ITV

Category: GECs

  • Soon: Care World TV online

    Soon: Care World TV online

    MUMBAI: Post Diwali, six-year-old health and fitness television channel – Care World TV – is expected to go LIVE on its website http://www.careworldtv.com. In so doing, it will become the first global health care TV channel to be simultaneously available online and offline.

     

    Currently in the testing phase of simulcasting its television content on its website, Care World TV is looking to expand audience reach with this initiative. Care World TV managing director Ajit Gupta exults: “With this initiative, we become the first global health care television channel to be simultaneously available both online and offline.”

     

    The channel has already started getting response from countries like Spain, according to ABS 7 Star CMD Atul Saraf, who says: “Even though we haven’t made it LIVE yet, and are still in the testing phase, anyone who comes to our website for information on health or contact details of doctors etc. can see the simulcast of the channel. We are already getting good response from people based in different parts of the world.”

     

    With the simulcast, Care World TV hopes to reach out to a travelling audience as well as the many Indians settled across the globe.

     

    Simulcast apart, the channel is also developing an app to further connect with its audiences to be launched by November. “The app will be ready by month-end. We will then test the app and so, it should be available for free download by November. It will be available on Android and iOS first. We will further expand to other operating systems like Windows,” says Saraf.

     

    According to Gupta: “The app will have an eye-catching interface, with easy functionality, and will cater to the premium market segment.”

     

    Available for free download, the app can be used even if one has slow internet connectivity. “We have put the content on a very low bit rate and so, a person can watch it even with a 256 or 512 mbps internet connection speed,” informs Saraf.

     

    So is the channel looking at monetising its website content? “Well! We haven’t thought of it currently, but we may in future, we are not ruling out the opportunity,” replies Saraf.

     

    TAM weekly TV ratings reveal that Care World TV reaches four to five million viewers every week. “The channel has bridged the gap between functionaries and beneficiaries. With a 24×7 presence on television and now also on the web, the channel provides various formats of programming that include awareness segments, talking heads, panel discussions, in-depth reports, presentations, infomercials, audio visuals, documentaries, bulletins, campaigns etc, in both fiction and non-fiction formats,” says Gupta.

     

    While the channel has taken a bold step in an internet-driven world, only time will tell if the move will help expand its viewer base or eat into its existing television viewership?

  • 12 hour Laughathon with Nadaniyaan on Big Magic

    12 hour Laughathon with Nadaniyaan on Big Magic

    MUMBAI: Big Magic, the flagship GEC from Reliance Broadcast Network is taking newer approach to stay connected to their audience. On 27 October, get set for a laughter indulgence the channel is all geared up to showcase, The Nadaniyaan Laughaton,a special treat for fans of the popular situational comedy show – Nadaniyaan. It will be a 12-hour non-stop entertainment (8:00 am – 8:00 pm).

    Talking about the initiative, the channel’s business head Sunil Kumaran says, “Sundays are days when television viewers seek complete light family entertainment. To appeal the entire family, we conceptualised this special Sunday content.”

    The programming has been designed to increase reach and sampling, says Sunil Kumaran

    Anchored by none other than popular actor-comedian Krushna Abhishek, this special marathon will air the best Nadaniyaan episodes. Says Krushna, “I am very excited to be anchoring a laughathon on Big Magic. Nadaniyaan is a hilarious sitcom and I personally enjoy watching the show. This is the first time I am doing something like this and it has been a wonderful experience. I am certain that this Sunday is going to be a fun-filled one.”

    Nadaniyaan… Teen Nadaano Ki Kahaniyaan is a dialogue-based situational comedy that revolves around the lives of the Verma family featuring Naman Verma aka Nandu, his wife Chandini and his brother Pushkar Verma aka Pappu. A self-proclaimed writer, a push-over wife and a clumsy younger brother; this nadaan family constantly lands each other in amusing situations with plenty of misunderstandings, crazy pranks and comic characters.

    Kumaran adds, “Nadaniyaan has the right mix of comedy and makes for perfect Sunday television entertainment. Krishna’s was a perfect fit for the show given his experience in the comedy genre. The programming has been designed to increase reach and sampling. Additionally, we will have Krishna’s fans who will further augment viewership.”

    In the past, many GECs have tried this stint but haven’t been able to click with the audience well.

  • MTV dares to step out with ‘Rann VJ Run’

    MTV dares to step out with ‘Rann VJ Run’

    MUMBAI: Come 27 October, MTV will have a brand new adventure reality series for its viewers. The show christened Rann VJ Run is a genre-bending show that takes a look into the life of Rannvijay Singh like never before. The channel has roped in Woodland as the presenting sponsor and the show will be powered by Samsung Galaxy S4.

    Produced by Anshuman Jaiswal, the 10-part series will follow Rannvijay as he embarks on an epic journey to discover new places, new sports, new cultures, new people and a new way of life. Each destination across the globe will see Rannvijay challenge himself into doing things that he always wanted to do but never imagined he could.

    Speaking about the new show, MTV India EVP and business head Aditya Swamy exults: “We have always seen our favourite stars in charge and in control. But how often do you get to see the real person behind the star, that’s exactly what this show is about. The most real reality show which you will see, it captures what happens when a man challenges himself to the very limit. It’s not about how hard you fall but it’s how fast you will bounce back.”

    Will the series work wonders for the channel? A media planner answers: “I don’t think the channel has made a right move by airing it on Sundays, where people are either busy with friends or family. The channel’s main target group (TG) is youngsters, but who will like to sit home on a Sunday in front of the television box and watch the series.”

    He further goes on to say that: “As far as concept is concerned, it is quite interesting. Rannvijay is known as the face of the channel. But the time slot the channel has booked won’t give them the numbers it might be expecting. Let’s hope his fans churn out numbers for the channel.”

    Thrilled at being part of the show, Rannvijay Singh says: “I am extremely delighted to be part of a project like MTV Rann VJ Run which makes me go that extra mile and challenge myself. I am not going to play against any opponents but myself. It will be just me and the game. This is one journey I just can’t wait to commence.”
    The series will be air every Sunday at 6.00 pm.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Publicis acquires Beehive Communications

    Publicis acquires Beehive Communications

    MUMBAI: The Publicis Groupe has acquired six companies since mid-2012 and today, it was time to take one more leap. In a new development, the French multinational advertising and PR major announced the acquisition of Beehive Communications, one of the country’s foremost independent integrated communications agencies, which serves clients across South Asia.

    With this deal, Beehive will be rebranded Publicis Beehive, to operate as a unit within Publicis Worldwide’s global network. The agency’s current team will continue to lead it under the direction of founder and CEO Sanjit Shastri, and will report in to CEO South Asia Publicis Worldwide Nakul Chopra.

    Without disclosing the value, Shastri said both companies were happy and added that the deal gave Beehive a wider platform, better growth prospects and overall appeal as the agency was entering a totally new league. He pointed out that the work strategy would be pretty much similar to what has been the norm so far.

    “I think we will continue with our same old approach, focusing on building steps and verticals and providing integrated solutions through digital media and other creative platforms. Employees will be benefitted too as they will get much more exposure and will get to work at a higher level. We have clients from four different buckets including retail, education, travel and tourism and we have recently started handling a few clients from real estate as well. We are also in the process of signing deals with a few more real estate people,” he said.

    For Publicis, the Beehive acquisition marks a significant step in becoming the leading communications network in India.

    “Beehive brings both scale and strategic value to the Publicis offering in India. The verticals that they have are complimentary. Like, Publicis currently has very good exposure in sectors such as food, beauty, fashion, personal sector etc. While Beehive comes with exposure in other sectors, they are not exposed to the areas that we handle. So, the association is going to be a learning experience for both the companies,” said Chopra and added that their employees would be benefitted as well. “Employees of the smaller company gain by being a part of the larger organisation. They gain because they are exposed to better platforms and newer opportunities,” he added.
    B Sanjit Shashtri (L) and Nakul Chopra (R) are expecting their association to reap profits

    Founded in 2003, Beehive Communications today employs more than 130 staff, and provides integrated solutions in creative, reputation management, media, digital, brand activation and research. Beehive’s clients (over 50) include the likes of Malaysia Tourism, General Motors, Korea Tourism, Jubiliant Retail, India Bulls Finance and Bisleri among others. Headquartered in Mumbai, it has a presence in Delhi and Bangalore as well. Known for its ability to build expertise in important vertical markets with speed and efficiency, the agency has built a reputation for growing and winning over their clients.

  • Sab cooks up a storm to climb the TVT ladder

    Sab cooks up a storm to climb the TVT ladder

    MUMBAI: “We always offer differentiated and innovative content than the others in the general entertainment channel space,” says Sab TV EVP and business head Anooj Kapoor on the sidelines of the launch of Sab’s new show Jo Biwi Se Kare Pyaar today. The show goes on-air on 28 October at 7:30 pm. Currently, the channel has no fresh content in this time slot and it is adding to its prime time line up through its new offering.

    Jo Biwi Se Kare Pyaar is a light-hearted cookery show. “It is India’s first fiction based cookery show, which has romance, comedy and also teaches the audience a recipe in each episode,” informs Kapoor.

    This isn’t all. The show is also different than the rest, as it takes brand communication to a different level. The channel has partnered with TTK Prestige and developed a concept around the values of the brand. “We have taken communication beyond advertisement. It is an articulation of product with the content of the show, which comes out beautifully,” says TTK Prestige COO Chandru Kalroo.

    The show weaves in romance, comedy and cooking seamlessly. “With this show, we bring our old line Jo biwi se kare pyaar to the contemporary context of Woh cooking se kaise kare inkaar,” adds Kalroo.

    According to Kapoor, since the new series is not a non-fiction client sponsored show, “it becomes a logical part of our regular programming, thus strengthening our prime time band.”

    “As a brand that has a relationship spanning six decades, we believe that we have to communicate beyond the product itself. We need to constantly strike an emotional chord with the consumer. The partnership with Sab through the programme will further this effort through its wonderfully conceived situations, humour and high quality production. I am sure this will be a new landmark in marketing,” adds Kalroo.

    The show, according to Kapoor, is “of the family, by the family and for the family.” “The show retains brand Sab. It is a very unique concept, as there has never been a fiction cookery show with some added tadka,” he adds.

    The show stars Arjun Bijlani who plays Aditya Khanna and Shweta Gulati who will be seen as Suhani Khanna. It has been produced by Deepti Bhatnagar Productions and written by Rajat Vyas. Commenting on his association with Deepti, Kapoor says, “She has been associated with Sab for almost five years now and thus understands the brand Sab.”

    Deepti has in the past also been the spokesperson for Prestige. “She thus understands not only us, but also our clients,” he says. Not only has Deepti produced the show, but has also taken her cooking experience to another level through her characters on TV. “All the recipes are from my recipe book. I did not want to take it from a chef as we wanted to keep it simple,” says Bhatnagar.

    It was the channel’s idea to do a show like this. Talking about the concept, Kapoor says, “Well, the concept came from us and then we approached Deepti to work on it. Prestige, which is our client, wanted us to create a show which could help promote them. We developed the concept keeping our brand template in mind.”

    The story of Jo Biwi Se Kare Pyaar reflects the lifestyle of new age couples, who despite of demanding work-lives try to find interesting ways to spend time with each other. And, the show also offers an opportunity to the viewers to learn new and easy recipes.

    Two promos and various digital campaigns have been designed to promote the show. “We have not compromised on the marketing of the show,” informs Kapoor.

    Quiz Deepti about the challenges she faced while making the show and she says, “It is a different genre that has both fiction and non-fiction. Also, we had to ensure that the cooking is seamlessly integrated in the story. Everything had to blend very well. It was challenging as it is no saas-bahu saga.”

    Currently, of the 26 episodes that will be aired in the series, five have been shot. “We will take a call on increasing the number of episodes a week after the show goes on air.” A lot of detailing has gone into making the set of the show. “It took us one month to create the set in Kamalistan. The show has a working kitchen, unlike the dummy kitchen in a lot of cookery shows. Also, the glasses that have been used are from Turkey. The appliances are good looking. I have got a professional to design the plates for the show. I wanted to put a lot of stress on the production value,” says Bhatnagar.

    Sab hopes to climb the ladder of TV ratings with this show and is also working towards strengthening its weekend programming for which new concepts are being developed. In the past, the channel has been at the number three slot in the time spent by viewers on the channel and wants to return to that ranking.

  • Vuclip to power video of Airtel VAS entertainment store

    Vuclip to power video of Airtel VAS entertainment store

    NEW DELHI: Vuclip is powering the video section of the Re 1 Entertainment Store at telecom major Bharti Airtel.

    The mobile entertainment store of Airtel offers services including music, games, photos and videos.

    According to the mobile VAS deal, Vuclip is the mobile video media partner responsible for the technology, product, analytics, and content aggregation engine for the video section of the Airtel Entertainment Store.

    Launched on 16 August, the Airtel entertainment store has garnered more than 10 million consumers accessing the site.

    Airtel India CEO – Data N Rajaram said the Re 1 video initiative is the beginning of Airtel’s effort to bring video to the masses. In the entertainment store’s initial weeks, it has received an overwhelming response in terms of new user acquisition as well as engagement.  

    Airtel entertainment store offers more than 250,000 videos that runs on Vuclip’s dynamic adaptive transcoding technology that streams video on a real-time basis without buffering on any device and on any network.

    Mobile VAS is expected to grow to $200 billion by 2017 from $161 billion in 2012. Recently, Aircel and Techzone have tied up for offering mobile video download called as Video store@ Re 1 to Aircel subscribers. Aircel’s Video store@ Re1 will offer a library of 20,000 + videos to its subscribers at Re 1/video. Apart from viewing and downloading the users will also be able to share the videos with their friends via Facebook and Twitter.

  • Casbaa adds Todd Miller and William Wade to board of directors

    Casbaa adds Todd Miller and William Wade to board of directors

    MUMBAI: Casbaa, the Asia Pacific multichannel TV association, has announced the election of Celestial Tiger Entertainment CEO Todd Miller and AsiaSat president and CEO William Wade to the board of directors.

    Re-elected as chairman of Casbaa was Marcel Fenez, global leader, entertainment & media practice, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and re-elected for additional terms on the board were PCCW TV and New Media MD Janice Lee and GroupM APAC CEO Mark Patterson.

    “We are delighted to welcome William Wade and to have Todd Miller return to the Casbaa board of directors. With their vast experience and wide-ranging knowledge of the multichannel TV landscape in the region, Miller and Wade will prove to be invaluable in helping chart the future of the association,” said Casbaa chairman Marcel Fenez. “We are also pleased to have the continued support of Lee and Patterson whose contributions to the governance of the association has been an integral part of our success.”

    Celestial Tiger Entertainment CEO Todd Miller is responsible for driving the company’s core businesses of branded pay-TV channels, content creation and content distribution across Asia and beyond. Prior to joining Celestial Tiger Entertainment, Miller spent 17 years at Sony Pictures Television, where he last served as executive VP, Networks, Asia-Pacific, overseeing and managing over 25 television networks and channel investments in the region. Miller has previously served two terms on the board of directors of Casbaa.

    William Wade was appointed as CEO on 1 August 2010 to lead AsiaSat, with his title changed to president and CEO from 1 January 2011.  Prior to assuming his role as CEO, he had served as AsiaSat’s deputy CEO for 16 years. Wade has over 26 years of experience in the satellite and cable television industry. Prior to joining AsiaSat in April 1994, he was with Hutchison Whampoa, as director of business development for Pan Asian Systems, and was in charge of all sales and regional operations.

    Miller and Wade will be replacing retiring members Disney-ABC International Television (Asia Pacific) SVP & MD Robert Gilby and Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific president and MD Steve Marcopoto.

    Added Fenez: “On behalf of the board of directors, council of governors and the executive office, Casbaa would also like to recognise the incredible efforts and hard work of both Robert Gilby and Steve Marcopoto. Their guidance and dedication to the evolution of the association will be greatly missed.”

  • M&E industry shows steep drop in Monster Employment Index over 12 months

    M&E industry shows steep drop in Monster Employment Index over 12 months

    BENGALURU: The Monster employment Index over a 12 month period between September 2012 and September 2013 reveals that online recruitment activity by the Media and Entertainment Industry (M&E) showed one of the lowest growths with a decline of 32 per cent. Only four of the 27 industry sectors monitored by the Monster Employment Index registered expansion in online recruitment activity during that period.

    As a matter of fact, the M&E industry was just ahead of the Printing / Packaging industry which was down 39 per cent, showing the steepest annual decline.  Import / Export sector which was up 12 per cent followed by Education which showed an increase of five percent, exhibited the highest annual growth among sectors. Healthcare, Bio Technology and Life Sciences, Pharmaceuticals sector with an increase of four percent), showed positive growth in online recruitment activity y-o-y during this period.

    Included among the top growth occupations was Marketing and Communications, despite a drop of eight per cent during September 2012 and September 2013, while Arts/Creative with a y-o-y drop of 31 per cent was amongst the lowest growth occupations.

    Online demand improved in three of 13 occupational groups monitored by the Monster Employment Index between September 2012 and September 2013.  Healthcare (up seven percent) professionals are the only one to report a positive annual demand amongst the occupational groups. Senior Management (down 49 per cent) exhibited the steepest annual decline among occupation groups.

    Online recruitment activity was up on the year in three of 13 locations monitored by the index. Ahmedabad (up 17 per cent) followed by Kolkata (up six per cent) led all cities in annual growth. Among major metro-areas, Kolkata (up six per cent) followed by Delhi-NCR (up four per cent) registered the highest annual growth. 

    “The annual decline in the Monster Employment Index is reflective of the current uncertain economic / political scenario. Employers continue to adopt a cautious approach while hiring in view of this prevailing scenario,” said Monster.com (India/ Middle- East/ South East Asia) MD Sanjay Modi.

  • Zeel Q2-2014 results exceed Q2-2013 results

    Zeel Q2-2014 results exceed Q2-2013 results

    BENGALURU:  The Subhash Chandra led content and broadcast player Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (Zeel) reported total income from operations of Rs 1,101.28 crore for Q2-2014, up 15.5 per cent as compared to the Rs 953.50 crore for the corresponding quarter of FY-2013  and  13.2 per cent higher than the Rs 973.25 crore for the preceding quarter Q1-2014. PAT for Q2-2014 at Rs 236.31 crore was 26 per cent higher than the Rs 186.7 crore for Q2-2013 and 5.5 per cent more than the Rs 223.9 crore for Q1-2014.

    Let’s take a look at Zeel’s Q2-2014 performance

    Advertising revenue for Q2-2014 at Rs 583.3 crore was 10.5 per cent higher than the Rs 528.1 crore for Q2-2013 and 10 per cent more than the Rs 530.1 crore for Q1-2014. Zeel claims that without sports, its ad revenues would have grown by more than 20 per cent in Q2-2014 as compared to Q2-2013.

    Zeel’s subscription revenue jumped 16 per cent in Q2-2014 to Rs 458.1 crore from Rs 394.95 crore in Q2-2013 and was higher by eight per cent as compared to the Rs 424.1 crore for Q1-2014.

    The company’s total expense for Q2-2014 at Rs 799.9 crore was 7.3 per cent more than the Rs 745.4 crore for Q2-2013, and 15.9 per cent more than the Rs 690.4 crore during Q1-2014. Operating cost which formed a major chunk of expense for Q2-2014 at Rs 504.1 crore was 5.2 per cent more than the Rs 479 crore for Q2-2013, and substantially higher by 22.7 per cent as compared to the Rs 410.8 crore for Q1-2014.

    Selling and other expense for Q2-2014 at Rs 187.5 crore was 24 per cent more than the Rs 169.5 crore for Q2-2014.

    Zeel chairman Subhash Chandra said, “The M&E industry growth is marginally impacted by the overall slowdown of the economy. The television sector, in particular, continues to grow on the back of better subscriber growth linked to increasing digitisation. There was an apprehension about the trends in advertising spends given the overall weakness in the economy, but the television media industry has continued to grow in double digits during the second quarter. Zeel has outpaced the industry advertising revenue growth once again.”

    Zeel managing director and CEO Punit Goenka said, “Sports performance for the quarter has been good, but due to a heavy sports calendar and rupee depreciation, the business is expected to be in losses for some time to come.”

    “Beginning next quarter, we will see a reduction in advertising inventory across the network in line with TRAI regulations. We are in the process of negotiations with advertisers and are confident that this will not have any major impact on revenue monetization. Digitisation will lead to fragmentation of audiences. At Zeel, we believe that this creates a huge opportunity to create new products for specific segments, which will allow us to monetise this opportunity, both from advertising and subscription standpoint. Therefore, we continue to innovate in terms of our format and content,” added Goenka.

  • And now a 3D mobile game for Colors’ 24

    And now a 3D mobile game for Colors’ 24

    MUMBAI: It has been three weeks since Indian audiences have been introduced to a new fictional TV format in the form of real time story telling through the first international adaptation of the American hit 24. With a 360 degree marketing campaign – almost like that used for full length feature films – to help create the buzz around the series, host channel Colors has decided to perk it up by throwing in a sparkling digital ingredient for viewers.

     

    And it’s coming in the form of a 3D interactive mobile game for iOS and Android phones. Developed by Gameshashtra Solutions, it is targeted at those who want to have the thrill of playing Jai Sing Rathor (Anil Kapoor) – the main protagonist of the show – while on the go. Called ‘Safari Storme 24-The Game, it is available for download only in India. It will allow gamers to go through three maps of Worli, Dadar and Parel with 30 levels of two minutes each. As of now only the Worli route is available while the other two will be launched in the coming weeks.The first map of Worli is a rooftop setting.

     

    Four and a half months went into creating the 3D game. Fans will keep going through levels, scoring points, winning ammunition and then checking scores with others on the ‘leader board’ through their Facebook or Twitter accounts.
    India has a great potential to become a destination for film shooting but the current system of multiple clearances at various levels make it an unattractive destination for filming, says Manish Tewari

     

    “The three locations in the game are also there in the series,” says Colors digital head Vivek Malhotra. “We kept the game in the spirit of the show by taking the concept ‘race against time’ rather than the political drama in it,” he adds.

     

    Explaining the game technique Malhotra says that players have two ways of surviving – hit and survive or duck and survive. As the game levels progress, the enemies come in hordes and ammunition also stacks up.

     

    Coming up with a 3D game has probably cost sack fulls of money, apart from what has already been invested in the expensive show. But the channel seems to not be too worried about it.

     

    “For the first season it is not about making money,” says Malhotra who is aiming at getting 1 million downloads for the free game. However, advertisements will be inserted into the game that would give them some amount of revenue.

     

    24 is Colors biggest fiction property created by Anil Kapoor Productions and RDB. Delly Belly director Abhinay Deo is the series director while Rensil D’Silva is the scriptwriter.

     

    The show is presented by Safari Storme while Next is one of the associate sponsors. The launch day saw it garner 3.4 million viewers with most of it coming from the urban areas while the second week saw it get an average of 2.6 million viewers.

     

    “Television executives in India are increasingly understanding that you can take a TV show into other experiences for viewers. Look at KBC which has a game which allows fans to test their general knowledge skills online and on the mobile. And now Colors has developed a 24 game which will allow youngsters and old alike to shoot, and kill while rising up in levels,” says a media observer. “The fact that it is primarily for the mobile will bring in a lot of fans who will play the game when they have a few minutes to spare, whether in the bus or the train or in between meetings. It’s a great move. Hopefully, some of the gamers who are not viewers of the series will be lured to watch it after playing the game.”

     

    Another media observer says that there is little hope of 24 ever becoming a massy series along the lines of soaps and dramas. “It’s great to flog the horse, but the horse only has that many backers,” says she. “Colors has gambled with 24 and it is to be lauded for the effort especially in terms of taking TV production and narrative to a different level. But it should bear in mind that 24 is going to be a niche affair for some time. So it should not expect too many incremental gains from the game as well.”