ITV

Category: Viewership

  • Republic TV playing victim, can’t seek transfer of TRP scam probe: Mumbai police

    Republic TV playing victim, can’t seek transfer of TRP scam probe: Mumbai police

    NEW DELHI: The Mumbai police has charged that Republic TV, embroiled in the fake TRPs scandal, is trying to play “victim” and attempting to transfer the probe to the CBI while it is not named an accused before the trial court.

    The remarks came in a recently submitted affidavit to the Bombay high court in reply to the rejoinder filed by ARG Outlier Media Pvt Ltd, which runs Republic TV, and other channels in the alleged TRP manipulation case.

    Only individuals and personnel of Republic TV have been named as suspects in light of the preliminary investigation, the Mumbai police said.

    “Merely naming such persons as suspects does not in any manner interfere with any right of such persons, much less a fundamental right. Such action cannot be the basis for quashing an entire investigation/ chargesheet/ supplementary chargesheet,” the affidavit stated.

    The police objected to Republic TV’s demand seeking transfer of probe even before any conclusive proofs against them have been exposed and said that the same should be discouraged. It has sought dismissal of Republic TV’s petition and said that line-by-line explanation of the probe as sought by the petitioners is not possible.

    In January, the Mumbai police had claimed that ARG Outlier Media and Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami were carrying out “vendetta” against the police force through their TV channels and that Goswami is “directly interfering and intimidating witnesses by issuing news releases.”

    Through affidavits filed before a division bench of justices S S Shinde and Manish Pitale, which is hearing a plea by ARG seeking quashing of the FIR, proceedings and chargesheet in the TRP case, the police had denied allegations of “falsely implicating” employees of the petitioner.

    The police stated, “In the present case, the petitioners, who are not presently accused before trial court, have placed material that is neither unimpeachable in nature, nor is part of record before the trial court. Investigating agencies cannot be called upon to place line-by-line denials, that too in a case where investigation is admittedly ongoing.”

    The police said that Republic TV has adopted “vacillating approach” in its rejoinder, claiming that on the one hand, there is no case at all and hence the proceedings/chargesheet against it (Republic TV) should be quashed. However, it also stated that the investigation of the offences is within the domain of TRAI and the investigation ought to be transferred to the CBI, and therefore it shows a contradiction in petitioners’ claims, the police said.

  • SUN TV Network announces ‘Evaru Meelo Koteeswarulu’ on Gemini TV

    SUN TV Network announces ‘Evaru Meelo Koteeswarulu’ on Gemini TV

    NEW DELHI: As a part of its 26th year celebrations, SUN TV Network’s Telugu GEC Gemini TV is all set to broadcast Evaru Meelo Koteeswarulu – the Telugu version of the historic Who Wants to be a Millionaire, a show that was aired in 120 countries, elevated and changed the lives of many ordinary people, making it truly extraordinary.

    Through strategic approach and streamlined promotions in digital, well penetrated smart phones and other mediums of advertising, Gemini TV’s Evaru Meelo Koteeswarulu is expected to have a huge turnover in terms of both its reach and participation.

    The host of Evaru Meelo Koteeswarulu is someone who has a perfect blend of mass and class and is acclaimed as most versatile tolly wood star by the Telugus’. He is aspirational, hardworking and understands the plight of the commoner. He leads a successful career that he has built with passion and love to the craft and to top it all, he strikes an instant emotional chord with his audience and will be the perfect fit to host the show of this nature.

    Gemini TV will shortly commence registrations for its first season of Evaru Meelo Koteeswarulu. The questions asked can be answered either through SMS or the SUNNXT App for participation.

  • Empowering women with extra-ordinary short films on ShortsTV

    Empowering women with extra-ordinary short films on ShortsTV

    NEW DELHI: This International Women’s Day, ShortsTV celebrates women who strive to make the world a better place to live in. Available on platforms such as Tata Sky, Dish TV, d2h, Airtel DTH, and Airtel Xstream, ShortsTV has a line-up of movies that embraces female empowerment. The Women’s Day catalogue includes renowned Indian short films and five documentary short films from women directors about the perseverance and passion of women entrepreneurs that are commissioned by Mastercard.

    DEVI, directed by Priyanka Banarjee

    A tale of sisterhood. A tale of suffering. A tale of truth. A 13-minutes film, Devi is a closed-room drama about disparate group of women sitting in a room together. The film sheds light on how victims of sexual violence, despite being so different from each other, ended up sharing the same fate.

    CUDDLY, directed by Karan B Shetty

    The film is a simple day-to-day conversation between a mother and a daughter against a quiet night. The treatment gives birth to some moments that are relatable (especially the fight between the mother and the daughter about food).

    KHANE ME KYA HAI, directed by Akanksha Seda

    A story about a mother-daughter duo discussing their sex lives. What makes it interesting is the fact that they talk about it without even using the term ‘sex’. Nor do they cross their so-called line of morality. Their dialogues are loaded with food puns. The way they spice up their simple conversation makes this film a delightful treat.

    HARFA, directed by Elle Mische

    Learning is a lifelong pursuit, often brimming with a wealth of books and experts on every topic imaginable. But when Irena Orlovic went searching for ways to help teach her young daughter with a developmental disability, she discovered only empty bookshelves in her native language. What began as an educational journey of her own led her to start Harfa, a publishing house founded with an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to help teach an entire country.

    JUSTICE OF THE PIES, directed by Michelle Marrion

    Basil key lime, blue cheese praline pear, lavender lemon—mouth-watering pies by chef Maya-Camille Broussard delight all five senses. Created to honour her father’s legacy as a Chicago criminal defence attorney who could never say no to a good pastry, Justice of the Pies serves not only the most inventive pies in town but also the city’s future talent, by teaching skills like nutrition and budgeting to kids from underserved communities while they bake their first delicious pie.

    ONGANIC FOODS, directed by Lisa Madison

    After starting her own garden, journalist Ekta Jaju uncovered that modern farming practices were causing profound health effects on small farmers in her district. Ekta began educating hundreds of farmers about the dangers of pesticides and showing them a better way through organic farming. Her mission quickly blossomed into a thriving business based on sustainable agriculture.

    SARAH’S BAG, directed by Nadia Naffa

    Sarah’s Bag follows the story of solicitous entrepreneur Sarah Beydoun. Sarah found local resources and damaged materials to make handbags, while using employment to give the women their dignity back and a means to support their families. Sarah’s Bag takes you inside the lives of those given a second chance.

    TALENTO INCLUIR, directed by Renata Sette:

    In a split second, life changed for Carolina Ignarra. Following a harrowing accident, she would need to traverse the crowded streets of São Paulo, Brazil, in a wheelchair forever. Driven to educate managers on the meaning and value of inclusivity, Carolina started Talento Incluir to help promote new pathways for employers to value, hire and redefine what it means to be top talent.

    Watch these inspiring short films on Tata Sky ShortsTV, ShortsTV Active, and Airtel ShortsTV

  • TRP scam: Interim relief to Arnab Goswami extended till 16 March.

    TRP scam: Interim relief to Arnab Goswami extended till 16 March.

    New Delhi: The Mumbai police has told the Bombay high court that its assurance of not taking any coercive action against Republic TV's editor-in-chief journalist Arnab Goswami in the TRP scam case will continue till 16 March, news agency PTI reported on Friday.

    The court was hearing a petition filed by ARG Outlier Media, that runs Republic TV channels, which had challenged the FIR and the chargesheet filed by the Mumbai police for alleged manipulation of television rating points (TRP).

    Appearing on behalf of the Mumbai police, senior counsel Kapil Sibal told a division bench of justices SS Shinde and Manish Pitale that the police's earlier statement of no coercive action against Goswami and other employees of ARG Outlier Media will be extended till 16 March.

    The case was adjourned for next hearing on 16 March, when the court will hear ARG's main prayers challenging the police's investigation. It has also sought the transfer of probe to an independent agency.

    ARG media and Goswami had approached the high court last year alleging that the entire case was malafide, and claimed that they have been targeted for Republic TV's reportage in the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, and the Palghar lynching case.

    Early this year, the Mumbai police had filed two affidavits in the case, saying it had not targeted Republic TV or its employees. The police had said its probe was not a result of any political vendetta and that there was evidence to show that Goswami had allegedly connived with senior officials of BARC to rig the TRPs of Republic TV.

    The scam had come to light in October last year when Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) lodged a complaint with the Mumbai police through Hansa Research Group, alleging that certain television channels were rigging TRP numbers. Since then, 15 arrests have been made in the case, the most prominent being former BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta, who recently got bail. Dasgupta has been granted bail, subject to his furnishing a bond of Rs 2 lakh.

  • Nat Geo signs Colgate, Citroen & HDFC as sponsors for ‘Women of Honour: Destination Army’

    Nat Geo signs Colgate, Citroen & HDFC as sponsors for ‘Women of Honour: Destination Army’

    MUMBAI: National Geographic India has roped in three key sponsors — Colgate, Citroen, and HDFC for its upcoming Women’s Day special documentary titled Women of Honour: Destination Army that features women in the Indian Armed Forces. Colgate and Citroen have come on board as a special and powered by sponsor respectively whereas HDFC has joined as an associate sponsor.

    Premiering on International Women’s Day – on 8 March 2021 at 9 pm, the film chronicles the riveting tale of two lady cadets at the esteemed institute of Officers Training Academy, Chennai. With an aim to break society-stereotypes, the 22 minute documentary film captures how empowered women transform and transcend themselves through a rigorous process of mental, physical and weapon training, drills, tactics, intellectual development and leadership training to become Army Officers. 

    “Our partners have always valued the promise and ethos that we at National Geographic bring through our stories. Our Women of Honour series celebrates the power and strength of women who have persevered and achieved their dreams through sheer determination and this documentary, in particular, brings out the fascinating tale of women in our Armed Forces who have conquered barriers and stereotypes in their quest to serve the nation. We are happy to have likeminded brands like Citroen, HDFC, and Colgate partnering with us in our journey to inspire millions with stories of utmost bravery,” said Star & Disney India infotainment kids & regional entertainment channels president & head Kevin Vaz.

  • Disney CEO Bob Chapek says Star India is a shining example

    Disney CEO Bob Chapek says Star India is a shining example

    MUMBAI: The Walt Disney Co CEO Bob Chapek is extremely bullish on Star India which it acquired as a part of its Fox acquisition. During the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecommunications Conference in the US on 2 March, Chapek said, “Star India has so much there, to unwind and unpack. From a broadcaster’s standpoint it is India’s number one broadcaster. India is one of the few markets in the world where TV viewing is actually up.”

    He added that under Star, Disney has the leading sports portfolio, which is critically important, and a leading content engine under FoxStar Studios.

    “On top of this you layer on the Hotstar business that has got 17,000 hours of original programming every year, that is fantastic and we believe it is the ultimate streaming destination in south east Asia and in India. We are pleased with the way the business has unfolded in south east Asia and India,” he explained.

    He was quite confident that Hotstar would scale from 30 million to 100 million paid subs by 2024, pointing out to the investment in programming that the company is making. “But at the same time you also realise that south east and India is a very unique market. We have got distribution relationships with Jio in India and Telekomsel in Indonesia. But it does not end here: the product localisations are absolutely critical here because there’s low broadband speeds and it is a mobile first market. It's not a one size fits all. India is a shining example of the need to be unique and cater to that market.”

    Play it again, Bob. Say it again!

  • TRP scam: In bail plea, Partho Dasgupta claims no advertiser was deceived

    TRP scam: In bail plea, Partho Dasgupta claims no advertiser was deceived

    NEW DELHI: While seeking bail from a Mumbai sessions court in the alleged TRP scam case, former Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) CEO Partho Dasgupta’s counsel claimed that no advertiser has been deceived by him. The offence of cheating was added only to include a non-bailable offence, and that there was no evidence to show that Dasgupta cheated or induced any person.

    The actual stakeholders who are supposed to be affected by the alleged TRP scam are actually the advertisers and media houses who are not the complainants, advocate Shardul Singh submitted.

    “No advertiser has come forward to say that it has been so deceived. The prosecution had ample time since lodging of FIR to verify this position, however it did not do so, because there is no advertiser who is deceived,” he argued.

    The lawyer also mentioned that the jewellery and other articles recovered from the bank lockers of Dasgupta and his family were purchased much before the launch of Republic TV. He also questioned why Goswami has not been named in the FIR or chargesheet and pointed out that former COO of BARC Romil Ramgarhia was also released on bail despite being in an equally important position in the agency.

    He further submitted that all electronics belonging to Dasgupta, which he allegedly used during his tenure as CEO, were already seized by the police, and all financial transactions and statements were also made available to them for investigation. Thus, there was no further requirement of his custody in jail.

    Dasgupta was arrested on 24 December by the Mumbai police for his alleged involvement in the TRP manipulation racket. He was in police custody till 31 December, after which he was remanded to judicial custody for two weeks. The matter of Dasgupta’s bail plea has now been adjourned to 15 January. 

  • TV ad volumes witness 34% surgein H2 2020

    TV ad volumes witness 34% surgein H2 2020

    MUMBAI: In a challenging year for India and the world, it was reassuring to see an increase in ad volumes on TV in the second half of 2020. Hindustan Unilever was the biggest advertiser in 2020 with a 30 per cent growth in ad volumes over 2019, followed by the Reckitt Benckiser group, with itsad volumes growing by 37 per cent in 2020 over the previous year. 

    “Television continues to be the screen of the household and the most important medium for all the major advertisers to reach their audience pre-pandemic and post lockdown too. Return of originals along with the festive season and live sporting events boosted the ad volumes, taking the overall growth in ad volumes to 34 per cent as compared to H1, 2020 and eventually minimising thereduction in volumes to a marginal -3 per cent for the overall year, as compared to 2019” said BARC Indiapartnership & revenue function head client Aaditya Pathak.

    Movies genre saw significant growth in ad volumes as the lockdown was gradually lifted. Hindi GECs witnessed the highest growth in ad volumes with 10 per cent as compared to 2019. Other regional GECs saw a growth of eight per cent as over 2019. News genre in 2020 too had the highest volume, while ad volumes dropped by one per cent.

    A heightened consciousness of safeguarding our healthgave a boost to the antiseptics and personal care categories. Ad volumes for Dettol Toilet Soaps and Dettol Antiseptic Liquid went up by 118 per cent and 136 per cent respectively.Horlicks ad volumes also surged by 60 per cent in 2020 as compared to the preceding year. 

    In this pandemic necessitated lockdown,and people confined to their homes, digital brands too turned to television to capitalise on the undisputed reach of the medium,given the changing consumer buying habits. 

    During the peak lockdown in April and May, the ad volumes for digital brands was the highest with 16 per cent and 13 per cent  respectively as compared to the month of January 2020. The highest ad volumes share for digital brands in 2019 was at nine per cent in the months of March, September and December. 
     

  • SAT directs NDTV founders to deposit 50% of fine before SEBI

    SAT directs NDTV founders to deposit 50% of fine before SEBI

    NEW DELHI: Following appeals by NDTV founders and promoters Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy against the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) order of Rs 27 crore fine for alleged non-disclosure of loan agreements, the Securities Appellate Tribunal (“SAT”)  has held that the pleas require consideration. The matter has been listed for final disposal on 10 February 2021.

    Meanwhile, SAT has directed NDTV to “deposit 50 per cent of the disgorged amount before the respondent within four weeks from today. If the said amount is deposited the balance amount shall not be recovered during the pendency of the appeal.”

    The founders have decided to file an appeal in the Supreme Court against the aforesaid SAT order.

    Earlier in December 2020, SEBI imposed a fine of Rs 27 crore on NDTV for concealing information from shareholders on certain loan agreements. However, in a regulatory filing, the channel mentioned that the promoters through disclosures to the stock exchanges have repeatedly said that they have never allowed for the transfer of NDTV's control and that they continue to own and hold 61.45 per cent of the total paid-up share capital of in the media entity.

  • Barc week 52: Sony Sab slips to fourth spot on pay platform

    Barc week 52: Sony Sab slips to fourth spot on pay platform

    MUMBAI: Sony Sab has slipped to fourth spot on pay platform in week 52 (Saturday 26 December 2020 to Friday 1January 2021) of Broadcast Audience Research Council of India (BARC) data. &TV for the third consecutive week has grabbed tenth spot on pay platform.

    Pay Platform


    In week 52 of Barc India ratings top ten channels on pay platform were Star Plus, Colors,Zee TV, Sony Sab,  Sony Entertainment Television, Star Utsav, Sony Pal, Star Bharat, Dangal, and &TV

    Urban Market

    In the urban market, the top ten channels were Star Plus,Colors,Sony Sab, Star Utsav, Zee TV, Sony Entertainment Television, Sony Pal,  Dangal, ColorsRistey, and Zee Anmol are in week 52 of Barc India ratings.

    Rural Market

    Star Utsav, Zee Anmol, Sony Pal, ColorsRishtey, Dangal,Zee TV,  Star Plus, Sony Sab, Colors and Big Magic  were the top ten channels in the rural market in week 52 of Barc India ratings.

    Free Platform

    On the free platform Star Utsav, Zee Anmol,Sony Pal, ColorsRishtey, Dangal, Big Magic, Shemaroo TV, DD National, DD Retro and DD Bharati were the top ten channels in week 52 of Barc India ratings.