ITV

Category: TV Channels

  • TV18’s news vertical registers 20 per cent revenue growth in Q2 FY24

    TV18’s news vertical registers 20 per cent revenue growth in Q2 FY24

    Mumbai: TV18 Broadcast Ltd has announced its results for the quarter ended 30 September 2023.

    Viacom18 becomes ‘the destination’ for sports in India

    Viacom18, in its quest to become the primary destination for sports in India, continues to  aggregate rights of leading sports properties. With acquisition of exclusive media rights for  the BCCI International and Domestic matches, it has become the home of India cricket. The  rights include international men’s, women’s, and other domestic first-class competitions like Ranji Trophy. Viacom18 acquired both the Indian sub-continent and global television and  digital rights for the next 5 years for Rs 5,963 crores.

    As the most loved sports in India, cricket (BCCI, IPL) will enable the Company to drive a  step jump in audience footfalls, especially on JioCinema, as live sports consumption  continues to pivot towards digital. Broadcast rights will strengthen the Company’s channel  bouquet and will enable it to broaden its broadcast content portfolio and serve quality content to all its viewers. With the new features launched during IPL, Viacom18 has enhanced the Indian viewer experience like never before, and it will continue to drive  innovations to delight its audience.  

    Viacom18 also added the Indian Super League, the highest level of the Indian football league  system, to its portfolio. With a constellation of marquee sports properties like IPL, WPL,  Olympics 2024, SA20, Major League Cricket (MLC), Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT), NBA,  Diamond League, World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023, MotoGP, La Liga,  Ligue1, Serie A, Abu Dhabi T10, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and top BWF events,  Viacom18 has established itself as India’s #1 destination for sports.

    JioCinema takes the entertainment streaming game to the next level

    JioCinema is quickly scaling up as one of the leading streaming platforms for entertainment  content. The second season of India’s most popular reality show in a digital-exclusive  format, Bigg Boss OTT, became the biggest ever reality show on digital, with record  concurrency and voting during the finale. The season wrapped up with 100 mn viewers  consuming 30 bn minutes of content on smartphones and CTVs. User engagement was at  an unprecedented level with 5.4 bn votes logged through the season, highlighting the scale  and connect of the show with users. The grand finale was the most streamed live  entertainment event in India with 23 mn viewers and a peak concurrency of 7.2 mn. During  the 15 minutes live voting window for selecting top 2 finalists, 250 mn votes were received. • Popular network reality shows also saw an exponential growth in digital consumption. Khatron Ke Khiladi S13 saw 2x viewers and 1.5x video views compared to the previous  season and Roadies S19 delivered 7x viewers and 4x watch-time of the previous season. • Original shows released during the quarter also garnered wide reach and engagement.  Taali (starring Sushmita Sen) featured in ‘Top 10 OTT Originals of the Week1’ for more than  5 weeks in a row. The show reached a record 20 mn viewers in the first week of release.  Kaalkoot also featured among ‘Top 10 OTT Originals of the Week1’ for 3 weeks in a row  and was watched by 25 mn viewers.

    TV18 News Network maintains dominance in key markets; Entertainment network share  strengthened viewership share by 50 bps

    TV18 News continued to be the highest reach network in the country, reaching ~190 mn  people around the country every week. The network maintained its leadership position in  key markets with CNBC TV18, News18 India, and CNN News18 being the #1 channels in their respective genres. TV18 was also the leader in primetime in the Hindi speaking  markets, solidifying its position as the network of choice in the region. The network had  leadership in 5 regional markets, including UP/Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, MP/Chhatisgarh.  News18 Lokmat, the Marathi language channel, climbed viewership charts to become the  second ranked channel, driven by the programming initiatives launched over the past year.  

    TV network share increased by 50 bps to 10.5%, driven by the performance of Sports and  Movies channels. Colors was the #2 channel in primetime with 18% market share and exited  the quarter with 2 of its fiction shows featuring in the top 10 list. Colors Kannada continued  to be a strong #2 channel in the Kannada genre. Viacom18 Studios released Rocky Rani  Ki Prem Kahani and OMG 2 during the quarter, and both the movies were commercially  successful as well as critically acclaimed.

    Strong growth in revenue as the company continues to make investments in growth  businesses

    TV news network delivered a strong growth in advertising revenue despite the continued  weakness in advertising environment. Excluding government initiatives, the news industry saw  a decline in ad inventory consumption. News18’s revenue growth was underpinned by the  strong viewership share that the network has achieved over the last eighteen months which  has helped it to improve pricing across the network. TV18’s sharp focus on building IP events business has also helped it drive growth in revenue.

    Viacom18 saw a sharp growth in advertising revenue in Sports and Digital segments. Sports  revenue was driven by the two cricket series – West Indies vs India and India vs Australia. Digital revenue was led by original shows like Bigg Boss OTT, Taali, Kaalkoot and TV network shows like Khatron Ke Khiladi. Advertising demand in the entertainment broadcast  segment continues to be soft as spending by consumer goods companies and new-age clients remains weak.

    EBITDA declined as the business made investments in growth verticals – Sports and Digital.  Both these verticals require investments in the near term to build a strong consumer  proposition which will help the Company rise to the leadership position in the cluttered media  landscape. We are building a strong catalog of entertainment content which will leverage  the exponential increase in audience traffic that sports enables. Our endeavor is to make JioCinema the default destination for consumers across the country looking for quality  content.

    TV18 chairman Adil Zainulbhai said, “We continue to take giant steps towards building  the network of choice for Indian consumers. With India cricket rights, Viacom18 now has the  biggest portfolio of sports properties, making it the default choice for sports fans. Our news network  has fortified its positions across the markets which bodes well as we head into the festive season  followed by elections. Our focus continues to be on providing quality content to audience and as  India’s only network with presence across news, entertainment, and sports, we are in a unique  position to serve customers across the country and demographic cohorts.” 

  • Talod Foods welcomes Samit Shah as chief operating officer

    Talod Foods welcomes Samit Shah as chief operating officer

    Mumbai: Talod Food Products Private Limited (TFPPL) is thrilled to welcome  Samit Shah as its chief operating officer, effective from 16 October 2023. Samit Shah is an MBA Gold Medalist and brings over 21 years of extensive experience in sales marketing, business strategies and business growth, brand solutions, Experiential marketing, and more. His impressive journey includes his most recent role as Vice President and Regional Director of Impact Properties (Activation, Events, Sponsorships) and digital business at Radio Mirchi (ENIL) for the West and South India Regions.

    Samit Shah’s journey started with Radio Mirchi as the head of marketing, and he quickly climbed the ladder, showcasing his exceptional leadership. Prior to his role at Radio Mirchi, he also contributed his expertise as a Team Lead in Trade Marketing and Operations at Coca Cola India and he started his career with One Advertising Services Ltd as a Sr. Executive Client Servicing post his MBA.

    Shah’s ‘business growth’ strategy aligns perfectly with Talod Foods’ commitment to innovation and excellence. His strategic thinking, exceptional leadership, and extensive experience are expected to play a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth and success in the competitive food industry. Talod Foods and the company look forward to leveraging his expertise to continue delivering exceptional products and experiences to its customers.

  • Matrix Fight Night announces multiple sponsors for MFN 13

    Matrix Fight Night announces multiple sponsors for MFN 13

    Mumbai: Matrix Fight Night is set to host its 13 editions on 28 October at Noida Indoor Stadium with Sanjeet Budhwar in line to defend his Featherweight title against Shyamanand in what promises to be a thrilling main event. Darkhanbek Ergeshov will also defend his Welterweight title against India’s Jason Solomon in the co-main event. Ahead of the fight night, Matrix Fight Night announced a number of sponsors for MFN 13, onboarding AIO media solutions as the associate partner for the upcoming edition along with; Build Prowl Supplements, USI Universal, Motherland Hospital Noida, Crowne Plaza Greater Noida, Knack Beverages, MMA Matrix Gym, and BHI Fitness.

    BUILD.Prowl CEO  Soumava Sengupta said, “BUILD. Prowl is proud to be the Nutrition Partner of the MFN event. MFN is doing a fantastic job of promoting MMA in India. MMA is a highly skilled sport that requires athletes to be in their prime as far as fitness is concerned. BUILD. as a brand is designed to be the architect of fitness. Our brand ambassador Tiger Shroff really embodies this brand philosophy. Our BUILD. PROWL range of products brings to the Indian consumers high quality, Informed Sport certified, delicious tasting, affordable products that help them build their own fitness goals. Just like MFN brings to India the finest of MMA. So, this partnership is committed to bring Indian audiences the best of experiences that global audiences get.”

    MFN 13 have also onboarded Crowne Plaza, Greater Noida, as the hospitality partner and they will host the MFN team upon their arrival.

    Speaking on the partnership, Crowne Plaza Greater Noida general manager Sharad K. Upadhyay,, said, “We are delighted to announce that Crowne Plaza Greater Noida is once again joining hands with MFN for the second time, reaffirming our commitment to supporting the world of sports. As a hotel that prides itself on offering exceptional hospitality, we find immense joy in aligning with organizations that share our passion for excellence. We look forward to another successful collaboration with MFN, and together, we aim to elevate the sports industry to new heights.”

    Matrix Fight Night 13 will take place at the Noida Indoor Stadium, Sector 21, on 28 October and will be live-streamed on Disney+Hotstar from 6 PM IST, with a massive live audience expected to be at the show.

  • Consumer tech brand ACwO and India’s Football Team Captain Sunil Chhetri join forces

    Consumer tech brand ACwO and India’s Football Team Captain Sunil Chhetri join forces

    Mumbai: India is playing and winning in every sector, whether it is development, economy, sports, or space; India is on a different level in every field. Now betting big on India’s digital and overall growth, especially among Gen Z and young adults, Sunil Chhetri, Captain of the Indian Football Team, now teams up with a new audio brand ACwO. Launched as a proud Made In India brand, ACwO aims to empower and elevate consumers’ lifestyles, powered by innovative technology. Honouring Sunil Chhetri’s iconic number 11 jersey, ACwO is gearing up to introduce an extraordinary lineup of 11 TWS earbuds, each boasting more than 11 remarkable features including environmental noise cancellation, equaliser modes, lag-free movie experience, gaming ready with ultra-low latency, long battery life, backed up by ReALmAh technology, snug fit, and more. These earbuds have been designed to resonate with the dedication and spirit of Sunil Chhetri, making this range truly iconic as Number 11. Supporting the launch, and featuring Chhetri, AcwO’s maiden brand film showcases its core vision, ‘Ab India Khelega’.

     

     

    Making its presence felt, Sunil Chhetri’s support and the resounding proclamation of ‘Ab India Khelega’ underlines his belief in the potential of Indian originality, positioning ACwO as a significant milestone in his journey as a proud brand ambassador of both India’s growth and innovation. Together, ACwO and Sunil Chhetri are set to rewrite the narrative of ‘Ab India Khelega’ promising a brighter and technologically advanced future for consumer lifestyle.

    Launched as a D2C brand, ACwO stands for creative brilliance and aims to reshape the smart gadgets and accessories landscape while contributing to India’s GDP. With a wide range of TWS products, ACwO aims to target and enhance every consumer’s lifestyle. With the strategic launch in the midst of the festive season, ACwO will also roll out a cross-media campaign to create awareness of the brand, and its offering, by leveraging Sunil Chettri’s popularity and fan base.

    Speaking on the launch, the Captain of the National Football Team, said, “It’s always nice to be associated with a brand that is proudly made in, and for India. ACwO is doing some fantastic things on the tech and lifestyle front and through this association, I am keen to see and be a part of all that comes out from the ACwO stables.”

    With a focus on innovation and quality, ACwO envisions India as a global hub of creative-tech excellence. Going forward, ACwO is committed to introducing various gadgets with a total focus on enhancing the overall lifestyle of consumers.

  • India’s eFootball ace Hemanth Kommu qualifies for Global Esports Games 2023

    India’s eFootball ace Hemanth Kommu qualifies for Global Esports Games 2023

    Mumbai: Showcasing his gaming prowess against the continent’s best athletes, Hemanth Kommu (peshemak7) produced scintillating performances to prevail in the Asian qualifiers and secure his spot at the prestigious Global Esports Games (GEG). With South Asia having only two slots for the GEG 2023, Kommu performed to the best of his abilities to emerge as one of the representatives from the region.

    In a dominating journey towards qualification, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) alumnus clinched impressive victories against Bangladesh (2-0), Maldives (2-1), Nepal (2-0), and Sri Lanka (2-0) in the best-of-three matches. The 26-year-old’s only defeat came against Pakistan in a closely contested 1-2 loss.

    Expressing his excitement about the qualification, Hemanth Kommu commented, “I am thrilled and honoured to have secured a spot at the Global Esports Games 2023. The Asian qualifiers were intense, but I was able to secure qualification with my dedication and relentless practice. This will be the second consecutive year that I will be representing India at the tournament and I hope to achieve a podium finish this time. I am grateful to the ESFI for their support and hope to make our country proud in Riyadh.”

    Kommu secured his qualification to the Asian qualifiers after being crowned champion of the National Esports Championships (NESC) 2023 organized by the Esports Federation of India (ESFI). The high-voltage qualifiers witnessed the participation of India’s 18 eFootball 2023 athletes, including the country’s representative at the recently concluded World Esports Championships 2023, Ibrahim Gulrez.

    “We would like to congratulate Hemanth Kommu for his outstanding performance in the Asian qualifiers and for securing a spot at the GEG 2023. Being a well-renowned name within the eFootball 2023 landscape, we believe his journey will inspire the country’s next generation of athletes to excel in the title. We look forward to Hemanth’s performance on the global stage and are confident that he will bring laurels to the nation,” said The Esports Federation of India (ESFI) director and Asian Esports Federation vice-president Lokesh Suji.

    One of the country’s top sports and Esports communication agencies, Artsmith-Concepts & Visions, will continue its support to the Esports Federation of India as its official communication partner.

    The Global Esports Games 2023, a flagship event of the Global Esports Federation will be staged in Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from December 12-17, 2023. The global, multi-title Esports competition will feature four major titles: DOTA 2, Street Fighter, eFootball 2023, and PUBG Mobile, and will witness the participation of over 950 athletes hailing from more than 100 nations and territories across the globe.

    Alongside Kommu, India’s Street Fighter 6 athlete Mayank Prajapati (MiKeYROG) also came close to securing a spot in the Global Esports Games but narrowly missed out on the qualification. Mayank, who recently represented India at the Asian Games 2022 in Street Fighter V: Champion Edition, won three of his five games in the qualifiers and missed out on the global finals only by two points.

  • NXTDIGITAL appoints Sooraj Keswani as chief customer experience officer

    NXTDIGITAL appoints Sooraj Keswani as chief customer experience officer

    Mumbai: NXTDIGITAL, the rapidly growing digital media division of technology-led customer experience company Hinduja Global Solutions Ltd. (HGS), with a presence in digital television via cable and satellite, broadband, enterprise services, OTT aggregation and content syndication is in expansion mode – launching a slew of digital products whilst expanding its footprint across India.

    Focusing on changing consumer preferences and enhancing the quality of service to its customers, the group has appointed veteran communications and customer engagement executive Sooraj Keswani as its Chief Customer Experience Officer. With over three decades of experience in media, retail, marketing and enterprise consulting across leading companies like The Indian Express Newspapers, Madison, Concept Communication, Hansa Cequity and Mirum India, Sooraj will lead the organisation’s initiatives in enhancing customer experience across all product portfolios. He will work with the group’s large pan-India franchisee base to develop and deliver products customised to hyperlocal preferences. As an extension of his role, Sooraj will also manage the branding and marketing functions.

    Commenting on this appointment, HGS whole time director and head of the media group, Vynsley Fernandes said, “We are delighted to welcome Sooraj Keswani to HGS and the NXT Media Group. His diverse experience across media, communications, technology-led marketing and building customer experience aligns perfectly with our company’s digital vision for the future. We look forward to the exciting journey ahead with him at the helm driving delightful experiences for our customers.”

    Keswani said, “The Hinduja Group is known for its integrity and customer focus. NXT Media Group has aggressive growth plans across its business verticals and I am very excited to join them in this journey to scale customer experience and brands to the next level.”

  • Reliance set to finalise a multibillion dollar deal with Walt Disney Co.

    Reliance set to finalise a multibillion dollar deal with Walt Disney Co.

    Mumbai: Reliance Industries Ltd., is all set to finalise a multibillion dollar deal with Walt Disney Co. to buy its India operations, according to media reports.

    The RIL is expected to enjoy a controlling stake in the Disney Star business, which has an estimated valuation of $10 billion. The US entertainment giant will end up holding a minority stake in the business. Reliance views the assets at between $7 billion to $8 billion, as per close sources.

    The giant acquisition is expected to be declared by the companies next month. Under the proposal, Disney is likely to continue holding on to a minority stake in the Indian company after the completion of cash and stock swap transaction. According to the news report, Disney could choose to hold onto assets for a bit longer.

     

  • CNBC-TV18 returns with season 2 of ‘Financial Quotient’

    CNBC-TV18 returns with season 2 of ‘Financial Quotient’

    Mumbai: CNBC-TV18, a purpose-driven brand and the undisputed leader in the English business news space, has announced the second season of Financial Quotient, a unique and insightful series dedicated to empowering women in their financial journey. Hosted by Personal finance expert and Market Anchor Surabhi Upadhyay, this series focuses on encouraging women to become financially independent by providing them with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed financial decisions. Featuring six informative episodes, the series will be launched on 25th October 2023, Wednesday at 3.30 PM, and will continue to be aired every Wednesday at 3.30 PM.

    In 2021, CNBC-TV18 introduced season one of this investment series dedicated to enabling financial freedom for women. Now, the second season promises to delve even deeper into the financial landscape, addressing the unique challenges and opportunities that women face in managing their finances. Each episode will focus on contemporary and relevant topics such as early investing, money & marriage, mid-life crisis, financial planning, retirement, etc. while sharing solutions and knowledge to tackle real-world financial challenges.  

    CNBC-TV18 managing editor Shereen Bhan reaffirmed the brand’s commitment to championing financial literacy & economic empowerment, saying, “Empowering women with financial education is vital for India’s economic growth. We are very excited to launch the second season of this unique series, where we’ll share expert insights & shared experiences, to help empower women to make independent, financially sound decisions. Each episode will discuss various instruments & platforms that are available to women and how they can make use of them. Overall this series is a valuable resource for every woman looking to secure her financial future”

    Network18 business COO – Smriti Mehra commented, “In season 2 of ‘Financial Quotient,’ we continue to champion the cause of fostering financial freedom for women. This year, we will be focusing on how women ca up their ‘FQ’ to tackle the various challenges they face at different life-stages. At CNBC-TV18, we recognize that financial security is extremely crucial for women today, and season 2 is our attempt towards helping women achieve true freedom and stability. We are excited about this season and its potential to inspire, educate, and empower women to seize control of their destinies.”

     

  • News18 Keralam to host Vijaya Dashami Day event celebrating knowledge and literature

    News18 Keralam to host Vijaya Dashami Day event celebrating knowledge and literature

    Mumbai:  In a glorious celebration of knowledge and literature, News18 Keralam, in collaboration with the esteemed Thunchan Smaraka Samithi and DC Books, is thrilled to announce a magnificent live event on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami Day, 24 October. This event is dedicated to honoring the spirit of knowledge and literature by bringing together 300 children who will embark on their educational journey.

    At the event, 300 children will write their first letters in the sand in the presence of the well-respected Thunjath Ezhuthachan, also revered as the father of Malayalam literature. Ezhuthachan’s legacy has left a permanent mark on the literary landscape of Kerala, and this event aims to pay tribute to his enduring influence while also paying homage to Kerala’s rich literary heritage.

    The event will feature distinguished chief guests from various domains, prominent celebrities, and thought leaders from diverse fields, highlighting the event’s significance in the cultural landscape of Kerala. Furthermore, keeping with the spirit of fostering a love for literature and knowledge, DC Books will be giving books to the young minds in attendance. The gesture displays the commitment to nurturing a passion for reading and learning among the next generation.

    The grand event will be broadcast live on News18 Keralam TV and Digital Platforms on the morning of 24 October, ensuring that this memorable celebration reaches a wide and enthusiastic audience. It will provide viewers with an opportunity to witness and be a part of this cultural and educational extravaganza.

    Tune into News18 Keralam on October 24th for this extraordinary celebration of knowledge, literature, and culture.

     

  • Warner Bros. Discovery premieres ‘Mission Big Cat’

    Warner Bros. Discovery premieres ‘Mission Big Cat’

    Mumbai: Warner Bros. Discovery is delighted to announce “Mission Big Cat,” an exhilarating new anthology dedicated to the mesmerizing world of regal felines. This edition’s captivating lineup will present exclusive content that delves deep into the lives of lions, tigers, leopards, and other awe-inspiring species. Scheduled to premiere on 23 October 2023, on Animal Planet, the series will air from Monday to Friday at 8:00 PM, with a repeat broadcast the following day at 4:00 PM. This unique programming represents a compelling endeavour to unveil the intricacies of these magnificent creatures, providing viewers with insights into their behaviour, predatory skills, family dynamics, and much more.

    The seven-week lineup, running until 15 December, will include shows such as “Big Cat Country,” “Creative Killers,” “Lions vs Hyenas,” “Lethal Attractions,” “Story Of Cats,” “The Lions Queens: Fighting For Survival,” “The Brother’s Pride,” “Brotherhood of Lions,” and “Lions Country: Night & Day.” These shows will shed light on territorial disputes among these magnificent creatures, unveil their ingenious hunting techniques, explore the bonds of brotherhood that bind them, and uncover the fascinating origin stories of these apex predators.

    Watch Mission Big Cat, 23 October onwards, Monday to Friday at 8:00 PM on Animal Planet