Category: TV Channels

Star Health bowls over fans with SRH tie-up for wellness and protection

MUMBAI: In a pitch-perfect move, Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Ltd. has teamed up with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) as their official health insurance partner for the ongoing 2025 T20 League. With this partnership, Star Health isn’t just chasing runs, it’s chasing healthier lifestyles, one over at a time.

As the country’s leading private health insurer, Star Health is leveraging cricket’s mass appeal to drive home the message of wellness and protection. Through this association with SRH, the brand aims to bowl over millions of fans with awareness on health insurance and the importance of safeguarding one’s well-being.

Star Health Insurance MD & CEO Anand Roy said, “We are delighted to associate with Sunrisers Hyderabad in this T20 league, as this partnership perfectly reflects our three core values: customer centricity, trust and transparency. This league which is in its 18th season, is not just a celebration of cricket, but also a platform that brings together millions of people across the country, echoing our commitment to putting customers at the heart of everything we do. Just as the players and teams earn the trust of their fans through dedication and integrity, we strive to build lasting trust with our customers through reliable service and transparent processes. This collaboration is a testament to our shared belief in these values, both on the pitch and in everyday life, and we look forward to supporting the team and the tournament while championing what matters most to our customers.”

Sunrisers Hyderabad CEO K. Shanmugam said, “We place the highest priority on the players’ and staff’s health and fitness. Through this partnership, we wish to inspire cricket fans worldwide to prioritize their health by investing in health insurance that offers enhanced benefits, comprehensive protection, and greater peace of mind. Our dedication to our team’s overall well-being is imperative to deliver exceptional outcomes. Star Health Insurance, India’s largest retail health insurance company, through this collaboration will give our team the backing they need to succeed both on and off the field.”

As part of the association, Star Health has launched the campaign #Healthkaextracover featuring SRH players like Ishan Kishan, Jaydev Unadkat, Rahul Chahar, and Harshal Patel. The campaign taps into cricket’s universal popularity to spark conversations about everyday wellness and the need for comprehensive health coverage.

With T20 fever in full swing and fans cheering for every six and wicket, this tie-up reminds audiences that taking guard for your health is just as important as taking guard on the pitch.

April 21, 2025
TAM Sports: IPL advertising shows strong growth as brands bet big on cricket

MUMBAI: The Indian Premier League’s 2025 season has kicked off with a veritable feast for advertisers, showing remarkably robust growth in the tournament’s commercial appeal. The first 31 matches witnessed an 8 per cent jump in advertising volumes compared to the same period last year, according to the latest report from TAM Sports.

The lucrative cricketing carnival has attracted 16 per cent more advertisers than in 2024, with the total count rising from 65+ to 75+. Even more impressive is the 23 per cent surge in brand presence, leaping from 110+ to 140+ brands jostling for eyeballs during the matches.

Gaming platforms have bowled over the competition, with e-commerce gaming emerging as the top category, commanding an 18 per cent share of advertising volumes—nearly double its 9 per cent slice from last year. Food products claimed the second spot with 11 per cent, while mouth fresheners, last year’s champion, slipped to third place with 10 per cent of the advertising pie.

Parle Products continues its dominant innings at the crease, leading the advertiser rankings with an 11 per cent share. Dream11.com’s parent company, Sporta Technologies, came in a close second with 10 per cent, while My11circle muscled its way into third place with 6 per cent of total ad volumes.

The advertising landscape has witnessed notable churn, with 23 new categories entering the fray while an equal number have been clean bowled out of this year’s tournament. Among the 96 debutant brands, Parle Platina Hide & Seek and Rajshree Silver Coated Elaichi emerged as the top newcomers.

Food and beverage brands continue to have a ravenous appetite for cricket eyeballs, accounting for three of the top five advertising categories. Meanwhile, traditional categories like biscuits, properties/real estates, and chocolates have been relegated to the pavilion this season.

The tournament’s broad reach across both national and regional language channels has created distinct advertising patterns. While Amul Butter topped exclusive brands on Hindi and English channels, Reliance Trends claimed the spotlight on regional language broadcasts. Vimal Elaichi showed true all-round form, dominating the list of brands advertising across all language platforms.

With 28 channels broadcasting IPL matches this season—up from 24 last year—advertisers clearly believe the tournament remains cricket’s most lucrative commercial pitch.

April 21, 2025
US Streaming platforms achieve record share of television viewing in Nielsen Report

MUMBAI: Nielsen’s March 2025 report on The Gauge indicates a shift towards more seasonal television viewing patterns in the US. Overall television viewing declined by six per cent compared to February, influenced by seasonal changes. However, the streaming category continued its growth, capturing 43.8 per cent of total TV usage in March, a 0.3 percentage point increase from February.

A notable finding is that for the first time in a monthly Gauge report, the top ten most-watched streaming programmes originated from seven different platforms: Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, Max, Paramount+, Netflix, and Apple TV+. Max experienced the largest month-over-month growth among streaming services, increasing by six per cent, primarily driven by viewership of The White Lotus. YouTube also achieved a new platform record for the second consecutive month, accounting for 12 per cent of total TV watch time, despite a slight decrease in viewing hours compared to the previous month.

Cable television benefited from the NCAA men’s basketball tournament in March. Cable’s share of viewing rose to 24 per cent, a 0.8 percentage point increase, supported by a 29 per cent rise in cable sports viewing and consistent viewership for cable news. The most-watched cable sports broadcasts included NCAA Elite Eight games on TBS. Cable news programmes represented seven of the top ten cable telecasts, with Fox News Channel’s coverage of the presidential address on 4 March attracting 11 million viewers on the network and over 36 million viewers in total.

The broadcast category saw strong performance with ABC’s broadcast of The Oscars on 2 March, which was the most-watched programme in March with 20.3 million viewers across ABC and Hulu. Data indicated that viewers streaming the Oscars on Hulu were significantly younger compared to those watching via traditional broadcast. Scripted dramas accounted for 28 per cent of total broadcast viewing in March, with Tracker on CBS having five of the top ten broadcasts, each averaging over 10 million viewers. However, the absence of football contributed to an overall nine per cent decrease in broadcast viewership from February, resulting in a 20.5 per cent share of total TV viewing for the month.

April 20, 2025
Network18’s financial performance reflects mixed trends amidst restructuring

MUMBAI: Network18’s financial results for the year ended 31 March 2025 present a complex picture, marked by operational challenges and the impact of strategic restructuring activities. The company has reported a net loss, but this is juxtaposed with substantial gains from exceptional items.

Revenue from operations shows a slight decrease, indicating some pressure on the company’s core business activities.
* Revenue from operations increased to Rs 1,896.21 crore from Rs 1,817.73 crore in the previous year.
* The primary component, value of sales and services, was Rs 2,206.87 crore, compared to Rs 2,114.86 crore in the previous year.
* Other income contributed a smaller amount, Rs 16.75 crore, down from Rs 18.70 crore.

Expenses increased, impacting profitability.
* Total expenses rose to Rs 2,197.81 crore from Rs 2,086.95 crore.
* Key expense categories include:
o Operational costs: Rs 402.66 crore (previous year: Rs 381.35 crore)
o Marketing, distribution, and promotional expense: 478.24 crore (previous year: Rs 428.12 crore)
o Employee Benefits Expense: Rs 729.99 crore (previous year: Rs 702.68 crore)
o Finance costs: Rs 213.42 crore (previous year: Rs 186.20 crore)
o Depreciation and amortisation expense: Rs 121.66 crore (previous year: Rs 101.02 crore)
o Other expenses: Rs 251.84 crore (previous year: Rs 287.58 crore)

The company’s profitability was affected, but exceptional items provided a substantial offset.
* Profit/ (Loss) before exceptional items and tax was a loss of Rs (284.85) crore, compared to a loss of Rs (250.52) crore in the previous year.
* However, the company recorded exceptional items of Rs 3,498.21 crore.
* This resulted in a profit/ (loss) before tax of Rs 3,213.36 crore, compared to Rs (250.52) crore in the previous year.
* After accounting for tax, the profit/ (loss) for the Period/Year was Rs 3,213.36 crore, compared to a loss of Rs 185.41 crore in the previous year.

The composite scheme of arrangement involving Viacom18, Digital18, and Star India has significantly reshaped the company’s structure. The sale of shares in Indiacast Media Distribution Private Limited and changes in the shareholding of Viacom18 contributed to the exceptional items.

Network18’s financial performance reflects a period of transition.

(updated 19 April at 11:40 am)

The company issued a press release on 19 April which reads as follows:

MUMBAI: Network18 Media & Investments Ltd’s standalone operating revenue for the news business rose 4.3 percent to Rs 1,896 crore in the year ended March 31, while operating EBITDA nearly doubled to Rs 33 crore, led by tight cost control, stronger ad pricing and viewership gains.

Growth in operating EBITDA was aided by its expanding viewership and gains in advertising pricing. The network continued to lead in Hindi, English, and Business News segments, while also rising to leadership in Marathi and Bengali markets.

In the fiscal fourth quarter, the company reported an operating EBITDA of Rs 13 crore for its standalone news business, showing resilience amid a subdued advertising environment and a high base from election-driven revenues a year ago. EBITDA margin widened to 2.6 percent in the fourth quarter from 2.2 percent in the preceding three months. Standalone operating revenue rose 9.5 percent quarter-on-quarter to Rs 522 crore. Operating expenses rose 3 percent to Rs 508 crore from a year earlier.

Q4 Standalone loss narrows

The company posted a standalone loss of Rs 69 crore for Q4 FY25. That compares with the Rs 31 crore loss in the year-ago period. Total standalone income stood at Rs 524 crore, up from Rs 484 crore in Q3 but lower than Rs 537 crore in Q4 FY24. The quarter saw muted advertising spends across the TV news industry, with inventory consumption falling 15 percent YoY, although the company maintained traction in digital ad revenues.

Network18 ended the year as India’s top TV news network with a 14.1 percent all-India market share and a weekly reach of over 180 million viewers. Viewership share rose 330 basis points year-on-year, driven by strong gains in regional markets. News18 Lokmat and News18 Bangla climbed to the number 1 position in their respective states, while News18 Kannada emerged as a strong number 2, more than doubling its market share. Moneycontrol, continued to strengthen its position. Moneycontrol Pro remained India’s largest subscription-based financial platform, crossing over 1 million paid subscribers and ranking among the top 15 globally.

The company also retained leadership in key national genres with News18 India as the top Hindi news channel, CNBC-TV18 leading the business news space, and CNN-News18 topping English news.

The company’s consolidated financials reflected the impact of its restructuring deal involving Viacom18, Digital18, and Star India. Network18 recorded an exceptional loss of Rs 1,436 crore on the consolidated books due to the derecognition of Viacom18 as a subsidiary and sale of Indiacast. This led to a consolidated net loss of Rs 1,777 crore for FY25 despite strong operating performance in the core news segment.

Chairman Adil Zainulbhai said: “We are really happy to end the fiscal on a strong note as the largest news network in the country on all fronts—viewership share, audience reach and language footprint. Despite short-term macro headwinds, we are confident in the company’s long-term growth trajectory.”

April 18, 2025
Puma hits it out of the park with fan-first billboard for RCB supporters

MUMBAI: Bengaluru’s skies just got a sixer’s worth of star power courtesy of RCB fans. As IPL fever tightens its grip on the country, Puma India is taking the fandom game up a notch by putting Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) loyalists on the big screen literally. In a first-of-its-kind digital activation, fans can now appear alongside their cricketing idols on a high-impact billboard in Bengaluru through a unique ‘Fan on a Billboard’ experience.

The campaign launched ahead of RCB’s home match on April 18, featuring RCB’s biggest names Rajat Patidar, Virat Kohli, Krunal Pandya, Liam Livingstone, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Phil Salt. All it takes is a trip to the Puma stores at Indiranagar or Brigade Road, where fans can don their official Puma x RCB jerseys and capture pictures or videos with virtual versions of their heroes in a specially designed photo booth. The cherry on top? Their content gets beamed across the city on a giant digital screen.

RCB, with over 18 million Instagram followers, recently bagged the title of India’s most-followed cricket franchise. With a billion searches and 12 million social media conversations in 2024 alone, Puma’s campaign taps into a massive well of fan passion and turns it into something unforgettable.

“At Puma, we’ve always kept the consumer at the center of everything we do, especially when it comes to sport,” said Puma India, director of marketing Shreya Sachdev. “RCB fans are some of the most passionate out there, and this experience is our way of putting them right where they belong next to their heroes. In a world where tech often takes people further apart, we’re using it to do the opposite, bringing fans closer to the game and the players they love,” she added.

The activation also signals how Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising is evolving in India. According to the Pitch Madison Advertising Report 2025, OOH revenues jumped from Rs 4,140 crore in 2023 to Rs 4,650 crore in 2024 and are expected to grow at 12 per cent in 2025. But Puma’s effort goes beyond static visualsM it’s an immersive, personalised moment on a public canvas, giving fans their 15 seconds of fame, backed by serious tech muscle.

From turning store names into Puma to honour PV Sindhu, to crafting an anthem from runners’ warm-up sounds, to letting fans “dive” into AI-generated campaigns Puma India has been sprinting ahead in innovation. With the Fan on a Billboard experience, they’ve bowled over cricket lovers once again making sure the fans don’t just wear the jersey, they become part of the game.

April 18, 2025
Nalin Mehta appointed chief AI officer at Network18

MUMBAI: Network18 has appointed Nalin Mehta as its chief AI officer (editorial operations), adding another milestone to his expansive career across journalism, academia, and public policy. Mehta, who also serves as managing editor at moneycontrol, will now lead the integration of artificial intelligence in editorial workflows across the group.

With over two decades in Indian media, Mehta has held senior editorial positions at some of the country’s top news organisations. He was executive editor of The Times of India’s digital operations and managing editor at India Today TV. He has also served as group consulting editor at Network18.

Outside the newsroom, Mehta has held academic roles including dean and professor at the School of Modern Media, UPES, and associate professor at Shiv Nadar University. He is currently a non-resident senior fellow at the Institute of south Asian studies (National University of Singapore), and a member of the economic advisory council to the prime minister.

His work has spanned media strategy, digital innovation, public policy, and research—making this move into AI-driven editorial systems a logical progression. As AI reshapes newsrooms globally, Mehta’s role positions him at the intersection of journalism and technology in one of India’s largest media networks.

April 18, 2025
News18 India grabs top slot in Hindi news ratings, leaves rivals in the dust

MUMBAI: In the high-decibel battleground of Hindi news, News18 India has just shouted the loudest—and the viewers clearly heard it. According to the latest Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) data for week 14 of 2025, the channel has clinched the top spot in Hindi news viewership, clocking 72878 AMA’000s, elbowing out its closest competitor at 70562 AMA’000s.

Trailing further behind in this TV TRP thunderdome were channels with 55010, 53183, and 52988 AMA’000s respectively, proving once again that in the world of round-the-clock Hindi news, it takes more than a breaking news graphic to break through the clutter.

(Source: BARC | Metric: AMA’000s | TG: NCCS All 15+ | Period: Wk 14’25, 24 Hrs, All Days | Market: HSM)

The channel’s dominance can be chalked up to its formidable line-up of anchors—Kishore Ajwani, Amish Devgan, Rubika Liyaquat, Prateek Trivedi, and Aman Chopra—each with a mic in one hand and a pulse on the nation in the other. Their nightly shoutathons, explosive panel discussions, and relentless reporting have given News18 India not just eyeballs, but loyal, bindi-to-bulletin viewership.

With a sprawling network of reporters and a knack for finding drama in data, the channel has mastered the art of making every byte buzzworthy. Whether it’s politics, pop culture, or padosi ki rajneeti, News18 India packages it with the punch viewers seem to crave.

“Viewers’ undivided attention in every segment” is no hollow claim. The News18 Network—across both TV and digital—has been sipping from the ratings nectar for a while now, cementing itself as the nation’s self-declared newsroom of record.

Whether you agree with its tone or tune out after prime time, one thing’s certain: the channel’s number one status is less a stroke of luck and more the result of relentless positioning, persistent programming, and a no-prisoners approach to news.

April 17, 2025
Warner Bros. Discovery rolls out summer content storm with 200 new episodes across kids’ channels

MUMBAI: This summer, Indian kids won’t need sunscreen—they’ll need a remote and a comfy seat. Warner Bros. Discovery has unleashed an all-out content tsunami across Cartoon Network, Pogo, and Discovery Kids, dropping around 200 half-hours of brand-new programming guaranteed to keep screens lit and parents semi-defeated.

The summer slate is anything but mild. From high-octane superhero mashups to punchy anime comedies and oddly endearing animated beans, the programming blitz is aimed at charming both gen alpha and the parents pretending they’re just watching “with the kids”.

“We’re excited to deliver another unforgettable summer for kids and families across India. With fresh stories, beloved characters, and exciting crossovers, our new programming lineup is designed to entertain and inspire. At Warner Bros. Discovery, we’re committed to creating high-quality, engaging, and culturally resonant content — packed with action and humor,” said Warner Bros. Discovery head of kids cluster, south Asia, Uttam Pal Singh.

Pogo goes full throttle with its flagship trio—Little Singham, Chhota Bheem, and Jay Jagannath—leading the charge in superhero crossovers, new episodes, and weekend movie double-bills. Chhota Bheem even turns 17 this summer, and the celebration includes fresh movies and Big Pictures.

It’s ‘Jhatpat Action, Khatpat Comedy’ all the way on Cartoon Network. The lineup features new episodes of Teen Titans GO!, Bandbudh Aur Budbak, and Grizzy and the Lemmings, along with a brand-new season of the fan-favourite My Hero Academia. It’s a power-packed punch of slapstick and superpowers—your kids’ sugar rush, minus the calories.

Discovery Kids dials up the friendship factor with its ‘Katti Batti, Dosti Pakki’ theme. Expect new episodes of Titoo, the ever-awkward antics of Mr. Bean: The Animated Series, as well as Larva and Fukrey Boyzzz. It’s where chaos meets charm, with a whole lot of weird in-between.

And it’s not just the kids cashing in.

Brands are muscling in on the action too.

“Summer is a high-impact season for brands looking to connect with families,” said Warner Bros. Discovery head of advertising revenues, south Asia, Tanaz Mehta. “Our new lineup across Pogo, Cartoon Network and Discovery Kids offers compelling opportunities for co-viewing and brand integrations.”

And the brand wagon is rolling deep:

● Pogo is co-powered by Candyman Sourzz, Kellogg’s Multigrain Chocos, and Dettol. Associate Sponsors include Pediasure, Frooti and Nycil.

● Cartoon Network is co-presented by Classmate, co-powered by Kellogg’s and Dettol, with Havmor Ice Cream and Complan as associates.

● Discovery Kids teams up with Sunfeast Bounce and Dettol, plus associate tie-ins with Glucon-D, Kellogg’s, and Pediasure.

With TV, digital, and ground activations in full swing, Warner Bros. Discovery is giving advertisers a triple-scoop sundae of eyeballs, engagement and brand-safe fun.

Whether you’re eight or thirty-eight, this summer is less about mangoes and more about mayhem—animated, action-packed, and absolutely binge-worthy.

April 17, 2025
Howzzat for Ads VDO.AI bowls over brands with cricket-themed formats

MUMBAI: As cricket fever grips the nation, VDO.AI is padding up to help brands hit advertising for six with the launch of its new cricket-themed ad formats for Connected TV (CTV) and display. Just in time for the IPL frenzy, the global advertising tech player has introduced QuickFrame, Interactive Storytelling, and InMotion, a trio of formats engineered to turn ad breaks into applause-worthy moments.

Designed to capitalise on cricket’s real-time thrill, these formats offer more than just flashy visuals. They come loaded with dynamic features like live match score integration, event-triggered messages for boundaries, sixes, and wickets, and animated creative assets reflecting team colours. It’s not just advertising, it’s a second-screen experience.

VDO.AI, founder and CEO Amitt Sharma said, “At VDO.AI, we operate at the dynamic intersection of brands and advertising platforms, serving as the bridge that empowers both to elevate their advertising strategies through our innovative ad solutions. With our newly launched cricket-themed ad formats, we are not only reimagining the way brands advertise during sporting events but also setting a new benchmark to drive engagement and return on investment (ROI). By moving beyond passive, run-of-the-mill ads to dynamic, interactive experiences, our vision is to supercharge advertising, empowering brands with innovative tools that drive deeper audience engagement and lasting brand recall”.

VDO.AI, co-founder and CTO Arjit Sachdeva stated, “As cricket viewership, especially IPL, in the country has scaled to unprecedented heights, brands are vying for consumer attention and want to leave no stone unturned to maximise the ROI of their advertising campaigns. At VDO.AI, technology is at the core of everything we do. From real-time scorecard integrations to dynamic, moment-driven creatives and interactive QR codes, VDO. AI’s cricket-themed ad formats have the potential to help brands cut through the noise and transform such cricketing events into a hub for digital engagement.”

The formats also go interactive with QR code integration and carousel galleries, nudging viewers toward immediate action whether it’s redeeming a promo, booking a ride, or diving deeper into the brand. No more passive scrolling, this is real-time call-to-action at its finest.

Backed by an AI-powered contextual engine, VDO.AI’s innovation allows advertisers to make their content as thrilling as the match itself. And as the IPL season continues to keep millions glued to their screens, VDO.AI’s cricket-infused formats are giving brands a whole new way to play ball.

In a season where every over counts, VDO.AI is making sure no opportunity goes un-hit blending cricket’s excitement with ad-tech smarts to deliver campaigns that truly score.

April 17, 2025
Cricket Icons bowled into play with miniature stars and mega fanfare

MUMBAI: Mini but mighty and ready to take a wicket in your living room. As cricket fever grips the nation, a new league of legends has entered the fray this time, not on the field but on your shelf. Pune-based startup Infinity Toy Tronics (ITT) has launched Cricket Icons, India’s first official line of collectible miniatures featuring players from top IPL teams like Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Gujarat Titans, and Rajasthan Royals.

The project, fuelled by fan obsession and startup hustle, marks a significant leap in India’s sports memorabilia landscape, one where a tiny Hardik Pandya or Rohit Sharma might just be your next prized possession.

Founded by three cricket-crazed first-gen entrepreneurs Rikesh Raja, Saurabh Gajbi, and Pratik Agrawal across three continents, ITT was born out of a shared frustration: why had cricket, India’s biggest sporting passion, never had its own Marvel-style merch moment?

“Growing up, we all played with Marvel heroes, Power Rangers, or football action figures but cricket, despite being India’s biggest sport, never had its own space in the collectables world,” said Infinity Toy Tronics Director Saurabh Gajbi. “With Cricket Icons, we saw an opportunity to not only fill that gap but also spark a revolution in the Indian toy industry. Unlike seasonal merchandise, these collectables have year-round appeal, driven by deep-rooted team loyalties and fan passion. It’s more than just a toy it’s a cultural connection and a step toward building a sustainable, homegrown ecosystem for sports memorabilia in India,” he added while talking about these IP-based collectables.

Thanks to Rise Worldwide, the team inked a three-year deal with major franchises, and they’ve got the distribution to match. Aditi Toys handles B2C and D2C routes, Neha Creations takes care of B2B, and the toys are already available across Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto. For old-school charm, you’ll find them in Hamleys and local stores from metro malls to Tier 3 town bazaars.

The line includes single figurines priced at Rs 249, team packs at Rs 649, and upcoming action figures at Rs 699. Each one is crafted with 90–95 per cent likeness and doubles as a digital key. Scan the QR code on the toy to unlock player avatars, quizzes, loyalty rewards, and challenges on the Cricket Icons app. Fans can win match tickets, signed memorabilia, and more adding serious value to their shelf-space superstars.

Beyond the toys, it’s a larger mission. ITT’s strategy ties into the government’s 1 billion dollars toy economy vision under Atmanirbhar Bharat.

With a million-unit sales target for 2025, Cricket Icons is already swinging for the fences creating not just figurines, but fan stories, one miniature at a time.

April 17, 2025