Category: News Broadcasting

  • News18 India to host Diamond States Summit edition five on 23 October

    News18 India to host Diamond States Summit edition five on 23 October

    Mumbai: News18 India will host the fifth edition of its Diamond States Summit (DSS) in Uttarakhand on 23 October, following the successful completion of earlier editions in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Bihar. This event continues to serve as a unique platform for dialogue, collaboration, and strategic discussions, bringing together key leaders and policymakers.

    The Uttarakhand edition of the Diamond States Summit will focus on conducting insightful discussions on issues critical to the state such as economic development, governance, law and order, and cultural preservation. The platform will bring together some of Uttarakhand’s most influential political figures and policymakers, allowing them to engage in meaningful dialogue and share their vision for the state’s future.

    Expected attendees at the summit include Uttarakhand’s chief minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, along with key ministers including, minister of finance, urban development, parliamentary affairs, census, and housing, Prem Chand Aggarwal; minister of agriculture and rural development, Ganesh Joshi; minister of women empowerment and child development, Rekha Arya; minister of animal husbandry, fisheries, skill development & employment, Saurabh Bahuguna; national general secretary, Mahila Morcha, BJP, Deepti Rawat Bhardwaj; and national spokesperson, BJP, Neha Joshi. They will offer perspectives on policies shaping Uttarakhand’s future.

    Watch Diamond States Summit Uttarakhand on News18 India on 23 October from 11 am onwards.

  • Network18 reports Q2 FY25 loss amidst amalgamation challenges

    Network18 reports Q2 FY25 loss amidst amalgamation challenges

    Mumbai: Network18 Media & Investments Ltd. unveiled its unaudited financial results for Q2 FY25, ending 30 September 2024, demonstrating the challenges of restructuring amidst an evolving media landscape. Despite achieving revenue growth, the company continues to grapple with profitability issues, exacerbated by higher operational costs and finance expenses.

    The media conglomerate, which operates major brands like Viacom18 and Moneycontrol, reported a consolidated loss of Rs 15,231 lakh for the quarter, a slight improvement from a Rs 19,536 lakh loss in the previous quarter. Revenues from operations rose to Rs 1,82,518 lakh, marking an 8.7 per cent year-over-year increase compared to Rs 1,68,050 lakh in Q2 FY24. The improvement in top-line growth was driven by higher sales and services, reflecting sustained efforts in content monetisation and digital engagement.

    Network18’s recent amalgamation of subsidiaries, including TV18 Broadcast Ltd. and e-Eighteen.Com Ltd., effective 3 October 2024, added to the quarter’s complexities. The merger was intended to streamline operations and reduce redundancies, but the restructuring costs and integration challenges contributed to the continuing financial strain. As of 30 September 2024, the company’s total equity declined to Rs 14,70,809 lakh from Rs 14,91,281 lakh as of 31 March 2024, reflecting the capital impact of ongoing restructuring efforts.

    Group chief financial officer Ramesh Kumar Damani acknowledged the situation, stating, “The amalgamation is a crucial step towards creating a more cohesive media ecosystem, enabling us to optimise our resources and unlock synergies. However, we are navigating through short-term challenges, particularly in cost rationalisation and revenue stabilisation.”

    The company saw its operational costs soar to Rs 1,06,718 lakh, a significant rise compared to Rs 96,143 lakh in the same quarter last year, driven by increased content production and distribution expenditures. Additionally, finance costs surged to Rs 17,001 lakh, compared to Rs 6,616 lakh in Q2 FY24, following a rise in borrowing to support expansion and restructuring.

    Consequently, Network18’s operating margin contracted to -7.86 per cent, underscoring the challenges in achieving cost efficiency despite revenue growth. The debt-equity ratio climbed to 0.58, indicating elevated leverage compared to 0.49 in the previous quarter.

    Despite the quarterly loss, Network18 remains committed to long-term growth. The company is ramping up digital investments, focusing on expanding its streaming services and enhancing content quality across platforms to capitalise on the increasing demand for digital media consumption. The integration of the subsidiaries is also expected to drive future efficiencies and cost savings, although the benefits may take time to materialise.

    Damani added, “While the financial results reflect our restructuring phase, we are optimistic about the underlying growth potential. We are enhancing our digital-first strategy and increasing our investments in innovative content to capture the evolving viewer preferences.”

  • Republic Bharat to host Rashtriya Sarvopari Sammelan – Summit 2024

    Republic Bharat to host Rashtriya Sarvopari Sammelan – Summit 2024

    Mumbai: Republic Bharat has announced the upcoming Rashtriya Sarvopari Sammelan, an annual conclave that embodies the spirit of “Rashtra Ke Naam.” Scheduled to take place on 18 October 2024, this event will gather a lineup of leaders from various fields, including politics, sports, business, and the arts.

    The summit will feature engaging sessions with prominent figures from across India. Key panel discussions will explore a wide range of topics, including national development, social issues, and economic growth. Renowned athletes will also share their insights on sports and its role in nation-building.

    Ravin Group CMD Vijay Karia, a sponsor of the event, expressed his enthusiasm: “Ravin is committed to supporting initiatives that foster national progress. We believe that the Rashtriya Sarvopari Sammelan provides a valuable platform for intellectual discourse and collaboration. We are honored to be a part of this prestigious event.”

    This year’s theme, “Kismein Kitna Hai Dum,” aims to explore the strength and resilience present within our diverse communities. The Rashtriya Sarvopari Sammelan promises to be a platform for thought-provoking dialogue, inspiring ideas, and collaborative efforts for a better future.

  • Asianet News Digital honoured at YouTube’s Diamond Creator Award

    Asianet News Digital honoured at YouTube’s Diamond Creator Award

    Mumbai: Asianet News Digital (AN Digital), a brand owned by Asianxt Digital Technologies (formerly known as Asianet News Media and Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.) has surpassed 10 million subscribers on its Malayalam language channel. It is also the first Malayalam News channel to achieve this milestone

    This achievement cements AN Digital’s leadership in reaching audiences with culturally relevant video content. Achieving this subscriber milestone marks a notable accomplishment in the digital news industry, especially among Indian-language news platform creators.

    Speaking on the accomplishment, COO Samanth Sharma commented “We are thrilled to receive the Diamond Creator Award from YouTube, which is a testament to our dedication to providing credible and impactful news in Malayalam. This achievement reflects the hard work of our teams and the trust our audiences have placed in us. Asianet News Digital will continue to innovate and expand our digital video presence to serve audiences across all our languages better.”

    Highlighting the brand’s growth, CEO Neeraj Kohli said, “I am immensely proud of our team for reaching this incredible milestone. This recognition is a reflection of our collective efforts and passion for storytelling. We look forward to reaching even greater heights and continuing to be a trusted voice for our audiences.”

  • NDTV World Summit 2024 unveils line-up of visionaries

    NDTV World Summit 2024 unveils line-up of visionaries

    Mumbai: NDTV has announced the NDTV World Summit 2024 – ‘The India Century,’ a landmark event scheduled for 21-22 October 2024. The summit will convene an exceptional gathering of global leaders, thinkers and disruptors to address pivotal issues shaping the future, with a strong emphasis on India’s expanding global impact. The prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, will deliver an inaugural address on the theme ‘The India Century,’ highlighting India’s remarkable transformation on the world stage.

    Continuing NDTV’s legacy of pioneering media, we will also launch NDTV World at the summit, with the tagline: “Seeing the World from Where India Stands.” NDTV World aims to be a leading voice from Asia and India on the global stage.

    In addition to PM Modi’s inaugural address, the NDTV World Summit 2024 will feature a line-up of global thought leaders and visionaries, creating a powerful platform for impactful dialogue with Tshering Tobgay, Prime minister of Bhutan, Dr S. Jaishankar, India’s minister for external affairs, Sunil Bharti Mittal, founder and chairperson, Bharti Enterprises, and Nobel Laureate and Economist Professor Paul Michael Romer.

    The line-up will also feature Kishore Mahbubani, Former president of the united nations security council and Lindy Cameron, UK High Commissioner. Amplifying the star power, proud winners from the 77th Cannes film festival, Anasuya Sengupta, Chidananda S Naik and Mansi Maheswari will be in attendance alongside renowned Influencer and YouTuber Nas Daily.

    Start-up disruptors will take centre stage with significant names like serial entrepreneur Kunal Bahl,  Zepto co-founder  Aadit Palicha, Groww co-founder Lalit Keshre.

    Attendees will also experience an enriching cultural performance by the legendary Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan, along with his sons Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangesh, blending India’s artistic legacy with modern interpretations. Singer extraordinaire Shilpa Rao will sing some of her most popular songs, bringing the audience to its feet.

    The NDTV World Summit 2024 promises to be a landmark event, engaging a diverse audience from across the globe, and setting the stage for India’s continued leadership in shaping a more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive future. NDTV is committed to pioneering a platform for rich dialogue, reflecting India’s voice and vision in the evolving global order.

  • Giriraj Singh rules out restoring Article 370 in J&K on Aap Ki Adalat

    Giriraj Singh rules out restoring Article 370 in J&K on Aap Ki Adalat

    Mumbai: With the National Conference returning to power after assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, union minister Giriraj Singh has ruled out restoration of Article 370 in the Constitution which was abrogated on 5 August 2019 by Parliament.

    The union minister, known for his hardliner Hindutva stance, told Rajat Sharma in the ‘Aap Ki Adalat’ show, telecasted at 10 pm on India TV on 12 October 2024, “Even if Rahul Gandhi and Farooq Abdullah offer Namaaz prayers every morning at top of their voice, Article 370 is not going to return”.  (Rahul Gandhi Aur Farooq Abdullah Chilla-Chilla Karke Bhore Namaz Padh Len, Tab Bhi 370 Phir Se Nahin Aane Wala Hai)

    Giriraj Singh said, “Prime minister Narendra Modi left no stone unturned for the development of Kashmir, and yet Muslim voters in the Valley did not vote for BJP.”

    Rajat Sharma: You have to win their hearts..?

    Giriraj Singh: “Tell me, how can we win their hearts?  Should I tear open my chest like Hanuman Ji… Even if I do their ‘aarti’, they (Muslim voters) never voted for me. “

    The union minister said, “There was a time not long back when people feared going to Kashmir Valley because of stone-throwing incidents and terrorists. After Modi Ji revoked Article 370, people can now freely move in Lal Chowk. Hotels have reopened, Modi’s policies brought peace and progress in Kashmir. Modi Ji removed stone throwers encouraged by Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and Congress. I was hoping that Muslims would vote for us in the Valley. Now they will have to think. (Ab Unko Sochna Hai).”

    99 PC OF TERRORISTS ARRESTED ARE MUSLIMS

    The union minister said, “I am not saying that all Muslims are terrorists, but the question arises, why 99 per cent of all terrorists arrested are Muslims?”

    When Rajat Sharma pointed out that terrorists have no religion, Giriraj Singh replied: “This is only for saying so. It’s religion which is the reason. What else is the reason? Why are there no more bomb blasts during Narendra Modi’s rule? Ten years ago, there used to be bomb blasts and modules were being busted. 99 per cent of terrorists arrested were Muslims. This begs a question.”

    Rajat Sharma: You can at least loudly say that all Muslims are not terrorists. Only a handful are terrorists…

    Giriraj Singh: I am saying the same thing. All Muslims are not terrorists, but 90 per cent of those arrested (on terror charges) are Muslims. Why shouldn’t I say this?

    Rajat Sharma: At least you can praise those Muslims who are doing good work.

    Giriraj Singh: I do praise. I pay my respects to those who do good work

    The union minister alleged that madarsas and mosques are being used to encourage terrorists. He said, “In 1947, there were hardly 3,000 mosques in India, and now there are more than 3 lakh mosques. They illegally occupy land on the Nepal and Bangladesh border. Yogi Ji (UP CM) carried out a probe and found that more than 500 madarsas were being illegally run….Madarsas and mosques have become home of terrorism (Aatank Ka Ghar). Instead of educating kids to become good human beings, they are being taught to tread the wrong path.”

    Rajat Sharma: You had once described Deoband as the ‘gangotri’ of terrorism?

    Giriraj Singh:  Who is Masood Azhar?  He was a product of Deoband (Darul Uloom). Tell me, should I call him a ‘dharmatma'(pious soul) or a terrorist? There are dozens of terrorists from Deoband. Some are dead, some are alive.

    Partition was on religious lines, India belongs to Hindus

    The Union Textile Minister minced no words in declaring that India, post-Partition, belongs to Hindus. “Main Danke Ki Chot Par Kehta Hoon (I am saying this emphatically). India was partitioned in 1947 on religious lines. If the country was partitioned on religious lines and had Pandit Nehru sent all Muslims (to Pakistan), neither would we have a Waqf Board, Owaisi would have emerged, nor Burhan Wani. Nasrallah (Hezbollah chief) dies in Lebanon, and our Bhais here in Delhi and Mumbai have stomach ache. Why?..If you display your affection for Nasrallah, then we will have difficulty. You eat here and sing songs for those people? Yeh Nahin Chalega, Nahin Chalega.”

    Rajat Sharma: It is because of your remarks that men like Maulana Arshad Madani say, you cannot send back 20 crore Muslims from India and those who say this are zaahil (uncivilised)?

    Giriraj Singh: “Let any Muslim in India tell me, whether any Hindu threw stones at their ‘taazia’ (Muharram processions) from 1947 till now. We never stoned. When their population is 5 per cent, they say ‘kaka’ and ‘chacha’, when it is 10 per cent, they roll up their sleeves, when they reach 15 per cent, they do Love Jihad, and do not allow Ramnavami, Hanuman Jayanti processions or Kanwad yatra through their localities. It is only then that I feel pain and I start thinking it would been better had they left India in 1947. ….Look at what’s happening in Kerala. They are promoting Love Jihad as part of a plan for achieving Gazwa-e-Hind. Had all of them been sent to Pakistan in 1947, these things would not have happened now.”

    Congress cheated voters during LS polls

    Asked how BJP came up with a surprise hat-trick victory in Haryana, Giriraj Singh replied: “You can’t fool people forever (Kaath Ki Haandi Baar Baar Nahin Chadhti) During the parliamentary elections, they showed the Constitution and cheated voters by saying BJP is going to end caste reservation. In Haryana, the voters decided to punish them for this, and the people punished the Congress….Sometimes those who spread lies and confusion, succeed. Narendra Modi worked for caste reservation like no other Prime Minister in the past. He gave 10 pc reservations to economically weaker sections in the general category. He gave constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes. This is Modi’s commitment towards reservation…and they (Congress) are only chanting ‘caste, caste’. They are also looking for castes at Miss World beauty pageants… …I challenge Rahul Ji to declare his caste, his father’s and his grandfather’s caste. Instead of asking others, let him reveal his own caste.”

    Giriraj Singh said: “Congress could only win up to 99 seats in Lok Sabha after its third attempt, but it tried to create an atmosphere as if Rahul Gandhi has defeated Modi. He is a fool (Moorkh), who is celebrating even after failing to win 100 seats after the third attempt…He has this misunderstanding like the ‘titihari’ bird (sandpiper) which sleeps with its feet up thinking it is holding up the sky. “

    Rajat Sharma: But Kharge Ji (Congress President) says, I will not take my last breath until I remove Modi Ji from power?

    Giriraj Singh: “I wish him a long life. Modi will stay for 100 years. Kharge will have to wait like Bhishma Pitamah (of Mahabharat).”

  • TV9 promotes Sanjeev Mulchandani to News9 business head

    TV9 promotes Sanjeev Mulchandani to News9 business head

    MUMBAI: The Barun Das-headed Associated Broadcasting Co – the holding company of the TV9 group news channels – has promoted Sanjeev Mulchandani as executive vice-president – sales and business head of the English news channel cluster – News9. Prior to this Sanjeev was branch and revenue  head – west & east for the TV9 network.

    Sanjeev has been with the network for around five years in various positions. Before TV9, Sanjeev was the zonal head – sales (west & south) of Zee News for three years. He has had time with iTV network, Network18, Star India, Reliance Broadcast, Aidem (for NDTV),Hindustan Times, Hutchison Essar, and Hindustan Lever.

    As executive vice-president sales &  business head Sanjeev is in charge of driving revenue growth and building strategic partnerships for the TV9’s English cluster, News9, as well as continuing with his existing role of sales for linear TV. 
     

  • Network18  Media shuffles senior management

    Network18 Media shuffles senior management

    MUMBAI: Reliance Industries group company Network18 has made some senior management changes, which it made public through a regulatory filing on the Bombay stock exchange on 12 October 2024.

    Shweta Gupta has been appointed as company secretary and compliance officer, replacing Nitten Gupta as the compliance officer who moved out of Network18 on 12 October 2024.

    Sanchayan Paul has also been roped in as chief human resource officer who will join Network18 from 1 November 2024. He replaces P. Sakthivel who will be moving into another role within the company from 31 October 2024.  The company had made the announcement of Sachayan’s  joining as CHRO designate in June 2024.

    Gupta is a qualified company secretary & law graduate with more than 20 years’ experience in the areas of  secretarial, corporate governance, legal and compliance functions.  Her last posting was as company secretary & compliance officer & legal head of Gulf Oil Lubricants India, a Hinduja group company. Before Gulf, she was associated with Hindalco Industries and JSW Steel.

    A graduate from Delhi university and a postgraduate from XLRI Jamshedpur, Sanchayan is a a veteran HR professional with more than 25 years’ experience. He was previously associated with Modenik Lifestyle, a PE-backed enterprise that he landed into after journeying through companies as varied as Reliance Industries, Thomson Reuters, Eicher Consulting Services, Hutchison Essar Telecom and Vodafone. He also took a stab at entrepreneurship, founding KaryaMitr, a tech-enabled platform for skill building and training aimed at the vernacular workspace. Sanchayan has also completed his digital business leadership pogramme from Cornell University.

  • Network18: mixed financial performance in Q2 FY 2025

    Network18: mixed financial performance in Q2 FY 2025

    MUMBAI: That the television industry is going through a rough phase has been talked about ad nauseum. Normally, the June-September quarter is subdued -especially in media and entertainment – with the monsoons setting in and most categories slowing down on their ad spends. But, in 2025, the spends were even further muted despite some tentpole properties being shown on television. Or at least that’s what the media pundits are saying. And this is reflected in the Q2 FY 2025 consolidated financials of the Reliance Industries-owned Network18 Media.

    Network18 Media’s losses have climbed to Rs 1520 million as against Rs 1190 million in the corresponding period of FY2024. Revenues too have marginally dropped to Rs  18,250 million (Rs 18,6600 million in Q2FY 2024). For Q2 FY2025, the company has tightened its belt and reduced its operational costs to Rs 10,670 million (Rs 12,380 million). However, its marketing, distribution and promotional expenses have climbed to Rs 5020 million (Rs 3,720 million); its finance costs have escalated to Rs 1,700 million (Rs 660 million).

    On a half yearly basis, the financials to 30 September 2024 look more respectable. H1 FY2025 profit is at Rs 490 million as compared to a loss of Rs 270 million in H1 FY 2022. The company has turned up a profit despite a drop in revenues to Rs 49,660 million (Rs 51,040 million). It has managed to put a handle on operational expenses which fell to Rs 33,690 million (Rs 36,040 million). However, its marketing, promotion and distribution costs have shot up to Rs 10,120 million (Rs 8,970 million). Employee benefit costs too have risen to Rs 7010 million (Rs 6650 million). Finance costs have more than doubled to Rs 3,200 million (Rs 1,340 million).

    The company said in the a press release posted on the Bombay stock exchange that the news portfolio revenue grew only six per cent primarily driven by growth in digital segment ad revenue across all platforms (Rs 4450 million against Rs 4220 million in Q2 FY 2024). TV advertising was soft during the quarter as industry advertising volumes for the news genre declined by 20 per cent YoY. News’ share in overall advertising inventory consumption also declined by over 200 bps YoY and QoQ.

    Its entertainment vertical  under Viacom18 saw a decline in operating revenue of five per cent during Q2 FY 2025  primarily due to the drop in movie segment revenue. In Q2FY24, Viacom18 Studios had released two big-ticket movies whereas there were no movies released this quarter, which had an impact of Rs 3300 million on the revenue. Growth in ad revenue was primarily driven by digital, across both sports and non-sports segment (Rs 4450 million vs Rs 4200 million). Entertainment TV revenue was shaved to Rs 13,390 million (Rs 14,160 million). This was largely offset by growth in subscription revenue (Rs 7,330 million vs Rs 5110 million) aided by new pricing as well as the increased monetisation of its sports portfolio.

    JioCinema’s recently launched SVOD plans witnessed strong traction and helped it become the fastest-growing subscription-based OTT platform in the country.

    The good news for the company is that The scheme of arrangement for the merger of Network18, TV18 Broadcast Ltd. (TV18) and e-Eighteen.com (E18) became effective on 3 October 2024.  The merger creates India’s largest platform-agnostic news media powerhouse with the widest widest footprint across languages, straddling both TV and digital.  

    The network has a monthly reach of over 350 million on TV and around 250 million monthly unique visitors across its digital portfolio. As consumers and advertisers increasingly gravitate towards omni-channel experiences across different aspects of their lives, having a deep and integrated presence across both TV and digital media will enable the merged entity to serve them better.  The combination of the businesses will result in operational synergies, cost optimization and opportunities for increased revenue realization.

    “We are happy to have completed the merger of our news businesses. With a strong portfolio of TV channels and digital platforms, covering the breadth of the country and catering to its linguistic diversity, we are ideally positioned to become the most preferred news network of India. We are committed to push boundaries of and lead the growth of the industry as we build on this strong foundation,” said Network18,chairman Adil Zainulbhai.
     

  • Zee Akaash to invest in vernacular social media dating app Flutrr

    Zee Akaash to invest in vernacular social media dating app Flutrr

    MUMBAI: A news channel company investing in a vernacular dating website! Does that surprise you? 

    Well it’s no shock for Zee Media subsidiary company Zee Akaash News which runs the Bengali channel 24 Ghanta. Zee Media informed the Bombay stock exchange (BSE) on 10 October 2024 that Zee Akaash has agreed  to invest Rs 37.5 million in Flutrr Digimate Pvt Ltd, which runs the social dating app and website Flutrr. 

    Flutrr, offers a dating experience in one’s native tongue with a multilingual user interface, which has never been seen on an Indian dating platform before.

    The company was founded by the father son duo of Kaushik and Anirban Banerjee, Anil Pathak, and Suhrid Devsharma, who are listed as its directors. It reported a revenue of Rs 25 million in financial year 2024, and it has 450,000 active users. Flutrr has romanced with other media companies as well with The Times of India group investing in it earlier. 

    As per the BSE filing, Zee Akaash News will purchase one equity share at a price of Rs  22,391, and five convertible warrants for Rs 37.5 million. It  expects the transaction to be completed by 31 December 2024.