ITV

Category: Regional

  • ETV Kannada hopes to repeat success story with ‘Gokuladalli Seete’

    ETV Kannada hopes to repeat success story with ‘Gokuladalli Seete’

    MUMBAI: Marriage, trials and tribulation is the topic of the new serial that has just begun airing on ETV Kannada, replacing the erstwhile Mahaparva.

     

    Directed by Ramesh Krishna and produced by his production house Vaishnavi Movie Makers, Gokuladalli Seete is about a humble and righteous girl Pavani who gets married to a young business tycoon Rahul. Rahul who is commitment phobic and a non-believer in the institution of marriage tells her to sign an agreement that will terminate their marriage in 11 months since he has only married on the wish of his mother.

     

    The show does not have any fixed number of episodes but will continue as long as viewers like it. The commissioned programme is being shot in HD quality with 15-20 episodes in the bank already. Airing from 24 November at 9:30 pm, Gukuladalli Seete has about 50 people in its production team from Bengaluru.

     

    The earlier show Mahaparva had reached a natural conclusion and a mutual decision was taken by the director Sitaram and the channel to end it. “Given our success with shows like Lakshmi Baramma, Agni Sakshi, Ashwini Nakshatra amongst others, we hope to repeat the same with Gokuladalli Seete as well,” says Viacom18 EVP and project head (ETV Kannada, Bangla and Odiya) Ravish Kumar.

     

    The channel has already embarked on a 360 degree marketing campaign. The launch day saw ads in papers Vijay Karnataka, Prajavani, Udayavani, Samyukta Karnataka and Vijayavani. 15 days prior to the launch, TV ads were run across channels with more than 200 spots. Key markets will witness more than 100 outdoor hoardings along with bus shelters, bus sides and intercity train branding.

     

    The digital traction is being roped in through contests, quizzes and interactive posts, updates on shows, character profiling, live chats, show reminders, stamp ads, FB link ads, display banners on social media including Facebook and Twitter.

     

    Sponsors are being approached for the show now. “In this particular market, the 9 to 10 pm slot is the core primetime slot that normally features content that is high on drama. This is a trend that has and is working historically in the business,” says Kumar.

  • Star Vijay to strengthen primetime band

    Star Vijay to strengthen primetime band

    MUMBAI: Star India’s Tamil general entertainment channel (GEC) has decided to spruce up its fiction offering by making changes to its primetime daily shows.

     

    The newest addition to its primetime band is the Tamil version of the hit Star Plus’ ongoing show Ye Hai Mohabbatein, called Kalyanam Mudal Kadal Varai (KMKV). Similar to what the Hindi GEC has done, KMKV was introduced on 3 November at two slots 7 pm and 9 pm. The Hindi version is being aired at 7:30 pm and 11 pm. The remake is directed by Thai Selvam.

     

    The reason for introducing it at 7 pm was to fill in the slot left empty by the dubbed version of Star Plus’ Mahabharat. The 9 pm slot, on the other hand, was chosen to push the other shows, in order to extend primetime from 6 pm to 11 pm.

     

    The other big change will be the re-introduction of the dubbed version of Mahabharat which was aired from late last year, in a primetime slot which is yet undecided. “There has been a cult following of the show and we are very confident that the repeat will also give us minimum 4 TVRs,” says Star Vijay GM K Sriram. After the last airing, the channel took a feedback of people and found out that the earlier several episodes had been missed by viewers, who wanted to see it again.

     

    The channel plans to air Mahabharatham from second week of December. “The success of the first airing has made us take it up again. Purvika Mobile has already shown keen interest to be on board as an advertiser,” adds Sriram. This will follow a mega marketing campaign to the tune of Rs 1 crore.

     

    Additionally, its nonfiction show Super Singer has been shifted from 9 pm to 9:30 pm to make space for KMKV while Office has been shifted from 10 pm to 10:30 pm.

     

    Sriram points out that the shows at 8 pm and 8:30 pm are its blockbuster ones- Deivam Thandha Veedu and Saravanan Meenatchi and they wish to build the 9 pm band along with it. Unlike Hindi where 9pm is the supreme primetime slot, in southern GECs it is 8pm.

  • Gemini TV & Telugu Film Industry to raise funds for cyclone Hudhud Relief Fund

    Gemini TV & Telugu Film Industry to raise funds for cyclone Hudhud Relief Fund

    MUMBAI: On 12th October 2014, Hudhud cyclone struck the beautiful Coastal Andhra Pradesh City of Vizag and Uttara Andhra causing massive destruction. The cyclone is estimated at a minimum of INR 70, 000 crores (over $11 billion). Lakhs of people became homeless and Villages were inundated with flood water.

    ‘Memu Saitam’ to be held on 30th November 2014 is a Gemini TV and Telugu Film Industry initiative to help raise funds for the cause of raising funds that will be generated through a series of online and offline events and will be donated to the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Relief Fund.

    “Memu Saitam” will be a star studded fund raising live show for the Vizag Hudud victims and to be exclusively telecast live on Gemini TV on Nov 30th from 10 am to 10 pm. As a humble gesture, the channel will do its bit by contributing Rs 3.5 crores to the Fund on the day of the function.

    To know more details please log on to www.memusaitam.com

  • Endemol’s ‘Lagori’ wins the viewer’s choice award for ‘best serial of the year’

    Endemol’s ‘Lagori’ wins the viewer’s choice award for ‘best serial of the year’

    MUMBAI:  Endemol India produced Lagori …Maitri Returns which airs on Star Pravah every Monday to Friday at 9pm, has been named the Best Serial of the year at the Viewer’s choice MMW (marathimovieworld.com) Gaurav awards.  Popular actress Anuja Sathe-Gokhale who reprises the role of Urmila was awarded the Best Actress award in the viewer’s choice television category.

    Lagori Maitri Return, the fun filled emotional roller coaster ride of friends Mukta, Poorva, Rujuta, Urmila and Dhanashree has received immense love and support from fans. The story line with the twists and truths of their life and friendship in the Marathi daily soap which started in February 2014, has already struck the right cord with its audiences andrecently also completed 250 episodes on Star Pravaah
    Commenting on the recent awards and the completion of the 250th episode of Lagori Maitri Returns, Abhishek Rege, COO – Television, Endemol India, said “Lagori Maitri Returns has touched a chord with the audiences especially a younger demographic who identify with the story and the characters. The serial through these 250 episodes has weaved a touching tale of friendship and bonds which has left a lasting impression on the minds of the viewers. This love has been vindicated with the show receiving the Viewer’s Choice MMW award.”
     
    Anand Chavan Marathi Business Head, Endemol India, added “The recognition and the response the show is receiving is very gratifying. The storyline resonates with the audiences own life experiences, and further lends to the popularity of the show.  We hope that with continuing support from Star Pravah team and the cast and crew, the show continues reaching new highs.”
     
    Stay tuned to the most popular girl gang on television On Star Pravah from Monday to Saturday – Prime Time 9 PM.

     

  • Kolkata TV to launch a GEC ‘Kolkata 24×7’ by March 2015

    Kolkata TV to launch a GEC ‘Kolkata 24×7’ by March 2015

    KOLKATA: The Bengali TV lovers are in for some dose of entertainment. And attempting this is a 24 hours Bengali News channel Kolkata TV.

     

    “We will be launching a general entertainment channel,” informs Kolkata TV owner Kaustuv Ray. Likely to be christened Kolkata 24X7, it is set to be added to the network’s list of channels by March 2015.

     

    “We are working for the launch of the GEC, which will be in line with channels like Zoom. We already have the license for it,” he says.

     

    It should be noted that indiantelevision.com had earlier reported that Kolkata TV was planning to launch a music channel, with an aim to change the way Bangla music is currently being consumed.

     

    According to a source from the channel, the recruitment process for the music channel is on and the pre-production work has already started.

     

    A city based analyst said, “Getting a license now is not a big deal. March 2015 is long way to go. The owner of Kolkata TV would only be able to say why another channel when Kolkata TV itself is not doing too well!”

  • Aakash Aath treats music lovers with ‘The Legend’

    Aakash Aath treats music lovers with ‘The Legend’

    KOLKATA: In a move to stand out from the clutter, Aakash Aath, a Bengali general entertainment channel (GEC), has launched ‘The Legends’, a show where songs of the ‘golden era’ are sung by the current singers.

    The show, which was launched on 3 November and airs Monday to Friday at 9.30pm, pays tribute to legends like RD Burman, SD Burman, Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey, Uttam Kumar, Suchitra Sen and Md. Rafi.

     “The show has an up market and classy look on the lines of Coke Studio wherein songs from the golden era will be sung in both Bengali and Hindi,” highlights Aakash Aath director Eshita Surana.

    On what made the channel launch a music show at primetime, she says that old songs are an all-time hit. “We feel at this time of the day people want something soothing and light, hence, we came up with this idea. Game shows are a tried and tested thing in this time slot and we did not want to become a ‘me too’,” she adds.

     After airing 12 episodes so far, the channel is happy with the response. “Many artists are calling us because they want to perform on the show. Renowned artists like Srikanto Acharya, Madhura Bhattacharya and Raghab have gone on record to say that till now they have not gotten a better platform to perform on. We have attempted to take music to the next level,” says Surana.

    Apart from OOH and print ads, the channel is also using mass media like WhatsApp to promote the programme.  

     

  • Kasthuri to air grand finale of ‘Chinnadha Bete’ on 21 November

    Kasthuri to air grand finale of ‘Chinnadha Bete’ on 21 November

    BENGALURU:  8 pm, Friday, 21 November will be a day when it will rain gold on the participants at grand finale of the flagship show of Kasthuri TV – Chinnadha Bete (Gold Hunting). During the three hours, winners from a bevy of celebrities, film stars, television artistes and the general public who made it to the finals of each week as well as four people selected by the lucky draw will vie for 100 grams of gold or settle for second best with 50 grams of the noble metal.

     

    Kasthuri TV has done well to rope in Sudarshan Jewellers as title sponsors and big brands as programme sponsors. These include Lake, TVS, Castro, Pantene, Dettol, Santoor, besides a host of advertisers for the show, reveal sources at the channel.

     

    Chinnadha Bete, a home grown production, has been the top performing show in Kasthuri TV’s kitty and has managed to reach respectable ratings in the Kannada GEC space that has had big games shows like the Kannada editions of KBC and Bigg Boss on air.

     

    Chinnadha Bete is a game show for female participants with a difference. It runs Monday to Friday every week for 90 minutes during primetime. Each week different tasks or contests as well as the luck of the draw help select the winner. In all, this season will clock 65 episodes including the grand finale to be aired this Friday.

     

    Some of the tasks and contests include Joker Game, Pool Board Game, Fish Tank Game, Ragi and Golden Coins Game, Caterpillar Game, Boxing Ring Game, Gym Ball Game and so on.

     

    On Monday, film stars compete for the small finale that is held on Friday. On Tuesday, it is the turn of television artistes from the Kannada GEC space. Wednesday is the turn of the public that are selected through auditions and Thursday, it is celebrities that take part. Winners of the daily episodes compete with each other on Friday and the weekly winner goes onto participate in the grand finale or the fourth month.

     

    Among the film artistes and celebrities that have taken part in Chinnadha Bete include crooner Supriya Lohith, news anchors  Prathima Bhat and Navitha Jain – news anchor, RJ Nethra , Soumya  -a model, female actors Deepika , Ramya Barna, Tejaswini, Sindhu Loknath, Poornima, Sanathani, Rekha Das, Apoorva, Jeevika, Neha Patil, Roopashri, Mytreya and Karunya.

     

    TV artistes from other channels that have participated in the game show this season include Yamuna, Nagashree, Kavitha Kambhar, Aruna Balraj, Nandini Vallish, Jayashri, Padmakala, Meghashri, Shwetha Rao and Shobha Shetty among others.

     

    The channel sponsor has been rewarding participants quite well too-winners from Monday to Thursday episodes are given 2 grams of gold, the weekly winners 4 grams, and winners who compete in the mega finals will be given 5 grams of gold, besides the 100 grams of gold for the finale winner and the 50 grams of gold for the runner-up.

     

    Among the weekly celebrity winners for the first season are female lead actors Neha Patil, Roopashri, and Shruthi a public contestant selected through auditions.

  • Big Magic Ganga launches first ever regional biopic ‘Ganga Gaurav’

    Big Magic Ganga launches first ever regional biopic ‘Ganga Gaurav’

    MUMBAI: Taking pride and reverence in the region’s brilliant history, Big Magic Ganga, the No. 1 regional channel for Bihar and Jharkhand region, announce its latest innovation Ganga Gaurav. The upcoming series, a first of its kind, will bring forth inspiring stories of legends for their contribution in the field of arts, literature, music, sports, social reforms, history or politics. With Ravi Verma as the Sutradhar, this special biopic series based on real people and their real stories of pride and achievement, kicks off on November 15th and will air each Saturday at 8:30pm.

    Ganga Gaurav will present a series on the contribution of these heroes who have been revered and admired through an interesting 30 minute special which will feature an excellent story board along with interesting trivia and rich content through interviews with family and friends, revealing interesting personal information. Supported strongly by research the show will feature an blend of authentic information collected from books, articles, interactions at different stages of their lives, which will be deeply rooted in the region and hence poised to be lapped by audiences.

    Featuring in this special biopic series will be the likes of Munshi Premchand, Babu Kunwar Singh, Birsa Muna, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Bismillah Khan and others who not only stand apart for their contribution to the society, but also instill great pride in the people of the region.

    Commenting on the new show launch, Lavneesh Gupta, COO, Reliance Broadcast Network said, “BIG MAGIC Ganga has built itself to the No. 1 player of the region on the back of distinctive offerings basis in-depth local research. Created around the pegs of pride of association and culture we are very happy with the way Ganga Gaurav has shaped. The first ever regional biopic series, we are confident of it being a hit amongst audiences, while offerings marketers an excellent platform.”

    Ganga Gaurav will be promoted through an aggressive multi media campaign across TV, Radio, OOH, Print and Digital. The channel will also promote the show heavily through on ground local activations.

    Big Magic Ganga is available on Hathway, Incable, Manthan, Digicable, GTPL, Siti Cable, Maurya, DEN, Dish TV, Airtel Digital and Reliance Digital TV and other all independent operators.          

  • TV Industry veteran Kailasam starts managing Kannada GEC Kasthuri

    TV Industry veteran Kailasam starts managing Kannada GEC Kasthuri

    BENGALURU: Indian company White Horse Network Services floated by P Kailasam has started managing operations at Kasthuri Medias Kannada GEC Kasthuri from 1 November, which is celebrated as Kannada Rajyotsava Day, on a five year lease initially.

     

     White Horse is responsible for all operations of Kasthuri channel including managing of content and ad sales, except for distribution/placement, which will be handled by the owners of the channel’s team, says White Horse managing director Kailasam.

     

     Kasthuri Medias has Anitha Kumaraswamy as managing director. Her husband HD Kumaraswamy is the former chief minister of Karnataka. H D has been a noted film producer, distributor and exhibitor in the Kannada film industry before he entered politics.

     

     “My game plan is to completely revamp the content from the scratch and make it to the top most position with more thrust on contemporary and current subjects,” says Kailasam.

     

     Kasthuri is placed at number five in terms of ratings among the five channels that make up the present Kannada GEC universe.

     

     Kailasam a television industry veteran is a post graduate in Economics, a fellow member of the institute of company secretaries, cost accountant and a law graduate. He started his career with Indian Express in 1989 and was a company secretary and finance manager in HCL, Delhi. Later, he joined the Hutichsion Whampoa Hong Kong group in its telecom operations as company secretary and country legal manager. In 2000 he joined the Zee group and exited in the year 2007 as executive VP of southern operations. He joined Atria’s Sunder Raju to form Kable First India. Today, the Rs 700 crore plus Atria is one of the leading MSOs’ and ISPs’ in the areas that it operates.

  • Sun TV posts sunny y-o-y results for Q2-2015; board announces 45 per cent interim dividend

    Sun TV posts sunny y-o-y results for Q2-2015; board announces 45 per cent interim dividend

    BENGALURU: Sun TV Network Limited (Sun TV) reported 9.1 per cent growth in revenue in Q2-2015 at Rs 509.02 crore versus Rs 466.41 crore in the corresponding quarter of last year on the back of growth of advertising and DTH revenues. Q-o-q performance as well as PAT results declared by the company were however lower in Q2-2015.
     
    The company reported 7 per cent growth in HY-2015 revenue at Rs 1142.60 crore from Rs 1068.26 crore in HY-2014.
     
    Sun TV reported 11.4 per cent growth in advertising revenue in Q2-2015 to Rs 260.26 crore and 20 per cent higher DTH revenue at Rs 130.07 crore. However, advertising revenue in Q1-2014 at Rs. 280.42 crore was 7.8 per cent more than the advertising revenue in the current quarter.
     
    The company’s net profit after taxes (PAT) in Q2-2015 at Rs 154.47 crore was 6.9 per cent lower than the Rs 169.16 crore in Q2-2014 and 6.7 per cent lower than the Rs 165.64 crore in Q1-2015. PAT in HY-2015 at Rs 320.11 crore was 4 per cent lower that the Rs 333.60 crore in HY-2014.
     
    Note: 100,00,000 = 100 Lakhs = 10 million = 1 crore
     
    Let us look at the other results reported by Sun TV for Q2-2015
     
    Y-o-y and HY results have been mentioned above. Sun TV’s revenue for Q2-2015 was 7 per cent less than the Rs 633.58 crore in Q1-2015.
     
    The company’s total expense in Q2-2015 at Rs 298.22 crore was 21.1 per cent more than the Rs 246.29 crore in Q2-2014, and 6.7 per cent less than the Rs 319.80 crore (expenses figure excludes the one time annual SunRisers Hyderabad IPL franchise fee of Rs 85.05 crore paid in Q1-2015) in Q1-2015. Total Expense in HY-2015 was 14.9 per cent more at Rs 703.07 crore than the Rs 611.88 crore in HY-2014.
     
    Sun TV’s depreciation and amortisation charges in Q2-2015 have jumped 57.4 per cent to Rs 185.01 crore from Rs 117.56 crore in Q2-2014 and were 33.1 per cent higher than the Rs 138.99 crore in Q1-2015. For HY-2015, depreciation and amortisation charges were 37.9 per cent higher at Rs 324 crore as against Rs 234.95 crore in HY-2014.
     
    Employee benefit expense in Q2-2015 was up 4.3 per cent at Rs 50.13 crore from Rs 48.27 crore in Q2-2014 and was 9.5 per cent more than the Rs 45.77 crore in Q1-2015. For HY-2015 EBE at Rs 95.90 crore was 3.7 per cent less than the Rs 92.48 crore in HY-2014
     
    The company has reported a 38 per cent drop in other expenditure to Rs 22.65 crore in Q2-2015 from Rs 36.51 crore in Q2-2014 and was less than a fourth (1/4.11 times) the Rs 93.18 crore in Q1-2015. For HY-2015, other expenditure at Rs 115.83 crore was 4.9 per cent higher than the Rs 110.45 crore in Q1-2014.
     
    The board of directors of the company have declared an interim dividend of 45 per cent (Rs 2.25) per share of face value of Rs 5.

     

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