GECs

COLORS ‘WEAVES’ with India for a stronger tomorrow

Published

6 years ago

December 3, 2019

MUMBAI: Marking the launch of its new fiction offering Shubharambh, COLORS has collaborated with Rouble Nagi Art Foundation (RNAF) to weave the longest ecofriendly bed linen. Giving a platform to the artisans from across the country, the initiative imparts the importance of strong partnerships and how it can help in the betterment of our society. COLORS has always believed in collective progress of the society and reach the consumers at a grassroot level to emerge stronger together. Hence, as a second leg to this activity, the linen will be distributed among the ones in need. Shubharambh chronicles the journey of Raja and Rani, who are imperfect as individuals but together they weave magic. As the show focuses on the power of ‘Ek aur Ek gyarah’, the initiative too will bring India together for a stronger tomorrow.

Speaking about this partnership, Viacom18 Hindi Mass Entertainment and Kids TV network Head Nina Elavia Jaipuria said, “As broadcasters, we believe in harnessing the power of stories to cultivate change. Shubharambh presents a unique interpretation of companionship and the strength that it beholds, and that inspired us to launch this unique partnership. ‘Ek aur Ek Gyarah’ aims to rejuvenate and empower not just the underprivileged but instill within millions the power of togetherness. By partnering with RNAF, we are taking a step further and helping the community through a craft-based livelihood program that reaches more than 16 states. It has been an absolute delight to partner with an organization that has transformed communities through art.”

She further added, “At COLORS, we have always believed in growing stronger together and it has led us to conceptualize many pathbreaking shows and innovations. Mirroring this ideology is our new fiction offering Shubharambh that presents a different take on partnership and how two individuals, who get pulled down in life come together only to become each other’s strength. With this new addition, we are set to further strengthen our prime time-band and with Raja and Rani’s exceptional love story create a connect with the audience.”

Speaking about the show, Viacom18 Hindi Mass Entertainment chief content officer Manisha Sharma said, “As individuals, we all have flaws. We silently condemn them and try to conceal it from the outside world. The journey of Raja and Rani is no different and they will face many hurdles in life as people undermine their talent and often criticize them. But only after this their lives find the missing fortunes in one another, they create magic and build a dream together. The storyline of the show will bring forth many harsh realities of life in the most endearing manner and is sure to strike a chord with the viewers.”

Rouble Nagi Foundation conducts art workshops throughout India and runs 32 Balwadis in Mumbai alone. The foundation aims to transform the community through art. It’s latest initiative ‘Misaal Mumbai’ was the first 'slum painting' initiative in the country where they painted over 2,000 houses and continues their work in this field.

Rouble Nagi, Founder, Rouble Nagi Art Foundation, said, “We are excited to partner with COLORS for the launch of ‘Shubharambh’, a show that has a behavior-change message around ‘strong partnerships’. COLORS has always connected with viewers by showcasing major social issues at the grassroots level and we have done the same at RNAF through our unique initiatives. This association will give thousand men and women in villagers and slums all over the country a chance to showcase their skillset and at the same time provide help to the ones in need. With this collaboration, we hope to reach out far and encourage thousands to uplift each other.”

Believing in the mantra of deeper engagement with consumers, COLORS has designed a 360-degree marketing campaign. The highlight being an on-ground version of a life size board game called ‘Kismat ka Shubhaarambh’. A game of Sajhedaari, that is played by a minimum of 2 couples and a maximum of 4. The game has been built to test the compatibility of every couple as well as their ability to excel as business partners at various points in the game. The winners of the activity will be gratified with exciting prizes. Planned in 4 cities in Uttar Pradesh (Varanasi, Agra, Lucknow, and Kanpur), this consumer drive will further be amplified with a digital version across mediums. The entire marketing campaign will be backed by strong print, digital, on-ground (CGPC) and television plans to create a major impact. Additionally, COLORS has also associated with Pinkathon for a special integration where the 21Km couple run will be re-christened to ‘Raja Rani 21K Run’. On the digital front, the channel is bringing the concept of two very different people coming together via a unique influencer campaign. COLORS will send gift hampers containing one shoe of a pair to one influencer. They then have to post an image of the shoe using the hashtag, #EkAurEkGyarah, and track that hashtag to find out who their pair is! This way, a gamified influencer campaign will pan-out, thereby bringing alive the concept of two unlikely people becoming a pair and being more complete and stronger together, just like our show’s Raja-Rani.

GECs

Sun TV posts steady revenue, profit dips amid rising costs

Published

5 days 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 week 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 week 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.