ITV

Tag: AAP

  • Why AAP Lost Delhi & Why BJP gained it: A Marketing Analysis

    Why AAP Lost Delhi & Why BJP gained it: A Marketing Analysis

    MUMBAI: The BJP’s victory over AAP in Delhi can be examined through key marketing principles – product lifecycle, distribution strategy, and competitive positioning.

    Product Failure:
    * AAP as a ‘product’ failed to deliver on its core promises
    * The brand reached the end of its lifecycle without significant evolution
    * Core issues like pollution, garbage management and infrastructure remained unresolved
    * The product (AAP leadership) faced credibility issues with leaders facing legal challenges

    Distribution Strategy:
    * BJP outperformed in distribution through: 
    o RSS volunteers conducting extensive door-to-door campaigns
    o Thousands of drawing-room meetings across demographics
    o Strong presence in traditional AAP strongholds including slums and unauthorised colonies
    o Superior ground-level connect with voters

    Competitive Positioning:
    * BJP successfully countered AAP’s ‘freebie’ positioning by: 
    o Offering higher monetary benefits (Rs 2,500 vs AAP’s Rs 2,100 for women)
    o Matching and exceeding welfare schemes
    o Promising continuation of existing benefits while adding new ones
    o Building a stronger narrative around development and governance

    Brand Messaging:
    * BJP controlled the narrative effectively through: 
    o Consistent messaging on AAP’s unfulfilled promises
    o Focus on corruption allegations
    o Strong leadership projection
    o Clear communication of enhanced welfare measures

    Marketing Lessons for AAP:
    * Need for product reinvention and clear deliverable promises
    * Importance of maintaining brand credibility
    * Necessity of strong distribution network
    * Requirement for effective counter-narrative
    * Focus on tangible achievements rather than just promises

    The defeat highlights that tactical promotional offers (freebies) work only until a competitor provides better alternatives, emphasising the need for sustainable competitive advantages in political marketing.

    [Based on insights from Jayshree Sundar, author of “Don’t Forget 2004” and Meenakshi Menon, advertising veteran]
     

  • Punjabis will never forgive Akalis and Congress, says AAP at News18 PH mega-event

    Punjabis will never forgive Akalis and Congress, says AAP at News18 PH mega-event

    Mumbai: Blaming the previous Akali Dal and Congress regimes for the poor fiscal health of Punjab, finance minister and senior AAP leader, Harpal Cheema, on Tuesday said that the Mann government was being forced to take loans to service the debts accumulated by the earlier governments. “These two parties have ruined Punjab. They made no efforts to increase revenues and kept taking loans for their wasteful expenditures, and Punjabis are paying for their misdeeds today and they will never forgive them”, said Cheema.

    Speaking at News18 PH mega-event, Agenda Punjab 2023, Cheema and other senior AAP Ministers and leaders lambasted the opposition parties for their false propaganda against AAP and said their government had fulfilled most of the guarantees that they promised to Punjabis during the poll campaign. “We have given jobs to 40,000 youth and increased salaries of teachers from a meagre Rs 6000 to Rs 25,000”, Cheema said.

    Cheema also accused the Congress and the Akalis regimes of squandering the Rural Development Fund (RDF) for wasteful expenses during their tenures. “While Badal squandered the money on his Sangat Darshans, Congress used it to fund its debt waiver scheme”, said Cheema while accusing the Centre of deliberately stopping funds to AAP government.

    Punjab mining minister, Chetan Singh Jauramajra, said that AAP has zero tolerance towards illegal mining. “Our efforts are to ensure that people get sand at reasonable rates while mining revenue for the state increases”, he said adding that 17 public sand mines opened by the Mann government were ensuring cheap sand to Punjabis. He also said that work for cleaning canals in the state was going on at full pace and within a year 13,671 closed water distributaries would be made functional.

    Food Minister, Lal Chand Kataruchakk, said Punjab had procured an additional 185 lakh metric tons of paddy this season and farmers had been paid Rs 40,726 crores. He said payments to farmers were made within 24 hours of procurement. He also said that the scheme for door-to-door delivery of wheat would commence soon.

    In his interaction Punjab power minister, Harbhajan Singh ETO said that there would be no change in the government’s policy of giving 600 units of free power. He said despite fulfilling its promise of free power, the electricity board had a profit of Rs 564 crores. He also informed that the AAP government had closed 12 toll plazas so far.

    Schools education minister Harjot Singh Bains announced that all government schools in the state will have Wi-Fi connectivity by 31 March 2024. He also informed that all schools with over 500 students would have a security guard on duty.

    Transport minister, Laljit Singh Bhullar, announced that new bus permits would be given only to “Aam aadmi” and not to the elite and the rich. He revealed that the department had earned over Rs 661 crores.

    Sports minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer reinforced that Punjab’s sports policy has yielded very good results and response.  On an important question asked by News18 about there being no injury Rehab Centers in Punjab, Meet thanked for the idea and promised that soon he will start one in the state. The minister appealed to budding players to participate only in recognized sports, he informed that the Punjab Sports Department has also prepared a list of recognized sports.

    Speaker of Punjab Assembly Kultar Singh Sandhwan while interacting with News 18 Punjab said he is working on the implementation & usage of Punjabi Language /mother tongue in the state, he added that he is trying that all the work of Vidhan Sabha also be done in Punjabi. He added that the Punjab government has started a campaign to educate the people about the importance of the mother tongue. He slammed Akali’s for playing politics in the state.

    While referring to the recent reports of deaths of youngsters in foreign countries, NRI affairs minister, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, said while stress is a major contributor, drugs to play a significant role, especially in Canada where drugs are a major problem. He also referred to the ongoing trend of “paper marriages” for seeking foreign visas. “They don’t marry, but get into marriage deals”, he said while adding that these marriages are not meant to last. He also advocated for good relations with foreign countries and said that any tension proves detrimental mainly to the Indians and NRIs settled there.

    Referring to the rise in COVID cases of the new variant JN.1 across India, health minister Balbir Singh said there was no need to be scared of the virus, but precautions are always helpful. He said the state is fully prepared to deal with any threat of COVID-19. He said Punjab’s Mohalla clinics, set up on the lines of Delhi, had been extremely successful and was being talked about in different parts of the world. He said these had benefited people to the tune of Rs 600 crores, as all diagnostic tests including Xray etc, and medicines are free for patients. The minister announced that free facilities of X-ray, ultrasound, tests, and medicines will be available in all government hospitals of Punjab from January 26, 2024.

    Local government minister Balkar Singh while talking at Agenda Punjab said that sewage treatment plants (STP) are being set up at war footing in many cities of the state and more than 100 STP plants are already running. He added that cities are being developed under the Mann govt. and problems of sewerage and water are being resolved.

    Tourism & culture affairs minister Anmol Gagan Maan while talking about the tourism dept. said that investors are coming to Punjab after the successful Rangla Punjab Tourism Summit 2023, held in September. She informed that an investment worth Rs 600-700 crores has already arrived in Pathankot. She added that a Theme Park worth Rs 400 crores is proposed in Mohali to attract tourists.

    Eleven top ministers of the AAP government as well as the Speaker of the Assembly attended the New18 mega event, which focused on Punjab’s socio-political and economic issues, the upcoming Lok Sabha elections among others, and the way forward. The event aimed to understand the future Vision of the Punjab government and set the agenda for 2024.  

    The impactful debates were moderated by the channel’s team of leading anchors.

  • NewsX-MRC Exit Poll: BJP leads in UP, Punjab Congress vs AAP

    MUMBAI: As the political battle for power in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa drew to a close after the last vote was cast in the final phase of the Assembly Elections, NewsX-MRC Exit Poll gave a clear indication of how the voters cast their ballot for the ultimate show of power in the states which went to polls.

    The results of the NewsX-MRC Exit Poll indicate that Uttar Pradesh looks all set for a major overhaul with the BJP making inroads to the seat of power in the state while the SP-Cong alliance tries to give them a run for their money; Punjab offers an interesting mix with a severe jolt to the ruling SAD-BJP combine as Congress and AAP go neck-and-neck in the crucial state; BJP may form a government in Uttarakhand; the Goans seem to be mixed in their reception as BJP, Congress and AAP all seem to be getting a piece of the pie.

    NewsX-MRC Exit Poll data from Uttar Pradesh suggests the state may see a major swing of fortunes for the BJP and the party may finally take the mantle of governance from the Samajwadi Party with the BJP projected to win 185 (+/- 3) seats. The SP-Congress alliance is projected to bag 120 (+/- 3) seats while the BSP comes third with 90 (+/- 3) seats.

    Punjab is another potboiler with a big change in the air as the ruling SAD-BJP combine seems to be taking a massive hit. The Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have come out as the biggest gainers from the scenario as they both are predicted to win 55 (+/- 3) seats each.

    NewsX-MRC Exit Poll data on Uttarakhand projects that the BJP may emerge as the winner with 38 (+ /- 3) seats. The poll data further suggests that the Congress is a close second with 30 (+/- 3) seats.

    NewsX-MRC Exit Poll survey for the recently concluded Goa Assembly Elections gives an indication of a hung house with BJP bagging 15 (+/- 3) seats while the Congress will get 10 (+/- 3) seats. In such a scenario, it would be interesting to see what role AAP plays which is predicted to make it big on 7 (+/- 3) seats.

  • News channels gear for Delhi election judgment day

    News channels gear for Delhi election judgment day

    MUMBAI: Over 67 per cent of Delhi’s voting population reached polling booths to register their opinion and celebrate the festival of democracy. Many exit polls unanimously predicted Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) victory over Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress. But all speculations and predictions will be over on 10 February, 2015 when the results are declared.

     

    Will it be ‘Abki baar Bedi sarkar’ or ‘Paach saal Kejriwal’ or will Ajay Makan surprise everyone? Will it be a hung assembly or has Delhi voted for a stable government? The entire country will find answers to all the questions via the Indian media and its exclusive coverage.   

     

    Commenting on the judgment day offerings, NDTV 24×7 managing editor Manika Raikwar Ahirwal said, “Prannoy Roy, Dorab Sopariwala and Shekhar Gupta will bring the Delhi Assembly election results to viewers, with live coverage from 7:30 am onwards on NDTV 24×7’s And The Winner Is. Minute by minute updates, easy to read graphics and experts will be on air till the final results are known. Senior anchors Barkha Dutt, Vikram Chandra, Sreenivasan Jain, Nidhi Razdan and Vishnu Som along with NDTV’s wide range of experienced reporters will bring every aspect of this election to the audience. We will also have a special show from 8 – 10 pm discussing the impact and fallout of the results.”

     

    As for Times Now, the channel has named its special coverage Result Day live. A total of 50 reporters will be deployed on the field to cover judgment day developments. The panel will have Arati Radhika Jerath, Ajoy Kumar Ghosh, Sankarshan Thakur, Siddharth Varadarajan, Neerja Chowdhury, Sunil Alagh, Hartosh Singh Bal, Saba Naqvi and R Rajagopalan. Times Now editor in chief Arnab Goswami told indiantelevision.com, “Every election the viewership soars for Times Now. We are the number one choice. All year. And of course on Election Day.”

     

    IBN18 Network CEO Avinash Kaul said, “It is a huge event and we will have exclusive non-stop coverage. We will have a panel of dignitaries and we will discuss every development.”

     

    Network18’s coverage will commence at 6 am on 10 February. CNN-IBN’s special programme is called Mission Delhi: Counting Day Coverage, whereas the IBN7 show is called Dilli Mein Iss Baar Bedi Sarkar?

     

    An ABP spokesperson asserted, “Sophisticated graphics will be created to analyse the trends and results. We have deployed a reporter in each constituency; reporters will also be there in various party offices to track developments.” 

         

    BAG Network chairperson and MD Anuradha Prasad said, “The telecast will start at 7 am and we will have panel discussions throughout the day. We will have 26 reporters scattered in various parts of Delhi, who will update us with all the on-field developments.” 

     

    Besides the technocracy, elections play a vital role in generating revenue. News channels bring in the best of graphic designers and animators to make their show look as exquisite as possible.

     

    When enquired about the commercial interest, Madison COO Kartik Lakshminarayan said, “Election in India is a huge event and news channels cover it with esteemed sophistication. Better presentation attracts bigger brands.”

     

    Helios Media managing director Divya Radhakrishnan opined, “Election is the biggest marketed event of news channels. Delhi assembly election is always rated over other assembly elections and the highly poised contest between AAP and BJP has made it more interesting.”

     

    Platinum Media CEO Basabdutta Chowdhury added, “The ad rates in news channel sees maximum hike on counting day. The build up to the election consists of numerous pre-polls and opinion polls and many brands ties up for that.”

     

    Sources in media buying fraternity revealed that the news channels could see a 200 to 300 per cent hike in ad rates during election coverage depending on their creative offerings. “The hike is maximum on counting day as the entire country tunes in to news channels to get updated,” concluded media experts.

  • Sameer Nair joins Balaji Telefilms as Group CEO

    Sameer Nair joins Balaji Telefilms as Group CEO

    MUMBAI: He has donned numerous hats. From selling space in Yellow Pages to being a member of a political party, Sameer Nair has had a volatile career.

     

    The former Star India CEO is now all set to join Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms as Group CEO.

     

    On 15 July, Nair attended the board of directors meet and will take full -charge from today.

     

    Nair said, “I have enjoyed a wonderful association with the Kapoor family since 2000 following the launch of the hugely successful ‘K-series’ on Star Plus and later with their shows on Imagine. Undoubtedly the team has done a remarkable job of creating one of the most vibrant entities in content generation. The M&E industry is currently at a very dynamic stage and  will  continue  to  present  several  exciting  opportunities  across  all  segments, heralding significant change in times to come. I am delighted to have the opportunity of being a part of an extremely exciting business at one of India’s most pioneering, creative and talented media houses. Given BTL’s several strengths as a business, it is very well poised to capitalise on emerging growth prospects. I look forward to working together with Ekta, Shobhaji and the team, in driving strategic initiatives, furthering the Group’s vision of being regarded as an innovative entertainment powerhouse and enhancing value for all stakeholders.”

     

    Balaji Telefilms MD Shobha Kapoor added, “We are delighted to have Mr. Nair joining the Balaji family. Sameer brings with him immense and diverse experience in the media and entertainment industry and an acknowledged   record  of  content  innovation,  business  leadership  besides  being  an excellent  resource  unifier. Over  the  last  several  years  we  have  built  an  unparalleled franchise in creation of television content and have also developed  a very strong brand equity within the film production  segment. We are excited that Mr. Nair possesses  the same passion  for entertainment  as us and we look forward to him further reinforcing Balaji’s  inherent  strengths  in  both  segments  and  driving  the  Company’s  growth  & expansion strategies to help us scale greater heights.”

     

    Nair who was very vocal about his association with Aam Admi Party (AAP) started his TV career in 1994 where he began as a director-producer for Star Movies, Star’s English movie channel. In 2000, his career as well as Star reached higher peaks with Kaun Banega Crorepati which helped take Star Plus from number three position to number one.

     

    Soon, he was given the charge of the network as CEO. But it was short lived as he quit the company after 13 years of association in 2003.

     

    After that, he joined NDTV’s new joint venture with Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions as CEO. As part of the JV, he was involved in launching NDTV Imagine, the Hindi GEC in November 2007. However, the channel didn’t do well and was shut in 2012. 

     

    Since then, Nair has been busy as independent media entrepreneur and been making frequent trips to Delhi to support and contribute in AAP’s communication strategy.

  • Narendra Modi-the third most followed world leader Twitter account

    Narendra Modi-the third most followed world leader Twitter account

    MUMBAI: Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi is now the third most followed world leader on Twitter after overtaking Indonesian President S B Yudhoyono today.

     
    Modi (https://twitter.com/narendramodi) has around 5,087,980 followers to Yodoyono’s- 5,08743 followers (https://twitter.com/SBYudhoyono) as of 1pm IST today. Only the President of the United States Barack Obama and the Pope have more followers on Twitter.

     
    This shows how Mr Modi has been actively using Twitter to connect with the masses reinforcing the tool of digital diplomacy in a larger context making the social media platform a powerful channel for communicating and engaging with all Indians across the country.

     
    There were nearly 60 million elections-related Tweets during the Lok Sabha elections this year. Narendra Modi was the top elections-related term on Twitter during the entire polling period, more than AAP and INC combined. On Counting Day itself, Narendra Modi and BJP accounted for over half of the 2 million elections-related Tweets. His Twitter account (@narendramodi) has grown by more than 1 million followers since his election win, while the official account of the Prime Minister’s office (@PMOIndia) has grown more than 40% since his swearing-in ceremony. , His election victory Tweet remains the most retweeted Tweet of all time from India.

  • ET NOW decodes the most awaited #Budget2014

    ET NOW decodes the most awaited #Budget2014

    MUMBAI: As the Modi government gears up to present its first union budget, India’s number one business news channel ET Now is set to launch a power packed line up of shows. ET Now will be kicking off its special two-week long comprehensive programming from 30 June, 7:30 pm. Over 10 special shows will be aired in the run up to the big budget that will cover not just key sectoral expectations but also the economic imperatives of this make-or-break exercise. Given the significance of this budget, ET Now has aptly used the tagline ‘The Big Reset’ for its entire budget programming.

     

    Times Television Network managing director and CEO MK Anand said, “This is the new government’s maiden budget and ET Now will bring together leading experts across different fields in India, think-tanks, global investors and the country’s best editorial minds to decipher and analyse the union budget 2014. Through our shows, we aim to reach out to every Indian from industrialists to the common man by providing a detailed coverage on the run up to the budget and the budget day.”

     

    ET Now managing editor R Sridharan said, “We have the most powerful line up of seasoned experts in the business. ET Now will also have the most viewer-friendly screen and the fastest flashes. Our programming line-up caters every key stakeholder in the economy ranging from the CEO to the retail investor.  The viewers’ overwhelming response to our budget 2013 programming is a vindication of the tremendous value that our content delivers.”

     

    Times Now, ET Now and zoom CMO Jatin Bhatt said, “With all eyes on the much-anticipated budget from the Modi government, ET Now has put together an extensive programming line-up that will give audiences a holistic view on the Indian economy and the impact it will have after the union budget 2014 is announced.  For a channel like ours, union budget is an opportunity to present the most engaging and eclectic content that builds credibility among our existing viewers and helps generating new audiences.

     

    ET Now’s budget programming will be led by India’s most respected economist- Swaminathan Aiyar, who is also the channel’s consulting editor. Apart from Swaminathan Aiyar, other prominent economists like Bibek Debroy and Mythili Bhusnurmath will be commenting exclusively on ET NOW.

     

    The key shows are as follows:

    Budget 2014: The Politics of Budget

    Budget 2014 will be the budget presented by the new government in power. ET Now’s policy editor Supriya Shrinate to quiz the biggest political commentators on the politics that will be at play for budget 2014

    Date:  30 June, 7:30 pm

     

    Budget 2014: Cracking the Tax Code

    Panel discussion will focus on the key taxation issues in the run up to budget 2014. Some of the biggest tax experts and lawyers will be analysing the likely tax reforms and their impact on corporate India and the taxpayer.

    Date: 1 July, 7:30 pm

     

    Budget 2014: The Global View

    The show to decode the game changing reforms that could change market sentiment and attract foreign money, the expectations of the investors. Catch top global fund managers and market experts share their budget expectations exclusively on ET Now.

    Date: 2 July, 7:30 pm

     

    Budget 2014: The Market Makers Budget Special

    Stocks editor Nikunj Dalmia to interview big market voices on market expectations from budget and stocks and sectors to watch out for.

    Date: 3 July, 7:30 pm

     

    Budget 2014: Macroscope

    A discussion programme anchored by Mythili Bhusnurmath that gives a view of the macroeconomic imperatives faced by the government, and how the budget is likely to address them.

    Date: 4 July, 7:30 pm

     

    Budget 2014: What Markets Want

    Nikunj Dalmia to interview (three person panel) with three of the biggest market voices analysing the market expectations from budget 2014

    Date: 7 July, 7:30 pm

     

    Budget 2014: Rail Budget

    The Narendra Modi-led NDA government will announce its maiden railway budget in Parliament. Just as the general budget, the rail budget is also keenly watched by experts and the country as a whole. Watch the extensive coverage of the budget only on ET Now with eminent experts from various fields

    Date: 8 July, 11:00 am

     

    Budget 2014: Budget & India Inc

    A panel discussion anchored by ET Now’s national editor Sandeep Gurumurthi. It will bring together the top names from corporate India to talk about how the budget can spur growth, and give an impetus to the reform process. India Inc’s biggest CEOs will share their wish list.

    Time: 7:30 pm

     

    Budget 2014: Eco Survey 2014

    A detailed coverage of annual document of the ministry of finance. In the economic survey programming ET Now will speak to experts about the developments in the Indian economy over the previous 12 months and will also analyse the reforms roadmap of the govt.

    Date: 9 July; 11:00 am

     

    Budget 2014: An Agenda for the FM

    The biggest macro-minds and economists come together to present an agenda for the FM. Catch ET Now’s budget think tank:  Swaminathan Aiyar, Bibek Debroy and  Punita Kumar Sinha present an agenda for the FM. This show will be anchored by ET Now’s policy editor Supriya Shrinate.

    Time: 6:30 pm

     

    Budget Day programming

    The budget day will have budget special programming all through the day with ET Now’s best line of experts comprising CEO’s, economists, market experts and foreign investors.

    Stay tuned to ET Now all this budget season for the most credible and accurate analysis of budget 2014.

  • Launch of ‘Modi Tsu’namo’ mobile game by Milestone Interactive Group

    Launch of ‘Modi Tsu’namo’ mobile game by Milestone Interactive Group

    MUMBAI: With BJP’s recent win and Narendra Modi all geared up to take charge of India, Milestone Interactive Group, India’s leading game publishing, marketing, retail and distribution organization has launched the Modi Tsu’namo’ mobile game. The game is available on the Google Play Store and celebrates the spirit of elections in a fun and casual manner whereby the player has to match at least three or more faces of popular Indian election candidates including Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal and Mamta Banerjee in a single swipe of each leader in any continuous motion combination and earn points. Combinations containing Modi will fetch more points than those containing any other leader. Play the game and celebrate this win for Modi and for India and lead the change by sharing it on Facebook.

    Commenting on the launch of the game, Mr Jayont R. Sharma, Chairman & CEO, Milestone Interactive Group said, “The win for BJP and Narendra Modi in the recent Loksabha elections, has encouraged us to launch theModi Tsu’namo’ mobile game. The game is part of our celebration of this momentous occasion. We are certain that with all the support Shri Narendra Modi has garnered, the players will have a good time playing this mobile game.”

    The game is available on: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.milestone.moditsunamo

  • Elections 2014: News channels ‘Modi’fy

    Elections 2014: News channels ‘Modi’fy

    NEW DELHI: Even as television channels are trying to be one up on the other in the coverage of the counting process and the general election results, most channels reflected a common perception:that the results were individual-based and not party-based.

    In fact, most channels had the faces of Narendra Modi when showing the results of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), that of Rahul Gandhi when showing the fate of the Indian National Congress (INC), of Arvind Kejriwal when reflecting how the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was doing, and so on. The party symbols of these parties were curiously missing from the studio reportage, even as these appeared during the live coverages from all over the country.

    Doordarshan News expectedly was the most sober in its coverage even as it was a little behind the other channels in showing the trends or results, but surprisingly even Times Now appeared to move a bit slowly with the trends and results even as it succeeded in getting a large number of panelists and politicians on board throughout the day.

    Even Lok Sabha TV (LSTV) and Rajya Sabha TV (RSTV) joined the fray for the first time to show the results. However, while LSTV confined itself to showing figures taken from Doordarshan accompanied by a live panel discussion, RSTV had live coverages from different parts of the country in collaboration with DD.   

     

    Clearly, NDTV 24×7 and ABP News captured a large number of eyeballs with their graphic presentations. NDTV 24×7 showed graphic presentation of the Lok Sabha, with a majority of seats occupied with yellow-coloured figures representing the BJP, and the numbers changed as the trends and results emerged.

    Aaj Tak had moving caricatures of Modi, Gandhi and Kejriwal reflecting the fate of their respective party, with Modi dancing with joy, Gandhi brow in frustration, and Kejriwal looking crestfallen in place of the party symbols.

    Interestingly the poll figures remained on screen even during the commercial breaks, reflecting the interest of the viewer.     

    As expected the presentations on the main news channels were led by their heads including Prannoy Roy of NDTV, Arnab Goswami of Times Now, and Rajdeep Sardesai of CNN-IBN.

    One common repeat throughout the day on all channels were the shots of Modi meeting and taking the blessings of his aged mother after his Vadodara victory and the run of the party for which he is the Prime Ministerial candidate.

     

    While Times Now appeared very cluttered with too many figures running simultaneously along with several visuals at the same time, channels like Zee News, ABP News, NDTV 24X7, P7, India News, CNN-IBN and NewsX caught the eye with their graphics and presentation.

     

    The interest in the Indian elections overseas was reflected by BBC Global News, as it went live several times during the day and had a live translation of all press meets being addressed in Hindi. CNN in comparison showed little interest as it only mentioned the results or trends from time to time.

    Clearly, all the channels were out to outdo each other as far as presentation was concerned vis-a-vis live graphics and coverage, and some like Times Now, ABP News, CNN-IBN and NDTV 24X7 catching the eye with their sets, with ABP News and NDTV 24X7 being most innovative.

    But it was clear that all the channels probably spent much more than the budgets initially earmarked by them for today. An earlier report had said that the channels had put aside Rs 1 crore to Rs 1.5 crore for the day, but one reporter of a channel told indiantelevision.com that the amount would go higher.

     

    Certain common points of discussion emerged throughout the day: was it the victory of Modi, the BJP workers or the RSS (an issue raised by both LK Advani and Sushma Swaraj during the day); will Rahul resign, accepting responsibility; did the allies matter since the BJP had emerged strongly on its own; was this high vote for BJP a rejection of many that it was a communal party; whether BJP leader Giriraj Singh who had made some very damaging statements should be removed from the party; why Sonia and Rahul Gandhi did not take questions and just made statements (Rahul was ready to face question, but left on Sonia’s gesture); and why were Dr Manmohan Singh and Arjun Kejriwal conspicuously missing. Advani and Sushma Swaraj’s attribution of the victory to BJP workers and the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh; and the virtually plastic smile on the face of Rahul also made for a lot of talk on TV channels and social media.

    But apart from the TV channels and even All India Radio including FM Gold which went live from 8:30 am in the morning, the social media was as active. While live coverage by way of latest figures appeared on sites like yahoo.in, Twitter was very active and was quoted throughout the day by TV channels whenever any personality including Modi and LK Advani sent tweets.

     

    Several interesting cartoons came on the internet, particularly Facebook, from individuals. One had a cartoon of Rahul Gandhi’s smiling face with the use of a BJP slogan: ‘Acchey din aaney waley hain, hum naani ke ghar jaane waaley hain’ (Good days are coming, we will go to our grandmother’s house) while another had a poster of ‘Dabbang 3’ with the photo of Modi. Some wanted to know if the victory of the film personalities was that of the individuals or the party they represented.    

    Even as the results started coming in the afternoon, the focus shifted entirely to the major personalities in the fray. And it will be interesting to note the conjectures of the channels about possible portfolios, particularly since most TV channels had got the exit polls right by predicting the victory of BJP.

  • 7 things that could blow your mind on 16 May

    7 things that could blow your mind on 16 May

    MUMBAI: Come Friday, every news channel has promised hours of the latest and extensive election result updates by their anchors and arm chair experts. Almost all channels in their excitement to grab eyeballs will begin their coverage from 6 am as the world waits with baited breath to know the mandate of the nation.

     

    As almost everyone is glued to their sets and expecting a common possibility to pour out, we from the team of indiantelevision.com bring you seven such wacky yet possible outcomes that could be contrary to what is expected in the biggest election of all times.

     

    What if…

     

    •Rahul Gandhi loses Amethi and Kejriwal wins Varanasi

    This will be a fortune teller’s delight and an astrologer’s worst nightmare come true. Narendra Modi won’t have much to worry as he still has another safe seat- Vadodra in Gujarat.  Mr Muffler winning from Varanasi in his enthusiasm could well be seen then, taking a dip in the holy Ganga- not advisable for a man with cold eh?

     

    •There is a power cut for hours

    Families sitting in front of a TV set. Popcorn and cola being passed around and midway through the coverage as anchors are about to tell you which party is seen gaining the maximum seats… click goes the electricity. One may recall, in June 2012, 20 of India’s 28 states were left without power when a grid had collapsed. So, the situation is a possibility. But on an election result day, people will have much more to complain other than just the sweltering heat.

     

    •Exit poll prediction goes wrong

    A repeat of 2009, when exit polls had signaled the green light for the NDA cannot be rubbished.  This could also be the death kneel for research agencies already under a cloud for rigging opinion polls. Congress’s spokespersons will be the ones having the last laugh as anchors try to put on some saving grace.

     

    •Markets crash…

    When exit poll results were shown recently, the markets reacted very strongly to a pro-Modi sentiment. But what if in the overzealous quest of share market, investors and holders, the sensex crashes. Again a possibility that cannot be ruled out.

     

    •Jashodaben escorting Modi on his victory rally!

    A perfect ending to a troubled marriage as seen in Bollywood movies, Jashodaben escorting her star husband could silence many of his critics. It would also bring tears to many Indian voters except Rahul baba who now would face pressure of finding a bride as if the electoral drubbing wasn’t enough. Rahul Ka Swayamwar -maybe?

     

    •NDA unable to get 272

    What if the NDA is unable to get to the magic figure? Yes it could reach out to form alliances with regional players. What could make this situation scarier is regional players offering their support on the condition that Modi is not the PM. Rajnath Singh could then be tipped to be the PM, in this Game of Thrones.

     

    •EC declares 16 May as ‘Dry day’

    Celebrations will be cut short if this comes true! All that one would be left to celebrate with are the kilos of ladoos that the BJP has ordered for. With no booze to celebrate, India would be instantly wrapped by the “Gujarat model” and be a dry country. Amul milk and cookies may be?

     

    •All celebrities winning the elections, Rakhi Sawant too!

    With many celebrities trying their luck at the ballot, they winning the same would add the much need glamour to our non-glitzy parliament. Whether they provide deep insight or pure entertainment is one’s wild guess. And, Rakhi Sawant in parliament? Oh jeejus!