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Category: TV Channels

  • Luminous Power Technologies Partners with Republic Media Network for Strategic Election Studio Branding: A Landmark Collaboration in India’s Media Landscape

    Luminous Power Technologies Partners with Republic Media Network for Strategic Election Studio Branding: A Landmark Collaboration in India’s Media Landscape

    Mumbai– Luminous Power Technologies, India’s leading energy solutions company, has partnered with Republic Media Network and announced a strategic Election Studio Branding in India’s media sphere. This partnership marks a significant milestone as the country prepares for the General Election 2024.

    Republic Media Network, recognized as India’s fastest-growing media network, commands vast reach and influence nationwide, annually reaching an astounding 62 crore people. With its commitment to unbiased journalism and comprehensive coverage, Republic Media Network has emerged as a trusted source of news and analysis for millions of individuals.

    With over 35 years of expertise, Luminous has created innovative and technology-driven products, establishing itself as one of India’s most trusted and reliable brands. A pioneer in providing renewable energy solutions, the company is on a mission to deliver transformative solutions and aims to guide its consumers through every facet of their solar journey and is set to bring a unique touch to the upcoming General Election. With India’s real celebration being the electoral process itself, Luminous aims to infuse this spirit into every household, emphasizing the importance of participation and engagement in shaping the nation’s future.

    Mr. Arnab Goswami, Founder and Chairman of Republic Media Network “We are delighted to welcome Luminous as our power partner for Election headquarters studio branding. Republic Media Network has always strived to offer viewers insightful and impactful coverage, and this collaboration further enhances our commitment to delivering excellence. Together with Luminous, we aim to create an immersive experience for our audience, fostering dialogue and engagement around this crucial event. This strategic partnership is just the beginning of some spectacular innovations to be created across our platforms. “

    Neelima Burra, Chief Strategy Transformation & Marketing Officer, Luminous Power Technologies said, “The partnership between Luminous and Republic for a Strategic Election headquarters studio branding will seamlessly integrate the brand and election news updates, creating the next big thing in brand-media collaborations.  With this first-ever Studio, we are excited to bring viewers a top-notch experience and redefine how the world sees brand partnerships. It is a unique integration of technology, brand, and media to bring uninterrupted election news this season, creating an immersive experience for the consumers. This partnership takes forward our like-minded ideologies of being end-to-end players and paves the way for an array of opportunities for both of us.”

  • Amit Dhanuka embarks on a collaborative journey with Shashank Khaitan at Mentor Disciple Entertainment

    Amit Dhanuka embarks on a collaborative journey with Shashank Khaitan at Mentor Disciple Entertainment

    Mumbai: Amit Dhanuka, a seasoned industry leader with a rich background in shaping the Indian entertainment landscape, has joined forces with acclaimed filmmaker Shashank Khaitan at Mentor Disciple Entertainment as a partner.

    Bringing a wealth of experience garnered from a successful tenure at Lionsgate Play India, where he played a pivotal role in the establishment of Lionsgate Play in India and Southeast Asia, Dhanuka assumes a key position as a partner. Together, the duo will be working towards creating theatrical movies and web series, along with a diverse range of content for various platforms.

    In a career spanning over 25 years, Dhanuka has played instrumental roles at Lionsgate Play, Star TV, Zee, and Sony.

    Mentor Disciple recently partnered with Trigger Happy Studios and Hakuhodo for a multi-slate engagement.

    Talking about the collaboration, Shashank Khaitan remarked, “I am super excited to partner with Amit Dhanuka in Mentor Disciple Entertainment. This partnership is personally and professionally special to me in equal measure. Our association dates back 16 years, as Amit is a friend of the family and one of the first people I interacted with in a professional capacity, fresh out of film school. His experience of over 25 years in the film industry with Zee, Star, Sony and his last stint with Lionsgate adds a great dimension to Mentor Disciple Entertainment. Collectively our vision is to grow MDE into a company creating local and global content. We want to be the focal point, where established talent and new talent can find a home and express their voices.”

    Amit Dhanuka echoed Khaitan’s sentiment, stating, “I am thrilled to be partnering with Shashank in the next phase of my career as we set up Mentor Disciple Entertainment to be the destination for content and talent. I have always admired Shashank’s work and creativity. We share common values which are reflected in the name of our company. Our shared vision for the company, grounded in integrity and creativity, fuels our ambition to cultivate a diverse ecosystem where talent flourishes and authentic narratives resonate with audiences worldwide.”

    With a strategic alliance forged on mutual admiration and a collective commitment to excellence, Amit Dhanuka and Shashank Khaitan are poised to chart a transformative course in the Indian entertainment industry.

  • FC Barcelona lead the top five European leagues for minutes played by teenagers

    FC Barcelona lead the top five European leagues for minutes played by teenagers

    Mumbai: The academies of LALIGA EA SPORTS clubs have long been renowned for producing world-class talents, and a new report from the CIES Football Observatory has underlined that Spanish clubs’ youth development remains as strong as ever.

    The report, titled “Youth employment: World rankings”, ordered clubs based on the percentage of minutes in their domestic league matches which have gone to young players over the past year, from April 2023 to April 2024. When looking at U20s – that is to say, teenager players – it’s FC Barcelona who comes out on top for all clubs in Europe’s five major leagues, as 15 per cent of the LALIGA EA SPORTS minutes given out by Xavi have been to teenage talents, such as Lamine Yamal, Gavi and Pau Cubarsí.

    As Xavi explained earlier this season in a press conference: “We must trust the young players, the homegrown players. I think they’re ready, as I see their faces and they’re hungry. I’m really excited about this because it’s a solid and brave decision.”

    It wasn’t only U20s that the CIES Football Observatory analysed. The report also detailed the percentages for other age categories, and FC Barcelona came second in Europe’s top five leagues for the fielding of U19s. 9.0 per cent of the Catalan club’s minutes in the past year were for players who hadn’t yet celebrated their 19th birthday, and only Ligue 1’s Toulouse FC had a higher percentage, at 9.1 percent.

    In terms of U21s, FC Barcelona are third with 22.0 per cent, only behind the French sides RC Strasbourg (26.8 per cent) and Lyon (23.2 per cent). And, Barça are joined near the top of this ranking by other LALIGA EA SPORTS sides, as Valencia CF are fifth for minutes played by U21s, with 15.6 per cent, while Girona FC is sixth in the ranking, with 14.2 per cent.

    It’s Valencia CF who is the top-rated Spanish club in the report’s rankings for U22s and U23s, sitting second for the use of U22s in Europe’s major leagues, with 28.1 per cent of Rúben Baraja’s minutes going to players in this age category, and fourth on the continent for U23s, with 37.6 per cent.

    When looking at the top 20 clubs for use of U23s in Europe’s five major leagues, only France’s Ligue 1 has more representatives than LALIGA EA SPORTS, with Valencia CF, Girona FC, Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona all featuring highly in this ranking.

    LALIGA EA SPORTS’ use of homegrown players

    This latest CIES Football Observatory looked strictly at age, but another report from the same institution earlier this season similarly studied the use of homegrown players by clubs in the top European leagues. In that study, they counted the players who’d spent at least three seasons at a training club between the ages of 15 and 21.

    Five of the top six in the standings for clubs with academy alumni in their current squads were LALIGA EA SPORTS clubs: Athletic Club were first (16 players), Real Sociedad were second (12 players), Valencia CF were third (11 players) and then CA Osasuna, UD Las Palmas and Bundesliga side SC Freiburg were joint-fourth, with nine academy graduates each.

    It’s clear to see, then, that Spanish clubs are developing many quality players in their academies and then placing trust in these talents in important LALIGA EA SPORTS fixtures. That’s a brave approach, as Xavi outlined, but one which can lead to very bright futures for these teams.  

  • Punit Balan Group appoints Anjum Tanwar as CEO of their sports vertical

    Punit Balan Group appoints Anjum Tanwar as CEO of their sports vertical

    Mumbai: Punit Balan Group (PBG) has announced the appointment of Anjum Tanwar as the new chief executive officer of their sports vertical as the Pune-based organisation looks to expand their footprint across various sports disciplines and support upcoming talent across the country.  

    Before joining the Punit Balan Group, Tanwar held the position of executive vice president at the Connect Network. He has initiated and delivered sustained results and effective change for organisations across a wide range of industries for more than 16 years. Tanwar brings in a diverse experience in the television industry, print, radio, experiential marketing and & OOH.

    Tanwar has also worked with top media organisations such as Zee Network, Star Sports, Star Plus, Radio Mirchi, Times of India, Dentsu India communication during his nearly two-decade journey as seasoned professional.  

    Speaking about the appointment of Tanwar, PBG MD and chairman Punit Balan said, “The Punit Balan Group has been committed to the development of the sports ecosystem and supporting upcoming sports persons achieve their dreams. We have been expanding rather rapidly and, in Anjum Tanwar, have found a leader who can take our various initiatives to greater heights thanks to his experience in diverse fields.”  

    In this role, Anjum Tanwar will now be looking after the day-to-day operations of PBG’s sports vertical and will also focus on making the group one of the most successful sports ventures in the country. He will be based in Gurugram.

    “I am delighted to start this new journey with the Punit Balan Group. Sports has seen a massive growth potential with new leagues starting in various sports and Indian sportspersons now consistently performing on the world stage. The Punit Balan Group has already been supporting various initiatives and my immediate focus would be on building a strong revenue model and making the sports vertical self-sustainable,” commented Tanwar on his appointment.

    The Punit Balan Group, which has diverse interests in real estate and film production with a presence in India, Spain and Dubai, has been investing heavily in sports leagues and supporting sports development thanks to the passion and vision of its chairman and managing director Punit Balan.  

    The Group currently owns teams in Tennis Premier League (Pune Jaguars), World Tennis League (PBG Eagles), Global Chess League (Balan Alaskan Knights), Maharashtra Premier League (Kolhapur Tuskers), Premier Handball League (Maharashtra Ironmen), Ultimate Table Tennis (Bengaluru Smashers) and Pro Panja League (Mumbai Muscles).  

    The Punit Balan Group also supports sports development initiatives of Maharashtra Hockey Association and Maharashtra Judo Association, runs a cricket academy along with former India international Kedar Jadhav and extends financial support to over 60 sportspersons across various sports disciplines and had also supported the inaugural Kashmir Youth Football Championships.

  • “India is the biggest cricket market on the planet”: Scott Weenink & Rajesh Kaul

    “India is the biggest cricket market on the planet”: Scott Weenink & Rajesh Kaul

    Mumbai: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has secured the exclusive television and digital rights to broadcast and stream all New Zealand Cricket matches, featuring BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS, in India and associated territories for the next seven years. This agreement, spanning from 1 May 2024, to 30 April 2031, encompasses India’s tours of New Zealand in the 2026-27 and 2030-31 seasons, as well as all bilateral Tests, ODIs, and T20Is held in New Zealand during this period.

    As per media reports, the deal is estimated to be valued between $90 million to $100 million (equivalent to approximately Rs 749 crore to Rs 833 crore). All matches will be telecast and streamed live across SPNI’s sports channels and will be livestreamed on Sony LIV. Additionally, SPNI’s digital rights in India will be co-exclusive with Amazon Prime for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons.

    New Zealand have enjoyed major success in the recent years, with the inaugural World Test Championship title win in 2021 highlighting their accolades. The men’s team also finished runners-up in the previous T20 World Cup, winning millions of hearts with their spirited display.

    Subsequently, cricket fans in the Indian subcontinent can look forward to watching the BLACKCAPS in action against India, Australia, England and Pakistan among others until the end of the 2031 season.

    Indiantelevision.com had a delightful conversation with SPNI’s chief revenue officer – Distribution & International Business and Head – Sports Business, Rajesh Kaul and New Zealand Cricket CEO Scott Weenink, where each shared their take on the significance of this deal, evolution of digital platforms & streaming services and much more…

    Edited excerpts

    On Sony Pictures Networks India leveraging this partnership to enhance its sports content offerings

    Kaul: We are a global multi-sports arena and the premier destination for sports fans. Our aim has been to strengthen our sports portfolio not only with cricket offerings but also in Tennis, Football, WWE, Fight sports, motorsports, domestic leagues and multi-sporting events among others.   We have been acquiring prestigious marquee properties at regular intervals and our sports acquisition strategy has always been guided by rational decisions. With the current media rights scenario in India, we feel that NZC cricket rights is something which adds significant value to our portfolio which currently comprises England and Wales Cricket Board and Sri Lanka Cricket.  Apart from Team India’s series in these nations, we will also broadcast the high-octane non-India cricket series hosted by these countries. We are also the home to the next two editions of the UEFA EUROs as well as home to three out of four Grand Slams on our network with Australian Open, Roland Garros & US Open. Recently, we announced the extension of broadcast rights for the UEFA Club competitions for an additional three years. Our objective has always been very clear, i.e., to serve sports fans with premium content in the form of diverse global and local properties and we will continue the momentum in the future.

    On this collaboration contributing to the development of cricket in New Zealand

    Weenink: Well, it’s obvious. India is the biggest cricket market on the planet. This is a big deal, which will help service the game of cricket in New Zealand from the grassroots up, men and women, and juniors. Also, by increasing the exposure of NZC and NZC Players to the Indian market, we are increasing both the commercial value of NZC and the individual intellectual property value of NZC Players.

    On the role of digital platforms and streaming services evolving in the broadcasting of cricket matches, particularly in the context of this partnership

    Weenink: AT NZC we’ve long held that digital and streaming is the future. I don’t think there’s much doubt about that.

    However, it’s also true that linear is still massive in terms of the present day – representing more than half the consumer market in India.

    Having an arrangement in which we can provide our games on both linear and digital is very important to us.

    On some other strategies you have in place to maximize the success of this partnership and some innovative plans Sony Pictures Networks India has for enhancing the viewer experience during New Zealand cricket matches

    Kaul: Cricket is the most popular sport in India and bilateral cricket series rights provide a broadcaster with access to regular high-quality cricket. The New Zealand Black Caps & Silver Ferns enjoy a strong following in India due to their highly competitive spirit and good sporting behaviour. Stars like Kane Williamson & Trent Boult are among the top followed international stars among cricket fans. Cricket rights for New Zealand helps in providing around the clock offering for sports fans. The addition of NZC to our cricket portfolio, which already includes ECB and SLC, helps engage the cricket fan with our network regularly through the year.

    Our programming initiatives also play an integral role in attracting new audiences and we will continue the momentum with New Zealand Cricket matches. Sony Sports Network (SSN) broadcasts all the India matches in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. For an enhanced viewing experience, we have virtual reality sets and augmented reality graphics. Our live studio show for cricket, Extraaa Innings, is an iconic SSN show since 2003. It has a relaxed, conversational manner of cricket coverage which eases into Indian homes like a member of their family and presents cricket from a unique human-interest angle which focuses on the emotions rather than over-analysis or microstats. In addition to this, we have always reached out to our cricket fans through our iconic campaigns like Love for Cricket knows no Boundaries, Ashes – Platinum Standard of Cricket among others and will also continue to do so with NZC series.

  • News18 Tamil Nadu’s ‘My Vote My Right’ campaign garners record participation from first-time voters

    News18 Tamil Nadu’s ‘My Vote My Right’ campaign garners record participation from first-time voters

    Mumbai: News18 Tamil Nadu has successfully concluded its ‘My Vote My Right’ campaign with record participation from over five lakh first-time voters. The initiative was aimed to empower and encourage first-time voters to actively engage in the democratic process. Spanning 40 days, the campaign covered 40 Lok Sabha constituencies across Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.

    The primary objective of the ‘My Vote My Right’ campaign was to educate and inspire individuals about the significance of voting, encouraging them to pledge their commitment to exercising their democratic rights. Surpassing all expectations, the campaign received an overwhelming response, with a total of 5,30,440 students taking a pledge to vote. The signatories belonged to 160 colleges along the length and breadth of the state.

    News18 Tamil Nadu editor S. Karthigaichelvan handed over the documents signed by students to the Election Commission, symbolising the dedication of first-time voters to actively participate in shaping the future of their nation.

    The grand finale of the campaign, held on 12 April was graced by esteemed guests including Chief Electoral Officer of Tamil Nadu Satyabrata Sahoo, Commissioner of Greater Chennai Corporation J. Radhakrishnan IAS, and acclaimed actor Vishal.

    Speaking at the event, chief electoral officer Satyabrata Sahoo commended News18 Tamil Nadu for its efforts. He said, “I am delighted to announce that, for the first time in the 2024 General Elections, we have witnessed 11 lakh first-time voters in the 18 to 19 age category. News18 Tamil Nadu’s achievement of garnering more than 5 lakh signatures from first-time voters is truly monumental.”

    Youth icon and popular actor Vishal complimented News18 team for their efforts and urged the students to actively participate in the electoral process on 19 April, emphasizing the importance of their voices in shaping the future of Tamil Nadu.

  • IPL 2024 viewership on TV crosses 40 crore for first 18 matches on Disney Star

    IPL 2024 viewership on TV crosses 40 crore for first 18 matches on Disney Star

    Mumbai: As per BARC, more than 40 crore viewers tuned in for the live TV broadcast of the first 18 matches of IPL 2024 on Disney Star network, marking the highest-ever cumulative reach for the live broadcast of 18 matches. The broadcaster has also recorded 12380 crore minutes of watch time, a growth of 15 per cent compared to 2023 edition. Additionally, the TVR witnessed a growth of 17 per cent compared to 2023 edition. The growth in viewership reflects fans’ unwavering support and love for IPL on TV. Star Sports will celebrate fans through a special week, starting 15 April, highlighting the ‘Ajab fandom of IPL’ and paying homage through various initiatives that highlight the distinct ways each fan engages with their favourite sport and teams.

    The inclusion of Indian Sign Language feed and AI technology in the TATA IPL 2024 broadcasts has met with positive response, attracting a wider audience, and fostering a more inclusive viewing experience. Shows like Cheeky Singles, feat. Carry Minati has further boosted IPL’s appeal by infusing fresh perspectives and diverse content into the coverage. Through an immersive broadcast, Star Sports aims to make IPL 2024 a truly unforgettable and personal experience for all.

    Source:

    BARC data for 2+U+R

  • TAM Sports: Top advertisers added more than 38 per cent share of ad volumes in IPL 17

    TAM Sports: Top advertisers added more than 38 per cent share of ad volumes in IPL 17

    Mumbai: TAM Sports has released an IPL report based on the first 23 matches of IPL 17 and for all the channels on which matches are telecasted.

    Television advertising for IPL 17 experienced a six per cent increase in ad volumes per channel compared to IPL 16 during the first 23 matches played.

    During IPL 17, the count of categories and advertisers increased by 65 per cent and 37 per cent compared to IPL 16.

    The top five categories present in IPL 17 together covered 50 per cent share of ad volumes with ecom-gaming leading the list. Among the top five categories, ecom-gaming and pan masala were the common categories in IPL 17 and IPL 16. Two of the top five categories in IPL 17 belonged to the F&B sector. Sporta Technologies clinched the top position among advertisers in 16 matches, while Parle Products emerged as the leading advertiser in seven matches during IPL 17. Together, the top advertisers added more than 38 per cent share of ad volumes in IPL 17. Sporta Technologies, Vishnu Packaging and K P Pan Foods were the common advertisers present among the top five of IPL 17 & IPL 16.

    In the 23 matches of IPL 17, there were 37 new categories and 86 new brands present compared to the same no of matches in IPL 16. Parle Food Products and Airtel Xstream Fiber secured first and second positions among the 73 new brands present in IPL 17.

  • News18 Bangla, Odia, Assam North East, Kannada, and Gujarati raise the bar with their high viewerships

    News18 Bangla, Odia, Assam North East, Kannada, and Gujarati raise the bar with their high viewerships

    Mumbai: News18 Bangla, News18 Odia, News18 Assam North East, News18 Kannada, and News18 Gujarati language cluster channels have achieved outstanding performance on social media platforms in the month of March 2024.

    News18 Kannada: Secured the top spot in combined YouTube and Facebook views, at 161 million.  Leaving the competitors behind, the channel was closely followed by TV9 at 160 million views and NewsFirst Kannada with 144 million views.

    News18 Gujarati: Secured the highest viewership on Facebook and YouTube, with an impressive 197 million views. This milestone underscores News18 Gujarati’s dominance in the region, outshining VTV News with 71 million views and TV9 Gujarati with 64 million views.

    News18 Odia: Took the lead with 111 million views on YouTube, establishing itself as the top performer on the social media platform. This milestone places News18 Odia ahead of its competitors, including OTV with 109 million views, and Kanak News, which has garnered 64 million views.

    News18 Assam Northeast: Delivered an outstanding performance garnering 92 million views on YouTube and Facebook combined. The channel outperformed both DY365 with 60 million views and Pratidin Time with 38 million views.

    News18 Bangla: Attained the highest viewership on Facebook with 131.1 million views. The channel surpassed competitors, ABP Ananda with 129.1 million views and R Bangla with 54.3 million views.

    The sources for the above views are: March’24, Crowdtangle, and SocialBlade

  • News9 launches ‘Indian Tigers & Tigresses’

    News9 launches ‘Indian Tigers & Tigresses’

    Mumbai: In a move to boost India’s football talent and provide a global pathway for young players, TV9 Network’s English news brand News9 has announced the launch of ‘Indian Tigers & Tigresses’ – the largest-ever football talent hunt aimed at boys and girls below 14 years of age.

    The occasion witnessed the participation of stalwarts of German football including German Football Association (DFB) head of international media Kay Dammholz, Peter Leible from Bundesliga, Gerhard Riedl, CEO of Riespo in Austria, Julia Farr of Borussia Dortmund in Asia, Anselm Küchle from the International Football Institute in Germany, Philip Klöckl, CEO of Strykerlabs in Austria, and Valentina Putz, also from Strykerlabs.

    The project aspires to identify, nurture, and showcase India’s top football talents under the age of 14, and has partnered with prestigious organizations like DFB (Deutscher Fußball-Bund), DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga (Bundesliga), City of Gmunden, BVB Borussia Dortmund, the International Football Institute in Germany and Austria’s Riespo.

    Commenting on this initiative, TV9 Network MD and CEO Barun Das said, “The News9 ‘Indian Tigers & Tigresses’ initiative is a matter of great pride for us, as it takes football in a whole new direction in India. We envision a future where Indian footballers are given opportunities to be in the global spotlight akin to any of the major footballing nations in the West. This is also one of the pillars that need to be leveraged in India’s ascendancy in the global head table. That starts by giving these players a level playing field, by making football a serious career option for these talented youngsters, and training them to be world-class players from a young age. This is not just about finding out what you are good at – it is about opening doors and lighting up thousands of dreams”.

    The talent hunt will run April through July and will be amplified across TV9 Network platforms reaching an approximate audience of over 220 crore viewers nationwide. Moreover, TV9 Digital, which has over 100 million unique users, will promote the initiative across all its multi-lingual platforms including its YouTube channels.

    “As we embark on this ground-breaking initiative, we stand at the crossroads of innovation and opportunity. Together, with our esteemed partners and the vibrant talent pool of India, we are poised to redefine the future of soccer,” said Bundesliga senior advisor Peter Leible.

    Registration for the talent hunt will begin shortly, with European football scouts set to evaluate the entries. Selected candidates will undergo scouting at various venues across India by the end of June.

    The journey continues with a Football Training Camp scheduled for July, where the most promising youngsters will hone their skills under expert guidance. The upcoming talent hunt is expected to receive an impressive two million applications from over 50,000 schools across India. From this large pool of candidates, a select few will be invited to participate in scouting sessions at various locations in India by the end of June.

    Subsequently, a rigorous selection process in July and August will culminate in the selection of 20 players and 20 standbys who will travel to Austria and Germany for international exposure, including participation in friendly matches.

    The culmination of this transformative initiative will be the felicitation of 40 winning boys and girls at Germany’s Supercup final on 17 August 2024. These budding football players—the Indian Tigers & Tigresses–will be honoured before an audience of 65,000 fervent fans from Europe and across the globe, marking a monumental milestone in their burgeoning careers.

    The News9 ‘Indian Tigers & Tigresses’ talent hunt program promises to be a ray of hope and opportunity for young football enthusiasts across the nation, charting a new era in Indian football and inspiring generations to come.