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Tag: 9XM

  • From Zee to the Sun, Pankaj Rathod joins as broadcast operations & eng head

    From Zee to the Sun, Pankaj Rathod joins as broadcast operations & eng head

    MUMBAI: He’s decided to take a trip to the Sun – the Sun TV  Network that is. Pankaj Rathod has hopped on to  Sun TV as the head broadcast operations & engineering (Sun Neo | Sun Marathi | Sun Bangla). He joins Sun after nearly 13 years with Zee Entertainment Enterprises where he ended up as director- content operations, metadata syncing & publishing (Zee5) and music monitoring.

    Prior to Zee, he  was employed in three organisations for a year and some months each. First was with FoodFoodTV where he was head: scheduling/ sales ops/ traffic / presentation. Then he was head: operations & inventory planning at Mediasys Solutions. Third, he was manager sales operations at 9X  and 9XM.

    Before this he ventured into Siemens Information Systems where he offered broadcast TV solutions to television channels for a couple of years. A long five year run at  Sony Entertainment Television  resulted in him being promoted to sales coordinator, group executive – revenue management. He worked there for five years. 

    The BA in Economics’ first job  in media was with Mid-Day Publications where he ended up as senior media executive in the advertising department after four years.

    Expressing his happiness at joining Sun TV Pankaj said: “I have got the opportunity to build my expertise in broadcast operations (presentation, traffic & sales ops), inventory planning & management and evaluating & implementing – broadcast management system (BMS). My exposure in the print, broadcast and digital media has made me appreciate the nuances of the industry as a whole.” 

  • DistroTV joins the league of elite platforms on Tata Play Binge

    DistroTV joins the league of elite platforms on Tata Play Binge

    Mumbai: Tata Play Binge adds it’s 31 OTT platform with DistroTV, an independent, ad-supported streaming TV platform, to its offering. Featuring over 200 live and linear channels, the platform connects people’s passion points across entertainment, lifestyle, sports, news, business, documentaries, and international content. With a wide array of channels to choose from, DistroTV has something for everyone.

    The integration of DistroTV’s channels into Tata Play’s Binge platform is expected to enhance the viewing experience for Tata Play’s Binge subscribers, offering them additional choices in entertainment and news content. DistroTV features a curated, multicultural collection of 200 premium streaming channels. Viewers can access regular programming including an extensive repository of news, lifestyle, entertainment, fashion, and sports content through exclusive broadcasts on DistroTV. Be it niche sports content as available on Court Sports Network and Billiards TV, specialized pursuits like TED, Goalcast, Gusto TV, GQ, Bon Appetit and much more, the platform also caters to other specific tastes and appetites of the audience. For Indian content aficionados, DistroTV also offers popular genres like Bollywood, Music, Food, Business, Devotional and News through channels like Shemaroo Network, YRF Music, 9XM, Mastii, News 18 Channels, ABP Network, TV9 Network and more.

    Commenting on the new partnership, Tata Play’s chief commercial and content officer, Pallavi Puri, said, “We are thrilled to embark on this content partnership journey with DistroTV. Now with just 1 Tata Play Binge subscription, our customers can access DistroTV’s impressive and diverse range of 200+ Indian and International channels and over 30 OTT apps, across languages and genres, across smartphones, CTVs, and online.”

    “We are delighted to partner with Tata Play Binge, a renowned name in India’s digital entertainment landscape,” said Navdeep Saini, co-founder and CEO of DistroScale, the parent company of DistroTV. “This partnership is a significant milestone in our journey to expand our global presence. Bringing our array of free, live streaming channels to Tata Play’s Binge platform is a step forward in our mission to deliver diverse and dynamic content to audiences worldwide.”

    DistroScale APAC head Vikas Khanchandani commented on the partnership, “Our collaboration with Tata Play Binge represents a strategic alignment of our vision to democratize content and make it universally accessible. We are thrilled to bring DistroTV’s rich and varied content to Tata Play Binge’s audience, furthering our commitment to delivering exceptional viewing experiences across India.”

    DistroTV will join other popular OTT platforms on Tata Play Binge like Disney+ Hotstar, Apple TV+, ZEE5, Fuse+, Hallmark, MX Player, Lionsgate Play, Aha, VROTT, STAGE, Sun NXT, Animax, PTC Play, ReelDrama, Chaupal, Namma Flix, Planet Marathi, manoramaMAX, iStream, Tarang Plus, Hungama Play, FanCode, ShemarooMe, Curiosity Stream, EPIC ON, Travelxp, DocuBay, ShortsTV, Playflix, KliKK along with Gaming. Content from these platforms is available to the viewers of Tata Play Binge through a single subscription and a single user interface. Additionally, Netflix can be availed as a combo pack with DTH channels for all Tata Play DTH subscribers, whereas Amazon Prime Video content can be accessed as an add-on by all Tata Play Binge subscribers, who also have a DTH connection. Viewers can enjoy all 30+ apps on large-screen connected devices through LG, Samsung and Android smart TVs, through the Tata Play Binge+ Android set-top box, Tata Play edition of the Amazon FireTV Stick and www.TataplayBinge.com.

  • 9X Media restructures key positions in ad sales team

    9X Media restructures key positions in ad sales team

    Mumbai: 9X Media has restructured its ad sales team to optimise the sales resources and implement effective sales processes in every targeted customer segment. As a part of this development, Ajay Bedi, Darpan Kindalkar and Anusri Unnikrishnan have been elevated to National Sales Head of 9X Jalwa, 9X Tashan and 9X Jhakaas, respectively.

    While Ajay will report to Nihal Ghosh, Darpan & Anusri would report to Deepali Oroskar. The flagship Channel 9XM will be managed directly by Nihal.

    Commenting on the development, 9X Media chief business officer Punit Pandey said. “The entertainment industry, especially the music industry in India, is going through an exciting transition. The past two years have been difficult for a majority of people. In these difficult times, the music stood out as a companion. Music helped people to de-stress. Hence the consumption of music has increased. Being India’s largest music television broadcaster, we want to leverage this momentum. The restructuring of the ad sales team will take the network towards the next phase of success and achievements.”

    Commenting on the elevation, 9X Jalwa national sales head Ajay Bedi said, “I feel humbled by the faith put in me to lead the All India Sales for 9X Jalwa. The markets are opening up post-Covid and so is Jalwa evolving into a force to reckon with in the Hindi music genre. My priority would be to make brands across India aware of the scope, content creation and integration opportunities which 9X Jalwa presents and the programming initiatives which are being undertaken to be at par with the top channels in the music genre.”

    9X Jhakaas national sales head Anusri Unnikrishnan said, “I’m really excited to head ad sales nationally for 9X Jhakaas – India’s first Marathi music channel. Planning a post covid roadmap for 9X Jhakaas’ accelerated growth will be critical. FICCI KPMG says regional languages will make up 60 per cent of television consumption in 2025 from around 55 per cent in 2020. Regional Brands in India are driving the Bharat (Non-Metro) Consumption with a strong market share in tier two and tier three cities. 9X Jhakaas has a strong following with a young, affluent rural population along with urban audiences ensuring it will play a key role for advertisers who want to target Maharashtra which has India’s highest GDP by state and also the most urbanized.”  

    9X Tashan national sales head Darpan Kindalkar commented, “Regional markets about TV advertising have gone through a dynamic change over the last few years. Punjabi Music consumption is more devoted as compared to how music is consumed in other parts of our country. Since its inception, 9X Tashan continues to command that number one position in consumers’ hearts and grow that faithful tribe week on week. It has also opened up new advertising avenues for the brands over the years. I’m glad to be part of such a great heritage. Priority is to first take the revenues to pre-pandemic levels, along with opening other avenues for the brands through content creation, on-ground events, integrations, etc.”

     

  • 9XM launches influencer-driven food show ‘9XM Ka Yum’

    9XM launches influencer-driven food show ‘9XM Ka Yum’

    Mumbai: Music channel 9XM has announced a new food show called “9XM Ka Yum” starting on 14 March at 5 p.m on 9XM, at 7 p.m on 9X Jalwa and 8 p.m on 9X Tashan.

    The show will feature some of India’s most popular food vloggers namely Harry Uppal, Chicken Leg Piece, Official Sahi Hai, Bhooka Sand, Sadi Gaddi. These vloggers will take you through an Indian street food journey exploring the cultural diversity of tastes and flavours. The show also offers insights into what it takes to be a successful content creator, said the statement.

    Besides featuring some of the most well-known food vloggers, the show will also serve a generous helping of humour from hosts – Bade and Chota. 9XM has conceptualised a signature “Yum” tune and interesting trivia to complement the show on TV.

    “Food and music are both happy spots for everyone,” said 9X Media chief programming officer Amar Tidke. “People bond over them as food and music are loved by family and friends. With ‘9XM Ka Yum’ we want to showcase the awesome work that’s being done by content creators from India and bring their amazing food stories to a larger audience. These creators are extremely popular amongst the youth and have a massive fan-following across the country. The ingredients of super-hit songs with bite-sized stories should work together for making a truly yummy dish!”

  • 9XM Song Secret – A unique podcast where Bollywood musicians share their song secrets

    9XM Song Secret – A unique podcast where Bollywood musicians share their song secrets

    MUMBAI: 9XM, India's most popular Bollywood music destination, announces the launch of a brand-new podcast titled ‘9XM Song Secret’. Launching on 7th June 2020, 9XM Song Secret will be a weekly podcast featuring Bollywood music composers and singers who will be sharing the secret behind their hit songs. 9XM Song Secret will be hosted by singer Shefaali Juneja.

    The 9XM Song Secret Podcast will premiere with India’s most versatile singer and composer Amit Trivedi revealing never heard before secrets about his favourite songs. The guests on 9XM Song Secret Podcast include names like Shalmali Kholgade, Manoj Muntashir, Nakash Aziz, Bhoomi Trivedi, etc.

    Commenting on the launch, 9XM’s Head of Programming, Clyde D’Souza said, “At 9XM, we have always engaged with our fans and viewers across screens introducing them to different entertainment platforms. With 9XM SoundcastE, we stepped into the podcasting space and we have successfully crossed the 50 episodes milestone! 9XM SoundcastE has been burning the charts and it is the No. 1 Podcast in the Indian Music category on Apple Podcasts and also on Spotify. We hope to replicate the success of 9XM SoundcastE with 9XM Song Secret.”

     “Our viewers’ love for Bollywood is beyond just music. They love listening to engaging, inspiring and entertaining conversations with their favourite artists.  Bollywood music lovers and our artists are the driving force which strive us to bring a wholesome all-inclusive content. With 9XM Song Secret, we will let the music enthusiasts have an exclusive peek into the insights of their favourite Bollywood hits. Here, the artist will take us through the journey of a song, and the secret that make us all groove on those songs.” D’Souza further added.

    9XM Song Secret Podcast will be distributed by our podcast partner EP.Log Media. The Podcast will be available on all leading audio streaming platforms.  
    9XM Song Secret Podcast will be promoted across the social media platforms of 9XM and 9X Jalwa.

    Subscribe to 9XM Song Secret Podcast & listen to the episodes on EP. Log Media website and enjoy new episodes, on all leading audio streaming platforms!

  • Role of NTO in the rise of FTA channels

    Role of NTO in the rise of FTA channels

    MUMBAI: With New Tariff Order (NTO) coming into force, 2019 has been one of the best years for free-to-air channels. The initial period was dark when people took time to select the channels of their choice. In this transition period FTA channels got an opportunity to be sampled on pay platforms as well. Because of NTO, FTA channels have not only marked their presence there but also made price corrections. Going ahead FTA channels, like 9XM, Fakt Marathi, plan to focus on content.

    One of the most interesting sessions of VBS 2019 organised by Indiantelevision.com on 11 December 2019 was ‘FTA: The Roadmap Ahead’. The panel discussed NTO impact, key issues faced by the FTA channels, content focus on FTA channels, how FTA channels are dealing with distribution, carriage issues and the roadmap for next 2 years.

    The panel was moderated by Indiantelevision.com founder, CEO and editor-in-chief Anil Wanvari with 9XM Media chief revenue officer Pawan Jailkhani, Enterr10 Media Fakt Marathi MD Shirish Pattanshetty and IN10 Media COO Akul Tripathi.

    FTA channels largely got their reach because of the distribution but now like any other pay channel they want to focus on content. “There is a possibility that we were running the traditional old content but now we started producing fresh content as well,” said Pattanshetty.

    Jailkhani believes distribution has done a fantastic job whether it is pre NTO or post NTO. Channels have got unimaginable reach and penetration. Earlier FTA channels used to get reach largely because of distribution and not because of content. “But now, FTA platforms are focusing on content not because of TV or competition but largely because OTT is a threat. From a content perspective, it is a threat because time spent is shifting to videos, to those platforms basically. So that’s how TV channels or FTA channels have woken up and said we need to focus on content,” said Jailkhani.

    Tripathi opined, “We never need to produce new content, there is always content available which people haven’t seen even in different eras.  The content also needs to be relevant. Right now, they would be watching it because it is a new thing and they are watching it for the first time. Going forward with the availability of the content and with the way of accessing the content, they are going to find the content that is more relevant.”

    Even FTA music channel 9XM curates fresh music content every Thursday or Friday. There are close to 7-10 movies every week that are released. 9XM runs fresh songs and curates them too. “Curation plays a part but on GECs, the time spent plays a major role. Fresh content with the current theme is very important,” said JailKhani.

    Post NTO, 9XM has gained the number 1 position in terms of reach. It’s also ahead of Star Plus in terms of reach. But what it is not able to convert is the actual viewership. Because it does not have time spent like GECs  as it runs two and a half minutes of song and not half an hour of fiction show.

    Jailkhani said that India is an underdeveloped, undersold advertising market. “We don’t get the ROIs which we should have got as per reach these guys get about channels – 100 million, 150 million reach week on week unduplicated. And it's huge. But we are not able to monetise it as per our expectation. But with NTO some price correction of about 15 to 20 per cent happened on 9XM.”

    The panelists also informed that there is a perception that FTA channels are free channels or will not have viewership in urban cities like Mumbai. But data of channels like Dangal, 9XM or Show Box show they did well on pay platforms and also lead in pay homes.

    Like any other paid channel, FTA channels invest in buying content and even pay premium to buy exclusive content to grab the maximum eyeballs. The channels don't compete with its competitors but overall TV viewership to get the maximum eyeballs.

    Pattanshetty also informed that regional FTA channels do face issues when they get carried. “We recently launched Bangla so it becomes very mandatory that we are available in the Bangla market. And it’s not easy to get carried. The comparison is who is the last guy who launched and what charge he has paid. He has to pay the premium charge and you might not be able to get the required placement that you are looking at,” he said.

    The panelists also revealed their company’s upcoming two-year plans. 9XM plans to bring digital channels. Enterr 10 plans more regional channels and fresh content for the views and IN10 Media intends to launch a new channel.

  • SpotlampE 2019 special smashup only on SpotlampE, 9XM, 9X Jalwa & 9X Tashan.

    SpotlampE 2019 special smashup only on SpotlampE, 9XM, 9X Jalwa & 9X Tashan.

    MUMBAI: It’s that time of the year again! 9X Media's vibrant music label SpotlampE, is all set to rock the year end party with a unique Smash-up featuring a mix of SpotlampE’s latest hit songs. The SpotlampE 2019 special smashup airs all through the month on SpotlampE, 9XM, 9X Jalwa and 9X Tashan.

    Featuring the latest hit songs Belly Ring by Mika Singh, Na Na Na by Viruss, Busy Busy by Neha Pandey, Ishqa by Payal Dev and Stuff by Rossh; SpotlampE 2019 special smashup is a cracker of release mixed by DJ Dalal from UK! The smashup is all set to burn the dance floors this season and become the party anthem to welcome year 2020.

    Commenting on the initiative, SpotlampE chief content & operating officer Rajitta Hemwaani said, "It been a killer year for us right through the beginning of 2019 as we launched and continue to launch the best in new and established names from india and globally too. What better way to end the year with an amalgamation of all hits mixed to a crescendo! Look out; we have many more of these winners coming up in 2020!"

    The SpotlampE 2019 special smashup will be promoted across the social media handles of SpotlampE, 9XM, 9X Jalwa and 9X Tashan. This Smashup will be available on leading music streaming platforms such as Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana.com, JioSaavn and on radio channels BIG FM, Radio City, Radio Mirchi and Fever FM among others.

    So stay tuned to 9XM, 9X Jalwa and 9X Tashan to catch the latest SpotlampE special Smashup or log on to http://bit.ly/2RrYOrM  

  • Music genre is top gainer in Chrome DM Week 41

    Music genre is top gainer in Chrome DM Week 41

    MUMBAI: Music genre has become the top gainer in week 41 of Chrome Data Analytics and Media data. The genre grew by 1.01 per cent. In this genre, 9XM channel gained the highest OTS with 97.3 per cent in HSM excluding <1 lakh market.

    OTS is the actual census-based percentage connectivity of a channel spread across 81 million homes, as reported by Chrome DM, across analogue cable, digital cable, and DTH.

    This week, Hindi movies gained the second position and grew by 0.77 per cent in HSM excluding <1 lakh market. In this genre, B4U Kadak channel gained the highest OTS with 90.6 per cent. Religious genre stood in the third position by gaining 0.31 per cent in HSM excluding <1 lakh market. Aastha secured the highest OTS with 98.4 per cent.

    Hindi GEC stood in fourth position in HSM excluding <1 lakh market and grew by 0.28 per cent. DD National channel gained the highest OTS with 99.1 per cent. English News genre stood on the fifth position and grew by 0.17 per cent in 6 metros market. In this genre, Republic TV gained the highest OTS with 99.4 per cent.

  • Chrome DM week 39: Music genre becomes top gainer

    Chrome DM week 39: Music genre becomes top gainer

    MUMBAI: Music genre has become the top gainer in week 39 of Chrome Data Analytics and Media data. The genre grew by 2.11 per cent. In this genre, 9XM channel gained the highest OTS with 97 per cent in music-HSM excluding <1lakh market.

    OTS is the actual census-based percentage connectivity of a channel spread across 81 million homes, as reported by Chrome DM, across analogue cable, digital cable, and DTH.

    This week, English GEC gained second position and grew by 0.74 per cent in 6 metro market. In this genre, Comedy Central gained the highest OTS with 39.1 per cent. Hindi news genre stood in the third position by gaining 0.13 per cent in HSM excluding <1 lakh market. ABP News secured the highest OTS with 99.4 per cent.

    Business news stood in fourth position in 6 metros market and grew by 0.09 per cent. CNBC Awaz channel gained the highest OTS with 84.2 per cent. Youth genre stood on the fifth position and grew by 0.08 per cent in HSM excluding <1 lakh market. In this genre, MTV gained the highest OTS with 85.7 per cent.

  • 9X Jalwa launches Jalwa #10YEARCHALLENGE

    9X Jalwa launches Jalwa #10YEARCHALLENGE

    MUMBAI: 9X Jalwa, the Bollywood hits music channel by 9X Media, has created Jalwa #10YEARCHALLENGE, a unique property that showcases the songs of Bollywood stars from past to present. Jalwa #10YEARCHALLENGE will feature stars such as Aamir Khan, Aishwariya Rai, Kajol, Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, ShahRukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan and many more through 10 years.

    Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Abbas Syed, Programming Head 9X Jalwa said, “The #10YearChallenge has gone so viral on social media, it even became a meme. Celebrities, musicians started using the hashtag to show the changes they have gone through in past 10years. Since Jalwa’s vast, music library is uniquely curated and its music blocks created around Bollywood stars and their super hit tracks, we thought of creating the Jalwa #10YEARCHALLENGE. This unique music property captures the journey of Bollywood stars through their songs across a decade. We are confident that 9X Jalwa #10YEARCHALLENGE will resonate with the music lovers and Bollywood fans across all age groups.”

    Jalwa #10YEARCHALLENGE is promoted across social media and digital platforms of 9X Jalwa.

    So stay tuned to 9X Jalwa and watch songs of your favourite Bollywood stars from different eras!