GECs

How does TV contribute to fight against AIDS?

Published

21 years ago

May 12, 2005

MUMBAI: Let the message spread faster than the virus. That is the key point of the Entertainment Television Summit on HIV/Aids which is taking place today. The seminar is being organised by Heroes Project in association with the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Dr. Neal Baer who co-created the medical drama series ER and who is also the executive producer of Law And Order Special Victims Unit said that in 1995 on ER he introduced a nurse who has the HIV Virus. “I was struck by the fact that there were no characters who suffered from HIV on American television. We had the nurse portrayed by Gloria Rubin taking AZT and other drugs.

“Through this she was able to live a fulfilling life and help people. Interestingly at that time during meetings with the creative team, our highly educated team of writers all said that they would not want to be treated by her or send their children to her on account of her condition. That is when I realised that we had a compelling storyline. HIV need not be a death sentence. People took to this message strongly. A research conducted later showed that this storyline which went on for four years was the most popular one on ER. The second most popular one involved George Clooney and Julianna Margulies.”

Baer added that the show was successful in bringing to light the fact that HIV need not be a death sentence. In fact Rubin’s character broke through stereotypical notions by stating that HIV people can bring hope and help people suffering from other problems like drub abuse. An HIV affected person is not necessarily tragically sad and spending lots of time in bed. Interestingly when fans of ER met Rubin in real life they asked how she was not realising that she was only acting. On the show Rubin’s character also spoke to pregnant teens.

Baer was also honest enough to admit that on one episode of Law and Order Special Victims Unit he wasn’t as honest as he could have been when an episode called Download had an Aids story. Here a married man who is a closet homosexual gives the virus to his wife. Star executive producer Nilanjana Purkayastha said that the medical soap Sanjivani introduced an Aids afflicted character Dr. Omi. However the character had to be made larger than life and likeable first like Patch Adams before the issue could be introduced. The aim of the character was to address the social stigma that accompanies a person suffering from Aids. The show saw a drop in ratings but it was not as bad as feared. In fact at one point Dr. Omi is asked to leave the hospital when his seniors learn about his condition. Sony assistant VP marketing Nina Elavia Jaipuria pointed that an episode of Indian Idol had incorporated the concept. Aids activist and actor Richard Gere had come down.

So Sony arranged for him to speak to the finalists about the role they have to play in communicating the message. The finalists visited an HIV Care home in Delhi. They also composed a song about it. The challenge for Sony was to creatively weave the theme in to the show. In fact Heroes Project had approached Sony about creating awareness about the social cause. The Aids song Ek Jahaan is featured on Indian Idol winner Abhijeet’s album.

Will And Grace executive producer Tracy Poust said that one of the episodes mentions that Grace got herself tested for being HIV positive. The aim was to break the notion that homosexuality and Aids go together. Right wing conservative Americans who watch the show have that view. So they feel that gay men deserve that fate not realising thsat the problem is far bigger. She said that Will and Grace was funny. Therefore it was easier for audiences to accept the fact that two characters are gay. However according to her some viewers even now are not aware of that. Baer maintains that it is important for a show not to focus on educating the viewer. After all people watch television to escape boredom.

“Law and Order focuses on tough stories with shades of grey. Not everyone will agree with what is going on but it will leave them with plenty to think and reflect on. The viewer might learn something in spite of him/herself. What is interesting on our show is that characters have different points of view on sensitive issues like abortion and why sexual crimes are committed.”

In another session called Real Stories different speakers brought to life real life situations. Media needs to highlight the fact that HIV positive does not mean that life is over. Secondly issues of privacy should be clear. The privacy of people should not be invaded. The sensitivity should be there as there is prejudice and if the media is not careful it will add to the prejudicial atmosphere.

One of the sessions moderated by MTV’s Cyrus Broacha dealt with how television shows can communicate the message about Aids in a creative manner.

GECs

Sun TV posts steady revenue, profit dips amid rising costs

Published

4 weeks ago

February 7, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

CHENNAI: It appears there is still plenty of Sun to go around in the Indian broadcasting landscape, even if a few clouds have drifted across the financial horizon. Sun TV Network Limited, the Chennai-based behemoth that dominates airwaves across seven languages, has tuned into a steady frequency for the quarter ending 31 December 2025. While the numbers show a resilient revenue stream, the company’s latest broadcast reveals a few static-filled spots in its profit margins.

For the quarter in question, Sun TV’s total income climbed by approximately 3.31 per cent, reaching Rs 958.39 crores compared to Rs 927.66 crores in the same period last year. Revenue from operations also saw a healthy bump, rising 4.32 per cent to Rs 827.87 crores.

The real star of the show, however, was domestic subscription revenue, which surged by 8.86 per cent to Rs 472.99 crores. This growth highlights the enduring appetite for Sun’s diverse content, which spans everything from daily soaps in Tamil and Telugu to its burgeoning OTT platform, Sun NXT.

Despite the revenue growth, the picture quality of the profits was slightly blurred by rising costs. Eitda for the quarter stood at Rs 409.79 crores, a dip from the Rs 432.14 crores recorded in the corresponding 2024 quarter.

The profit after tax followed a similar downward trend, settling at Rs 316.44 crores against the previous year’s Rs 347.17 crores. Advertisers also seemed to have switched channels slightly, with advertisement revenues sliding to Rs 291.94 crores from Rs 332.17 crores.

Sun TV isn’t just playing on home turf; its sporting ambitions are becoming increasingly global. The network now owns three major cricket franchises: SunRisers Hyderabad in the IPL, SunRisers Eastern Cape in SA20, and SunRisers Leeds Limited in The Hundred (UK).

The foray into British cricket saw the company acquire a 100 per cent stake in Northern Superchargers Limited (now SunRisers Leeds) for approximately £100 million. While these franchises brought in Rs 14.61 crores this quarter, they also incurred corresponding costs of Rs 19.89 crores. Over the nine-month period, however, the cricket business is a major player, contributing Rs 487.64 crores in income.

The company’s bottom line took a minor hit from exceptional items, including a Rs 4.23 crore charge related to India’s new Labour Codes, which consolidated 29 existing labour laws. Additionally, the consolidated results reflect the amalgamation of Kal Radio Limited with Udaya FM, a move that became effective in May 2025 and required a restatement of previous figures.

To keep investors from reaching for the remote, the Board has declared an interim dividend of 50 per cent, that’s Rs 2.50 per equity share. This comes on top of earlier dividends of 100 per cent (Rs 5.00) and 75 per cent (Rs 3.75) declared in August and November 2025, respectively.

With a massive cash reserve and a dominant position in the South Indian market, Sun TV continues to shine, even if the current quarter required a bit of fine-tuning. For now, shareholders can sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

GECs

SPNI hires Pradeep M with responsibility for standards and practices in the south

Published

1 month ago

February 3, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India has hired Pradeep M to handle standards and practices for its southern market, bolstering its compliance bench as content rules tighten across platforms.

Pradeep, who has nearly 13 years in the entertainment media industry, takes on responsibility for content standards in a region that is both linguistically diverse and regulatorily sensitive. His brief spans television, OTT, sports and digital platforms.

He specialises in content review and compliance across shows, commercials, on-air promotions and international feeds, ensuring alignment with broadcast, OTT and advertising codes. He has also handled brand approvals and sponsorship integrations for heavily regulated categories—including online gaming, cryptocurrency, NFTs and lottery brands—offering guidance shaped by fast-evolving rules.

Before Sony, Pradeep worked at Jiostar as assistant manager for content regulation from November 2024 to January 2026. Earlier, he spent nearly seven years at Viacom18 Media, rising from senior executive to assistant manager in content regulation between 2018 and 2024. There he served as a key compliance touchpoint for the network.

His career began on the creative side. Between 2013 and 2018, he worked as executive producer on feature films and television shows, gaining hands-on exposure to production. He also had a stint as a non-fiction show director at Star TV Network in 2017. That mix of creative and regulatory experience gives him a dual lens—how content is made and how it must be managed.

As regulators, platforms and advertisers all tighten the screws, broadcasters are investing more in gatekeepers who can keep creativity within the lines. Sony’s latest hire shows where the industry is heading: in the streaming age, compliance is content’s quiet co-star.

GECs

Colors Gujarati rolls out two new shows from 2nd February

Published

1 month ago

February 2, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: Colors Gujarati has unveiled two new prime-time shows as part of its push to strengthen culturally rooted storytelling for regional audiences. The channel will premiere the devotional saga Gangasati–Paanbai at 7.30 pm, followed by the romantic family drama Manmelo at 9.30 pm from February 2.

Inspired by Gujarat’s spiritual and literary heritage, Gangasati–Paanbai: Shyam Dhun No Navo Adhyay draws from the timeless bhajans and poetry of saint-poetesses Gangasati and Paanbai, weaving devotion and human values into a contemporary narrative aimed at younger viewers.

In contrast, Manmelo explores love and responsibility across social divides, tracing the lives of three middle-class sisters whose relationships with three affluent brothers reshape their futures. The show delves into ambition, emotional conflict and the realities of married life, offering a layered family drama.

A Colors Gujarati spokesperson said the new launches reflect the channel’s commitment to authentic Gujarati entertainment that blends cultural values with modern storytelling.