ITV

Category: TV Channels

  • NDTV partners with Google leverages data to drive +24 per cent new user growth

    NDTV partners with Google leverages data to drive +24 per cent new user growth

    Mumbai: NDTV news platform, has achieved remarkable success through its innovative partnership with Google, focusing on real-time data insights to refine its content strategy. Recognising the limitations of traditional engagement measurement tools, NDTV went on a mission to develop a data-driven framework aimed at improving the quality and engagement of its published content. This collaboration led to the implementation of a machine learning-based process that allowed NDTV to accurately identify high-performing articles and those needing refinement. By leveraging real-time insights, editors could strategically focus on topics and formats that garnered the highest viewership, optimizing the content strategy to meet audience demands more effectively.

    Within the first quarter of deploying this framework, NDTV witnessed substantial growth. New User Growth increased by 24 per cent, Page Views moved up by 12 per cent, Average Session Duration extended significantly and Bounce Rate improved by 3.7 per cent. These metrics underscore the success of NDTV’s new strategy in attracting and retaining a larger audience, marking a significant milestone in its digital transformation journey.

    NDTV executive director Senthil Chengalvarayan stated, “NDTV is synonymous with trust and excellence in journalism. Our dedication to outstanding content is unwavering. To further enhance our standards, our editorial teams developed a cutting-edge Newsroom Quality Index. Leveraging Google products and other databases, this tool provides near real-time insights, enabling us to continually refine and optimize our articles for greater impact and audience engagement.”

    This initiative not only highlights NDTV’s commitment to journalistic excellence but also showcases the transformative impact of data and machine learning in enhancing content quality and user engagement. The partnership with Google has bolstered NDTV’s digital content strategy, driving significant improvements in website traffic and viewer engagement. (Case Study: https://newsinitiative.withgoogle.com/en-gb/resources/stories/ndtv-leverages-data-and-ml-to-drive-24-new-user-growth/) 

  • Central Government appoints Atul Chaudhary as new TRAI secretary

    Central Government appoints Atul Chaudhary as new TRAI secretary

    Mumbai: The Central Government has appointed Atul Chaudhary as the new secretary of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), following the retirement of V Raghunandan last month. Raghunandan’s retirement was announced on May 15 during a TRAI open house, and he officially stepped down on May 31. During his tenure, he managed telecom project implementations, ensured telecom compliance across various regions, and enforced policies.

    Atul previously served as deputy director general (DDG) at the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and held the same position at the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) in 2021, has taken over the role. His extensive experience includes roles in personnel, human resources, administration, licensing, and vigilance divisions of BSNL and DoT. A member of the 1989 batch of Indian Telecommunication Services (ITS) officers, Chaudhary graduated from IIT Roorkee and holds a diploma in public policy and administration from the Indian Institute of Public Administration.

  • NDTV tops Reuters Institute’s digital news report 2024

    NDTV tops Reuters Institute’s digital news report 2024

    Mumbai: NDTV further cementing its position as the pioneer in Indian broadcasting achieved a significant milestone leading in offline and online reach as per the latest Digital News Report 2024 by the Reuters Institute at the University of Oxford. The study showed NDTV ranked highest in weekly reach for both offline (TV, Radio & Print) and online news consumption among the young, urban audience in India.

    The report revealed that NDTV’s 24-hour TV news channels lead the offline segment with 32 per cent of respondents indicating weekly usage. Notably, 18 per cent of respondents watch NDTV at least three days per week. This consistent viewership underscores NDTV’s reputation as a trusted news source in the competitive media landscape. In the online domain, NDTV continues to dominate with a 27 per cent weekly usage rate. In addition, 17 per cent of respondents reported using NDTV online at least three times a week. These figures reflect NDTV’s successful digital strategy and its appeal to a tech-savvy audience that relies on the internet for their news consumption.

    “NDTV has pioneered insightful news reportage. Being at the top of the chart yet again in the prestigious Reuter’s Institute Digital News Report, 2024 is more than a feat; it demonstrates our unwavering commitment to quality journalism. NDTV’s team of fearless journalists will continue to report powerful stories with unflinching integrity.” NDTV Network – CEO and editor-in-chief Sanjay Pugalia.

    The Reuters Institute study (Source: https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/digital-news-report/2024/india) offers a snapshot of NDTV’s weekly usage within the country’s vast and diverse media market, indicating the network’s strong presence and influence among this key audience segment. NDTV has remained the go-to platform for many during major headline events of 2023, spanning from global happenings to domestic events. NDTV’s ability to maintain high reach across both its traditional and digital platforms demonstrates the brand’s adaptability and commitment to delivering quality journalism.

  • Sony Music Entertainment India and Maddock Films announce strategic partnership

    Sony Music Entertainment India and Maddock Films announce strategic partnership

    Mumbai – Sony Music Entertainment India and Maddock Films have announced a new and broad strategic collaboration in India’s entertainment industry. This partnership unites the two companies with the goal of producing music projects, encompassing film soundtracks and independent pop projects featuring A-list Indian talent.

    Several high-profile projects anchor this alliance, including soundtracks for the upcoming Hindi film “Chhava” starring Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna with music by A.R. Rahman, the drama “Diler” featuring Ibrahim Ali Khan, and “Ikkis” starring Agastya Nanda with music by Sachin-Jigar. In addition, the soundtracks for “Luka Chhupi 2,” “Sector 36” starring Vikrant Massey, “Sarvagunn Sampan” featuring Vaani Kapoor, and “Rumi Ki Sharafat” starring Radhika Madan will be part of this collaboration.

    Sony Music Entertainment India managing director Vinit Thakkar said, “This collaboration embodies our vision of creating innovative avenues for our artists to connect with audiences. Film and music are powerful storytelling mediums, and by combining our musical expertise with Maddock Films’ cinematic vision, we are confident in delivering impactful and unforgettable experiences.”
    Maddock Films founder Dinesh Vijan echoed the sentiment, adding, “Both Sony Music Entertainment India and Maddock Films have a proven track record of creating chart-topping hits, making this our most significant music collaboration to date. Over the next two years, we are committed to building the industry’s most dynamic and successful music partnership.

  • Warner Bros Discovery hires Robert Gibbs as chief communications & public affairs boss

    Warner Bros Discovery hires Robert Gibbs as chief communications & public affairs boss

    MUMBAI: Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has announced the appointment of  Robert Gibbs as chief communications & public affairs officer. In this newly created role, he will oversee WBD’s corporate and business communications as well as public affairs. An experienced and proven communications and public policy leader, Gibbs will officially assume the role on 5 August and report to WBD CEO David Zaslav.

    “At this transformative time in our industry, Robert is the right leader to assume this new, critical global role, as we continue to grow the Warner Bros Discovery brand and presence around the world,” said Zaslav. “Robert is an insightful and respected leader with experience spanning Fortune 500 companies, the White House, and winning political campaigns. He will be an invaluable part of the team as we create the most captivating stories and content for consumers around the world. I am thrilled to welcome him to WBD.”

    “I couldn’t be happier to join Warner Bros Discovery and to help tell the incredible stories of so many iconic brands across entertainment, news and sports,” said Gibbs. “I’m particularly excited to work with the global team to fully and clearly capture WBD’s vision and communicate the meaningful growth potential in front of us. I am looking forward to getting started and being a part of this world-class organisation.”

    Gibbs most recently served as a partner at Bully Pulpit International, a strategic communications, public affairs, and corporate reputation advisory firm. From 2015 to 2019, Gibbs served as the executive vice president for corporate relations and global chief communications officer for McDonald’s, where he oversaw the company’s global corporate communications, internal and executive communications, government relations and public affairs work. At McDonald’s, Gibbs globalised the communications function, led communications strategy for the company’s successful launch of delivery service, and drove significant awareness of key strategic initiatives including improved food quality and the “America’s Best First Job” campaign.

    Prior to McDonald’s, Gibbs held several senior communications and advisory roles in the Obama White House and his presidential campaigns. He was the Obama Administration’s first White House press secretary and an assistant to the president from January 2009 to February 2011. Gibbs began working for Obama in 2004 as communications director for his US senate campaign. He held the same job in Obama’s US senate office and during his 2008 presidential campaign. After leaving the White House, Gibbs served as a senior advisor to president Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign.
     

  • Accedo, Qualcomm, HBS launch XR Sports Alliance

    Accedo, Qualcomm, HBS launch XR Sports Alliance

    MUMBAI: XR in Sports is about to receive a shot in the arm. Three large global players have joined hands for a strategic alliance which seeks to bridge the sports and XR industry. These are global video solutions provider Accedo, leading hardware and software enabler Qualcomm Technologies and HBS, a specialist sports broadcast organization.

    The three founding members aim to bring together market-leading stakeholders, drawing on Accedo’s expertise in video user experience, distribution and monetization, Qualcomm Technologies’ Snapdragon-powered XR technology and expertise, and HBS’ strong sports ecosystem.

    The program aims to accelerate knowledge gathering, technological advancement and time-to-market for XR sports services, as well as gather and share industry knowledge.

    The XR Sports Alliance aims to drive the development and deployment of XR Sports products and services by providing an end-to-end solution framework to help key stakeholders deploy state-of-the-art XR services efficiently and at scale. The framework encompasses immersive video production and distribution, system architecture definition, data and monetization frameworks, user testing and technology and business model advisory elements. Moreover, the program will be open to third parties to join, including XR OEMs, to drive the development of purpose-built XR hardware for the sports and video entertainment use case.

    At its core, the program aims to connect leading companies from the sports, video, telco, infrastructure, and hardware industries to collaborate in innovation projects, collectively contribute to each other’s roadmaps, and exchange knowledge and feedback, to support and accelerate industry growth and innovation.

    Accedo CEO Michael Lantz said: “We believe XR will become an important content distribution and user engagement platform and we want to connect industry stakeholders to collaborate and innovate. The Alliance network will enable industries to uncover industry demand in different geographical regions and shine light on the pipeline of upcoming XR solutions, allowing sports rights owners and holders to make data-driven decisions.”

    Qualcomm, Technologies senior director product management Patrick Costello added: “We are entering a new era of spatial computing. We firmly believe that XR experiences will revolutionize how fans engage with sports and we are already seeing a rise in adoption of immersive entertainment experiences thanks to the emergence of new XR devices and increased investment by OEMs for sports content rights. The XR Sports Alliance will bring together key players in the sports entertainment value-chain, collectively fostering the ecosystem to deliver game-changing immersive sports experiences.”

    HBS head of digital services Sylvain Lebreton commented: “This program aims to be a game-changer for the sports industry, helping to drive innovation. We are engaging with industry leaders across every part of the XR and sports broadcast ecosystem, which we are sure will ultimately accelerate the development and deployment of commercial XR sports services.”

  • Nachiket Pantvaidya appointed as general manager, Sony Pictures International Productions – India

    Nachiket Pantvaidya appointed as general manager, Sony Pictures International Productions – India

    Mumbai: Sony Pictures Entertainment announced that veteran executive Nachiket Pantvaidya has been appointed as general manager of Sony Pictures International Productions (SPIP), India.

    In this role, Nachiket will oversee local Indian production while working alongside Shony Panjikaran (general manager and head of Sony Pictures Releasing International, India).

    Sony Pictures International Production EVP, creative production and head Shebnem Askin said, “Sanford Panitch and I are so pleased to have Nachiket join the Sony Pictures International Productions to lead our local Indian production. These are exciting times as we take a step to make and release our biggest local slate for the Indian market in the next two years. We are most excited as Nachiket brings along not only rich industry experience but also new energy and dynamic execution skills to lead SPIP to a prime position.”

    Commenting on his appointment, Nachiket Pantvaidya said, “I am pleased to lead and nurture our creative and business forces to ensure that we best serve our movie audiences, especially in these dynamic times where the creative and business parameters for movie making in India are being redefined. We are aiming to scale our output to not only match audience expectations, but also to ensure that the right cohorts get to see the movie of their choice on the distribution medium of their choice. I hope to partner fruitfully with the players in the market and with Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) and optimize SPIP’s strength going ahead.”

    In his earlier assignments, Nachiket was group CEO, Balaji Telefilms, business head of Sony Entertainment Television. He was also the business head of Star Plus and held several roles in the Star TV network, including head of Star Pravah and managing director of Fox Television Studios. An IIM-Ahmedabad alumnus, he has also held key management roles in BBC and Disney.

    As he takes up this new assignment, he will continue to perform his duties as CEO, Sony Entertainment Talent Ventures in parallel.

  • Reliance Jio appoints Sidharth Kedia appointed as SVP & head of JioGames

    Reliance Jio appoints Sidharth Kedia appointed as SVP & head of JioGames

    Mumbai: Reliance Jio has appointed Nodwin Gaming’s ex-CEO Sidharth Kedia, as senior vice president and head of JioGames. This strategic move is intended to expand JioGames’ business operations. Kedia, who started his new role in June, expressed his excitement about rejoining Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) after nearly ten years.

    “A decade later, I feel pretty stoked to be called back in the RIL family and be entrusted with the opportunity to scale JioGames and build a gaming behemoth that India awaits,” Kedia stated.

    Kedia has a diverse professional background. He previously held various positions within the Reliance Group, including executive roles at Viacom18 and Network18. At Viacom18, he served as executive vice president and head of strategy, M&A, data science, and eSports for almost three years. At Network18, he was CEO-digital (non-news) and managed corporate strategy for almost two years.

    Kedia is optimistic about the growth potential of JioGames, especially within the expanding digital landscape of India. He envisions transforming JioGames into a major player in the gaming industry by capitalizing on the strong digital infrastructure that Jio has built.

  • ABP Network appoints Samvrit Bhattacharya as national sales director, digital sales

    ABP Network appoints Samvrit Bhattacharya as national sales director, digital sales

    Mumbai: ABP Network has announced the appointment of Samvrit Bhattacharya as the national sales director for digital sales. As Samvrit takes on this new role, his focus will be on scaling revenue, delivering impactful solutions to clients, and driving innovations in the ABP Network’s digital sales sector. Based in Noida and reporting directly to Rupali Fernandes, he is set to lead the team towards further growth and success within the dynamic media landscape.

    With over 25 years of experience in media sales, Samvrit brings a wealth of expertise to his new role. His last stint was with Indiadotcom Digital Pvt Ltd (formerly Zee Digital), where he demonstrated his ability to scale revenue, cultivate strong client relationships, deliver impactful solutions, and foster innovation. His extensive background further includes working with renowned organizations such as Times Global, TV18, Star India, and ABP (print), showcasing his proficiency in launching and managing brands across various platforms and driving revenue growth.

    Speaking on the appointment, ABP Network chief revenue office Rupali Fernandes said, “ABP Network extends a warm welcome to Samvrit as he embarks on this new journey with us. We are excited to have him on board and look forward to his contributions towards our continued success. Under his leadership, I am confident our digital business will soar to new heights.”

    In addition to his professional achievements, Samvrit is known for his passion for sports and music, enjoying playing football and cricket while also being an avid music lover.

    ABP Network looks forward to leveraging Samvrit’s expertise and leadership as it continues its journey of excellence in digital sales.a

  • Sun Neo launches four shows – ‘Chhathi Maiyya Ki Bitiya,’ ‘Ishq Jabariya,’ ‘Nandini’ and ‘Saajha Sindoor’

    Sun Neo launches four shows – ‘Chhathi Maiyya Ki Bitiya,’ ‘Ishq Jabariya,’ ‘Nandini’ and ‘Saajha Sindoor’

    Mumbai: Sun TV Network, India’s leading media network, has ventured into the Hindi-speaking market by introducing its first Hindi General Entertainment Channel (GEC), Sun Neo. With a rich history of successful ventures across diverse regions in India, Sun TV Network is set to redefine the landscape of Hindi GEC with the launch of Sun Neo. This latest addition enhances Sun TV Network’s stronghold in the broadcast business, complementing its existing portfolio of TV channels.

    The new Hindi GEC channel’s tagline, “Dil Se Jiyo” (Live from the Heart), reflects its ethos of embracing individuality and encouraging viewers to live life to the fullest. This inclusive approach underscores Sun TV Network’s commitment to fostering happiness and acceptance among its audience.

    Sun Neo has introduced a lineup of captivating new shows such as “Chhathi Maiyya Ki Bitiya,” “Ishq Jabariya,” “Nandini” and “Saajha Sindoor ”. These dramas capture a wide spectrum of emotions and evoke deep connections. Through this diverse range of content offerings and innovative programming, the network endeavors to establish new benchmarks within the industry, capturing the essence and cultural richness of Hindi-speaking audiences. With the launch of these Four new shows, Sun Neo will now offer 3.5 hours of fresh prime-time programming for its viewers, starting from 16th June at 7 pm onwards.

    Spokesperson, of Sun TV Network, stated, “Entering the Hindi-speaking market has been a long-anticipated move for Sun TV Network, and we’re thrilled to see it come to life with the launch of Sun Neo. Hindi is the widely spoken language of India, and we understand the immense potential of this market. Despite the competition, we’re confident in our readiness. With success in various regions and languages, we’re ready to conquer the Hindi Heartland. Sun Neo is our ode to living life whole heartedly. We call it ‘Dil Se Jiyo’.  We believe compelling content will reign supreme. We’re confident that our meticulously curated lineup of shows will deeply resonate with viewers, making Sun Neo their preferred channel in the coming days and thus strengthening our foothold in the broadcast industry. Sun Neo is another step forward in our mission to deliver unparalleled entertainment experiences to audiences nationwide.”

    With 37 TV channels in 7 different languages and a viewership spanning 27 countries worldwide, Sun TV Network aims to capture the hearts of audiences across the Hindi heartland, establishing Sun Neo as a household name synonymous with quality entertainment in both standard and high definition. The channel is now available on all Leading DTH and Cable Operators along with DD Free Dish.