ITV

Category: Regional

  • Vijay TV to organise event tribute for Ilaiyaraaja on 27 February

    Vijay TV to organise event tribute for Ilaiyaraaja on 27 February

    MUMBAI: Vijay TV has organised an event tribute called Ilaiyaraaja Ayiram for music maestro Illayaraja.

    The first look of the Illayaraja Ayiram logo was unveiled by Isaignani llayaraja himself. Illayaraja Ayiram will honour his achievement in scoring music for thousand movies in 40 years of his musical career and will be held on 27 February in Chennai.

    Eminent personalities from the film fraternity like veteran producer Panju Arunachalam, actor Prabhu, Kalaipuli S Dhanu (Tamil Film Producers Council president), G. Shiva (FEFSI), T. Shiva, Sathyajyothi Films’ Thiagarajan, music director S.A. Rajkumar, actress Lalitha Kumari were present at the first look unveiling of Ilayaraja Ayiram.

    To celebrate this first look along with Ilayaraja, Arunachalam, who introduced Ilaiyaraaja through his movie Annakilli into film industry, said, “I am here not just to cherish his achievement in composing thousand movies, I wish the music maestro continues to accomplish greater feats in the years to come.”

    Dhanu added, “We would rise to the occasion to support this mega event to honour the music maestro and I feel thankful to Vijay Television for organising this great tribute.”

    Prabhu said, “He has composed music for my movies, which became hit numbers, so he has helped me become who I am today.”

    Producer and Tamil Film Producers’ Council manager T Shiva said, “As a token of gratitude, the entire film industry will be present to honour Isaignani for his successful journey in scoring music. In this show, evergreen songs, which are near to everyone’s heart from Isaignani Illayaraja’s composition will be performed in front of him.”

    Nasser, president of South Indian Artistes Association rendered his support saying, “Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja is an invaluable asset to the Tamil film industry, so it’s our duty to celebrate him and his accomplishments. South Indian Artists Association along with Producers’ Council, are planning ahead to make event successful.”

    Vijay TV general manager K. Sriram added, “Isaignani is celebrated by the whole world. So, a show of appreciation for him is a remarkable event. We take immense pleasure in thanking Isaignani Ilayaraja for permitting us to organise this great show.”

    “In my point of view, music composition for thousand movies is just a number. I cannot be proud of myself for this. When they said the event is a tribute for my music, I consider that it will be a tribute for the almighty who has gifted me with a wonderful talent of music. So I am glad to take part in this function,” said Ilayaraja.

  • Colors Gujarati launches new travelogue based food show

    Colors Gujarati launches new travelogue based food show

    MUMBAI: Gujarati general entertainment channel Colors Gujarati is all set to launch a new travelogue based food show called Food Thi Gujarati.

    The show will go on air from 15 February and will be aired from Monday to Saturday at 7 pm.

    The half hour finite series is being produced by The Final Cut Production.

    Colors Gujarati programming head Sanjay Upadhyay said, “Other than their fun loving nature and diverse cultural history, Gujaratis are also very well known for their love for food. Food Thi Gujarati is a finite half hour television series that showcases the quest for good food in usual and unusual places across the state of Gujarat wherein we give our viewers a sneak peek into the historic importance, lifestyle, flavour and the best recipes that various hotels and restaurants have to offer.”

    The Final Cut Production producer Archana Shah added, “Colors Gujarati and us have a longstanding relationship. The Rasoi Show is the longest running show on the channel and we are delighted to be producing yet another food show in a distinctive travelogue format for them. We hope the audiences give Food Thi Gujarati as much love as they give The Rasoi Show.”

    Food Thi Gujarati aims to take viewers around to the best and most popular restaurants available in the cities and towns of Gujarat. Over a journey of fun and food, this travelogue will be hosted by Heli Majmudar and Shaunak Vyas.

  • Colors Gujarati launches new travelogue based food show

    Colors Gujarati launches new travelogue based food show

    MUMBAI: Gujarati general entertainment channel Colors Gujarati is all set to launch a new travelogue based food show called Food Thi Gujarati.

    The show will go on air from 15 February and will be aired from Monday to Saturday at 7 pm.

    The half hour finite series is being produced by The Final Cut Production.

    Colors Gujarati programming head Sanjay Upadhyay said, “Other than their fun loving nature and diverse cultural history, Gujaratis are also very well known for their love for food. Food Thi Gujarati is a finite half hour television series that showcases the quest for good food in usual and unusual places across the state of Gujarat wherein we give our viewers a sneak peek into the historic importance, lifestyle, flavour and the best recipes that various hotels and restaurants have to offer.”

    The Final Cut Production producer Archana Shah added, “Colors Gujarati and us have a longstanding relationship. The Rasoi Show is the longest running show on the channel and we are delighted to be producing yet another food show in a distinctive travelogue format for them. We hope the audiences give Food Thi Gujarati as much love as they give The Rasoi Show.”

    Food Thi Gujarati aims to take viewers around to the best and most popular restaurants available in the cities and towns of Gujarat. Over a journey of fun and food, this travelogue will be hosted by Heli Majmudar and Shaunak Vyas.

  • Kannada infotainment channel Saral Jeevan to launch on 19 February

    Kannada infotainment channel Saral Jeevan to launch on 19 February

    BENGALURU: A first glance at the channel’s brief, and one could be excused if he or she thought that it was another ‘bhakti’ or religious channel. The intro reads – Saral Jeevan telecasts non-fiction programming with a focus on mythology, Ayurveda, yoga, vaastu as a science and insights from Indian heritage and culture. But that is not the case, at least not so far.

    CG Parivar Global Vision (CGPGV) will be launching a Kannada infotainment channel on 19 February.

    CGPGV founder and vaastu specialist Dr Chandrasekhar Guruji is a familiar face to most viewers of Kannada news channels – this includes Suvarna News on which he has been on air once a week since the past five years or so, Public TV, Samay and BTV. Guruji says that he will continue with his shows on other channels, while having a one-hour daily show on his own channel. He also has plans to start a similar Hindi channel over the next one year, and expand to eleven languages over time. The channel’s content will be graphics, animation and special effects heavy.

    Company speak

    “Our channel philosophy is to present inspiring, motivational and historic content, which is positive in nature. Our positioning ‘Betterment of mankind’ is a true summary of our channel objectives. Our commitment to influence positive vibes among the masses is the single biggest reason for the launch of Saral Jeevan,” says Guruji.

    “With unique and first of its kind blend of tradition and modernity in the content, the channel will surely be the dynamic face of mythology and infotainment genre among Kannada viewers. Known as world’s oldest civilisation and cultural capital of the world, India has ample legacy that deserve to be presented to today’s generation in an interesting way. Of course, we had to deploy chunk of our energies in to research and graphics. But it’s totally worth it,” adds Saral Jeevan editor MS Raghavendra.

    Saral Jeevan business head Raghunatha Reddy said, “Getting into infotainment, that is ‘very Indian’ in nature, is a strategic experiment. And we never wanted to be one more player in any given space of television. Today, we are happy with the content design; as Saral Jeevan will be filling in the biggest gap by providing knowledge that is entertaining. And the USP of such programming is that it cuts across all age groups of viewers. What’s more, Saral Jeevan has no straight competition; rather it gains from all genres of channels.”

    How is it different?

    Reddy explained how Jeevan Saral was different from the conventional religious, news or GECs, citing one of the shows Mahapayna as an example. “This is the story of Ram’s journey from Ayodhya to Sri Lanka, via of course Nepal. We retrace the steps that he made then today. So if he visited a temple, we show the temple as it is now. Of course, we can’t go into the past shoot images from there, so we have a strong in-house graphics and special effects team that creates the images of the characters in the Ramayana (and all our other shows) and intertwine them within the story as we retrace Rama’s steps across locations as they are in modern days. This is a daily and we already have three months’ content with us,” he said.

    “At present all our content is produced in-house. We have a number of teams that create the content for us. Our total strength is in excess of 100, and our graphics team is 15 strong. I think we are probably the first channel in India with this concept. We are not a religious channel, we are an infotainment channel,” informs Reddy.

    Marketing

    “We will wait and see how we perform, before we can freeze a rate card. Our marketing teams have approached agencies, clients and local advertisers,” revealed Reddy.

    As far as branding and capturing viewers’ eyeballs is concerned, Reddy said that an advertising campaign across Kannada news and GECs is in the final stages of completion. Around 15 to 20 mobile vans have started moving around Bengaluru to promote the channel. Over the next two days, stickers will be pasted on 500 – 600 auto rickshaws, and about 100 local BMTC will carry Saral Jeevan branding.

    For OOH, the channel has planned over 100 hoardings in 15 major cities of Karnataka, besides almost 3,000 of Guruji’s followers across the state will be putting up self-funded hoardings. “So many of Guruji’s followers have volunteered to put up his hoardings, that we have had no option but to give them general creative guidelines and imagery for hoardings that they want to put up about the channel outside their homes and places of work,” said Reddy.

    Carriage

    “Test signals are on e-Digital and will commence today on ACT and Siti Cable. We are in advanced stages of discussion with other players, including Hathway and Den (Amogh). We should be on their networks by the launch date. It will be two to three months before we launch on the DTH platform,” said Reddy.

    Programming

    Saral Jeevan’s key shows include the following:

    Mahapayana: The epic journey of Rama to be aired Monday – Saturday at 9 pm.

    Manakulada Olathigagi (Betterment of Mankind): Live program with Chandrasekhar Guruji to be aired Monday -Sunday at 8 pm.

    Jnanapada: A compilation of motivating and inspiring folk songs in Kannada to be aired from Monday – Saturday at 7 pm and 10.30 pm.

    History: A biography on historical legends that include kings, warriors and freedom fighters to be aired from Monday – Saturday at 9.30 pm.

    Sadhuparampara: The Himalayan Yogis have many faces in the spiritual sub-continent. Each group has its own characteristics and significance. Sadhuparampara decodes the mystery behind the extreme tribes and will be aired from Monday – Saturday at 10 pm.

    Mannina Maga: Dedicated to farmers the show intends to present information and knowledge for planned and effective agriculture leading to better productivity to be aired from Monday – Saturday at 7.30 pm.

    Ajjihelida Kathe (The grandmother storybook): To be aired from Monday – Saturday at 6.15 pm and on Sunday at 1 pm, this insightful moral story series will feature Zen and Akbar-Birbal stories with fully animated and graphic supported episodes. According to the channel, live caricatures are sure to bring back the magic of great moral stories on TV.

    Punyakshethra: Program series on famous places of spiritual and historical significance and will be aired from Monday – Saturday at 6.30 pm.

    Other important programs include Sakhi and Achara Vichara with the afternoon programs focusing on women, arogya yoga and Jatakaphala.

  • Kannada infotainment channel Saral Jeevan to launch on 19 February

    Kannada infotainment channel Saral Jeevan to launch on 19 February

    BENGALURU: A first glance at the channel’s brief, and one could be excused if he or she thought that it was another ‘bhakti’ or religious channel. The intro reads – Saral Jeevan telecasts non-fiction programming with a focus on mythology, Ayurveda, yoga, vaastu as a science and insights from Indian heritage and culture. But that is not the case, at least not so far.

    CG Parivar Global Vision (CGPGV) will be launching a Kannada infotainment channel on 19 February.

    CGPGV founder and vaastu specialist Dr Chandrasekhar Guruji is a familiar face to most viewers of Kannada news channels – this includes Suvarna News on which he has been on air once a week since the past five years or so, Public TV, Samay and BTV. Guruji says that he will continue with his shows on other channels, while having a one-hour daily show on his own channel. He also has plans to start a similar Hindi channel over the next one year, and expand to eleven languages over time. The channel’s content will be graphics, animation and special effects heavy.

    Company speak

    “Our channel philosophy is to present inspiring, motivational and historic content, which is positive in nature. Our positioning ‘Betterment of mankind’ is a true summary of our channel objectives. Our commitment to influence positive vibes among the masses is the single biggest reason for the launch of Saral Jeevan,” says Guruji.

    “With unique and first of its kind blend of tradition and modernity in the content, the channel will surely be the dynamic face of mythology and infotainment genre among Kannada viewers. Known as world’s oldest civilisation and cultural capital of the world, India has ample legacy that deserve to be presented to today’s generation in an interesting way. Of course, we had to deploy chunk of our energies in to research and graphics. But it’s totally worth it,” adds Saral Jeevan editor MS Raghavendra.

    Saral Jeevan business head Raghunatha Reddy said, “Getting into infotainment, that is ‘very Indian’ in nature, is a strategic experiment. And we never wanted to be one more player in any given space of television. Today, we are happy with the content design; as Saral Jeevan will be filling in the biggest gap by providing knowledge that is entertaining. And the USP of such programming is that it cuts across all age groups of viewers. What’s more, Saral Jeevan has no straight competition; rather it gains from all genres of channels.”

    How is it different?

    Reddy explained how Jeevan Saral was different from the conventional religious, news or GECs, citing one of the shows Mahapayna as an example. “This is the story of Ram’s journey from Ayodhya to Sri Lanka, via of course Nepal. We retrace the steps that he made then today. So if he visited a temple, we show the temple as it is now. Of course, we can’t go into the past shoot images from there, so we have a strong in-house graphics and special effects team that creates the images of the characters in the Ramayana (and all our other shows) and intertwine them within the story as we retrace Rama’s steps across locations as they are in modern days. This is a daily and we already have three months’ content with us,” he said.

    “At present all our content is produced in-house. We have a number of teams that create the content for us. Our total strength is in excess of 100, and our graphics team is 15 strong. I think we are probably the first channel in India with this concept. We are not a religious channel, we are an infotainment channel,” informs Reddy.

    Marketing

    “We will wait and see how we perform, before we can freeze a rate card. Our marketing teams have approached agencies, clients and local advertisers,” revealed Reddy.

    As far as branding and capturing viewers’ eyeballs is concerned, Reddy said that an advertising campaign across Kannada news and GECs is in the final stages of completion. Around 15 to 20 mobile vans have started moving around Bengaluru to promote the channel. Over the next two days, stickers will be pasted on 500 – 600 auto rickshaws, and about 100 local BMTC will carry Saral Jeevan branding.

    For OOH, the channel has planned over 100 hoardings in 15 major cities of Karnataka, besides almost 3,000 of Guruji’s followers across the state will be putting up self-funded hoardings. “So many of Guruji’s followers have volunteered to put up his hoardings, that we have had no option but to give them general creative guidelines and imagery for hoardings that they want to put up about the channel outside their homes and places of work,” said Reddy.

    Carriage

    “Test signals are on e-Digital and will commence today on ACT and Siti Cable. We are in advanced stages of discussion with other players, including Hathway and Den (Amogh). We should be on their networks by the launch date. It will be two to three months before we launch on the DTH platform,” said Reddy.

    Programming

    Saral Jeevan’s key shows include the following:

    Mahapayana: The epic journey of Rama to be aired Monday – Saturday at 9 pm.

    Manakulada Olathigagi (Betterment of Mankind): Live program with Chandrasekhar Guruji to be aired Monday -Sunday at 8 pm.

    Jnanapada: A compilation of motivating and inspiring folk songs in Kannada to be aired from Monday – Saturday at 7 pm and 10.30 pm.

    History: A biography on historical legends that include kings, warriors and freedom fighters to be aired from Monday – Saturday at 9.30 pm.

    Sadhuparampara: The Himalayan Yogis have many faces in the spiritual sub-continent. Each group has its own characteristics and significance. Sadhuparampara decodes the mystery behind the extreme tribes and will be aired from Monday – Saturday at 10 pm.

    Mannina Maga: Dedicated to farmers the show intends to present information and knowledge for planned and effective agriculture leading to better productivity to be aired from Monday – Saturday at 7.30 pm.

    Ajjihelida Kathe (The grandmother storybook): To be aired from Monday – Saturday at 6.15 pm and on Sunday at 1 pm, this insightful moral story series will feature Zen and Akbar-Birbal stories with fully animated and graphic supported episodes. According to the channel, live caricatures are sure to bring back the magic of great moral stories on TV.

    Punyakshethra: Program series on famous places of spiritual and historical significance and will be aired from Monday – Saturday at 6.30 pm.

    Other important programs include Sakhi and Achara Vichara with the afternoon programs focusing on women, arogya yoga and Jatakaphala.

  • ETV acquires telecast rights of ‘The Great Khali Returns’ series

    ETV acquires telecast rights of ‘The Great Khali Returns’ series

    MUMBAI: Marking the first of its kind deal for a news channel, ETV has bagged the television broadcast rights for The Great Khali Returns series, which is scheduled for 24 February in Haldwani and 28 February in Dehradun.

    As per the terms of the deal ETV will not just broadcast the fights live but will also extend promotional support for the series through its entire network.

    The Great Khali Returns Series chairman Ranjit Rawat said, “The Great Khali Return series is an endeavour of our Chief Minister to not just further enhance the sporting fervour amongst the youth of our state but also announce the year of sports in Uttarakhand culminating in the National Games in 2018. This deal with ETV will go a long way in furthering this endeavour.”

    The two-day fight spectacle, which has been initiated and coordinated by #CM4Youth, the Uttarakhand Chief Minister’s youth outreach programme in association with the Bhartiya Samajik Sewa Sansthan NGO and OmReels Entertainment gains significance as it would feature The Great Khali fighting on Indian soil for the first time ever.

    Furthermore, in addition to featuring 14 international wrestlers, the series has also been designed to offer an ideal platform, at par with any international event of this scale, for an equal number of budding Indian wrestlers. 

    ETV News Network head Jagdeesh Chandra added, “We are happy to play an integral role in promoting The Great Khali Return Series, as it is a medium to link today’s youth to sports. ETV knows how to unite itself with the region along with working in tandem with the nation. ETV has an outstanding reputation as a link between the government and the society. By airing such events we aim on strengthening our regional content offering and at the same time provide quality services to our viewers.”

  • ETV acquires telecast rights of ‘The Great Khali Returns’ series

    ETV acquires telecast rights of ‘The Great Khali Returns’ series

    MUMBAI: Marking the first of its kind deal for a news channel, ETV has bagged the television broadcast rights for The Great Khali Returns series, which is scheduled for 24 February in Haldwani and 28 February in Dehradun.

    As per the terms of the deal ETV will not just broadcast the fights live but will also extend promotional support for the series through its entire network.

    The Great Khali Returns Series chairman Ranjit Rawat said, “The Great Khali Return series is an endeavour of our Chief Minister to not just further enhance the sporting fervour amongst the youth of our state but also announce the year of sports in Uttarakhand culminating in the National Games in 2018. This deal with ETV will go a long way in furthering this endeavour.”

    The two-day fight spectacle, which has been initiated and coordinated by #CM4Youth, the Uttarakhand Chief Minister’s youth outreach programme in association with the Bhartiya Samajik Sewa Sansthan NGO and OmReels Entertainment gains significance as it would feature The Great Khali fighting on Indian soil for the first time ever.

    Furthermore, in addition to featuring 14 international wrestlers, the series has also been designed to offer an ideal platform, at par with any international event of this scale, for an equal number of budding Indian wrestlers. 

    ETV News Network head Jagdeesh Chandra added, “We are happy to play an integral role in promoting The Great Khali Return Series, as it is a medium to link today’s youth to sports. ETV knows how to unite itself with the region along with working in tandem with the nation. ETV has an outstanding reputation as a link between the government and the society. By airing such events we aim on strengthening our regional content offering and at the same time provide quality services to our viewers.”

  • Q3-2016: Sun TV YoY revenue & PAT up

    Q3-2016: Sun TV YoY revenue & PAT up

    BENGALURU: Sun TV Network Limited (Sun TV) reported 3.9 per cent growth in standalone revenue (Total income from operations or TIO) in Q3-2016 (quarter ended 31 December, 2015, current quarter) at Rs 574.12 crore as compared to Rs 552.44 crore in Q3-2015 and a 1.1 per cent QoQ growth from Rs 568.09 crore in Q2-2016. Including other income, Total income in the current quarter increased 4.1 per cent YoY to Rs 598.72 crore from Rs 575.03 crore and increased 1.7 per cent QoQ as compared to Rs 588.44 crore.

    The company reported 0.7 per cent higher YoY profit after tax (PAT) in the current quarter at Rs 215.59 crore (37.6 per cent margin) as compared to Rs 214.13 crore (38.8 per cent margin), but 1.7 per cent lower than the Rs 218.38 crore (38.4 per cent margin) in Q2-2016. 

    Note: 100,00,000 = 100 Lakhs = 10 million = 1 crore
    All figures in this report are standalone.

    The company in its earnings release says that advertisement revenues grew two per cent YoY in the current quarter to Rs 298.35 crore, but were one per cent lower QoQ as compared to Rs 301.37 crore in the immediate trailing quarter. It says that DTH revenue (Sun Direct) for Q3-2106 was up 14 per cent at Rs.150.88 crore.

    The Sun TV board of directors has declared a second interim dividend of Rs 2 per share (40 per cent) on a face value of Rs 5 per share. With this, the total dividend declared by the Board so far for the financial year 2015 – 16 is Rs 8 per share (160 per cent) on a face value of Rs 5 per share as against the total dividend of Rs 11.25 per share (225 per cent) on a face value of Rs 5 per share declared during the previous year ended 31 March, 2015.

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by Sun TV

    Sun TV reported EBIDTA of Rs 440.44 crore (76.7 per cent margin), which was 3 per cent higher YoY as compared to Rs 427.8 crore (77.4 per cent margin) and 1.9 per cent higher QoQ as compared to Rs 432.23 crore (76.1 per cent margin).

    Sun TV’s total expenses (TE) in the current quarter at Rs 268.43 crore (46.8 per cent of TIO) was 7.4 per cent higher YoY as compared to Rs250.05 crore (45.3 per cent of TIO) and 5.9 per cent higher QoQ as compared to Rs 253.44 crore (44.6 per cent of TIO). The company’s TE of Rs 412.1 crore (59.6 per cent of TIO) in Q1 included IPL Franchisee (Sun Risers Hyderabad) of Rs 85.05 crore (12.3 per cent of TIO), which is a non-recurring item during the other three quarters of the year. 

    Sun TV’s ‘Other Expenditure’ (OE) increased 30.6 per cent YoY to Rs 35.16 crore (6.1 per cent of TIO) as compared to Rs 26.93 crore (4.9 per cent of TIO) and was 12.3 per cent higher QoQ as compared to Rs 31.31 crore (5.5 per cent of TIO).

    Sun TV’s Employee Benefit Expense (EBE) in Q3-2016 increased 5.5 per cent YoY to Rs 58.73 crore (10.2 per cent of TIO) as compared to Rs 55.69 crore 10.1 per cent of TIO) and increased 3.2 per cent QoQ as compared to Rs 56.92 crore (10 per cent of TIO) in the immediate trailing quarter.

  • Q3-2016: Sun TV YoY revenue & PAT up

    Q3-2016: Sun TV YoY revenue & PAT up

    BENGALURU: Sun TV Network Limited (Sun TV) reported 3.9 per cent growth in standalone revenue (Total income from operations or TIO) in Q3-2016 (quarter ended 31 December, 2015, current quarter) at Rs 574.12 crore as compared to Rs 552.44 crore in Q3-2015 and a 1.1 per cent QoQ growth from Rs 568.09 crore in Q2-2016. Including other income, Total income in the current quarter increased 4.1 per cent YoY to Rs 598.72 crore from Rs 575.03 crore and increased 1.7 per cent QoQ as compared to Rs 588.44 crore.

    The company reported 0.7 per cent higher YoY profit after tax (PAT) in the current quarter at Rs 215.59 crore (37.6 per cent margin) as compared to Rs 214.13 crore (38.8 per cent margin), but 1.7 per cent lower than the Rs 218.38 crore (38.4 per cent margin) in Q2-2016. 

    Note: 100,00,000 = 100 Lakhs = 10 million = 1 crore
    All figures in this report are standalone.

    The company in its earnings release says that advertisement revenues grew two per cent YoY in the current quarter to Rs 298.35 crore, but were one per cent lower QoQ as compared to Rs 301.37 crore in the immediate trailing quarter. It says that DTH revenue (Sun Direct) for Q3-2106 was up 14 per cent at Rs.150.88 crore.

    The Sun TV board of directors has declared a second interim dividend of Rs 2 per share (40 per cent) on a face value of Rs 5 per share. With this, the total dividend declared by the Board so far for the financial year 2015 – 16 is Rs 8 per share (160 per cent) on a face value of Rs 5 per share as against the total dividend of Rs 11.25 per share (225 per cent) on a face value of Rs 5 per share declared during the previous year ended 31 March, 2015.

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by Sun TV

    Sun TV reported EBIDTA of Rs 440.44 crore (76.7 per cent margin), which was 3 per cent higher YoY as compared to Rs 427.8 crore (77.4 per cent margin) and 1.9 per cent higher QoQ as compared to Rs 432.23 crore (76.1 per cent margin).

    Sun TV’s total expenses (TE) in the current quarter at Rs 268.43 crore (46.8 per cent of TIO) was 7.4 per cent higher YoY as compared to Rs250.05 crore (45.3 per cent of TIO) and 5.9 per cent higher QoQ as compared to Rs 253.44 crore (44.6 per cent of TIO). The company’s TE of Rs 412.1 crore (59.6 per cent of TIO) in Q1 included IPL Franchisee (Sun Risers Hyderabad) of Rs 85.05 crore (12.3 per cent of TIO), which is a non-recurring item during the other three quarters of the year. 

    Sun TV’s ‘Other Expenditure’ (OE) increased 30.6 per cent YoY to Rs 35.16 crore (6.1 per cent of TIO) as compared to Rs 26.93 crore (4.9 per cent of TIO) and was 12.3 per cent higher QoQ as compared to Rs 31.31 crore (5.5 per cent of TIO).

    Sun TV’s Employee Benefit Expense (EBE) in Q3-2016 increased 5.5 per cent YoY to Rs 58.73 crore (10.2 per cent of TIO) as compared to Rs 55.69 crore 10.1 per cent of TIO) and increased 3.2 per cent QoQ as compared to Rs 56.92 crore (10 per cent of TIO) in the immediate trailing quarter.

  • Colors Kannada to launch three primetime shows; earmarks Rs 3 crore for marketing

    Colors Kannada to launch three primetime shows; earmarks Rs 3 crore for marketing

    MUMBAI: With a view to up the entertainment quotient in the prime time band of 9 – 10 pm, the leader in the Kannada general entertainment channels’ space, Colors Kannada is planning to launch three new shows in February.

    The channel has earmarked a budget of Rs 3 crore on the marketing campaign of all three shows.

    While the two fiction shows are titled Om Shakti Om Shanti and Manedevru and will go on air on 8 February, the channel will also launch the second season of the non-fiction show Super Minute on 13 February.

    The channel has brought on board Emami as the co-powered by sponsor for the game show Super Minute season 2, whereas Manedevru is powered by GRB. The channel is in advance stages of negotiations with a brand for Om Shakti Om Shanti.

    Super Minute season 2 will be hosted by Kannada actor Ganesh. The show, which is an adaptation of the international format Minute To Win, will be aired every Saturday and Sunday at 9 pm.

    Om Shakti Om Shanti will be aired from Monday – Friday at 9 pm and tells the saga of revenge, whereas Manedevru produced by Kannada actor Power Star Punit Rajkumar will occupy the 9.30 pm slot on the channel. The show depicts the tale of Janaki, a na?ve simple girl from a quaint village who is offered the hand of an NRI in marriage but destiny seems to deal her another hand altogether.

    Colors Kannada business head Parameshwara Gundkal said, “We understand the wants of the Kannadiga viewers’ heart and mind… From getting Ganesh to host the much loved Super Minute to building an ensemble cast and weaving an intriguing plot for our fiction dailies, Colors Kannada strives to push the envelope by offering its viewers compelling content that keeps them glued to their TV screens daily. Our three new shows promise to entertain our loyal viewers in the 9 – 10 pm primetime band throughout the week.”

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com Colors Kannada, Colors Bangla and Colors Odiya project head Ravish Kumar added, “Super Minute season 2 returns with double the entertainment and double the fun. The idea behind adapting the show from an international game Minute To Win was to come up with light hearted games, where everyone in the family will enjoy and play together. The idea was to build a family connection.”

    Last year Super Minute witnessed one common man facing off with a celebrity to win the prize money. However in the new season there will be a new twist, where seven contestants will battle against each other in the first stage. These contestants will be from different walks of life and the winners from amongst the seven will get a chance to play in the second stage with the celebrity. With each game that the common man and the celebrity play, the money in the tree will be scaled up and the final reward will be then given to the common man. The format is owned by Endemol Shine and the show will run for 12-13 weeks.

    Colors Kannada will promote the three new shows through radio and television targeting news channels like TV9 in big way. Apart from this, the shows will be promoted via the outdoor medium through hoardings in Karnataka. The channel is also targeting close to 30 lakh people through SMS blast. Super Minute season 2 will also be promoted in print through a half page ad in Vijay Vani magazine. The channel will also take to social media to touch a chunk of the audience.

    Speaking on the channel’s leadership position in the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India ratings data, Kumar opined that being the number one channel was great but staying in the position was difficult. “In order to stay in the lead, one needs to have great strategies. Our strategy is to satisfy our consumers by experimenting and innovating with new content, which will be entertaining for the audience. Furthermore, we will continue to give viewers a great mix of reality content – both in Indian and international formats. Our motive is to bring the best for our audiences.”