ITV

Category: Specialised and Niche

  • FoodFood ropes in Ruchir Joshi to head content

    FoodFood ropes in Ruchir Joshi to head content

    MUMBAI: FoodFood, food lifestyle channel, has got on-board a creative media professional Ruchir Joshi to head the content of the channel. Joshi’s role will be to conceptualise and execute the cutting edge content that speaks to a global audience.

    FoodFood CEO SK Barua believes that he comes with a proven track record of leadership and the company is pleased to have a content head with his experience to drive the channel’s growth and profitability. “We are extremely happy to have attracted a talented executive like Ruchir for programming, overlooking on air promotions and supporting new media. We look forward to his success in this new role.”

    Joshi, who comes with a 17 years experience, stated that the opportunity to head the channel content interested him. He feels the key is to discover what food lifestyle means in its cultural context and then be able to make original content that is not a poor ‘me too’ of the west.

     
    Prior to this, Joshi was a co-founder and promoter of ‘Via Earth’ that made TV shows that have aired on broadcasters like BBC, CNN and Discovery. He has also done shows for channels such as Zee Cafe, Star One and Filmy. Having a vast experience of over 17 years, he has led all aspects of programming including acquisition, commissioning, syndication, scheduling and production.

     

  • Discovery going all out to promote ‘Kisna’

    Discovery going all out to promote ‘Kisna’

    NEW DELHI: The Discovery Kids channel is going all out to popularise its new animation series ‘Kisna’ as it is an India-based series and is a ‘driver show’.

     

    told indiantelevision.com on the sidelines of a press meet on the launch of the new series by, and series maker Rahul Johri and renowned filmmaker Ketan Mehta that the percentage of marketing was very high for this show.

     

    Discovery Channel Asia Pacific VP marketing Rajiv Bakshi  said while the series has already been promoted for almost a month on all Discovery channels, it will now be promoted on other channels as well as on billboards and through school activities. While Facebook was being used to promote the series among adults so that they could encourage the young to see it, the social network was not available to those under 18 years of age.

     

    Filmmaker Ketan Mehta said that the aim of the series was to impart education and entertainment at the same time. He said the name ‘Kisna’ had been used because it had an association with everyone in the subcontinent, but the series would be contemporary and every episode would also have some education value. Thus, it was not the story of Lord Krishna.

     

    The series, produced by Cosmos Entertainment and Maya Digital Studios, would be telecast from 19 October at 2 pm every Friday in English, Tamil and Hindi. It would be repeated at 6 pm.

     

    Discovery’s current portfolio in India includes 11 channels – Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery, TLC, Discovery Kids, Discovery Science, Discovery Tamil, Discovery Turbo, Discovery HD World, TLC HD World and Animal Planet HD World – apart from a Discovery Channel Magazine.

     

    Apart from the three High Definition channels – Discovery World, TLC World and Animal Planet World – Investigation Discovery (ID) was launched early this month and carries true stories of crime and their investigation. Though the stories are all American, they have been dubbed in Hindi.  Each story is complete in itself.

     

    Kisna is the story of an adventurous and amusing young boy from Anandnagri and his adversary the wicked Raja Durjan of Andhernagri. During the series, Kisna will clash with Raja Durjan and each time squash his evil plans of spreading fear in Kisna’s hometown.

     

     Mehta said, “Kisna is a fascinating story told through captivating characters. Kisna’s endearing personality combined with his superhero powers will make him a favourite character amongst the kids. We are delighted to partner with Discovery Kids, a renowned brand that delivers fun and enriching entertainment.”

     

    Discovery Kids is available in Hindi, English and Tamil languages across India on both analogue and DTH platforms including Tata Sky, Dish TV, Reliance DTH, Airtel Digital and Videocon d2h.

  • National Geographic Channel’s ‘Megastructures’ showcases the making of the Hyderabad Metro Rail

    National Geographic Channel’s ‘Megastructures’ showcases the making of the Hyderabad Metro Rail

    MUMBAI: Acclaimed to showcase some mammoth structures and architectural masterpieces, Megastructures is back. After the roaring success in Delhi and Mumbai, Hyderabad is all set to have a metro network soon. To showcase the making of what will be an iconic structure for the city, National Geographic Channel, in association with “L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited” is launching “Connecting the city of Nizams: Hyderabad Metro” on 19th October, 2014 at 6 pm.  

     

    NGC’s Megastructures features constructions that inspire amazement and interest amongst people not only for their remarkable size but also for the intricacies and innovations involved in building and managing them. The new episode will feature the actual work involved in building the Hyderabad metro rail network. It will also focus on the collaboration of some of the best engineers, planners and designers in the city to bring forth the flawless and the needful railway project. India’s largest construction and technology giant L&T is bringing the largest Public Private Partnership Project in metro sector to make this dream come true for the people of Hyderabad.

     

    Commenting on the show and association Debarpita Banerjee, Vice President, Marketing and Communication, NGC and Fox Life, said “Megastructures is one of our most successful franchises. The research, depiction of the challenges & opportunities, along with the unique story-telling takes the viewer on a journey- starting from a single brick to a gigantic structure. We are happy to associate with L&T Metro Rail which is responsible for bringing this project alive and are confident that viewers would appreciate a show that showcases the makings of a mega structure that hugely impacts people’s daily lives.”

     

    Commenting on the show, Vivek Bhaskar Gadgil, Chief Executive & Managing Director, L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited, said “Hyderabad Metro Rail Project is the World’s largest Public-Private Partnership Project (PPP) in the Metro Sector. We are extremely excited to work with National Geographic Channel to showcase the behind the scenes of the making of this iconic structure. While the city gears up for the metro, not just the planners but all citizens are being made the ‘ambassadors’ of the new mode of transport through unique and unprecedented public interface programs fostering an emotional connect with the project.”

     

    ‘Connecting the city of Nizams: Hyderabad Metro’ premieres on 19th October, 6pm on National Geographic Channel.

     

  • Zee Khana Khazana launches new show Eat Manual

    Zee Khana Khazana launches new show Eat Manual

    MUMBAI: Join culinary whiz kid and the nation’s most loved junior chef, Emanuel Chauhan on a fun ride of cooking flavorsome delicacies! Watch and learn as the little chef serves sheer magic on a plate, with the simplest techniques and the most ordinary kitchen ingredients. If you thought the kitchen is a place only for grown-ups – think again! The sprightly young chef and his effervescent co-host, Tanaaz Irani, will together shatter that notion and demonstrate a range of appetizing recipes, sometimes in the company of his closest friends and cousins, only on Eat Manua’ that launches on 21st October, 2014 at 2:30 pm on Zee Khana Khazana, India’s premiere 24hr food channel.

     

    Amit Nair, Business Head, Zee Khana Khazana, says, “One of our endeavours is to inspire budding chefs and mold them into the potentially excellent chefs they can be. And what better way than to have a spirited 9 year old – who also happens to be a reputed chef – like Emanuel showing easy-to-make and delicious dishes. We want to give the kids of today a show that fuels their passion for cooking, a show that breaks the stereotypes associated with the garden variety fare for grown-ups. Children usually are treasure troves of ideas and are open to creative experimentation, which we believe is the reason why the show is guaranteed to be an absolute winner.”

     

    All aspects of the show, right from the set to the format, have been designed keeping in mind the nature of a child’s imagination i.e. unbridled and spontaneous. Emanuel will cook in a kitchen in his own inimitable way, away from the methodic organization that adults tend to follow. Each show will have the junior chef demonstrate three exciting recipes with television’s most adored and popular actors, Tanaaz Irani to accompany him on this fun-filled adventure. The show will give children an amazing spectrum of dishes to try their hands at. Keeping in sync with the informal atmosphere of the show, Emanuel will be intermittently accompanied by his friends and family to create some wonderful dishes for the audience.

     

    To be kick-started by a special appearance by celebrity chef Vikas Khanna in the first episode, the show has been conceptualized to appeal to the new-age kids. Keeping in mind the young audience, it will feature the host clicking a selfie with the scrumptious delicacy prepared, at the end of every episode. Eat Manual is a singular concept that not only encourages children to cook, but is in fact, hosted by a kid. Zee Khana Khazana, with Emanuel Chauhan, is set to bring a splendid variety of preparations, inspired by the kid chef’s penchant for both Indian and global cuisines, for the audiences.

     

    Get ready to whip up some excellent dishes with Eat Manual starting 21st October 2014 every Tuesday and Thursday at 2:30pm only on Zee Khana Khazana.

     

  • “Carriage fees make the market place beyond reach in India”: Derek Chang

    “Carriage fees make the market place beyond reach in India”: Derek Chang

    Shy and reserved is what you could use to describe him. Open minded is another term. But Scripps Networks Interactive (SNI) managing director of APAC operations Derek Chang is far from shy about growing his network of lifestyle oriented content for TV and internet in the region.

     

    Chang has delved in all parts of the media industry with companies such as DirecTV, Charter Communications, The Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network, GlobalCenter and TCI Communications/AT&T Broadband.

     

    While SNI has successfully created niche content in the US, it has yet to enter India and Chang is well aware of the restrictions and regulations of the country. His network produces over 2000 hours of original lifestyle programming annual put out on channels Food Network, HGTV, Travel Channel, DIY Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country.

     

    In a freewheeling chat with indiantelevision.com’s Sandhya Sutodia, on the sidelines of Indian Digital Operators’ Summit (IDOS) 2014, Chang spoke about the network’s future plans to grow itself in the country and the region.

     

     

     

    What is the spread of SNI in Asia Pacific?

     

    Scripps Networks owns and operates four channels across the Asia Pacific region including Asian Food Channel, Food Network, Travel Channel and HGTV, which will be launched at the end of the year. HGTV will debut on StarHub in Singapore as the first regional channel dedicated to the growing home and lifestyle category in Asia. Our preparations for the launch of the channel are very simple. Talks are on with distributors to launch it across the whole of Asia along with other operators. Scripps Networks launched HGTV in the US 20 years ago, and the network has grown markedly since then. It is now the number one upscale network for women. We have seen an increasing demand for high-quality lifestyle content all around the world and are excited to continue the HGTV brand’s global expansion, starting with the Asian region.  

     

    How do you market the channels in APAC?

     

    We work with distribution partners to help market our products. They help us market our product and run events in creating interests, on air promotion for our content. I am responsible for designing and executing growth strategies in the Asia Pacific region for Food Network and Travel Channel, both of which are available to viewers in selected Asian markets. My focus is on leveraging the Scripps brand across all distribution platforms in the region as well as managing regional programming and marketing strategies.

     

    Scripps Networks Interactive has ambitious goals to significantly broaden its presence in Asia, including wider distribution of our lifestyle brands and programming capabilities.

     

    How important is the APAC region for the company? What is your model of operation?

     

    We originated in US and that is the most significant market for us. Now we are investing globally and nationally. Right now the US contributes most of the revenue to the company. Asia Pacific is a wholly owned subsidiary of the US based company and contributes a small per cent to the overall international business. Asia Pacific is a small business. We have not set any targets from this market yet. However we see attractive growth opportunities.  In the UK, our channel UKTV is a 50:50 JV with BBC Worldwide. In Canada, we have a partnership with Shaw Media. In some places we work in partnerships and it is not always necessarily a subsidiary of the US-based company.

     

    Are you looking at any such partnerships in India?

     

    We are evaluating our strategy in Asia and in India too. It depends on how we see the potential market and the success model. The potential market has its own characteristics and challenges and we have faith in our brands and content.

     

    Content is what drives the media industry across the world but in India it is not yet content. Are you looking at increasing your advertising subscription?

     

    Yes, we try to increase our advertising subscription wherever we work. With growing demand for high quality home lifestyle entertainment in Asia, we keep looking for better revenues.

     

    How do you view the digitisation drive in India?

     

    It seems to me that India has been talking about digitisation from quite some time. And the industry is addressing all the challenges. Executives with lots of experience pointed out the challenges at the IDOS sessions. Slow work but yet progress is there.

     

    Carriage fees is a factor that is crippling Indian broadcasters? How would you deal with it?

     

    I have not experienced it yet so I would not be able to comment on it well. The hope is that it goes down and that would reduce one of the barriers for us. We have a unique situation here as it increases the investment of programmers and broadcasters and it is a challenge. It makes the market place beyond reach for many. We have to believe that it will come down.

     

    Given the diversity of languages in India, what would be your choice of language when you enter?

     

    The content would be in English and after exploring other markets and if we feel that the content would be attractive to that particular market, we might think of other languages. We have not made any decision about what we want to do in India. We want to see the demographics first.

     

    Tell us something about existing Asian Food and Travel Channels?

    As a leader in lifestyle programming, Scripps Networks Interactive owns the food category in Asia with iconic lifestyle brands such as Asian Food Channel and Food Network. People are drawn here because of the rich food culture, and AFC (Asian Food Channels) is a platform that celebrates all that the region has to offer. AFC has built a strong viewership across Asia and we will continue to fulfill our viewers’ demands with new and exciting original content and initiatives, which is in line with plans to expand our presence in the region.

     

    They will serve the company well as we invest in the channels, work to broaden their distribution on all platforms, and explore new business relationships throughout the region.

     

    Tell us more about the programmes on HGTV?

    HGTV will premiere with a robust line up of top-rated programs about property, hybrid construction, design and extreme spaces. Hit programs such as Property Brothers, Kitchen Cousins and The High Low Project, will entertain and inspire viewers with fresh ideas and authentic stories on how to find and love their own dream home. As a continued commitment to cater to local audiences, Scripps Networks will also produce localised original short-form content exclusively for the launch of HGTV in Asia, based on the popular series, Extreme Homes.

  • Epic entrusts Helios Media with revenue mandate

    Epic entrusts Helios Media with revenue mandate

    MUMBAI: India’s first genre specific Hindi entertainment channel, Epic has assigned the revenue monetisation duties to Helios Media. With a clear focus to create unique and original content within the Indian history, folklore and mythology genre, in a very contemporary story telling format, the channel will be launched by the end of this year.

     

    Speaking on the appointment Epic Television Networks founder and managing director Mahesh Samat says that the segmented content will allow viewers to choose and consume genre-specific content of their liking. “The channel is on the anvil of revolutionising the way television is being consumed in our country. This therefore becomes an ideal destination for brands to reach out to the appropriate TG. Helios Media has the understanding of the space and the skill to position brands in the right environment. I am certain that this partnership will add value to an unconventional brand like ours that is creating a new category altogether.”

     

    The channel will have action, drama, comedy, and thrills set against the backdrop of Indian history and mythology. The programming line-up will be a mix of fiction and narrative non-fiction shows, short form content, as well as period films. An original style of storytelling with high production quality, it will have a look and feel that is distinct and appealing to both men and women. Shot in HD, the shows will capture the historical settings in all their glory.

     

    Helios Media MD Divya Radhakrishnan said, “At Helios Media, it’s ingrained in our DNA to look beyond obvious and see more. We always swim against the tide and have created success stories of the channels we have been assigned to. It’s our honour to partner with this new leap in broadcast history that will be written by the Epic channel.”

     

    Helios Media COO Bala Iyengar added, “Our expertise lies in brand positioning and our team orientation has been to create solutions for both brands and the channel. We are very excited to be a part of establishing a brand new genre for Indian television.”

     

    Launched in 2011, Helios Media has been providing broadcasters with critical expertise in the areas of revenue management and several allied business solutions. Helios Media currently manages monetisation mandates of MTunes HD, Channel X, FoodFood, Sanjeev Kapoor’s Khazana, Fashion TV and Life Mantra.  

  • Catch the BMW M3 take on the Lexus ISF in your living room!

    Catch the BMW M3 take on the Lexus ISF in your living room!

    New Delhi, October 6, 2014: National Geographic Channel (NGC) is all set to pump up loads of adrenaline as October sees the launch of the fourth season of ‘Nat Geo Supercars’.  This year, the face of Nat Geo Supercars, supermodel and actress Lisa Haydon adds glamour to the battle of the attractive mean machines. Taking the action and competition between wheeled beasts to the next level, Nat Geo Supercars will premiere on October 13 and will be aired Monday to Friday  at 10:30 pm IST.

     

    In each episode of Nat Geo Supercars, host Lee Reherman challenges professional racecar drivers Tanner Foust and Paul Tracy to take two of the world’s most admirably designed ‘supercars’ and push their limits to the maximum. Foust and Tracy test these cars on their performance on the road and put its head-to-head in an all-out competition to demonstrate why they are truly considered ‘supercars’. Matchups include a BMW M3 versus a Lexus ISF; Technocraft Lamborghini versus the Joyride Ford GT; Ferrari 430 Scuderia versus Ferrari California; Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG versus the Cadillac CTSV and the Bentley Supersports versus Aston Martin DBS.

     

    Debarpita Banerjee, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, NGC Networks and FOX International Channels India, said, “We are excited to bring back Nat Geo Supercars- one of our top-rated franchises. This year, there is more than just an attractive line-up of supercars. There is a high-octane race between the best of engines that is bound to leave all car enthusiasts and Supercar fans breathless.”

     

    Talking about the show, Lisa Haydon said, “The show is sporty, fast and real. From the suave BMW to the swift Ferrari- Nat Geo Supercars has the best beauties in the business. It is unconventional, follows no limits and I personally love watching these cars ripping the wind. I am happy to be associated with something so off-beat yet enjoys a wide fan base.”

     

    As part of the marketing and promotions for the new season, NGC will be running a watch & win contests on-air where viewers can answer a question flashed during the show and stand a chance to win iPad & NGC Supercar branded merchandize.

     

    Nat Geo Supercars- Battle of the Supercars premieres on October 13, 2014, Monday toFriday at 10:30pm on National Geographic Channel.

  • Epic channel set to roll out by end 2014

    Epic channel set to roll out by end 2014

    NEW DELHI: India’s first genre specific Hindi entertainment channel, Epic is all set go on air by the end of the year  and will showcase content based on Indian history, folklore and mythology in a contemporary format. It is the first segmented channel in Indian television.

      

    Mukesh Ambani, Anand Mahindra and Rohit Khattar are the three promoters of the company. Mahindra & Mahindra chairman and managing director Anand Mahindra speaking on the occasion said that the landscape of Hindi entertainment is undergoing a dramatic transformation and in order to appeal to an evolved audience, and to sustain their engagement, there was a need for a revolution in the broadcast space.

     

    “We have all been entertained with the history and mythology of India through books and grandparents’ stories. These stories will now come to life on television in a contemporary manner,” he added

     

    The channel identified fragmentation of audiences as a huge opportunity for differentiated and genre specific content. By integrating India’s rich heritage with the current consumption patterns, the channel is creating original content within the Indian history, folklore and mythology genre and will be using a contemporary story telling format.

     

    Epic Television network founder and managing director Mahesh Samat commented, “The ‘segmented’ content will allow viewers to choose and consume genre-specific content of their liking. Our vision is to create a brand in television that will translate our vibrant past into entertainment with the objective of creating new IPs, strong characters and new heroes that strike a chord with audiences.”

     

    The channel will have action, drama, comedy, supernatural and narrative non-fiction content, set against Indian history and mythology. The stories will be innovative with high production quality and a distinct look that will appeal to both men and women. Most of the content will be shot at real locations with HD cameras. The programming line-up has a mix of fiction shows, narrative non-fiction shows, short form content as well as films at launch.

  • Discovery Science presents new season of ‘Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman’

    Discovery Science presents new season of ‘Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman’

    MUMBAI: Discovery Science presents an all new season of ‘Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman.’ Hosted by Morgan Freeman, renowned actor and avid science enthusiast, Through the Wormhole will explore the deepest mysteries of existence, the questions that have puzzled mankind for eternity.

     

    ‘Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman’ will premiere on 5 October and will air every Sunday at 9PM.

     

    In this new adventure, Morgan Freeman narrates new ideas about baffling questions such as ‘When Did Time Begin?’, ‘Is God an Alien Concept?’, ‘Is Luck Real?’, ‘Is Gravity an Illusion?’, ‘Is there a Shadow Universe?’, amongst many others. These questions have been pondered by the most exquisite minds of the human race. Now, science has evolved to the point where hard facts and evidence may be able to provide us with answers instead of philosophical theories.

     

    Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific and Head of Revenue, Pan-Regional Ad Sales and Southeast executive VP and general manager – South Asia, Asia Rahul Johri say, “Discovery Science is a frontrunner in decoding facts about the universe. In ‘Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman’, we bring ideas from the brightest minds to some baffling questions about space and the universe. Narrated by the incomparable Morgan Freeman, the series promises to be an enriching experience for our viewers.”

     

    We float along the river of time. But does that river have a source? Where did time come from? Some believe time and space are one thing, and the Big Bang started the cosmic clock. Others believe that the universe existed for almost half a million ‘years’ before light could move and time began. Still others say time is older than our universe. But what if time itself is an illusion? Incredible new experiments may hold the answer. One groundbreaking experiment gives us the power to punch holes in time and another may create a machine that operates outside time’s boundaries.

     

    With Discovery Science, learning about the universe and space takes an interesting turn. Watch ‘Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman’ and satisfy your curiosity, only on Discovery Science.

  • Explore India through a Magician’s Eye

    Explore India through a Magician’s Eye

    MUMBAI: NDTV Good Times, India’s youngest lifestyle channel introduces a unique travel series “You Got Magic with Neel Madhav”.

     

    Bringing freshness and excitement to its viewers; the first on its kind show on Indian television will be anchored by Illusionist and Entertainer, Neel Madhav. Neel will take the audience on a road trip across India to showcase local adventures, culture, lifestyle, cuisines and people; all mixed with a splash of magic.

     

    Ask Me presents “You Got Magic with Neel Madhav” with Radio partner RED FM is a weekly half hour show centered on the theme of magic, food and discovery.Neel on this journey will be accompanied by his friend Akash Arora, a popular food and adventure enthusiast, and together they will sample the most unique and unexplored palettes that each city has to offer; from street-food, fine dining to quirky local cuisines.

     

    A normal Magician is always considered to be doing just card tricks or having huge fancy props with show girls but in this show, you will see Neel perform his magic with sand, photographs, books, balloons, phones, dresses, musical instruments; in short, whatever interesting he finds while on this journey. Not only will he stupefy the audience with his visual close-up Magic but also with his skills in ‘Mentalism’ where he reads people’s minds. There are no camera tricks, no actors, its just them, Neel and a magical experience.

     

    Starting on 26 September at 8:30 pm, the 13 episode series will take viewers on a road trip featuring exotic destinations including trails across Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan; apart from cities like Delhi, Lucknow, Varanasi, Bhopal, Bombay and Goa.The show would also features popular indie bands Advaita and Rajasthan Roots; musician Sameer Rahat, RJ Malishka, RJ Raunak and RJ Swati; designers Neeta and Nishka Lulla; author Amish Tripathi and many more as special guests.

     

    According to Arati Singh, Channel Head, NDTV Good Times, “NDTV Good Times is always bringing new and trend setting content for its viewers where we explore what the Indian audiences get excited about. Keeping the thought ‘#LiveYoung#LiveIndian’ in mind “You Got Magic with Neel Madhav” is a magical journey across India where they meet different people, eat different kinds of food, be a part of different cultures and explore the Magic of our beautiful county. I am sure all the viewers will enjoy the new show the channel has to offer.”

     

    Neel Madhav, on his show stated, “I am delighted to be doing this unique show on NDTV Good Times. A show which combines travel, adventure, food and magic. I am living my dream of performing street magic and as an entertainer, getting to showcase magical experiences woven together with my close up magic and illusion, via this show.”