

  • Quo Vadis ZEEL-RBNL

    Quo Vadis ZEEL-RBNL

    MUMBAI: It was hardly a month or so ago that ZEEL MD Punit Goenka had issued a denial, saying that it was not interested in acquiring the radio and TV business of the Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Broadcast Networks Ltd (RBNL) because radio regulations do not permit FDI equity beyond 49 per cent.

    But, the media was awash once again with the news that it had restarted negotiations with RBNL just two days ago. When Indiantelevision.com got in touch with the ZEEL corporate spokesperson whether this was true, this is the response, we got: “From time to time, we keep exploring strategic opportunities for entering new businesses or in our existing businesses. However, as a matter of policy, we do not comment on media speculations,” the response said.

    To us, this sounds ominously familiar. This is the exact response ZEEL and Essel had issued when news reports appeared about the sale of its TEN Sports business to Sony Pictures Networks India. When speculation about Siticable buying DEN Networks gathered steam, a similar line was thrown.

    Ditto was the response with Dish TV’s ongoing discussions to acquire Videocon d2h from the debt-laden-and struggling Videocon group. Dish TV is a part of the Essel group as well.

    And, we all know what happened with Ten Networks. After denying it for a few months, SPNI bought it over for a cool Rs 2,600 crore.

    The DEN Networks talks turned out to be just talks. Now, the Sameer Manchanda-promoted cable company has got an infusion of cash and the rumour mills state that it will be acquired by Star India at some stage.

    As far as Dish TV is concerned, the company recently moved its registered corporate office from Noida to a Mumbai address of Marathon Futurex, which also houses other Essel group ventures. Observers believe this move could help facilitate its Videocon d2h acquisition. The two groups will have to approach only one court – the Bombay High Court — for approvals. Whether this is true or not, only time will tell.

    Overall, the media industry is ripe for consolidation. And, the hungry to grow, Zee (Essel) group is scouting around for opportunities, chatting with almost everyone who could be a potential good addition to its portfolio. Analysts feel the prospective RBNL deal will be a win-win for Ambani as well as for the Essel group, of which ZEEL is a part.

    The Essel group is present in television, films, print, music, events and live, and digital. What’s missing is radio. The acquisition, when and if that does happen, will herald the group’s entry into that segment as well. It recently announced its diversification into that segment in the UAE by leasing the frequency, which was operated by the radio channel Hum. The lease becomes active cum January 2017.

    RBNL will also add a Bhojpuri regional channel BIG Ganga and a comedy-centric national channel Big Magic to the Zee TV bouquet. Both these genres are strikingly absent in the ZEEL bouquet. In July 2015, ZEEL gobbled up Odia channel Sarthak TV for Rs 115 crore.

    Anil Ambani has been attempting to find buyers for his media and entertainment assets for some time now. Lured by the sector, he rushed into it in the previous decade setting up a DTH venture, poured investments in DreamWorks, in his Bollywood studio, in a VFX studio and in shooting floors, a TV production company, and in radio and TV broadcasting.

    The oodles of cash he kept on pumping into the sector have not got the return he expected. One bright spark has been his radio and TV venture, especially the FM station and the regional channels. Recently, the group announced that it was carving out its DTH venture Reliance Digital TV into a separate company from Reliance Communications.

    Observers say that the Zee group and RBNL are examining ways of slicing and dicing the RBNL business to facilitate a buyout. Among the options being considered is ingesting FM radio into Zee Media, and incorporating the Big Magic channels into ZEEL. According to BSE filings, Zee Media does not have any significant foreign holding. Hence, the foreign investment cap will not come in its way of digesting Big FM. And ZEEL’s acquisition of the Big channels is but a shoo-in.

    Of course, pricing has to be agreed between the two parties. Figures of Rs 2,000 crore-Rs 2,500 crore that are being bandied about seem far too inflated considering the scale of RBNL’s radio and TV business. The acquisition tag could more likely be at half of that. Or, if one stretches ones pockets, at a discount of Rs 500 crore to that.

    We, as media observers, can only wait and watch to see which way the pendulum swings.

  • ZEEL clarifies on UAE Hum 106.2 FM radio biz foray

    ZEEL clarifies on UAE Hum 106.2 FM radio biz foray

    MUMBAI: Last week, the media was abuzz about Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) acquisition of the UAE’s first Hindi/Urdu radio station, Hum 106.2 FM. The move signaled the entertainment major’s foray into the radio business, something which has been speculated about for some time.

    However, the company has clarified to the Bombay stock exchange, saying that the Hum 106.2 FM deal is not a takeover.

    In a notice issued the BSE over the weekend, ZEEL states that it has set up a step-down subsidiary in Dubai to be in the FM radio business in the name of Zee FM. And, under the agreement it has signed, the radio frequency owned by the emirate of Umm Al Quwain has been leased to the Zee subsidiary effective January 2017 for its radio business.

    Umm Al Quwain Broadcasting Network (UBN) which operate Hum 106.2 used the frequency to serve Hindi and Urdu programming to listeners. It redefined drive time and boasted of many celebrity Radio Jockeys. It also went on to popularize live cricket commentary on radio and has a lot of pioneering firsts in the radio business.

  • ZEEL clarifies on UAE Hum 106.2 FM radio biz foray

    ZEEL clarifies on UAE Hum 106.2 FM radio biz foray

    MUMBAI: Last week, the media was abuzz about Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) acquisition of the UAE’s first Hindi/Urdu radio station, Hum 106.2 FM. The move signaled the entertainment major’s foray into the radio business, something which has been speculated about for some time.

    However, the company has clarified to the Bombay stock exchange, saying that the Hum 106.2 FM deal is not a takeover.

    In a notice issued the BSE over the weekend, ZEEL states that it has set up a step-down subsidiary in Dubai to be in the FM radio business in the name of Zee FM. And, under the agreement it has signed, the radio frequency owned by the emirate of Umm Al Quwain has been leased to the Zee subsidiary effective January 2017 for its radio business.

    Umm Al Quwain Broadcasting Network (UBN) which operate Hum 106.2 used the frequency to serve Hindi and Urdu programming to listeners. It redefined drive time and boasted of many celebrity Radio Jockeys. It also went on to popularize live cricket commentary on radio and has a lot of pioneering firsts in the radio business.

  • Unearth Sanghavi’s secrets on Raj TV

    Unearth Sanghavi’s secrets on Raj TV

    MUMBAI: After a successful launch of the mystical-thriller series Kaakha Kaakha, Raj TV is all set to roll-out another show. Titled Arundathi, the show will hit the TV screens from 10 October 2016 every Monday to Saturday  at 8 pm.

    The show is s mystery series based around this character called Sanghavi, a young, beautiful, happy-go-lucky girl who loves her family. The lead protagonist has her dreams, aspirations in life which she wishes to fulfill but she is met with continuous failures.

    Brief synopsis:

    She gets married despite all the attempts made by her parents in finding the suitable groom for her. Whoever comes to see her for alliance, their lives are either being threatened mysteriously or they face evil forces around them and they eventually end up giving up on her owing to superstitious beliefs.

    Sanghavi later realizes some unusual power possessed by her— whenever she touches someone bitten by snake, the venom goes off; whenever she steps in a temple, there’s always a cool breeze that accompanies her despite the hot and humid weather.  

    Her parents visit a famous temple to consult the top astrologers, where they are revealed that Sanghavi will get married on Vaikasi 18th Friday and the bridegroom’s name is Sankaraman. Likewise, soon Sanghavi’s parents get a proposal from a bridegroom by name Sankaraman who happens to be a cop. Tragedy strikes when Sankaraman is killed in an attempt to save Sanghavi from a false murder charge of their landlord who was actually murdered by the local dacoits.

    In order to find the mysteries surrounding Sanghavi, the frustrated family approach a Sithar who is on a non-stop penance for 100 years. The revelations by Sithar forms the base for the rest the show.

  • Unearth Sanghavi’s secrets on Raj TV

    Unearth Sanghavi’s secrets on Raj TV

    MUMBAI: After a successful launch of the mystical-thriller series Kaakha Kaakha, Raj TV is all set to roll-out another show. Titled Arundathi, the show will hit the TV screens from 10 October 2016 every Monday to Saturday  at 8 pm.

    The show is s mystery series based around this character called Sanghavi, a young, beautiful, happy-go-lucky girl who loves her family. The lead protagonist has her dreams, aspirations in life which she wishes to fulfill but she is met with continuous failures.

    Brief synopsis:

    She gets married despite all the attempts made by her parents in finding the suitable groom for her. Whoever comes to see her for alliance, their lives are either being threatened mysteriously or they face evil forces around them and they eventually end up giving up on her owing to superstitious beliefs.

    Sanghavi later realizes some unusual power possessed by her— whenever she touches someone bitten by snake, the venom goes off; whenever she steps in a temple, there’s always a cool breeze that accompanies her despite the hot and humid weather.  

    Her parents visit a famous temple to consult the top astrologers, where they are revealed that Sanghavi will get married on Vaikasi 18th Friday and the bridegroom’s name is Sankaraman. Likewise, soon Sanghavi’s parents get a proposal from a bridegroom by name Sankaraman who happens to be a cop. Tragedy strikes when Sankaraman is killed in an attempt to save Sanghavi from a false murder charge of their landlord who was actually murdered by the local dacoits.

    In order to find the mysteries surrounding Sanghavi, the frustrated family approach a Sithar who is on a non-stop penance for 100 years. The revelations by Sithar forms the base for the rest the show.

  • Sumner Redstone pushes for CBS-Viacom merger

    Sumner Redstone pushes for CBS-Viacom merger

    NEW DELHI: The maverick Sumner Redstone, not letting age dim any of his business acumen, is at it again. Earlier this week he sent a strong message to investors and potential takeover tycoons that he favours a merger of American media companies CBS Corp and Viacom Inc.

    Redstone-family controlled National Amusements, the company that owns 80 per cent of voting shares in CBS Corp and Viacom Inc, on Thursday proposed a merger of the two entities saying it would not support the acquisition of either media company by a third party or surrender its control of either firm.

    National Amusements in a letter to both companies’ boards conveyed that a merger would “offer substantial synergies that would allow the combined company to respond even more aggressively and effectively to the challenges of the changing entertainment and media landscape,” a Reuters report, based on information from Bengaluru and New York centres, said, adding both companies acknowledged receipt of the letter.

    Redstone had split CBS from Viacom 10 years ago as investors saw CBS as a slow-moving company catering to an older audience, while Viacom, whose networks include Nickelodeon and MTV, was considered more youthful. But CBS shares have outperformed those of Viacom over the last five years.

    According to the Reuters report, Shari Redstone, Sumner’s daughter and an owner of National Amusements, has favoured recombining CBS and Viacom under the leadership of CBS Chief Executive Officer Leslie Moonves.

    But for a deal to happen, the Redstones will have to assure Moonves he will have full autonomy over the combined entity, Reuters said basing their observations on unnamed sources.

    Industry speculation that the two companies might come together again increased in recent weeks after the Redstones prevailed over a power struggle that resulted in the departure of Viacom Chief Executive Officer Philippe Dauman.

    CBS’s management and independent directors “will take appropriate actions to evaluate what is in the best interest of the company and its shareholders,” a representative told Reuters. Viacom said it expected its board to form a special committee of independent directors to consider this offer.

    In its letter, National Amusements said the optimal deal would be an all-stock transaction giving holders of each company shares in the combined entity of the same class they currently own.

    Any transaction would require the approval of both boards. Sumner and Shari Redstone will not vote on the deal as directors of Viacom and CBS or participate in deliberations, according to the letter. David Andelman, a CBS director, also will not participate in the process, the Reuters report stated.

    It is within National Amusements’ rights to refuse considering any other acquisition of either company, two lawyers familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

    In India, Viacom Inc has a joint venture with Mukesh Ambani-controlled Network18 group christened Viacom18 that oversees TV channels like MTV, Nick and Hindi language entertainment channel Colors.