Music and Youth

Fatafati registers number one spot

Published

12 years ago

May 20, 2014

MUMBAI: Five months is not much time for a fledgling television channel to prove itself but that’s now how Music F – Fatafati operates.

Launched on 25 January, the channel from Royal Raj Media and Launch Pad has already registered numero uno position in week 19 of TAM TV ratings. What’s more, it has garnered a weekly GVT of 978 as compared to its competitors: Sangeet Bangla (807 GVTs) and DHM Bangla (714 GVTs).

While this is no mean feat, Launch Pad director Vikas Varma feels five months is a tad longer than what it would have usually taken him to reach the number one spot. “If you look at my record, it has taken a little longer than it should have. When I launched 9XM, we became number one in two weeks and beat MTV, which was the number one channel then. When I launched Hummra M (Bhojpuri music channel), it took me four weeks to become number one. In comparison, it has taken us a little longer here in Bengal. But that only goes to show how strong the market in Bengal is and how strong the competition is,” said Varma.

So what is it about Music F – Fatafati that has endeared it to Bengali viewers? For starters, the 24*7 free-to-air channel targets the 15-24 years age group and airs the latest Bengali music. 20-30 per cent of the content is original with high-octane music in the mornings and evenings and softer, more romantic numbers in the afternoons. Punctuating the music shows are 3D animations and cartoon shorts around the channel’s comic heroes – Jagai, Madhai and Pappi Da.

There isn’t too much research unlike most other channels. “There is not a high intensity research per se. We never did too much of research earlier also. It is just the basic TAM research that the team does every week in terms of connectivity and time spent,” informed Varma.

Ask Varma and he says the entire personality of the channel is the key differentiator which has worked in its favour. “It is a cool, sophisticated and down-to-earth channel. By default, that is the place where everyone wants to go. If you look at it, the songs are the same which are running on all other channels; it is the personality which is different,” he said.

While the channel didn’t have a single advertiser during the first month, it has now attracted several advertisers. “Right now, we have got 30 plus brands advertising on our channel. And a lot of new brands are also coming on. Advertisers are very bullish about the channel,” said Varma, adding that most advertisers are now supporting Fatafati as it is giving them numbers.

The channel’s distribution on cable is 100 per cent, while it still has no presence on DTH. “Obviously, we want to expand our distribution, but it is too expensive and we are hoping that we will come on all the DTH platforms soon,” reasons Varma.

A property to which Varma attributes a large portion of Fatafati’s success is Dance Party Jhinchak, a show that was launched on 14 April. Having collaborated with Hindustan Unilever’s immensely popular male grooming brand AXE, this property had been designed on a similar theme as the AXE Boat Party. It was aired between 10-10.30 pm every day for a period of three months.

Extensive marketing activation was done in Kolkata including hoardings, radio spots and tying up with Radio Mirchi. “This is one of the reasons why ratings have gone up,” said Varma. According to insiders, while close to Rs 20 to Rs 25 crore is required to start a regional music channel, in the case of Fatafati, between Rs 15 to Rs 20 crore was invested. Varma informed that the channel was on course to break even sooner than later.

Related Topics:Bengali music Launch Pad Music F Royal Raj Media Vikas Varma

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Music and Youth

Mumbai gears up for the ultimate Global Youth Festival this December

Published

3 months ago

November 24, 2025

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: Mumbai is about to witness something it has never seen before. The Global Youth Festival arrives on 6-7 December at Jio World Garden with 15,000 attendees and 60-plus experiences sprawled across six sprawling arenas. On its sixth edition, this is no ordinary jamboree—it is a carefully orchestrated collision of wellness, adventure, arts, music, yoga and social change.

Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis will throw open the proceedings with a landmark ceremony, signalling the state’s backing for a movement that has already mobilised youth across 20-plus countries and 170-plus cities. The sheer scale is staggering: 500-plus volunteers powering the machine, 600,000-plus volunteer hours logged across previous editions, and millions of lives touched annually.

The speaker roster is formidable. Diipa Büller-Khosla and Dipali Goenka, chief executive of Welspun India, will share the stage with Malaika Arora in conversations spanning leadership, creativity and culture. Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Mansukhbhai Mandaviya will also attend, reinforcing GYF’s reach into the corridors of power.

But this is not mere talk. The Solaris Mainstage promises concerts from renowned Indian artists. Innerverse delivers a 360-degree LED spectacle of art, technology and sound. The Love and Care Arena houses hands-on projects spanning women’s empowerment, child education, rural upliftment and animal welfare. India’s largest outdoor sound-healing experience awaits. An inflatable obstacle course, neon drifter karts and open-sky bouldering cater to thrill-seekers.

Some have branded GYF the “Coachella of Consciousness.” Others call it “India’s Largest Sober Festival.” Spiritual visionary Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji, who inspired the festival, will deliver the Wisdom Masterclass. Every rupee goes to charity.

After Mumbai comes Kolkata on 14 December. New York looms next year. For one weekend in December, Mumbai becomes the epicentre of youth-driven change—and nothing will be quite the same after.

Tickets available on BookMyShow. Visit youthfestival.srmd.org or follow @globalyouthfestival on Instagram.

Music and Youth

Reality Ranis swap jungle for shore as Season 2 drama washes ashore

Published

6 months ago

September 4, 2025

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: The Ranis are back and this time, they’re trading leaves for waves. Warner Bros. Discovery has dropped the trailer for Reality Ranis of the Jungle Season 2, and the all-female survival show is moving from dense forests to sandy shores. The first look teases a stormy mix of crashing waves, sizzling rivalries and survival drama as 12 contestants battle for the ultimate crown.

Season 1 set the tone with fierce jungle clashes, but the sequel looks double the size and twice the fun. The fresh lineup features Samyukta Hegde, Irena Rudakova, Archana Gautam, Sara Gurpal and more all ready to swap comfort zones for chaos. Adding extra spice, Rakhi Sawant storms into the mix, promising unpredictability that only she can deliver. Guiding the spectacle once again is host Varun Sood, whose return ensures fans a familiar yet amped-up ride through the survival saga.

The timing couldn’t be more symbolic. As Discovery celebrates 40 years globally and 30 in India, the series mirrors its DNA of bold, edge-of-seat storytelling. Reality Ranis Season 2 isn’t just about endurance, it’s about power plays, transformations, and testing limits under the scorching sun. With beach brawls, surprise twists, and a crown on the line, these Ranis are set to prove that survival, like the tide, waits for no one.

Music and Youth

Tips Music acquires Studio Radha’s Cultural music of Gujarati and Kutchi

Published

7 months ago

August 18, 2025

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: Tips Music Ltd acquired Studio Radha’s complete music catalogue expanding its footprint into Gujarat’s rich cultural music heritage. The acquisition reflects Tips Music’s strategic expansion into regional markets, delivering authentic folk traditions with contemporary reach to Indian and global audiences.

Studio Radha, known for its extensive collection of 4,000+ traditional songs spanning devotional music, folk music, and cultural storytelling, adds a dynamic, heritage-rich catalogue to Tips Music’s diverse portfolio, strengthening its position in regional Indian music while exploring new digital streaming and global publishing opportunities.

Commenting on the acquisition, Tips Music Ltd managing director Kumar Taurani said, ” This acquisition, which has a authentic voice of our culture, is a strategic move to deepen our presence in India’s vibrant regional music markets. Beyond preserving this incredible legacy, our goal is to leverage our modern distribution infrastructure and introduce these timeless songs to a new generation of listeners globally. This aligns perfectly with our business strategy of investing in high-quality, diverse content that holds timeless appeal.”

The Studio Radha catalogue will be made available across all major streaming platforms and digital services under the Tips Music banner, ensuring these cultural gems reach music lovers worldwide.