GECs

sapnon ki udaan will launch with select value partners!

Published

12 years ago

August 14, 2013

MUMBAI: Everything about the launch of ‘&pictures’ has gotten the nation talking. Now with the unique value proposition being offered to the channel’s advertisers, ‘&pictures’ is adding another first in its kitty.

While others search for sponsors and advertisers, ’&pictures’ has brought on board exclusive channel partners to collaborate with the channel on the journey of its launch. Few of the partners who have been brought on board for ‘&pictures’ are – P&G (Oral B and Pantene), Vini Cosmetics and Hindustan Unilever Limited (AXE). These value partners have a special partner status across all communication mediums of &pictures – be it on-air or off air communication. During the first 45 days of the launch of ‘&pictures’, all of the inventory on the channel will be shared between these value partners.

ZEEL, Chief Sales Officer, Mr. Ashish Sehgal talks about this unique value proposition as being mutually beneficial to both parties. He says, “We are offering our value partners a clutter free environment wherein the viewers are a very specific set of the target audience that they wish to speak to. This is a premium offering from the bouquet of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) that allows for a premium advertiser association. We had successfully explored a differentiated revenue stream during the launch of Zee Bangla Cinema wherein we had just one sponsor at the time of launch. With ‘&pictures’, we decided to modify the approach by bringing on a few exclusive value partners for the channel instead of just one. These partners have given us their vote of confidence and they will continue to receive preferential treatment from the channel at all times. This will surely create a unique value for our partners. With this association, we are elevating our commitment to developing a deep, long term relationship with them every step of the way as we launch ‘&pictures’."

ZEEL, Cinema Cluster Head, AD Sales, Mr. Ali Zainul Abedeen Zaidi says “In a country that is obsessed with cricket & Bollywood, the launch of ‘&pictures’ allows us to offer clients a complete cinema package which appeals to every possible segment of film enthusiasts. While Zee Cinema has mass appeal to viewers across all genres, Zee Classic reaches out to cinema lovers with an appreciation for vintage and evergreen films. Zee Premiere & Action are digital offerings to niche audiences, and ‘&pictures’ is a premium channel that speaks to audiences who are ambitious yet rooted. Zee now becomes a one-stop shop for advertisers who consume cinema as a genre.”

Talking about their association with ‘&pictures’, Darshan Patel, Chairman & MD, Vini Cosmetics and Dipam Patel, Joint Managing Director, Vini Cosmetics say “Our association with ZEE has been a long standing one and we have never been disappointed. It gives us great pleasure to associate with a young vibrant brand like ‘&pictures which reaches out to the emerging class of Indians who are high achievers yet have not lost sight of their rich Indian heritage, so it is a great brand fit for us!”

Binu Ninan, Brand Manager, Pantene & Ritu Mittal, Brand Manager, Oral-B, of Procter & Gamble say "We at P & G are proud to be associated with '&pictures' as it embodies the best qualities of both our brands, Oral-B and Pantene. Through the years, Pantene and Oral B have enhanced the lifestyle of people to make it better and healthier. Pantene and Oral B value this opportunity to get in touch with their consumers and recognize the importance of the right content and the right context to reach consumers. We have found that our consumers judge our brands by the company they keep and with '&pictures' reaching out to the evolving Indian mindset that is ambitious yet in touch with their roots, we believe we will have the attention of the right audience for our brands. We look forward to this partnership with '&pictures' and are excited about the launch of the channel."

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GECs

Sun TV posts steady revenue, profit dips amid rising costs

Published

2 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

6 days 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

6 days 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.