ITV

Category: TV Channels

  • Pushing boundaries: Unleashing tech-enabled creativity for dynamic campaigns

    Pushing boundaries: Unleashing tech-enabled creativity for dynamic campaigns

    Mumbai: Several initiatives in terms of technology were introduced by News 18 to give their viewers an extraordinary experience. News18 Punjab/Haryana explored diverse aspects of leveraging artificial intelligence to transform the education system through ‘AI Kaur’ at its ‘Education Summit: Season 04’ event. AI Kaur facilitated conversation with the panelists and welcomed the audience in their local dialect.

    For instance, the channel on the occasion of Mother’s Day this year introduced an extraordinary Metaverse experience that received an overwhelming response, attracting a reach of over one crore in just one day. The purpose of this initiative was to create an interactive environment that encouraged participants to explore and commit to being respectful towards mothers in general.

    These technological integrations are just a part of News18’s larger motive to bring engaging and diverse experiences to their viewers who can expect many more to come.

    Aditya has close to 25 years of experience in market strategy, brand management and communication in the media and technology domains across India, Nepal and Mauritius. He currently leads marketing and product for a portfolio of seven brands at News 18 Network including News 18 India – India’s No. 1 Hindi News channel. 

    Indiantelevision.com in an email interaction with News18 Network (HC) vice president (head) – brand marketing & product Aditya Tandonon the technological innovations and much more…..

    Edited Excerpts:

    On technology being the game-changer in the Newsroom today, how do you work around it to give your viewers a better experience and does it garner greater interest from viewers who are coming in for the first time

    We truly live in very exciting times – technology is advancing at a very rapid pace and is impacting every area of the organisation. From a product and a marketing standpoint, the tech-enabled toolkit available to us today allows us to curate differentiated experiences. For instance, the launch of an AI anchor by our Network not only generated tremendous excitement among our audiences but also helped us form a deeper connection with them.

    Audiences are also constantly seeking avenues to express themselves, share their views and play a part. With the advent of new platforms and technologies, this process has been accelerating and is only likely to accelerate further going forward. Brands are looking at going beyond just being interactive and providing deeply immersive experiences. We, for example, did a hugely successful Mother’s Day activity recently on Metaverse. It allowed viewers to don a virtual avatar and create memorable and shareable moments. Such activities are likely to take engagement to a whole new level.

    On the AI news anchor ‘AI Kaur’, the strategy to launch her in News18 Punjab/Haryana, and the audiences’ reaction to this

    Well, there was an event that was being planned – an Education Summit in Chandigarh, and it was felt that this would be a great platform to experiment and launch an AI anchor. This was a first for any regional market and it generated a huge amount of excitement; a huge amount of chatter among our audiences and our clients who lauded us for the innovation. We, in fact, followed this experiment with a similar one at another of our events in Jaipur where again, the audience was quite excited to experience the power of AI first-hand. I think we are all on a journey of discovery to understand and truly leverage the enormous power that the latest technologies put at our disposal, and I am sure that we will continue to see several innovations and disruptions in the near future as we understand them better.

    On the upcoming general elections in 2024, but this year we will also see elections in a few significant states. Election coverage has evolved over the years with the use of technology. What will be the network’s innovations, and strategy for election coverage

    News18 has always been known for its election coverage. From our strength on the ground to our expertise in the studios, from our production innovations to the speed & accuracy of our updates, News18 is the network that audiences rely on for elections. The General Elections as well as the 5 State elections are slated for later in 2023, hence the next 10-12 months will be huge for us as India’s No. 1 News Network. We have big plans for coverage – with thousands of hours of programming across multiple languages across all of our channels– this will be the biggest, most historic coverage of elections ever. 

    Technology has always played a key part in our election coverage – the Magic Wall that was developed by our teams allows our anchors and experts to drill down into data as required and share insights with viewers. The immersive ‘Air ElexA’ experience that we created took the industry by storm at the time. We are known for being the only news network that runs a Live Election Hub on results day. We will continue to build on this legacy and wow the audiences as we go into our coverage of the upcoming elections.

    On the new buzzword AI; the network ensuring brand loyalty and keeping the audiences engaged

    The honest answer to that is how loyalty and identity have always been maintained. Marketers have always had an assortment of tools at their disposal. The differentiation has come from how these tools have been used. The latest technologies including AI will allow marketers and business leaders to sharpen processes, drive insights, focus even more sharply on delivering ROI, and drive engagement but ultimately it will come down to experiences; product experiences, and communication experiences that marketers can curate – differentiated and unique experiences that evoke passion and emotion in consumers and make them love your brand.

    On Network 18’s technology upgradation helping the network to bring in new viewers and the vision for the next three years

    At News18 we have been quite excited about bringing truly unique, diverse experiences for our viewers – from a product, content, production as well as a marketing standpoint. I mentioned above our unique Mother’s Day campaign on Metaverse. This campaign allowed viewers to celebrate the special day in a manner that was both – interactive and immersive. The campaign was well-received and generated a massive reach in just 24 hours. Initiatives such as these create a huge amount of buzz for the brand – driving sampling and engagement both.

    We will continue experimenting with the latest stack of tech-enabled tools available to marketers to bring highly creative, engaging and differentiated campaigns and offerings. The AI anchors, for instance, at the events in Chandigarh and Jaipur that I spoke about are some examples of this or for that matter the Magic Wall or ElexA platforms that I alluded to above. We are also working on a really exciting project even now, where we will use technology to create an environment and allow viewers to experience content in a whole different way. As the leaders in the category, you will continue to see us push the boundary as far as our marketing and product thinking is concerned. We will apply the latest tools available to us to sharpen our creative processes, our media strategy and most importantly our product thinking based on deep insights that we can extract with the help of technology.

  • Ministry of Culture marks ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ on National Geographic for Independence Day

    Ministry of Culture marks ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ on National Geographic for Independence Day

    Mumbai: This Independence Day, the ministry of culture, in collaboration with National Geographic, celebrates ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ with two patriotic and captivating short films, ‘India On a Mission’ and ‘India: The Land Of Timeless Culture.’ Premiering on 13 August at 8.30 pm, the films aim to take the viewers on an inspiring journey highlighting the marvels of our beloved country.  

    The two ten-minute films bring to light the remarkable journey of us as a nation, with ‘India On a Mission’ exploring the most rapid and striking advancements in creating intricate technology ecosystems within the country. It narrates the stories of innovation in space technology, deep ocean exploration and defence technology and its manufacturing. While the film ‘India: The Land Of Timeless Culture’ traces the ancient roots of many iconic Indian living traditions like classical music and dance, modern medicine, and geo-surveying methodologies. Together, the stories highlight our nation’s contributions to the world through several branches of science as well as architectural and engineering marvels.

    “At National Geographic, we harness the power of insightful storytelling that can inspire, inform, and educate viewers. It is a matter of pride to witness the remarkable growth of our nation, which is emerging as a prominent player in the world economy today. Through these films, we are celebrating the uniqueness of India across multiple spheres, which is bound to instill a sense of pride among Indians across the world,” said a spokesperson from National Geographic.   

    “We take immense pride in India’s remarkable progress, embracing its diverse culture and unparalleled accomplishments in space, defence, and wellness. We are elated to have collaborated with a credible brand like National Geographic, which has beautifully captured the very essence of the achievements and growth since Independence. Through this, the masses will witness our extraordinary journey and gain a profound appreciation for what it truly means to be Indian”, said a ministry official.

    Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav films will premiere on National Geographic in India at 8:30 PM on 13 August 2023.

  • ABP Network zooms past 100 million subscribers on YouTube

    ABP Network zooms past 100 million subscribers on YouTube

    Mumbai: ABP Network, a trailblazing presence in the realm of news broadcasting, has achieved a significant accomplishment by surpassing the impressive milestone of 100 million subscribers on YouTube. This remarkable achievement stands as a testament to the Network’s exceptional digital capabilities and emphasizes its resolute dedication to providing trustworthy news and captivating content to diverse language audiences.

    The collective subscriber count encompasses a wide spectrum of YouTube channels under the ABP Network umbrella, including those associated with ABP News, ABP Ananda, ABP Majha, and ABP Asmita, as well as digital channels such as ABP LIVE, ABP Ganga, ABP Sanjha, ABP Nadu, ABP Desam, and ABP Bihar. Additionally, Video Hub Channels like Ent LIVE, Dharma LIVE, Sports Live, Auto Live, Paisa Live, and Health Hub, along with Uncut and ABP LIVE Podcasts, have contributed to this monumental achievement.

    Speaking about this success, ABP Network CEO Avinash Pandey said, “Reaching the remarkable milestone of 100 million YouTube subscribers is the pinnacle of immense pride and honour for us. This achievement not only showcases the widespread appeal of our content but also underscores the trust and loyalty of our esteemed viewers. It stands as a testament to our steadfast commitment to providing top-notch news. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our incredible team who have worked tirelessly over the years to make this possible and also our audiences for their constant support. We eagerly anticipate scaling to even greater heights in the dynamic digital universe.”

    The channels within ABP Network’s ambit have not only amassed impressive numbers but have also established themselves as leaders in specific language markets. ABP Majha, with its 10 million subscribers, has become the leading Marathi news channel on YouTube; while ABP Ananda, with nine million subscribers, holds the top spot for Bengali-speaking audiences. The resounding success of ABP Sanjha and ABP Asmita in the Punjabi and Gujarati markets attests to their prominence.

    Adding dynamism to this remarkable feat is the rapid growth of ABP Nadu and ABP Desam in the Tamil and Telugu markets, respectively. These channels have captivated viewers with their insightful content and engaging presentations.

    Over the course of its 14-year journey, ABP Network has earned the trust and loyalty of over 100 million subscribers, solidifying its reputation as a leading source of news coverage. With a remarkable expansion into eight Indian languages and a remarkable portfolio of 21 YouTube channels, the Network has emerged as a prime destination for news consumption in languages such as Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu.

    ABP Network’s unparalleled appeal extends to the modern audience, embracing new-age millennials and consumers seeking snackable content through formats like YouTube Shorts. The Network’s coverage spans diverse areas, including entertainment, sports, lifestyle, GenZ, health, travel, and spirituality, ensuring a comprehensive and engaging experience for its viewers.

    Remarkably, ABP Network has ascended to become one of the world’s largest news publishers to achieve the distinction of 100 million YouTube subscribers. With an unprecedented presence across eight languages, the network stands as a global leader in the realm of news publication. Its journey has been propelled by a steadfast commitment to delivering credible and impactful news while embracing the dynamic shifts in the media landscape.

  • Sun TV puts up a good show in Q1 FY 23-24

    Sun TV puts up a good show in Q1 FY 23-24

    Mumbai: Amongst all the broadcast companies, one can’t really fault the Kalanathi Maran-owned Sun TV network. The company is doing well – in fact phenomenally well – as compared to the other players in the same space. Take a look at its performance during the first quarter ended 30 June 2023. For one, it has rewarded shareholders with an interim dividend of Rs 6.25 per Rs 5 share (125 per cent dividend). Then its profit after taxes rose 18.53 per cent to Rs 5828 million as against Rs 4916.8 million in the corresponding quarter ended 30 June 2022.

    Its EBITDA too is up 2.96 per cent to RS 7864.6 million as against 7638.3 million the year earlier.

    This at a time when its ad revenues dropped to  Rs 3391 million in the latest quarter as against Rs  3431.7 million in the 2022 quarter.  The drop was offset by a 6.02 per cent increase in subscriptions to Rs 4353.4 million from Rs  4106.1 million. Top line too was in good humour as it rose 10.38 per cent to Rs 13,177.8 million as against RS 11,939 million in the previous corresponding period.

     

  • Little Singham celebrates its sixth year with POGO’s month-long bash

    Little Singham celebrates its sixth year with POGO’s month-long bash

    MUMBAI: Little Singham, India’s beloved supercop kid, is all set to celebrate his birthday on August 15 in a grand style. Produced by Rohit Shetty Picturez in collaboration with POGO and Reliance Animation, Little Singham, now in its sixth year, continues to captivate millions of young fans nationwide. POGO, India’s homegrown kids’ entertainment channel, marks this milestone with a month-long extravaganza, expanding the Little Singham universe with an exciting line-up of new ‘Little Singham’ tales for young viewers.

    As part of the grand birthday celebrations, POGO is thrilled to introduce the newest addition to the Little Singham cosmos, ‘Baby Little Singham’, premiering 12 August at 9:30 am. Prepare for a daily dose of excitement as the new show takes centre stage, transforming each day at the daycare into a whirlwind of fun-filled adventures with the iconic animated IP’s adorable baby avatar.

    The festivities continue with the original ‘Little Singham’ fearlessly protecting his town from mischief and mayhem in brand new episodes airing from 14-25 August, Monday to Friday at 1:30 pm. Moreover, the excitement reaches its peak on the animated supercop’s birthday – 15 August at 1:30 pm, with the premiere of a brand-new 3D telefeature, ‘Little Singham Super Squad Hunter Ka Hahakar’. Joined by his super squad, Little Singham showcases enthusiasm, bravery, and a never-give-up attitude, captivating the hearts of his ardent fans.

    Warner Bros. Discovery South Asia head of kids cluster Uttam Pal Singh, said, “Little Singham is an iconic character, inspiring young minds with his bravery, determination, and love for the nation. We are all set to launch Little Singham’s new show, ‘Baby Little Singham’, and new movies for his grand birthday celebrations. With this milestone, POGO continues its commitment to pioneer homegrown original content for kids and families.’’

    Reliance Animation CEO Tejonidhi Bhandare said, “We are delighted to create an animation franchise with POGO that has a unique appeal. The popularity of this IP   is a testament to audiences’ appreciation and love for the character and its setting, and the new addition to POGO’s line-up, the baby version of Little Singham, will definitely be a top-quality addition to the Little Singham universe.”

    The month-long bonanza will include the thrilling 2D telefeature ‘Andher Hawa Se Muqabla’ on August 19 at 12:15 pm. On August 20, the celebration will peak with part three of the Little Singham Big Picture series, featuring another action-packed adventure.

    Celebrate August with POGO’s special Independence Day messages, inspiring patriotism in young viewers. Little Singham leads the way for an unforgettable childhood experience. Throughout August, enjoy special content and a birthday wishing series on Instagram, where fans can chant and dance to Little Singham’s birthday song and participate in exciting games for gifts.

     The fun begins! Join POGO in celebrating Little Singham’s birthday with thrilling shows and new episodes, entertaining kids on-air.

  • Mark 76 Independence Day with Kiara Advani & BSF Soldiers on NDTV’s Jai Jawan

    Mark 76 Independence Day with Kiara Advani & BSF Soldiers on NDTV’s Jai Jawan

    Mumbai: On India’s 76 Independence Day, actor Kiara Advani joins NDTV in honouring the BSF soldiers at the Wagah border on the flagship show Jai Jawan on 15 August at 9:30 PM

    Jai Jawan encapsulates our gratitude to the forces and the extreme conditions in which they work, bringing on camera, their daily trials, and triumphs where a big celebrity spends time engaging with the men and women of the forces. The show has won much appreciation and awards owing to sensitive handling and the great spirit of our country that is showcased with each show, a combination of courage, grit and the gruelling discipline followed by the jawans at the border.

    To date, we have done 35 episodes of Jai Jawan where 23 episodes alone have been shot with the Indian Army. Bollywood stars Aamir Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Sanjay Dutt, Akshay Kumar, Aishwarya Rai, Kareena Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif, Vicky Kaushal, and others have shot the episodes with the Indian Army. Alia Bhatt, Ayushman Khurrana, Arjun Kapoor and Sonu Sood with the BSF. Sushmita Sen, Ranveer Singh and Kartik Aryan with the Indian Navy.

  • Zee24 TAAS Shetkari Parishad to be held on 12 August 2023

    Zee24 TAAS Shetkari Parishad to be held on 12 August 2023

    Mumbai: With an aim to emphasise on the issues, challenges, and way forward for the agriculture and food processing sector, Zee 24 TAAS, one of the leading Marathi news channels of Maharashtra, is all set to host Shetkari Parishad in Pune on 12 August 2023. This distinguished conclave is poised to ignite impactful conversations that hold the potential to shape a bright and progressive future for the agriculture industry.

    With an ethos of ‘partners in progress’, Zee 24 TAAS extends an invitation for its upcoming Shetkari Parishad to stakeholders across the agricultural spectrum to join forces. It also presents a pivotal opportunity for curious minds to engage with and draw inspiration from esteemed leaders, driving innovation and transformation within the industry. The upcoming the conclave will comprise of insightful panel discussion series by Industry leaders and policymakers, sharing their insights on the latest trends in agriculture and provide valuable advice on how to succeed in today’s competitive market.

    Emphasising on the purpose of organising the Shetkari Parishad, Zee 24 TAAS editor Dr. Nilesh Khare, “In the age of AIML Agriculture is the only sustainable way of generating employment and economic growth. Shetkari Parishad is a platform where we will try to give the skillset for the agriculture aspirants. By offering this collaborative platform, we aim to create a space where knowledge converges, ideas flourish, and partnerships are forged. This event encapsulates our collective pursuit of cultivating progress.”

    Zee Media Corporation Ltd chief revenue officer Mona Jain further added, “The Shetkari Parishad recognizes the significance of empowering farmers and enabling their progress. By gathering policymakers, researchers, industry experts, practitioners, and students under a common roof, this event generates a unique space for meaningful dialogue, innovative insights, and collaborative ventures. This dynamic event provides a profound understanding of the external forces that are shaping the future of farming and food processing.”

    “We, at Zee 24 TAAS have meticulously curated an impactful conclave that allows farmers in elevating their yields and incomes through the cooperative pooling of resources. Attendees can expect to explore novel technologies, best practices, and groundbreaking solutions that enhance productivity and profitability across agricultural practices,” highlighted Zee Media Corporation Ltd CEO Abhay Ojha.  

    Co-presented by Pitambari Nursery Franchise & Akkudas Trading – Dudhkandi, tourism partner Directorate of Tourism, banking partner, Buldhana Urban Cooperative Credit Society Ltd and its associate partners are Kanhaiya Agro, Rajashree Lottery, Quick Start 24 Group, J.K. Oos Ropvatika, Universal Biocon Pvt. Ltd, Vidharbha Irrigation System Pvt Ltd, Dr. Bawasakar Technology (Agro) Pvt Ltd.  

    Zee Media Corporation Ltd, one of India’s leading media companies, has a strong presence in the news and regional genres, with 16 news channels in seven different languages, reaching more than 528 million viewers through its linear and digital properties.

  • Rannvijay Singha buys stake in Real Kabaddi League

    Rannvijay Singha buys stake in Real Kabaddi League

    Mumbai: Real Kabaddi League gets a boost as India’s youth icon and entrepreneur Rannvijay Singha joins the promotion as a stakeholder and also as a brand promoter. With him coming on board we are sure the league is going to be more powerful, dynamic & entertaining!

    Rannvijay who was also associated with Real Kabaddi in the previous season has sealed their relationship further by becoming an investor and a brand promoter. The season three of Real Kabaddi is scheduled to being at the end of September. With Ranvijay coming on board the league will get a new set of audiences and will also attract more brands and advertisers.

    Talking about the same an excited Rannvijay Singha said, “I have been following Real Kabaddi since its inception and I think they have done fabulous work with the league. I am an ardent fan of the sport and believe that after cricket, there is only one league that can be popular and that is Kabaddi. I have always wanted to be part of a league-based sport in India and that dream has come true.”

    Talking about the partnership Atlanture Sports Pvt Ltd founder Shubham Choudhary said, “Rannvijay is a passionate Kabaddi fan, and I am glad that he has come on board not only as an investor but also as a brand promoter. I am sure with him on board we will be able to reach out to more people. We are trying to create synergies between sports and entertainment, we also wanted to appeal to the youth and who is better than India’s Youth Icon.

    Real Kabaddi League is a franchise-based sports league and a national-level professional Kabaddi tournament. This platform was created to scout & nurture talent from non-metro cities & grassroots. It aims to empower the regional kabaddi players in every way possible confidence and provides a platform for upcoming new talent to showcase their skills. The league consists of eight teams namely- Jaipur Jaguars, Shekhawati Kings, Chambal Pirates, Mewar Monks, Bikana Riders, Jodhana Warriors, Arawali Eagles, and Singh Soorma. The third season of Real Kabaddi will begin in the end of September 2023.

  • News18’s ‘Rising India – She Shakti’: Celebrating women who are shaping today’s inclusive India

    News18’s ‘Rising India – She Shakti’: Celebrating women who are shaping today’s inclusive India

    Mumbai: News18 network has announced its upcoming conclave, “Rising India-She Shakti”, dedicated to recognising the remarkable contributions of women trailblazers from several sectors, at Taj Palace, New Delhi, on 11 August. This unique initiative aims to honour the accomplishments of women and will be driven by women as well. The conclave will serve as a platform to showcase their achievements, share stories, and inspire a new generation of leaders.

    As underlined by PM Narendra Modi, India has now entered a women led development phase. The advancement towards becoming a developed nation is closely linked to the active participation of Indian women. ‘Rising India – She Shakti’ seeks to amplify the recognition of women who not only broke the glass ceiling but also broke gender stereotypes and inspired Atmanirbharta (self-reliance).

    The President of India, Droupadi Murmu will be the chief guest of the evening. The conclave will also see participation of influential personalities such as women & child development minister Smriti Irani, popular actors Shraddha Kapoor and Shefali Shah, legendary singer Asha Bhosle, renowned playback singer Sunidhi Chauhan, and many other women achievers.

    With an impressive line-up of speakers, the event will facilitate conversations with women trailblazers from all walks of life. Tessy Thomas, the Missile Woman of India, Shamika Ravi, member of the economic advisory council to the PM, Budhri Tati, who helped over 500 women become Atmanirbhar in a naxal affected area, Yogita Raghuvanshi, India’s first female truck driver, Dr. Seema Rao, a combat trainer for armed forces, and many other unsung heroes from diverse backgrounds will share their inspiring stories at the conclave.

    Identified under a common theme, each session will revolve around a specific sector where women have made significant strides. The Tech Shakti segment will facilitate conversations among women from the technical domain, Raksha Shakti session will see women from defense take the centre stage, women bureaucrats, policy influencers will share their stories in the Niti Shakti segment and Netritva Shakti session will discuss women leaders’ importance in politics. The conclave will host ten such segments with a diverse set of women achievers.

    Tune in to the live streaming of ‘Rising India – She Shakti’ on CNN-News18’s YouTube channel on 11 August, starting 2:30 pm. Additionally, the event’s coverage will span across the entire News18 Network.

  • “This new association with Electronic Arts opens new avenues to project our image worldwide”: LaLiga India’s Jose Antonio Cachaza

    “This new association with Electronic Arts opens new avenues to project our image worldwide”: LaLiga India’s Jose Antonio Cachaza

    Mumbai: LaLiga, one of the most famous football league, was finally kicked of today!! As many as 20 teams will play a total of 380 matches over nine months in Spain’s top division football league. 

    Starting from the 2023-24 season, EA Sports, a subsidiary of Electronic Arts, will be the principal sponsor of LaLiga. The league has launched the season with LaLiga ambassador & Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma along with Viacom18, who serve as the broadcasting partner.

    An event to launch the new improved Laliga was held today on 10 August 2023 at the Tajmahal Palace Hotel, Colaba where LaLiga India managing director Jose Antonio Cachaza and Viacom18 Sports – content head Siddharth Sharma highlighted the introduction of extensive transformation regarding audio visual innovations, partnership sponsors (India centric data), milestones & upcoming projects (highlights league milestones & Indian centric projects – present & future) and the growth of the league in India. 

    Indiantelevision.com caught up with Cachaza where he talked on the strategy behind the new LaLiga transformation this year, upcoming young Indian talent, and much more….

    Edited excerpts

    On the whole strategy behind launching new LaLiga  this year

    This new association with Electronic Arts opens new avenues to project our image worldwide. This was what triggered all of these decisions and the big integration of our broadcast with the image that many younger friends are followers of the game. The game is now renamed as Electronic Arts FC. We have also always tried to be ahead of the curve in terms of innovation. So this is in a sense, renovated image we want to portray that it’s a leaner, cleaner image more adapted to this digital age.

    On your long years in India, experience in India and the growth in India

    I remember that when I was going to come here a friend who does business in Tamil Nadu gave me an advice which was in India need to be patient. We have been patient all these seven years and this is a start of a process. LaLiga has a presence in India. We have a broadcast that was only for our social media which was really cool and something that we needed to improve and we were here in a sense with several fan clubs. In any case, I always thought that my job was to create the foundations of the building in India and the building is still to be built. It needs to keep growing and we need to keep increasing the connection to the fans. Clearly, there is a generation of Indians more connected to the world, more curious about football that doesn’t mean that they will forget cricket, but as we have a curious generation wanting to know more about football and that’s where we need to perform.

    On the strategy for upcoming Indian players playing better and reaching the level of the foreign players

    The word patience is the key essence here. A player takes many years and even when they explore for eg Messi, he was seen in a friendly tournament when he was 16 but in the next three – four years he really developed as a star player, just like him, there are other cases as well, so it needs time. So I think the foundations are being created, it’s important that you have a professional league as well, that should be getting important corporate support which is very important that AIFF has been quite clear that they need to work in, grassroots and building young talent. I mean, you cannot have players in their 30s. You need to start looking at young talent, and there’s a lot happening in schools today. 

    On Laliga’s relationship with Viacom

    The broadcast world today is quite different from what it was earlier. I’ll give you an example, back then, what was relevant was the main television channel. Today, our partner, is leaning towards the digital approach. So in that sense, the relationship is as good as it was in the professional terms. In India its cricket all the way that doesn’t mean that there is no place for a sport like football.