Category: Viewership

Mumbai: As per the latest data released by the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), News18 India has again topped the Hindi news segment. With 71274 AMA’000s, News18 India bagged the top position, moving 9 per cent ahead of Aaj Tak. (Source: BARC |Metric: AMA’000s | TG: NCCS All 15+ | Period: Wk 20’23, 24 Hrs, All Days |Market: HSM)

According to BARC ratings, News18 India is followed by Republic Bharat with 68888 AMA’000s, TV9 Bharatvarsh with 65472 AMA’000s, Aaj Tak with 65399 AMA’000 and India TV with 64595 AMA’000s.

News18 India trounced Aaj Tak in the prime time slots as well. Amish Devgan’s 7 pm show beat Aaj Tak by 57 per cent. Aman Chopra’s show was ahead of Aaj Tak in the 8 pm slot by 22 per cent. The 9 pm show anchored by Kishore Ajwani was 3 per cent ahead of Aaj Tak and at 10 pm, News18 India stayed 22 per cent ahead of Aaj Tak.

The new BARC data indicates that News18 India has established a comprehensive leadership in the Hindi genre and has surpassed Aaj Tak across all prime-time bands.

Speaking on channel’s performance, Network18 CEO – Hindi news cluster Karan Abhishek Singh said, “News18 India has been a consistent leader since the resumption of BARC ratings last year. It has become synonymous with reliability and authenticity. Our commitment to providing comprehensive coverage on major events has propelled our viewership to remarkable heights, with a substantial lead over the legacy news channels. We are the choice of the traditional as well as the contemporary news viewers! And as the country prepares for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, we stay committed to delve deeper into the core issues, ensuring that our audience receives unparalleled news coverage.”

With the most robust lineup of prime time shows and anchors in the news genre, News18 India presents shows that offer unmatched perspective and also decode the news to make it easily comprehensible. This results in tremendous resonance for News18 India with the audience.

Mumbai: NBCUniversal (NBCU) and JioCinema, Viacom18’s streaming service, have entered into a multi-year partnership bringing thousands of hours of NBCU films and TV series to India. This partnership significantly bolsters JioCinema’s program offering and ensures that their viewers will be able to enjoy titles from NBCU’s content portfolio. That portfolio is fueled by Comcast NBCUniversal’s powerhouse production entities and brands, which includes Universal Television, UCP, Universal International Studios, Universal Television Alternative Studio, Sky Studios, DreamWorks Animation, Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Bravo, and more. 

NBCU’s programming will live in a Peacock branded hub starting next month on JioCinema’s newly announced “JioCinema Premium” SVOD tier. Here, viewers will have access to first-run series like Young Rock, a heartfelt comedy starring global superstar Dwayne Johnson that tells the story of his life and the people he’s met along the way; riveting action thriller The Lazarus Project; and The Lovers, a darkly romantic comedy drama. Indian audiences can also enjoy Peacock Originals including Bel-Air, a dramatic reimagining of the ‘90s comedy series that starred Will Smith; Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin, a spin-off series starring Adam Devine who reprises his character from the hit film; and The Calling, an investigative drama series from Emmy winner David E. Kelley, directed and executive produced by Oscar winner Barry Levinson, and co-composed by Oscar winner Hans Zimmer and Steve Mazzaro. Critically acclaimed and fan favorite dramas and comedies from NBCU’s vast library, including Downton Abbey, Suits, The Office, Parks and Recreation and The Mindy Project, are also a part of this deal. 

Fans of reality television will also be able to indulge in all the drama, laughter, and emotional highs and lows found in NBCU’s unscripted series. Encompassed in the deal are shows like the hugely popular The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Vanderpump Rules; in addition to Family Karma, which follows seven Indian-American friends as they navigate life, love, careers and expectations of their traditional families; and The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, a transformational show – narrated by Amy Poehler – where three Swedes (an organiser, a designer and a psychologist), known as the ‘Death Cleaners,’ come to America to help people face mortality and remind us of all the ways we are alive.

Further contributing to JioCinema’s impressive SVOD lineup at launch will be the streaming premieres of movies from the iconic Hollywood studio, which has already amassed more than $2 billion at the global box office so far in 2023. This includes DreamWorks Animation’s Oscar nominated Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, and the sci-fi horror film M3GAN, from James Wan (producer of The Conjuring, Annabelle) and Blumhouse. Joining these recent hits will be films in the blockbuster Jurassic, Bourne, Shrek, The Mummy and Pitch Perfect franchises.

Movies from the smash-hit Despicable Me/Minions and Fast franchises, including the newly released Fast X, as well as The Super Mario Bros. Movie and the highly anticipated IMAX-shot epic thriller Oppenheimer from Christopher Nolan, will also be heading to the service in the future. This partnership leverages JioCinema’s reach and expertise to introduce Indian audiences to the Peacock brand and NBCU’s portfolio, while JioCinema cements its position as the largest OTT service in the market, now reinforced by an unprecedented volume of best-in-class films and series from NBCU. 

Mumbai: JioCinema, the official digital streaming partner of TATA IPL, set a new world record as 2.57 cr. concurrent viewers witnessed the sensational century by Shubhman Gill in the first innings of the qualifier two of the TATA IPL 2023 between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians. Gill’s knock and Titans skipper Hardik Pandya’s late flurry rocketed the platform past the world record equalled by JioCinema in the qualifier one between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans on Tuesday night, and first set during India vs New Zealand semi-final in the ICC 2019 World Cup.

JioCinema’s TATA IPL 2023 presentation has continuously set new benchmarks and shattered records almost every week through the season, evidence to cricket fans’ preference. On 17 April, 2.4 Cr. viewers came together to watch MS Dhoni’s CSK defend against a high-octane run chase from Royal Challengers Bangalore with bated breath at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. This record was set after bettering the one set on 12 April of a peak concurrency touching 2.2 Cr., again when Dhoni almost pulled off another heist against Rajasthan Royals.

2.4Cr – enough to fill the Chinnaswamy 600 times, a number befitting the incredible drama and spectacle of this wonder we call the #TATAIPL!

To those who were part of history tonight, thank you. To those who weren’t, don’t miss out next time#RCBvCSK #IPLonJioCinema #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/U55eNLGr1e

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) April 17, 2023

“We are thrilled to announce that JioCinema has set a ground-breaking milestone by breaking the world record of concurrent viewers on digital,” said Viacom18 Sports CEO Anil Jayaraj. “It is a testament to our constant endeavour of offering unparalleled experience of TATA IPL to fans and viewers across every corner of the country. The achievement reinforces our commitment to deliver world-class sports action, no matter the scale, and motivates us to constantly push the boundaries of live sports streaming.”

In addition to edge of the seat match action, JioCinema’s repeat record-rumble comes on the back of several fan-centric offerings such as free streaming across all network subscribers, 4K streaming, 12-language commentary and free to play contest Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan with exciting prizes for every match including a car.

JioCinema continues to set global benchmarks in the world of digital sports viewing as it clocked over 1500 Cr. video views in the first seven weeks of the TATA IPL 2023. Viewers were glued to the exciting action on JioCinema as the average time spent per viewer per match touched 60 minutes. TATA IPL 2023 on Connected TV has already reached twice the number of viewers than that on HD TV in the first five weeks.

JioCinema has 26 top brands partnering for their digital streaming of TATA IPL 2023, including (co-presenting sponsor) Dream11, (co-powered) JioMart, PhonePe, Tiago EV, Jio (associate sponsor) Appy Fizz, ET Money, Castrol, TVS, Oreo, Bingo, Sting, AJIO, Haier, RuPay, Louis Philippe Jeans, Amazon, Rapido, Ultra Tech Cement, Puma, Kamla Pasand, Kingfisher Power Soda, Jindal Panther TMT Rebar, Saudi Tourism, Spotify and AMFI.

Mumbai: In the realm of local IPs, category leader and pioneer in kids’ entertainment, Nickelodeon continues to solidify its leadership by consistently fostering innovation at its core. From iconic friendship of Motu Patlu, magical adventures of Rudra, relatable sibling banter of Chikoo and Bunty to the first homegrown sci-fi kids’ comedy series with Abhimanyu Ki Alien Family and much more, the kids’ franchise has identified whitespaces and addressed the consistent demand for engaging and immersive storytelling. Further staying true to its promise of propelling indigenous stories, Nickelodeon is all set to bring its recently announced 13th homegrown IP – ‘Kanha – Morpankh Samraat’ on Sonic, starting 28 May, every day at 10.30 AM.

Showcasing his playful and mischievous antics, ‘Kanha – Morpankh Samraat’ is a captivating mythological series that chronicles the evergreen tales of the adolescent Kanha, and traces his journey as a son, warrior, hero, and friend. Each episode showcases a legendary tale from Kanha’s life, featuring his courageous acts and his lessons on love and kindness. Recognizing the potential for broader appeal, Nickelodeon will extend the show beyond its channel, and make way to the Viacom18’s Hindi general entertainment channel Colors Rishtey, thereby strengthening the kids’ franchise’s presence across different age groups and widening its impact. 

Speaking on the latest addition to its homegrown IP lineup, Viacom18, head mass entertainment and kids TV Network Nina Elavia Jaipuria said, “At Nickelodeon, we have consistently set category benchmarks, revolutionizing entertainment for young audiences. We believe that introducing a show like Kanha – Morpankh Samraat will help kids connect to their roots through inspiring tales from our rich cultural heritage. As we embark on this remarkable journey, we remain dedicated to strengthening our franchise while simultaneously extending our content beyond our kids’ network on Colors Rishtey, thus reaching new heights and connecting with the minds of kids and families alike.” 

Viacom18 head content and research further Anu Sikka added, “At Nickelodeon, we prioritize our young audience and strive to provide them with content that they truly enjoy. We have always broken the mould by bringing unique stories and endearing characters. While Kanha is an evergreen character, it’s time to bring back his tales in a new avatar that appeals to a wider audience. Our partnership with Cosmos-Maya further amplifies our commitment to creating groundbreaking content that sparks imagination and ignites young minds.”

Cosmos Maya CEO Megha Tata said, “As Nickelodeon embarks on the journey to create a new world with their latest IP ‘Kanha – Morpankh Samraat’, we are thrilled to partner with them once again. This association strengthens our bond and reflects our commitment to delivering engaging and captivating content to young viewers. Together with Nickelodeon, we are excited to bring to life the adventures of Lord Kanha in an adolescent avatar.”

Pulling out all the stops, ‘Kanha – Morpankh Samraat’ will be brought to life through a robust marketing mix, encompassing partnerships, immersive experiences, besides a host of social media, digital and on-ground initiatives. ​​The show will further engage children’s imaginations through a range of unique and creative promos across a variety of platforms, including GECs, and music and movie channels across and beyond its network strength. From in-cinema advertising to rolling out ads on connected TV platforms, the kids’ franchise aims to deepen engagement and create show awareness reach amongst young viewers. 

Leading the local IP content game through creative storytelling and great animation, the launch of ‘Kanha – Morpankh Samraat’ is yet another addition to Nickelodeon’s robust content slate and is sure to capture the hearts and minds of kids and families alike.

Mumbai: As per the latest data released by the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), CNN-News18 has continued its dominance in the English News segment, with 243 AMA’000s on Karnataka elections counting day (13 May 2023).

According to the latest BARC data, CNN-News18 beat Republic TV, Times Now, and other competitors in the segment. Republic TV garnered 212 AMA’000s, whereas Times Now stood at 190 AMA’000s, India Today TV followed with 66 AMA’000s and Mirror Now was at 22 AMA’000s. (Source: BARC India | Mkt: India | TG: 15+ AB| Period: Wk 20’23 (Sat 24hrs) | Metric: AMA 000’s)

CNN-News18 also maintained its lead in the 8 am-12-noon slots, amassing 89 AMA’000s, whereas Republic TV and Times Now stood behind with 62 AMA’000s and 57 AMA’000s, respectively. India Today TV with 24 AMA’000s and Mirror Now with 4 AMA’000s stood far behind in public choice. The 8 am-12-noon slot is critical on counting day since it is followed by-election results. (Source: BARC India | Mkt: India | TG: 15+ AB | Period: Wk 20’23 (Sat 0800-1200) | Metric: AMA 000’s)

Speaking on CNN-News18’s continued growth trajectory, Network18 CEO – English Cluster Smriti Mehra said, “CNN-News18’s reporting reflects the issues that matter most to our audience. This approach has always kept us ahead of competition like Times Now and Republic. Securing the top spot on counting day is a testament to CNN-News18’s comprehensive and incisive coverage on such crucial occasions. We will continue to remain at the forefront of trusted news sources in India.”

To ensure that the content and presentation of CNN-News18 remain unique and far ahead of its competition, the News18 network has invested heavily in both technology and editorial resources.

Mumbai: Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc) India has released currency data for week 20, i.e. 13 May to 19 May 2023. As per data for the all India 2+ target group, STAR Sports 1 Hindi is the most watched channel in India with an average minute audience (AMA) of 2609.86(000). It was followed by STAR Maa at 2408.99(000) AMA, Sun TV at 2365.54(000) AMA, Star Plus at 2150.49(000) AMA, and SONY SAB at 1651.41(000) AMA.

The average minute audience (AMA) is defined as the number of individuals within a target audience who viewed a televised “event,” averaged across minutes. In the Hindi-speaking market (HSM), STAR Sports 1 Hindi emerged as the most-watched channel at 2569.49(000) AMA, followed by STAR Plus at 2079.99(000) AMA, Dangal at 1646.18(000) AMA, Goldmines at 1615.7(000) AMA, and Sony Sab at 1614.73(000) AMA.

In the South market, STAR Maa was the most-watched channel at 2360.34(000) AMA, followed by Sun TV at 2347.14(000) AMA, Zee Telugu at 1553.06(000) AMA, STAR Vijay at 1478.05(000) AMA and Zee Tamil at 1178.54(000) AMA.

In the Maharashtra/Goa market, Star Pravah was the most-watched channel at 1346.82(000) AMA, followed by STAR Sports 1 Hindi at 725.51(000) AMA, SONY Sab at 434.47(000) AMA, Colors Marathi at 411.51(000) AMA and Zee Marathi at 363.42(000) AMA.

In the West Bengal market, STAR Jalsha was the most-watched channel with 765.74(000) AMA, followed by Zee Bangla at 676.14(000) AMA, STAR Sports 1 Hindi at 199.45(000) AMA, Colors Bangla at 124.67(000) AMA and Jalsha Movies at 124.44(000) AMA.

In the megacities market, including Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Chennai, STAR Sports 1 Hindi was the most-watched channel at 419.36(000) AMA followed by Sun TV at 386.81(000) AMA, STAR Plus at 345.51(000) AMA, STAR Vijay at 302.65(000) AMA and Colors at 286.92(000) AMA.

Mumbai: Day 2 of Goafest 2023 started with a musical morning with Divya Kumar and Asees Kaur. It was later followed by the first session of the day was an educative one by India Today, which discussed the Future of Connected Devices and Cross Channel Measurement with moderator, India Today Television consulting editor Rajdeep Sardesai – along with panelists – Comscore VP of sales & head Asia Pacific Geet Lulla, Chrome DM founder and CEO Pankaj Krishna, and ITGD CEO Salil Kumar.

The session drove conversations around the future of connected devices, which holds a seamless integration of various smart devices, enabling effortless communication and data sharing between them, while cross-channel measurement has become increasingly sophisticated, providing comprehensive insights into user behavior across multiple platforms and touchpoints for more effective marketing strategies.

Lulla commented, “Measurement is now moving from a monolithic approach to a fragmented approach, which needs to be reported frequently because data by itself is meaningless, it needs context.”

Krishna also presented his findings on incremental reach, which consists of three components, including browsers (223 mn), mobile devices (619 mn) and connected TVs (22.1 mn). These numbers have never been revealed before!

Kumar, too, made an important addition to his conversation about the monetisation of data. The panelists also accentuated the importance of clarity, wherein the measurement is concerned, as well as collaboration with regard to the real-time consumption ecosystem.

Mumbai: – ACCESS Europe GmbH has announced that it has launched ACCESS Twin for TV Operators (T4TO).

This new solution, which is deployable from 2H 2023, is designed to:

• Provide TV and Telcos with the simplest route to enhance their customer offerings, combining a technology platform with content services including games, AVOD and FAST video as well as audio services including karaoke and music.
• Reduce CAPEX for new Set-Top Boxes (STBs) investment by updating existing STBs.
• Enable operators to control the UI/UX and data harvesting from their customer base.
• Reduce STB memory requirements by removing the need to download and store applications when they are not in use.
• Enable new connected services via OTA updates for capable STBs through the addition of the Twine Standard Client (TSC).
• Refresh deployed legacy set-top boxes (STB) through the OTA update of STB firmware with the addition of the Twine Micro Client (TMC).
• Providing application and content layers that provide super aggregation of metadata across services.

“TV operators are in a tough spot right now; content costs continue to rise, while cord-cutting is an ever-present danger as Internet-only services expand,” said ACCESS Europe CEO Masahiro Aono. “Our new solution, ACCESS Twine for TV Operators (T4TO), enables operators to embrace these connected services across all their devices, and do this at minimum cost by extending the life of their population of set-top boxes. We believe that this is the right solution at the right time for any TV operator with a population of low-powered and old set-top boxes.”

T4TO enables operators and telcos to quickly launch locally relevant entertainment services to the TV, mobile and tablet. ACCESS achieves this by combining a technology platform and content from our partners to provide games, karaoke, AVOD and FAST, streaming radio and podcasts, with more to come. T4TO can work in two ways:

• Integrated with the STB software with UI and game rendering carried out on the box via the Twine Standard Client (TSC).
• Rendered in the cloud and displayed on the Set-Top Box or other device via the Twine Micro Client (TMC), enabling operators to maximise the useful and profitable life of its legacy STB real-estate / investment.

“Operators know they must embrace connected services to stay relevant with their customers, through providing greater engagement than app-only solutions such as smart TVs and dongles,” said ACCESS Europe VP product and content Robert Guest. “By enabling the quick addition of apps and services to existing STB platforms, combined with metadata aggregation and a highly configurable UX, T4TO keeps operators ‘consumer relevant’ without a huge CAPEX budget.”