ITV

Category: Specialised and Niche

  • Pittie group to launch a new spiritual TV offering in Shubh TV

    Pittie group to launch a new spiritual TV offering in Shubh TV

    MUMBAI: The divine world in television is set to witness one more addition as chairman of Pittie group, Krishan Kumar Pittie  will launch a spiritual channel ‘Shubh TV tomorrow (8 April 2016).

    The channel will initially be present on DTH platforms Dish TV and DD free dish, but has plans of expanding its distribution in near future “We are starting with Dish TV and DD free dish but in next six months we plan to launch on all DTH platforms,” says  Krishan Kumar Pittie.     

    The channel will be airing lectures by prominent spiritual speakers from across the country and will also be featuring spiritual events. Its key focus in the beginning will be on the much talked ‘Kumbh’ which will host pilgrims from across the country starting next month.

     “We are pleased to announce our new venture in spiritual channels Shubh TV,” says the chairman.

    The sector has very little advertising happening on it and hence slot selling remains the key revenue generator. The new channel will also focus on slot selling, but at the same time will strive for better advertisement revenue, “With exclusive spiritual content on Shubh TV, we aspire to attract more advertising and create a better model for this genre” informs Pittie.

    ‘Shubh TV’ is also following the trend of launching an exclusive app. The app will be available for both android and iOS users.

    The live telecast slots will generally be available from 10.30 AM to 1.30 AM. The channel will follow  the 3 hour slot model. The other prime time slot will be from 6.00 AM – 10:00 AM.

    The group has many more launches in its pipeline,  “We are also planning to launch Shubh Cinema in near future which will air spiritual and patriotic movies,” confirms Pittie. 

    If sources are to be believed a Music channel is also on the cards.

  • Not sacked, going back to handle different responsibilities: Kenny Shin

    Not sacked, going back to handle different responsibilities: Kenny Shin

    MUMBAI: The Home shopping business in India which has major players Home Shop 18, Shop CJ, Den – Snapdeal, Naptol and the latest entry Best Deal TV, was rattled by reports of two senior officials of Shop CJ Network moving. There were rumours of CEO Kenny Shin and CFO Ramakrishnan N being sacked by the top management. 

    “Not sacked, just going back to handle different responsibilities” says Shin in an exclusive interaction with Indiantelevision.com. “We have performed better than we expected and hence sacking for underperformance is beyond question,” he adds.

    “Rs 850 crore was our estimate and we have had sales of Rs 900 crore which shows we over performed. We re-branded ourselves, we transformed from Star CJ to Shop CJ, launched two regional channels. So it has been an action packed year for us,” explains Shin.

    A few months ago, in an interview with Indiantelevision.com, Shin had shared a different number for sales estimates. He had said, “We are poised to cross Rs 1,200 crore turnover this year, recording a 40 per cent growth over sales of Rs 850 crore achieved in the last calendar year. Our channel reaches to more than 6.5 crore households in India and currently caters to about 40 per cent of the market.”

    Costs incurred by the company have also gone up significantly this year. As per information from a source close to the development, Shop CJ spent around Rs 70 crore last year (2014 – 15) which skyrocketed this year. “We were looking at spends of Rs 200 crore from the very beginning, as I told you earlier, we were looking ahead at this year to garner maximum reach and sales and hence higher spends were done to have better marketing and distribution,” asserts Shin.

    What about the CFO Ramakrishnan N? Has he also been moved to take on other responsibilities? “No!” exclaims Shin. “He has two daughters and a family in Bengaluru, and since the past one year he has been traveling a lot to and fro, which was getting difficult for him. So he decided to step down as the CFO and will now move back in with his family. He has done a wonderful job as the CFO and we wish him best of luck,” Shin adds.

    “I am headed back to Korea by this month end and it was a great four year journey in India” Shin concludes.

    Meanwhile the network has announced SR Yoon as the new CEO of Shop CJ India to replace Kenny Shin, and in an official letter to its employees mentioned it is looking for a new CFO.

  • Not sacked, going back to handle different responsibilities: Kenny Shin

    Not sacked, going back to handle different responsibilities: Kenny Shin

    MUMBAI: The Home shopping business in India which has major players Home Shop 18, Shop CJ, Den – Snapdeal, Naptol and the latest entry Best Deal TV, was rattled by reports of two senior officials of Shop CJ Network moving. There were rumours of CEO Kenny Shin and CFO Ramakrishnan N being sacked by the top management. 

    “Not sacked, just going back to handle different responsibilities” says Shin in an exclusive interaction with Indiantelevision.com. “We have performed better than we expected and hence sacking for underperformance is beyond question,” he adds.

    “Rs 850 crore was our estimate and we have had sales of Rs 900 crore which shows we over performed. We re-branded ourselves, we transformed from Star CJ to Shop CJ, launched two regional channels. So it has been an action packed year for us,” explains Shin.

    A few months ago, in an interview with Indiantelevision.com, Shin had shared a different number for sales estimates. He had said, “We are poised to cross Rs 1,200 crore turnover this year, recording a 40 per cent growth over sales of Rs 850 crore achieved in the last calendar year. Our channel reaches to more than 6.5 crore households in India and currently caters to about 40 per cent of the market.”

    Costs incurred by the company have also gone up significantly this year. As per information from a source close to the development, Shop CJ spent around Rs 70 crore last year (2014 – 15) which skyrocketed this year. “We were looking at spends of Rs 200 crore from the very beginning, as I told you earlier, we were looking ahead at this year to garner maximum reach and sales and hence higher spends were done to have better marketing and distribution,” asserts Shin.

    What about the CFO Ramakrishnan N? Has he also been moved to take on other responsibilities? “No!” exclaims Shin. “He has two daughters and a family in Bengaluru, and since the past one year he has been traveling a lot to and fro, which was getting difficult for him. So he decided to step down as the CFO and will now move back in with his family. He has done a wonderful job as the CFO and we wish him best of luck,” Shin adds.

    “I am headed back to Korea by this month end and it was a great four year journey in India” Shin concludes.

    Meanwhile the network has announced SR Yoon as the new CEO of Shop CJ India to replace Kenny Shin, and in an official letter to its employees mentioned it is looking for a new CFO.

  • SR Yoon replaces Kenny Shin as CEO of Shop CJ India

    SR Yoon replaces Kenny Shin as CEO of Shop CJ India

    MUMBAI: Shop CJ Network has announced SR Yoon as the new CEO of Shop CJ India in place of  Kenny Shin, subject to obtaining the necessary approvals from the Government of India.

    Yoon will continue to be based at the headquarters of the parent company CJ O Shopping at  Seoul.                                                                              

    After the recent successful forays of Shop CJ-Tamil and Shop CJ-Telugu on 24×7 home shopping channels with specially designed and customized content for Tamil and Telugu speaking population, Shop CJ CEO Kenny Shin is going back to the parent company CJ O Shopping  Co. Ltd., which is in the midst of major overseas expansion. Yoon will assume responsibilities in his place. 

    “It is undoubtedly very exciting to be in one of the fastest growing markets in the world” said Yoon, who has worked previously with Samsung as CEO Australia and in its marketing division before moving to CJ O Shopping last year.

     Shop CJ India COO Dhruva Chandrie will now take responsibility for overall operational matters of Shop CJ. Additional to the marketing and operations departments, finance, planning, IT and E‐commerce will also report to him. In addition, N. Ramakrishnan has decided to step down as the CFO of the company to pursue other interests. The Board has initiated a search to fill the role of CFO and Shop CJ will have a new CFO soon.

    Commenting on the move Shin said, “The last 4 years in India have been excellent for Shop CJ. I have enjoyed my India stint and it was a period of great learning and achievements.”  Shin has more than 20 years experience in home shopping. He has worked in Korea, US and India. Global giant from South Korea, CJ O follows the policy of rotating its senior leadership assigned with overseas roles. Shin had been instrumental in driving several strategic initiatives at the company and successfully transforming Shop CJ during his tenure in India.

    Shop CJ is slated to achieve more than 900 Crore revenues this fiscal, bettering its earlier estimates of 850 Crore. It started operations six years ago in India. India is one of the fastest growing operations for CJ Network globally.

    Further commenting on the appointment, Yoon said, “I am glad at the prospect of spearheading the India operations for the CJ Network. India is an exciting country, a complex market with huge opportunities and interesting challenges. Shop CJ has a more robust strategy, culture and talent in India than ever before, a must for a sustainably fast growing business. With the continuation of strong leadership, we are poised to grow here. My role would be to enhance the opportunities and reduce the challenges. I believe we will be able to ensure and continue our growth in the market while delivering world-class shopping experience to our customers.”

    Providence Equity Partners Group, investor in Shop CJ, is in full support of the management decisions and is confident on company’s accelerating growth in India foreseeing positive outlook in the market.

  • SR Yoon replaces Kenny Shin as CEO of Shop CJ India

    SR Yoon replaces Kenny Shin as CEO of Shop CJ India

    MUMBAI: Shop CJ Network has announced SR Yoon as the new CEO of Shop CJ India in place of  Kenny Shin, subject to obtaining the necessary approvals from the Government of India.

    Yoon will continue to be based at the headquarters of the parent company CJ O Shopping at  Seoul.                                                                              

    After the recent successful forays of Shop CJ-Tamil and Shop CJ-Telugu on 24×7 home shopping channels with specially designed and customized content for Tamil and Telugu speaking population, Shop CJ CEO Kenny Shin is going back to the parent company CJ O Shopping  Co. Ltd., which is in the midst of major overseas expansion. Yoon will assume responsibilities in his place. 

    “It is undoubtedly very exciting to be in one of the fastest growing markets in the world” said Yoon, who has worked previously with Samsung as CEO Australia and in its marketing division before moving to CJ O Shopping last year.

     Shop CJ India COO Dhruva Chandrie will now take responsibility for overall operational matters of Shop CJ. Additional to the marketing and operations departments, finance, planning, IT and E‐commerce will also report to him. In addition, N. Ramakrishnan has decided to step down as the CFO of the company to pursue other interests. The Board has initiated a search to fill the role of CFO and Shop CJ will have a new CFO soon.

    Commenting on the move Shin said, “The last 4 years in India have been excellent for Shop CJ. I have enjoyed my India stint and it was a period of great learning and achievements.”  Shin has more than 20 years experience in home shopping. He has worked in Korea, US and India. Global giant from South Korea, CJ O follows the policy of rotating its senior leadership assigned with overseas roles. Shin had been instrumental in driving several strategic initiatives at the company and successfully transforming Shop CJ during his tenure in India.

    Shop CJ is slated to achieve more than 900 Crore revenues this fiscal, bettering its earlier estimates of 850 Crore. It started operations six years ago in India. India is one of the fastest growing operations for CJ Network globally.

    Further commenting on the appointment, Yoon said, “I am glad at the prospect of spearheading the India operations for the CJ Network. India is an exciting country, a complex market with huge opportunities and interesting challenges. Shop CJ has a more robust strategy, culture and talent in India than ever before, a must for a sustainably fast growing business. With the continuation of strong leadership, we are poised to grow here. My role would be to enhance the opportunities and reduce the challenges. I believe we will be able to ensure and continue our growth in the market while delivering world-class shopping experience to our customers.”

    Providence Equity Partners Group, investor in Shop CJ, is in full support of the management decisions and is confident on company’s accelerating growth in India foreseeing positive outlook in the market.

  • Top-level changes at Shop CJ; CEO Kenny Shin to head back to Korea

    Top-level changes at Shop CJ; CEO Kenny Shin to head back to Korea

    MUMBAI: Home shopping ain’t an easy business. Definitely not in India. Ask Shop CJ CEO Kenny Shin. The South Korean is slated to catch a flight back to his home country very soon after serving four years and one month at the joint venture between the South Korean home shopping major CJ O Shopping and P5 Asia Holding Investments (Mauritius) Ltd (which belongs to the Providence Equity Partners group). 

    Shin calls his movement back to South Korea a routine transfer. “This is something which happens  with our South Korean parent,” he told indiantelevision.com late on the night of 11 March. “We are rotated around in our various operations world wide.”

    A source, however, had informed indiantelevision.com earlier in the day that Shin was actually shown the door by the company’s board. Along with him, the company CFO Ramakrishnan N was also asked to quit.

    “After reviewing last year’s performance during its board meeting today, the company has decided to sack two senior officials for having a non-performing year,” the source told us. “Its performance has fallen 32 per cent compared to last year.”

    However, Shin repeatedly denied that anyone was being booted out. “It is a routine transfer, that is all it is. No decision has been taken about our CFO as yet,” he stated. “We will be issuing an official statement tomorrow.”

    Indiantelevision.com, however,  managed to get hold of the official communication circulated to Shop CJ employees which has something else to say:  “Mr. N. Ramakrishnan (Ram) has decided to step down as CFO of the Company to pursue other interests. While as CFO, Ram helped the Company establish effective financial systems and controls, and we thank him for his leadership and contribution to the Company, and wish him the best in his future endeavors. The Board has initiated a search to fill the role of CFO for ShopCJ. The changes above are effective immediately.”

    Shin joined the company in February 2012, from CJ O Shopping, the Korean conglomerate, where he was in a key leadership role, having been with the company since 2002.

    Company officials, however, reached out to indiantelevision.com once again in late May 2016 insisting that there was no sacking at all in March. A senior official stated that Ramakrishnan’s departure was entirely his decision and Shin’s return to South Korea was simply routine in the larger scheme of CJ O Shopping’s management initiatives.

    Shop CJ was earlier a joint venture between CJ and broadcast giant Star India. The latter moved out of the partnership and from the home shopping business and in 2015 the channel was re-branded as Shop CJ.

    (Earlier posted on 11 March 2016 at 7:43; updated at 11:50 pm; updated on 31 May 2016 at 12:43 am)

  • Top-level changes at Shop CJ; CEO Kenny Shin to head back to Korea

    Top-level changes at Shop CJ; CEO Kenny Shin to head back to Korea

    MUMBAI: Home shopping ain’t an easy business. Definitely not in India. Ask Shop CJ CEO Kenny Shin. The South Korean is slated to catch a flight back to his home country very soon after serving four years and one month at the joint venture between the South Korean home shopping major CJ O Shopping and P5 Asia Holding Investments (Mauritius) Ltd (which belongs to the Providence Equity Partners group). 

    Shin calls his movement back to South Korea a routine transfer. “This is something which happens  with our South Korean parent,” he told indiantelevision.com late on the night of 11 March. “We are rotated around in our various operations world wide.”

    A source, however, had informed indiantelevision.com earlier in the day that Shin was actually shown the door by the company’s board. Along with him, the company CFO Ramakrishnan N was also asked to quit.

    “After reviewing last year’s performance during its board meeting today, the company has decided to sack two senior officials for having a non-performing year,” the source told us. “Its performance has fallen 32 per cent compared to last year.”

    However, Shin repeatedly denied that anyone was being booted out. “It is a routine transfer, that is all it is. No decision has been taken about our CFO as yet,” he stated. “We will be issuing an official statement tomorrow.”

    Indiantelevision.com, however,  managed to get hold of the official communication circulated to Shop CJ employees which has something else to say:  “Mr. N. Ramakrishnan (Ram) has decided to step down as CFO of the Company to pursue other interests. While as CFO, Ram helped the Company establish effective financial systems and controls, and we thank him for his leadership and contribution to the Company, and wish him the best in his future endeavors. The Board has initiated a search to fill the role of CFO for ShopCJ. The changes above are effective immediately.”

    Shin joined the company in February 2012, from CJ O Shopping, the Korean conglomerate, where he was in a key leadership role, having been with the company since 2002.

    Company officials, however, reached out to indiantelevision.com once again in late May 2016 insisting that there was no sacking at all in March. A senior official stated that Ramakrishnan’s departure was entirely his decision and Shin’s return to South Korea was simply routine in the larger scheme of CJ O Shopping’s management initiatives.

    Shop CJ was earlier a joint venture between CJ and broadcast giant Star India. The latter moved out of the partnership and from the home shopping business and in 2015 the channel was re-branded as Shop CJ.

    (Earlier posted on 11 March 2016 at 7:43; updated at 11:50 pm; updated on 31 May 2016 at 12:43 am)

  • NDTV Prime launches ‘The Real Deal’ acknowledging social entrepreneurship

    NDTV Prime launches ‘The Real Deal’ acknowledging social entrepreneurship

    MUMBAI: NDTV Prime, the country’s first dual channel from the NDTV group’s umbrella, has launched a reality show to celebrate social entrepreneurship and impact investor. The 10 episodic reality game formatted show titled The Real Deal is slated to begin from 25 March 2016 at 9 pm time band.

    Contemplated with the help of Shikha Uberoi, The Real Deal is conceptualized as the world’s first impact investing TV show and 360 degree property on social entrepreneurship. The show will find, feature and fund India’s best profit social entrepreneurs by bringing them face to face with potential impact investors. 

    The investors roped in and present at the announcement were Artha Initiative co-founder Audrey Selian, Jungle Ventures managing partner Jayesh Parekh, Asha Impact founder Vikram Gandhi, Indian School of Design and Innovation founder and director Radha Kapoor and Clove Dental CEO Amar Singh.

    Announcing the show, NDTV Prime head channel strategy and brand Shruti Verma Singh said, “In the age of start-ups NDTV Prime is making an effort to promote entrepreneurship with a difference, that impact society at large. We are proud to facilitate and provide a common ground for entrepreneurs and impact investors. The show is the first of its kind and we are confident that our viewers will appreciate the effort when the show airs end of March.”

    Targeting everyone who has a social side up for giving something back to the nation, the show will initially be available on NDTV Prime and eventually be distributed amongst the other ventures under the NDTV conglomerate depending on the show’s success. 

    The Hans Foundation CEO Lt General S M Mehta added, “There are astonishing success stories of the impact-ful work done by people across the country. Recognition like these will encourage more people to take up projects in the interest of the community. The Hans Foundation is always open to financing small grassroots organizations that operate directly in the communities that they serve.”

    “I am happy that my sister is part of such a great campaign. Social Entrepreneurship is the need of the hour and our country has tremendous potential, tremendous talent and it needs a platform. I am an affluent guy, I reach out and do lot of social work to people in need. I am a proud brother and am happy that my sister is part of the The Real Deal,” asserted actor and brother of Shikha Uberoi, Vivek Oberoi. 

    With the first episode under execution, Colors CEO Raj Nayak said, “The presentation of the 12 young entrepreneurs in 30 secs each was completely awesome. The initiative by NDTV Prime is very commendable.”

    The channel has roped in music director Anu Malik who added, “I am excited to be part of this wonderful campaign by NDTV Prime. I am happy that the young entrepreneurs are keeping Hygiene as their main goal.”

  • NDTV Prime launches ‘The Real Deal’ acknowledging social entrepreneurship

    NDTV Prime launches ‘The Real Deal’ acknowledging social entrepreneurship

    MUMBAI: NDTV Prime, the country’s first dual channel from the NDTV group’s umbrella, has launched a reality show to celebrate social entrepreneurship and impact investor. The 10 episodic reality game formatted show titled The Real Deal is slated to begin from 25 March 2016 at 9 pm time band.

    Contemplated with the help of Shikha Uberoi, The Real Deal is conceptualized as the world’s first impact investing TV show and 360 degree property on social entrepreneurship. The show will find, feature and fund India’s best profit social entrepreneurs by bringing them face to face with potential impact investors. 

    The investors roped in and present at the announcement were Artha Initiative co-founder Audrey Selian, Jungle Ventures managing partner Jayesh Parekh, Asha Impact founder Vikram Gandhi, Indian School of Design and Innovation founder and director Radha Kapoor and Clove Dental CEO Amar Singh.

    Announcing the show, NDTV Prime head channel strategy and brand Shruti Verma Singh said, “In the age of start-ups NDTV Prime is making an effort to promote entrepreneurship with a difference, that impact society at large. We are proud to facilitate and provide a common ground for entrepreneurs and impact investors. The show is the first of its kind and we are confident that our viewers will appreciate the effort when the show airs end of March.”

    Targeting everyone who has a social side up for giving something back to the nation, the show will initially be available on NDTV Prime and eventually be distributed amongst the other ventures under the NDTV conglomerate depending on the show’s success. 

    The Hans Foundation CEO Lt General S M Mehta added, “There are astonishing success stories of the impact-ful work done by people across the country. Recognition like these will encourage more people to take up projects in the interest of the community. The Hans Foundation is always open to financing small grassroots organizations that operate directly in the communities that they serve.”

    “I am happy that my sister is part of such a great campaign. Social Entrepreneurship is the need of the hour and our country has tremendous potential, tremendous talent and it needs a platform. I am an affluent guy, I reach out and do lot of social work to people in need. I am a proud brother and am happy that my sister is part of the The Real Deal,” asserted actor and brother of Shikha Uberoi, Vivek Oberoi. 

    With the first episode under execution, Colors CEO Raj Nayak said, “The presentation of the 12 young entrepreneurs in 30 secs each was completely awesome. The initiative by NDTV Prime is very commendable.”

    The channel has roped in music director Anu Malik who added, “I am excited to be part of this wonderful campaign by NDTV Prime. I am happy that the young entrepreneurs are keeping Hygiene as their main goal.”

  • Living Foodz to launch new show ‘100% Veg’ on 17 February

    Living Foodz to launch new show ‘100% Veg’ on 17 February

    MUMBAI: Vegetarians in India will be served a gastronomic delight from 17 February, with the launch of a new show called 100% Veg, which will be hosted by Chef Gautam Mehrishi.

     

    The show will be aired every Wednesday at 2 pm.

     

    The new show will showcase vegetarian cuisine in a new light and brings to viewers the bold side of vegetarian cuisine, with all the oomph and visual appeal of world famous classic dishes.

     

    “We at Living Foodz understand the ever changing trends in the food space and palette of our audience. The idea behind 100% Veg was to cater to India’s increasingly savvy and demanding vegetarian audience by introducing them to vegetarian food like they have never seen before,” said Living Foodz business head Amit Nair.

     

    “Even though I grew up in a strictly vegetarian family, the chef in me has always enjoyed experimenting with international dishes, many of which are traditionally non-vegetarian. On 100% Veg, I have the opportunity to bring world classics to vegetarians and health conscious people, to demonstrate that vegetarian cuisine has truly come of age,” added Chef Mehrishi.

     

    On 100% Veg Chef Mehrishi will recreate some of the world’s most loved dishes such as yakhni, chowder, shepherd’s pie and brioche, drawing from Kashmiri, French, Scottish, English and Irish influences. It also features super foods such as amaranth, za’atar and kale.