ITV

Category: TV Channels

  • BCCI bilateral rights – Hefty premium on a low base; marginally below our estimates

    BCCI bilateral rights – Hefty premium on a low base; marginally below our estimates

    Mumbai: BCCI bilateral rights for 88 matches have been sold of INR 59.6 bn (8 per cent below our estimated range of INR 65bn-INR 75bn, link – https://tinyurl.com/2u8v8xrm) which is 13 per cent higher on a per match basis vs the earlier cycle (43 per cent lower vs IPL on a per match basis).

    * Whilst comparing this with IPL, premiums vs base price for TV/digital in IPL per match were at 17 per cent /72 per cent on an already high base price, whereas in the case of these bilateral matches, premiums vs base price for TV/digital per match basis is 63 per cent /41 per cent vs base price (base price was set much lower than earlier cycle’s final price per match). In our view, TV premium compared to base price could been higher than digital, due to Viacom 18 bidding aggressively for her same as one platform having both (TV and digital rights) lead to better advantage on bundling and higher negotiating leverage with advertisers  

    * Overall premiums (vs earlier cycle) for these rights been much lower vs IPL due to 1) lower number of T20 matches, 2) less interest in bilateral matches with a large tournament like IPL garnering interest on home grounds already, 3) lesser number of platforms bidding for the same and 4) a poor ad environment over the last one year; IPL had attracted a premium of 117 per cent on a per match basis vs it’s last cycle price, whereas these rights have come at a premium of mere 13 per cent on a per match basis  vs it’s last cycle’s price.

    Further, in this case, the cost of per match on digital has surpassed cost of per match on TV , as digital is 8% higher on a per match basis; in the case of IPL – TV and digital were largely on par on a per match basis

    Earlier cycle of the bilateral rights was not unbundled hence there isn’t a comparison on TV/digital rights basis per match  

    We believe that a single entity securing both TV and digital rights is mutually advantageous, as it enhances the negotiating leverage of the platform. This allows them to offer bundled options to advertisers. In contrast, when two separate players acquire TV and digital rights, it fuels competitive rivalry between platforms, resulting in a dampening effect on overall revenues (IPL revenues were down YoY in CY23); we believe bundling prevents advertisers holding a stronger bargaining position as compared to the platforms.

    Acquisition of BCCI bilateral rights will also enable Jio cinema to become even bigger in the Indian OTT ecosystem; the platform has an AVOD market share of ~22-24% already in CY23, after factoring IPL revenue and other content; revenues can scale up further due to these bilateral rights; this in turn will intensify competition in the OTT segment and work negatively for other broadcast-based OTT players like Sony, Zee, Disney+Hotstar. It will also continue to negatively impact SVOD revenue growth for Indian OTT, as Jio Cinema may continue to offer content free  

    On the TV side, this is Viacom’s first large scale cricket acquisition, as IPL and WC rights on cricket for TV are with Star/Zee respectively.

    The credit of this article goes to Elara Capital SVP Karan Taurani 

  • BCCI media rights auction: Viacom18 bags both digital and TV rights

    BCCI media rights auction: Viacom18 bags both digital and TV rights

    Mumbai: Viacom18 have secured both the TV and digital rights for international matches to be played in India for the next five years (2023-28 cycle).

    Sports18 will then telecast the matches, international and domestic, on TV while it will be live streamed on JioCinema as OTT platform.

    The broadcast cycle begins from September 2023 and goes until March 2028 for a grand total of 88 bilateral matches (could go up to 102 matches) involving India. It can be broken down into 25 Tests, 27 ODIs and 36 T20Is.

    Sony Pictures Networks India MD & CEO N.P Singh, congratulated the winners of the BCCI e-auction for the bilateral media rights by saying, “We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the BCCI for a transparent and efficient e-bidding process and to the winners for securing the bilateral media rights. Our disciplined bid was grounded in market forecasts and a long-term growth strategy. We remain committed to delivering top-tier sporting entertainment as we continue to see growing enthusiasm across various sports genres.”  

  • News18 Bangla’s ‘Sikkhai Sampad’ empowers education in suburban Bengal

    News18 Bangla’s ‘Sikkhai Sampad’ empowers education in suburban Bengal

    Mumbai: News18 Bangla remains committed to nurturing educational excellence and facilitating a platform for meaningful discourse that will pave the way for a better tomorrow. In a continued effort to uplift educational opportunities and celebrate academic excellence, News18 Bangla successfully organised the third session of its impactful program ‘Sikkhai Sampad – Let’s Study in Bengal’ on 25 August 2023, in Berhampore, Murshidabad district, West Bengal.

    The pioneering initiative, ‘Sikkhai Sampad,’ aims to shed light on the diverse educational avenues available in Bengal and stimulate dialogue on vital enhancements needed in the educational landscape. Through the program, educators engage in enlightening talk shows as part of the programme, reviewing educational possibilities and recommending solutions for development.

    During the event, a heartening awards ceremony took place, where the remarkable achievements of underprivileged students defying the odds were celebrated. Suman Dey and Sushmita Chakraborty, exemplifying determination and excellence, were honored for their outstanding performance in the madhyamik and higher secondary examinations, respectively. These students have demonstrated that education can be a transformational force with tenacity and dedication. Adding to the accolades, Jitendranath Ghosh, a dedicated teacher from Murshidabad District, received well-deserved recognition for his exceptional contributions to education in the region. His dedication  is an example to educators throughout the state.

    The event witnessed an engaging series of panel discussions in which eminent educationalists deliberated on strategies to make Bengal’s rich educational heritage more accessible to future generations. These sessions yielded excellent insights and actionable recommendations for shaping the region’s educational trajectory.

    The honorable minister of the government of West Bengal, Akhruzzaman graced the occasion as the chief guest, praising News18 Bangla for this initiative in Murshidabad district. He emphasised the importance of collaborative initiatives that foster educational growth and empowerment at the grassroots level.

    The success of the event was supported by our presenting sponsor, Sister Nivedita University, and co-powered by Reliance Industries Ltd and JIS Group. Their drive to educational advancement resonates deeply with the program’s mission, reflecting their dedication to shaping a brighter future for Bengal’s students.

    Tune in to News18 Bangla to catch the highlights of the event on 2 and 3 September at 3.30 PM & 9 and 10 September at 4.30 PM.

  • Minister Hardeep Singh Puri’s exclusive interview on LPG price cut on News18 India

    Minister Hardeep Singh Puri’s exclusive interview on LPG price cut on News18 India

    Mumbai: News18 India’s managing editor Kishore Ajwani conducted an exclusive interview with union minister of petroleum & natural gas and housing and urban affairs Hardeep Singh Puri. The interview centered around the government’s decision to reduce the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders for domestic use by Rs 200 per cylinder, as announced by union minister Anurag Thakur. This reduction amounts to an 18 per cent decrease in the cost of a 14.2-kg cooking gas cylinder. The interview unveiled significant insights into the context, rationale, and implications of this decision.

    Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri began by addressing questions about the timing of prime minister Modi’s decision to lower LPG prices. He asserted that the opposition’s concerns regarding the timing need not overshadow the significance of the decision itself. Stressing the democratic nature of the government, the minister underscored that the decision was taken in honour of the upcoming Rakshabandhan festival, symbolising the government’s commitment to the welfare of India’s sisters.

    Highlighting the transformative journey of access to LPG, Puri illuminated the evolution from a time when 45 per cent of India’s population lacked LPG access before 2014. This stark reality has evolved into a commendable achievement, with the total number of LPG connections growing from 14 crore to 32 crore in 2023, he added. The ‘Ujwala Yojana’ scheme stands out as a cornerstone of this achievement, benefiting 9 crore 60 lakh beneficiaries who receive a direct 200 rupee subsidy. Minister Puri further revealed that even those not covered by the scheme would now enjoy a reduced cylinder price of 900 rupees from the earlier 1100 rupees, while Ujwala Yojana beneficiaries would be entitled to LPG cylinders at an astonishingly affordable 700 rupees. Future plans to expand the Ujjwala Yojana by approximately 75 lakh connections underscore the government’s resolute mission to ensure universal LPG access.

    When queried about the potential reduction of petrol and diesel prices, the union minister responded with an emphasis on fair comparisons. He raised questions concerning non-BJP states’ reluctance to reduce VAT in response to the central government’s reduction of central cess. The minister detailed a pattern of global petrol and diesel price increases, contrasting it with India’s remarkable feat of reducing petrol prices by five per cent and diesel prices by 0.28 per cent over the past two years.

    He then engaged in a state-by-state analysis, drawing attention to the difference in petrol and diesel prices between BJP and non-BJP states. The significant variance in VAT rates painted a compelling picture, with petrol prices differing by up to 11.85 rupees and diesel prices by 10.67 rupees.

    Expanding the horizon, he embarked on an international comparison spanning neighbouring countries. He referred to the data showcasing India’s praiseworthy position of reducing petrol prices by five per cent while its neighbours experienced notable increases, ranging from 24.91 per cent to 50.56 per cent. Even on the global stage, the USA encountered a substantial 43.33 per cent rise in petrol prices, in stark contrast to India’s reduction. Similarly, Germany and France, as major G20 countries, witnessed price increases of 18.56 per cent and 22.56 per cent respectively.

    The discourse extended to diesel prices, revealing India’s 0.28 per cent reduction against Sri Lanka’s 87.25 per cent surge and the USA’s 36.70 per cent increase. Puri also highlighted the government’s visionary steps in reducing LPG cylinder prices, benefitting each citizen by 200 rupees and Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries by 400 rupees, a testament to prime minister Modi’s commitment to the welfare of the people.

    Addressing concerns about election-driven motives, he firmly articulated that elections are inherent to India’s democratic fabric and are independent of policy decisions. The LPG price reduction, a gesture of benevolence to women, aligned with the broader initiatives of women’s empowerment, extended maternity leave, and the abolition of triple talaq.

    The union minister also delved into the challenges posed by “Oil bonds,” underscoring the consequences of past financial decisions and the government’s resolute approach under prime minister Modi’s leadership.

    The interview explored other dimensions of governance, including urban pollution and upcoming events. Puri’s insights provided a comprehensive understanding of the government’s vision, its accomplishments, and the commitment to India’s progress.

  • Network18 and DistroTV announce partnership to stream channels Live and free in India

    Network18 and DistroTV announce partnership to stream channels Live and free in India

    Mumbai: Network18, a major media conglomerate in India, and DistroTV, a leading independent, free, ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) platform, has announced a partnership, which will enable DistroTV users in India to stream Network18’s diverse portfolio of channels live and for free.

    In its initial phase, the partnership has seen the launch of Network18’s key channels such as CNN-News18, News18 India, CNBC TV18 and CNBC Awaaz on the platform. The collaboration is expected to be strengthened with additions of more Network18 channels from across its regional and digital portfolio in the near future.

    Speaking on the new partnership, Network18 head – video strategy & partnerships Pranav Bakshi said, “We are excited to join forces with DistroTV. This partnership aligns with our goal of providing a best-in-class user experience for our viewers across the country. The launch of our diverse set of channels on DistroTV is a testament to our commitment to innovation in the dynamic media landscape. We hope to reach maximum audiences on the platform.”

    “DistroTV is thrilled to partner with Network18, a media powerhouse that has revolutionized the Indian media landscape,” said DistroScale CEO & co-founder Navdeep Saini, parent company of DistroTV. “This partnership will bring a diverse array of quality content to our audiences in India, further solidifying DistroTV’s position as the best place to watch global entertainment, news, and sports.”

    DistroScale India, SEA, MENA & CEO Vikas Khanchandani added, “Our collaboration with Network18 aligns perfectly with our mission to cater to the diverse language preferences of our audiences in India. Network18 has been at the cutting edge of News and is amongst the largest news networks offering content across languages and markets. We will be bringing newer audiences to the news network as we expand our distribution across platforms.”

     

  • Integral support role at Riot Games’ worldwide remote broadcast centres

    Integral support role at Riot Games’ worldwide remote broadcast centres

    Mumbai: Appear, the global leader in media processing and delivery technology, announced today that their technology will support Riot Games and its live global esports remote broadcasts. Riot’s award-winning esports broadcast productions across League of Legends esports (LoL Esports) and the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) are consumed by millions each year both physically and virtually, bringing joy and next-level engagement to esports fans around the world.

    As a world-leading game developer, publisher, and esports organisation dedicated to being the most player-focused company in the world, Riot’s commitment to levelling up its esports productions led to the development of its first Remote Broadcast Center, Powered by AWS in 2022. Launched under the codename “Project Stryker,” this state-of-the-art facility located in Dublin, Ireland will utilise Appear’s X Platform to support the production, broadcast, and translation of both LoL Esports and VCT broadcasts at a global and regional scale.

    Riot first deployed the X Platform to support the 2023 League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), the first international competition of the annual LoL Esports calendar. Taking place at the Copper Box Arena in London in May 2023, fans were treated to a real spectacle as the Chinese team JD Gaming came out on top in the final match, beating fellow Chinese team Bilibili Gaming to take home the trophy. The event proved to be one of LoL Esports’s most popular and watched editions, with a peak viewership of just under 2.3 million.

    Appear’s X Platform is a key component to live AVC/HEVC feed contribution and delivery from Riot’s next-generation remote broadcast centre due to its high-quality, low-latency capabilities. Appear’s SMPTE 2110 native connectivity for AVC/HEVC encoders and decoders, with SMPTE 2022-7 and NMOS support, enabled Riot to seamlessly migrate from its previous SDI-only solution, bringing greater density, lower power consumption, and simplified management. The first Appear platforms were configured to perform high-density HEVC encoding and decoding, resulting in robust and secure high-quality video streaming with reduced latency, providing more stable video streaming at scale. Riot Games will continue its global deployment of Appear’s X Platform to support high-capacity remote productions utilising transport stream over IP with FEC (TSoIP), and SRT gateways where needed to support different network types.

    “Appear was the ideal solution on the market that met our demanding requirements for high-density encoding and delivery of AVC/HEVC signals to and from our new, cutting-edge broadcast facilities,” said Riot Games principal infrastructure engineer James Wyld. “More specifically, the native ability to exchange these feeds directly with our 2110 IP networks has allowed us to greatly simplify a workflow that previously required an additional layer of IP gateway devices.”

    “In addition to this, being able to encode, package, and deliver over multiple network paths simultaneously adds a layer of resilience that our broadcasts require. We run a mix of different delivery strategies to support our productions across the globe, and having a flexible platform allows us to support multiple scenarios in the field. While our facilities are entirely IP based, we need to support a mix of technologies to acquire our feeds in-venue, so relying on the same tools for both SDI and IP workflows makes our complex workflows easier to manage for our operators.”

    This is just the first deployment of a global implementation that will see Riot Games utilise Appear’s X Platform for high-capacity remote productions. Appear’s solutions will also be on hand as part of the second Remote Broadcast Center, powered by AWS that is scheduled to come online later this year in the Greater Seattle, Washington, USA area. Strategically placed in time zones eight hours apart, these two RBCs will align to provide more seamless production support for Riot’s future esports productions happening at various locations and times around the world.

    Appear’s general manager of North America, Ed McGivern, when discussing the scale and excitement of the project, said: “We had previously shadowed the production operations of major League of Legends tournaments over multiple types of networks and had received nothing but positive results and feedback. We’re excited to be the trusted partner to deliver this content at scale and support Riot Games’ global network of remote productions – helping set the quality and value benchmarks for esports.”

    The scale and excitement around Riot Games’ esports competitions is a key indicator of the global momentum the esports industry is enjoying today. By leveraging Appear’s dense, robust, and efficient solutions, Riot’s Games is secure in the knowledge that its high-value content will reach its destination and can focus on what it does best – putting on world-renowned premium esports events watched by millions.

  • BCCI implements e-auction to determine future value of bilateral cricket engagements

    BCCI implements e-auction to determine future value of bilateral cricket engagements

    Mumbai: The BCCI is all set to  conduct an e-auction today for Team India’s home matches during the 2023-28 cycle.

    The BCCI has decided to sell digital and TV rights separately. The collective base price for TV and digital has been pegged at Rs 45 crore per match. According to media reports, the BCCI is expecting a minimum of Rs 60 crore per match from the media rights auction.

    The reserve price for digital is higher at Rs 25 crore per match, while it is Rs 20 crore per match for TV. In both IPL and ICC media rights auctions, digital valuation went marginally over TV.

    The three bidders, Disney Star, Viacom18, and Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), are hoping to once again relax their financial restraints.

    Disney Star was once more in the thick of things when the ICC (International Cricket Council) later auctioned off its rights for four years, purchasing the rights for $3.03 billion.

    After that, it made the decision to keep solely the digital rights and sublicensed the TV rights for almost $1.4 billion to Zee Entertainment Enterprises.

  • Globe Soccer Awards enters landmark agreement with LaLiga

    Globe Soccer Awards enters landmark agreement with LaLiga

    Mumbai: Globe Soccer, the organisation behind Dubai’s prestigious Globe Soccer Awards, has signed a landmark five-year agreement with Spain’s LaLiga. The partnership represents Globe Soccer’s first collaboration in the European market and will see a LaLiga Awards ceremony held alongside the inaugural Globe Soccer Europe Awards 2024.

    A glittering gala evening featuring the two in-person awards ceremonies will take place at the end of the 2023/24 season in a European city to be announced in the near future.

    The Globe Soccer Europe Awards 2024 are part of Globe Soccer’s new Intercontinental series and will recognise Europe’s top performers – from players, coaches, and clubs to agents, directors, and other stakeholders. With voting conducted by fans, the winners of best men’s player, best women’s player, best club, best coach, and best president in the Globe Soccer Europe Awards 2024, will automatically be nominated for the end-of-year Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2024, in partnership with Dubai Sports Council, in an initiative called “Road to Dubai”.

    LaLiga Awards, ‘The pride of our fútbol’

    The LaLiga Awards: ‘The Pride of our Fútbol’ meanwhile will recognise the best from Spanish football’s top-flight during the 2023/24 season, with five different categories: the LaLiga EA Sports best player, best coach, best goal, best play, and best U23 player. Votes can be cast on a dedicated website that will combine the selection process for both monthly and annual awards. The website: Feel the power of our Fútbol | LaLiga has launched today and already started the first monthly votes. The awards represent both sporting and social recognition for LaLiga clubs.

    Globe Soccer founder and CEO Tommaso Bendoni said: “Next year will mark a turning point in the evolution of the Globe Soccer brand. Partnering with LaLiga to launch our new European awards, in conjunction with LaLiga’s first international ceremony, is a very proud and exciting moment for us. The European edition of the Globe Soccer Awards will undoubtedly benefit from the participation of LaLiga, one of the most important leagues in the world, and the presence of some of its biggest names. Holding the official LaLiga Awards on the same stage also offers Spanish football a unique platform to reward its best players and showcase its brand on an international level, so everyone is a winner.”

    LaLiga president Javier Tebas said: “LaLiga is undergoing a major transformation and our objective is to continue developing as a collective. One of our goals this season is to create content in more languages and to reach a wider audience. The five-year strategic partnership with Globe Soccer is definitely a move in this direction and to be the first league in Europe to partner with Globe Soccer is an honour”.

    Tebas added: “Partnering with a company that has more than a decade of experience in organising the world’s most reputable football awards ceremonies brings international prestige and visibility to the LaLiga brand and its clubs. This partnership will help to promote our players, our clubs, and our fans, and underlines our shared confidence and commitment in celebrating football’s best talent”.

    First held in 2010, the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai have been attended by many of football’s biggest names.

  • Dr S Jaishankar’s most significant interview to NDTV’s editor-in-chief Sanjay Pugalia

    Dr S Jaishankar’s most significant interview to NDTV’s editor-in-chief Sanjay Pugalia

    Mumbai: As India gears up for the grand finale of a successful G20 presidency, External Affairs minister S Jaishankar sat down for an engaging and in-depth conversation with NDTV editor-in-chief Sanjay Pugalia at NDTV’s G20 Conclave. In a room full of diplomats, foreign policy watchers and senior NDTV journalists, minister Jaishankar described India’s G20 Presidency as a game-changer. He said the country that commands respect today in the world is India. The minister added that under the leadership of prime minister Narendra Modi, India has taken G20 out of the conference rooms to the people. Dr Jaishankar expressed confidence of an outcome at the Summit.

    On the latest China irritant of putting out a map claiming Aksai chin as its territory, the Minister said that this is China’s old habit. Describing the move as absurd, Dr Jaishankar said that India today is very clear about what territories it needs to defend. He reiterated that the area is an integral part of India.

    In the same vein, the minister spoke of Pakistan, saying that no one invests in a ‘losing stock’. Dr Jaishankar also called the abrogation of article 370 one of the most significant achievements of the Modi Government and asked naysayers to go to Lal Chowk in Srinagar to see the difference for themselves. He hit out at previous governments for playing politics over Kashmir.

    With India emerging as the voice of the Global South, the minister said that India has forwarded its agenda at G20. He said that India is the bridge between the North, South, East & West, today.

    Praising PM Modi, the External Affairs minister said that he is a very curious person and has deep knowledge of global politics. He said that Prime Minister Modi’s single-line message to President Putin, that now is not the time for war, conveyed the world’s sentiment.

    Dr Jaishankar described the success of Chandrayaan-3 as an example of India’s credibility and capability. He said that everyone at the BRICS Summit lauded the success as a collective achievement.

    Responding to a question asked by the Australian High Commissioner to India, Mr. Phillip Green, on whether the world would go back to the times of Mahabharata and be bipolar, he said that multi-polarity is here to stay. No one country can call the shots anymore.

  • Gear up for Mind Wars’ national spell bee competition 2023

    Gear up for Mind Wars’ national spell bee competition 2023

    Mumbai: Great news awaits for spelling enthusiasts among all the middle school students in India with Mind Wars, India’s leading educational initiative by Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL). Mind Wars is all set for conducting its national spelling contest – Spell Bee 2023, for the first time. This exhilarating all India contest is now open to students from classes four to nine across India for demonstrating their mettle in English.

    The one-of-its-kind Mind Wars Spell Bee 2023 will follow a multi-stage format. The competition will commence with intra-school rounds in participating schools, with students participating in three categories. The champions and runners-up from each zone will then advance to the grand finale, which will be showcased on the Mind Wars YouTube channel. In the grand finale, the top three students from each category will be awarded the titles of winner, first runner-up, and second runner-up.

    Exciting prizes await the winners of Mind Wars Spell Bee 2023, including cash prizes worth 10 lakh, trophies, certificates, and other valuable rewards. Additionally, participants will gain invaluable experience and exposure throughout the competition, fostering their personal and academic growth.

    Mind Wars Spell Bee is designed to enhance students’ English skills, encompassing spelling, usage, pronunciation and vocabulary. By encouraging students to develop their language abilities, this initiative empowers them to excel in their academic pursuits and future endeavours.

    The contest features three categories based on grade levels: junior (classes four & five), middle (classes six & seven), and senior (classes eight & nine). Upon registration, participants will receive specially curated practice material, which will be provided after registration. This resource will serve as a valuable tool for students to prepare for the competition and enhance their English skills otherwise too.

    Registration for this prestigious competition is exclusively available through school offices. Interested schools are encouraged to contact the Mind Wars team on 09625933434 for further information and  registration procedures.