Category: TV Channels

IBDF board admits new members; gets Kevin Vaz as president

MUMBAI: There’s quite a few new names sitting atop the Indian Broadcasting & Digital Foundation following its 25th annual general meeting held in New Delhi earlier today.

No surprises for guessing, Kevin Vaz who heads JioStar just below Uday Shankar was elected as the president. He is also the chairman of Ficci’s media and entertainment committee. The AGM also saw some newcomers make their way into the highest echelons of the advocacy body, the IBDF board: Prasar Bharati’s Gaurav Dwivedi, MMTV’s Jayant M. Mathew, TV Today’s Aroon Purie, JioStar’s Sumanto Bose, and Kairali TV’s John Brittas.

Other senior folks such as Culver Max Entertainment’s recently appointed CEO Gaurav Banerjee, R. Mahesh Kumar, along with India TV boss Rajat Sharma were elected as vice-presidents. I. Venkat was elected as the treasurer.

The list of some of the board members includes: Rajat Sharma, India TV, I. Venkat, Eenadu TV, Kevin Vaz, JioStar, R. Mahesh Kumar, Sun Network, Gaurav Banerjee, Culver Max, Nachiket Pantvaidya, Bangla Entertainment, Punit Goenka, Zee Media, Ashish Sehgal, Zee Entertainment, Sumanto Bose, JioStar and John Brittas, Kairali TV.

Rajat Sharma said that the IBDF will continue advocating for a regulatory framework that fosters innovation, supports creators, and ensures fair competition. “Together, we will drive the industry toward a sustainable and prosperous future,” he stated.

Kevin Vaz made his first address as the IBDF president highlighting that Indian content can gain international acclaim, further strengthening India’s soft power globally.

“As we increasingly embrace technology to scale up, it is imperative that we democratize content creation so that it is not demographically or geographically limited. While India consumes content from anywhere, driven by the proliferation of 5G, smartphones, connected TVs and better pay TV infrastructure, we must ensure that opportunities to create professional content from locations beyond the current hotspots is a viable future for the industry,” he emphasised. “The media and entertainment industry has a multiplier effect that extends to sectors like sports, creating significant opportunities for growth at scale. To ensure that this growth can be sustainable we need to look at business models rooted in equitable collaborations that foster value creation for all stakeholders across the ecosystem.”

December 20, 2024
Business news anchor Neil Cavuto says goodbye to Fox after 28 years

MUMBAI: His is a familiar face if you watch Fox business news, in your hotel or when you are traveling overseas visiting relatives or friends or on business. Viewers will no longer get to see Neil Cavuto, one of the better known business news anchors, as well as the sr vice-president & managing editor of business news for both Fox News channel (FNC) as well as Fox Business News (FBN)

He also hosts FNC’s Your World with Neil Cavuto, FNC’s Cavuto Live and FBN’s Cavuto: Coast to Coast. In addition to anchoring daily programs and breaking news specials on FNC and FBN, Cavuto oversees business news content for both networks and leads special events coverage for FBN.

Neil, 66, announced his resignation on air during his afternoon show Your World, saying he was not leaving journalism, he was just leaving Fox. One of the first anchors to join Fox News when it launched in 1996, he parachuted from CNBC to the Murdoch owned news station. So he had been there for some 28-odd years.

The bespectacled anchor used to host some 12 hours of shows every week, according to CNN. He was known to be a Trump critic and he would fact check almost every financial and economic statement or assumption his administration or his staff would make. He believe his role as a journalist was to sift the wheat from the chaff and bring the truth to his viewers.

But he lost a lot of his viewers – especially those who favoured the Republicans – because of his Trump trashing, though he also gained some praise from others who liked his penchant for facts.

Trump celebrated his departure by stating: on his Truth Social platform “GOOD NEWS FOR AMERICA! Neil Cavuto, the Lowest Rated Anchor on Fox, by far, is leaving – Should have happened a long time ago!”

According to sources, Cavuto was offered a renewal contract with a lower compensation packet, indirectly asking him to leave. Others see in it a way of cost-cutting in a news industry buffeted by lower ad revenues.
“‘Neil Cavuto’s illustrious career has been a master class in journalism and we’re extremely proud of his 28-year run with Fox News Media,’ the company said in a statement confirming the Cavuto’s departure. ‘His programs have defined business news and set the standard in the entire industry.’”

Most journalists are awaiting what his next move will be.

December 20, 2024
Understanding the Netflix-Sony Pictures-WWE tangle

MUMBAI: If this does come true, it would be good news for wrestling fans. There have been rumours in the market that it’s quite possible that the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) programmes might shift to Netflix in India come next year. Timelines are not clear but sports rights watchers are guesstimating that this could happen sometime beginning next fiscal, that is from April 2025.

Netflix had in January 2024 agreed to pay $500 million per year ($5 billion for 10 years with an option to renew for another 10 or to exit after five years) to TKO Holdings the parent of WWE, for the rights to air the show Raw in the US, the UK, Canada and Latin America with other territories being added in the future. In every other market, Netflix has the rights to air Raw and the other two weekly shows, SmackDown and NXT, plus all of its major showcases, including WrestleMania and SummerSlam.

This includes India. However, the India rights have been with Ten Sports which has been under the Sony Pictures Network India (SPNI) umbrella for nearly 10 years and the two together have had the rights for around two decades. WWE shows have been the top rated programmes on Ten Sports channels and have been their staple programming ever since.

In the, US the current deal gets activated in 2025 and Netflix will air the first episode of Raw on n 6 January 2025. The Intuit Dome in California will be the location for the hosting of the debut episode. The rights vested with Comcast’s USA Network until October 2024, but the WWE gave it a short extension till the end of the year. It is one of USA Network’s top shows, drawing an audience of 17.5 million over the course of a year. Then, 82 per cent of Americans say they’ve heard of WWE. As of June 2024, WWE had 90 million fans in the US, according to market research firm SSRS/Luker. To top this all, Raw which made its debut in 1993 has a back catalogue of 1,600 plus episodes.

Ditto is its popularity in India, though the number of fans may be in a much higher zone. Estimates are that the WWE and its fighters have a large fanbase – the largest fan base outside of the US – in India it has ballooned to in excess of 100 million. As they say in India everything happens at scale, ditto with TV shows too. In fact, it is highly popular amongst young kids and the youth, Around five years ago, the WWE had estimated that its shows get about 335 million unique viewers annually in India with almost 40 per cent of them being women. This is what encourage SPNI’s acquisition team to acquire its rights from TKO Holdings from 2020 to 2025. It turned out to be a good decision as the WWE programming block is one of the top earning properties on Ten Sports and draws loyal audiences. And of course advertisers.

With the rights deal with SPNI coming to an end in India in 2025, and Netflix acquiring the programming rights for the world for the next 10 years, it’s quite logical to assume that SPNI may find it difficult to re-negotiate its renewal of rights with TKO Holdings for the Indian market. For Netflix is sure to use the WWE as a subscription driver and one major way it can do that is by keeping the matches exclusive on its streaming service and keep out SPNI from showing them on television.

“WWE is sports entertainment. So it’s as close to our core as you can get in terms of sports storytelling,” Netflix’s Ted Sarandos had said during one of the investors calls. “We are in the sports business, but we’re in the part that we bring the most value to, which is the drama of sport.”

In all probability, Netflix will also develop shoulder programming which could be documentaries or dramatised series around professional wrestling.

The coming months will tell us which way the cookie will tumble – Sony Pictures Networks or Netflix in India. Until then we can get back to our TV screens, if you are a WWE hardcore fan, and watch the coming matches on satellite and cable TV.

December 19, 2024
World Tennis League Season 3 action on Sony Sports from 19 December

MUMBAI: Four days of fast-paced tennis starting today, 19 December, with some of the leading players globally battling it out in the World Tennis League (WTL) Season 3 for the title of champion team. That’s what tennis lovers are going to be glued to on the Sony Sports Network (SSN) till 22 December.

SSN has acquired the exclusive television and digital rights for the tournament for India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The year-end treat has Sania Mirza and Rob Koeing serving as commentators.

The WTL is a one of its kind mixed gender leagues which is being held at the Etihad Arena, Yas Island, in Abu Dhabi with thrilling match ups between four teams namely Eagles, Falcons, Hawks and Kites.

What makes the tournament even more interesting is the presence of the players like Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev, Casper Ruud, Daniil Medvedev, Nick Kyrgios, Taylor Fritz, Hubert Hurkacz and Sumit Nagal from India in the Men’s. On the other hand, the women stars participating include the likes of Iga Swiatek, Barbora Krej?íková, Paula Badosa, Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka, Caroline Garcia, Jasmine Paolini, and Mirra Andreeva.

During the tournament, the teams will play each other in a round-robin format. Each tie will consist of four sets: one men’s singles match, one women’s singles match, and two doubles sets, which may include men’s doubles, women’s doubles, or mixed doubles, as determined by the team that wins the coin toss.

Following the round-robin phase, the top two teams will face off in the final on 22 December 2024.

The squads are as follows:

Eagles – Iga Swiatek, Barbora Krej?íková, Hubert Hurkacz, Casper Ruud
Hawks – Aryna Sabalenka, Mirra Andreeva, Taylor Fritz, Sumit Nagal
Falcons – Elena Rybakina, Caroline Garcia, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev
Kites – Jasmine Paolini, Paula Badosa, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Nick Kyrgios

The WTL can be watched live on Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD channels & on Sony LIV

Live performances by ageing evergreen Canadian rockstar Bryan Adams and Anastacia (19 December) and by Akon (21 December) are other standouts for the WTL What was not clear at the time of writing was whether the performances were going to be aired. So if you are a fan of any of these and the top tennis ranked players, head out and book your flight tickets as well as tickets for the arena.

December 19, 2024
Rashmi Jha gets branded content sales head role at Arnab Goswami’s Republic TV

MUMBAI: A large part of her career has been spent in the television news business though she has flirted with entertainment TV, and consumer goods for short periods. Now Rashmi Jha is headed back to TV news. She has joined Arnab Goswami’s ARG Outlier Media as head of branded content sales, presumably for Republic World, Bharat, Bangla, and Kannada.

This is after almost four years of being employed with Associated Broadcasting (TV9) from 2020-2024 where she finally was designated as assistant general manager.

She spent nearly two years working with Zee Entertainment Enterprises as a senior manager, innovation studio custom content, Zee Unimedia. Her exposure to consumer goods was with Green Ply Industries where she worked for two years and a bit more as brand manager.

Rashmi took a stab at being employed at CNN-IBN but she spent only a year and some months there. Prior to that she had taken up a four-year spell with Zee News as marketing manager.

The History graduate and PG diploma in advertising & PR landed her first job after her course studies at Maxesposure Media where she sold space for Ampersand magazine.

“I am looking forward to driving impactful collaborations and delivering excellence. Here’s to growth, challenges, and creating something extraordinary!,” said Rashmi on Linkedin.

December 18, 2024
Mike Cronk takes the helm at Paul Shen’s TVU Networks as VP of strategy

MUMBAI: In the intricate chessboard of business, strategy is the ultimate checkmate—a decisive edge that separates winners from the rest.

Whether orchestrating a sports victory, acing exams, or redefining industries, strategy holds the key. And when it comes to the fast-evolving world of media technology, TVU Networks has just made its masterstroke.

The global pioneer in cloud and IP-based live video solutions has announced the appointment of Mike Cronk as its new vice president of strategy.

Known as a visionary with over two decades of media innovation expertise, Cronk is set to drive TVU’s mission to redefine content creation and distribution for media organisations worldwide. With a reputation for crafting winning strategies, his entry promises an exciting era of growth, innovation, and bold moves for TVU Networks.

Cronk brings a wealth of experience from roles such as AWS, head of product for live media services; Core Technologies VP at Grass Valley, and IP Media Solutions (AIMS) founding chairman of the alliance. At TVU Networks, he will focus on scaling its award-winning cloud-based services and driving transformative changes in broadcasting workflows.

TVU Networks CEO, Shen underscored the importance of this appointment, “Mike Cronk joins TVU at a time of unparalleled innovation and momentum for our company. His deep expertise in cloud transformation, media workflows, and product strategy will enable us to continue redefining how broadcasters engage their audiences. With Mike’s leadership, we will further strengthen our position as the trusted partner for media supply chain transformation worldwide, turning our customers’ most ambitious projects into reality.”

Reflecting on his new role, Cronk expressed his excitement for the future, “TVU has been at the forefront of live video production for nearly two decades, forging strong partnerships with media organisations worldwide. This year alone, TVU has enabled groundbreaking cloud-based workflows, from leveraging AI-assisted production during major sports events to powering fully cloud-based workflows for this year’s biggest elections. The opportunity to contribute to such a visionary company at this pivotal moment is truly exciting. Together with our customers, we have the potential to achieve even greater milestones and transform the industry further.”

Since pioneering cloud-based and AI-driven broadcasting workflows in 2018, TVU Networks has developed a modular ecosystem that meets complex production demands with speed and agility. Its latest innovation, TVU MediaHub, has already earned six industry awards and powered high-profile events such as the Games in Paris and recent elections.

“Mike’s vision and expertise align perfectly with TVU Networks’ mission to transform the broadcast industry,” added Shen. “His addition to our leadership team marks an exciting chapter for TVU as we continue to innovate and collaborate with our clients to redefine what’s possible in live media production.”

December 18, 2024
Smashers Sports acquires Delhi franchise of World Pickleball League

MUMBAI: In the leafy backyards of Bainbridge Island, Washington, a humble paddle, a wiffle ball, and an improvised net birthed a game that would one day cross oceans and cultures. Pickleball. Once a suburban pastime invented by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum for their children in 1965, has transformed into a global sensation—and now, it’s ready to smash its way into India’s booming sports arena.

With the same spark of ingenuity that gave the world the number zero and yoga, India is poised to elevate pickleball from backyard origins to center stage.

Smashers Sports, powered by Terra Invest and Ashok Amritraj’s Hyde Park Entertainment Group, claims the Delhi franchise of the World Pickleball League (WPBL). This alliance of global capital, sports innovation, and India’s growing appetite for niche sports promises to redefine the country’s athletic and entertainment horizons.

Stay tuned, because the pickleball fever is about to hit India like never before!

The WPBL, affiliated with the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA), features six competitive teams. With pickleball recognised as one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, its appeal is spreading rapidly among urban audiences and younger players in tier two and tier three cities in India.

Former Wimbledon tennis player and renowned Hollywood producer with global revenues exceeding $2 billion, Amritraj remarked on the acquisition, “Having spent decades in sports and entertainment globally, I see tremendous potential for pickleball in India. The WPBL offers a unique opportunity to combine competitive sports with entertainment-driven narratives that can engage audiences worldwide. Smashers Sports’ vision for the Delhi franchise aligns perfectly with this mission.”

Terra Invest partner Ankiti Bose highlighted the sector’s growth prospects, “The sports media and entertainment sector in India is entering a golden age. With rising disposable incomes, AI-driven engagement platforms, and increased time for leisure activities, this market is on the cusp of exponential growth. We believe that sports, coupled with technology and entertainment, will play a transformative role in defining the next decade of India’s growth story.”

Globally, private equity investments are reshaping sports ownership, as seen in the NFL, NBA, and Major League Pickleball. This acquisition reflects the international momentum of private equity firms leveraging sports as high-value assets with commercial and media potential.

With Terra Invest and Hyde Park Entertainment Group’s expertise, the Delhi Franchise is set to become a premier sporting platform in India, blending competitive sports with entertainment. The involvement of high-profile investors and celebrities in emerging sports underscores pickleball’s potential to transform into a cultural phenomenon.

What started as a DIY game for kids is now a global sensation. Could your backyard brainchild be next?

December 18, 2024
Influencers: The new rockstars of marketing and GMJ’s striking partnership

MUMBAI: When influencers speak, the world listens—sometimes even more than it does to parents.

With 69 per cent of consumers trusting influencer recommendations and brands reaping a whopping 16.6 per cent ROI boost through optimised campaigns, influencer marketing has cemented its place as the crown jewel of digital strategies.

Riding this wave, Global Music Junction (GMJ), the music and entertainment subsidiary of JetSynthesys, has orchestrated a game-changing partnership with the charismatic Arvind Arora, aka A2 Sir. With a staggering 22 million social media followers, A2 Sir’s blend of education, motivation, and entertainment makes him the perfect maestro for GMJ’s ambitious foray into influencer-driven entertainment.

This collaboration signals that in the digital age, influencers are the new rockstars—and GMJ knows how to pick a headliner.

Strengthened by Warner Music India’s 26 per cent stake in GMJ earlier this year, the platform already holds partnerships with over 100 regional music creators across India, spanning Bhojpuri, Haryanvi, Rajasthani, and Odiya music. GMJ collaborates with Bollywood stalwarts such as Sonu Nigam, Shaan, and Salim Merchant. This new partnership reflects its ambition to redefine the digital entertainment ecosystem by blending music, motivation, and influencer-driven storytelling.

In this initiative, Hariprem Films will spearhead content execution, ensuring the partnership delivers impactful narratives that resonate across India and beyond. JetSynthesys chairman & MD, Rajan Navani highlighted the significance of this collaboration, “At JetSynthesys, we aim to build a robust digital ecosystem that seamlessly combines technology and entertainment. Through this partnership, backed by Warner Music’s expertise and GMJ’s Hariprem Films’ exceptional execution, GMJ is well-positioned to set new benchmarks in influencer-driven content.”

Arora expressed his enthusiasm for the project, “I am delighted to collaborate with JetSynthesys’ Global Music Junction to create content that inspires, motivates, and educates millions. This partnership allows us to combine our strengths to push the boundaries of digital storytelling.”

GMJ founder & CEO, Rajkumar Singh outlined the partnership’s objectives, “This partnership with Arvind Arora is a significant step forward in GMJ’s journey to expand into the influencer entertainment market. Arora’s ability to inspire and connect with millions aligns perfectly with our vision to create impactful digital content and community.”

Hariprem Films CEO Nitin Samadhiya emphasised the creative execution behind the initiative, “At Hariprem Films, we strive to bring ideas to life with precision and creativity. This collaboration with GMJ and Arvind Arora is an exciting opportunity to deliver content that inspires, motivates, and entertains, taking digital storytelling to new heights.”

This collaboration represents a convergence of innovation, creativity, and execution excellence. By fusing digital entertainment with motivational storytelling, JetSynthesys’ Global Music Junction is poised to redefine influencer-driven content, inspiring millions across India and beyond.

December 18, 2024
FanCode launches FIFA+ Zone and FAST channel to delight Indian fans

MUMBAI: No more frantic googling or last-minute scrambles for the remote—FanCode is here to kick off your football dreams.

Whether it’s the roar of the crowd, the magic of iconic FIFA goals, or behind-the-scenes stories of champions, India’s premier sports streaming platform is putting the world’s most beautiful game at your fingertips. With the launch of the FIFA+ Zone and a new FAST channel, FanCode promises to transform living rooms into stadiums, bringing fans exclusive interviews, jaw-dropping documentaries, and timeless match moments from FIFA tournaments, including the electrifying FIFA World Cups.

It’s game time, and the only decision left for fans is which beer to crack open as their favorite team smashes victory home.

With the football fanbase in India surpassing 305 million, this launch aims to bridge the gap between growing fandom and premium football content. FanCode’s 24/7 FIFA+ Zone will immerse fans in engaging non-live football programming, making it accessible for free on the FanCode app (iOS and Android).

The FIFA+ Zone will showcase content tailored for Indian fans, including:

. FIFA+ Originals: Exclusive documentaries, behind-the-scenes stories, and interviews featuring the biggest names in global football.

. Archival Matches: Classic encounters from FIFA World Cups, significant tournaments, and top women’s matches.

. New Content: Fresh programming will continue to roll out through 2025 and beyond.

FanCode co-founder, Prasana Krishnan expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, “This collaboration with FIFA+ will give Indian fans access to best-in-class non-live football programming. The passion for the game has grown substantially in the last few years with more than 305 million football fans in the country, but the content served to them hasn’t kept pace with the fandom. With some of the top leagues and players already on FanCode, this addition will further strengthen our football offerings.”

FIFA+ Zone will complement FanCode’s robust football lineup, which already features Real Madrid TV – the 24/7 channel of European champions Real Madrid – alongside key events such as the Carabao Cup, Copa del Rey, AFCON, and FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

This partnership underscores FanCode’s commitment to delivering a world-class football experience, blending historic matches, exclusive storytelling, and contemporary content for fans across the country.

December 17, 2024
Sinclair to take ANI’s My India to US TV homes

MUMBAI: My India is going to Uncle Sam. Indian news Agency Asian News International (ANI) and Sinclair subsidiary Sinclair Broadcast have signed an agreement wherein the latter will take the former’s weekly TV programme My India to major American cities.

Launched in Q2’24 and produced by ANI, My India offers a 30-minute in-depth reportage and analysis of India’s economy, vibrant culture and growing impact on the global stage. My India also captures the deepening people to people (P2P), business to business (B2B) and government to government (G2G) ties between two of the most important democracies in the world.

Hitherto, the show could be viewed in the US through Komo TV’s FAST channel and its affiliated YouTube channel, and on Tag Tv’s You Tube channel in the US and Canada.

My India will be made available across the US in Washington DC, California, Rhode Island, Ohio, Michigan, Florida, Indiana, Seattle, Baltimore, Texas, and Wisconsin among others over Sinclair-owned TV stations affiliated with ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox.
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Said Sinclair president & CEO Chris Ripley: “The expanded distribution of My India highlights the close connections between the world’s oldest democracy and the world’s largest democracy. We look forward to continuing our partnership with ANI.”

Said ANI CEO Sanjiv Prakash: “The relationship between ANI and Sinclair has already proven to be successful and is a testament to the strong bond between the US and India. We are excited to reach a broader audience in the US, including the Indian diaspora and beyond. We look forward to bringing My India showcasing unique and personal stories highlighting India’s ancient culture and thriving traditions to more homes in America.”

The expanded partnership between Sinclair and ANI builds on the solid foundation established between the two companies with a joint mission to provide high quality news stories from India and the broader south Asia region to a diverse set of American audiences interested in understanding the India story, said an ANI press release.

December 16, 2024