Tag: A+E Networks

  • Special Operations India: Myanmar

    Special Operations India: Myanmar

    MUMBAI: District, Manipur. 18 Indian soldiers were martyred, in what was one of the worst militant attacks in North-East India in a decade. In response, the Indian Army sent in Paratrooper Special Forces to trace the attackers along the India Myanmar Border and destroy their militant stronghold, before more terror attacks could follow. It was a classified mission that’s now known as Operation Hot Pursuit. HISTORY TV18 presents the true story of this counter-insurgency operation in a new documentary – Special Operations India: Myanmar, a one –hour feature premiering28th March, 2018 at 9pm. This is the second film in the Special Operations India mini-series, the first one being the path-breaking documentary about India’s Surgical Strikes in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.

    “Operation Hot Pursuit”was a race against time. It remainsone of India’s most daring military operations in recent history. It wasthe need of the hour, following the militant attack on an Indian Army convoy. The ambush had been planned and carried out by an insurgent group called the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khapalang (NSCN K). The NSCN-K is a well-organized militia operating in North East India. Their funding comes from extortion, kidnappings and gun-running in the region. Sources also believe they are covertly aided by foreign powers. Following the ambush, Indian military intelligence showedthat the insurgents had retreated to a large camp along the Indo-Myanmar Border. Swift counter insurgency measures were needed, to deter militants waging war against the Union of India. The Indian Army’s elite Paratrooper Special Forces unit in the North East were tasked with the mission. The HistoryTV18documentary follows these Jungle Warfare Specialists on their deadly mission against the NSCN- K.

    The story is told through the experiencesof the men leading the operation and the decision makers in India’s military establishment at the time.The narrative relies on the first person accounts ofAjit Doval, National Security Advisor to the Government of India, General Bipin Rawat, India’s current Chief of Army Staff and the Special Forces Team Leader (identity undisclosed) spearheading the assault on ground. The programme also featuresManohar Parrikar, Former Defence Minister, General Dalbir Singh, Former Chief of Army Staff andNitin Gokhale,Defence Analyst and author, who share their insights.

    Avinash Kaul, Managing Director A+E Networks | TV18 &COO Network18 said, “After the great success of our India original production “Surgical Strikes” we’re showcasing another compelling recreation of the heroic deeds of the Indian Army: ‘Special-Operations: India. Myanmar’. This show best epitomizes our brand & content promise- to bring forth inspiring stories of ‘history being made every-day’. We believe that contemporary shows like these will go a long way in establishing HISTORY TV18 at the forefront of factual entertainment in India.

    The narrative follows India’s Special Forces on their secret mission, through dramatic twists and turns in the unfolding story. Authentic recreations across locations in North-East India, details of the planning and execution, first person accounts of themen in charge, along with top end production values make this a genre-defining show. Incredible visuals filmed in 4K and High Definition with high-speed cameras, expertly choreographed action sequences,factual rigor and great storytelling lie at the heart of the immersive viewing experience.

    Special Operations India: Myanmar is factual entertainment at its best – an Indian production,with world-class standardsthat tells an Indian story.

    When peace is threatened, heroes of the Indian Army rise to answer the call of duty. Special Operations India: Myanmar honors those who put themselves in the line of fire for the nation.

  • ETV Rajasthan dominates competition

    ETV Rajasthan dominates competition

    New Delhi: In the intensely competitive regional news genre in Rajasthan, ETV Rajasthan has established itself as a clear and dominant No. 1 channel. According to ETV Rajasthan’s interpretation of BARC data, with a market share of 78%*, the channel is clearly the preferred choice for the people of Rajasthan. The year 2017 saw ETV Rajasthan grow by leaps and bound – in fact the channel’s impressions jumped by 410%** in the time period Week 01, 2017 to Week 01, 2018. As per the latest BARC data, the channel’s market share is almost 5 times that of its nearest competition and is 3.6 times that of all other channels combined*.

    In the critical evening prime time band, ETV Rajasthan is 5.8 times ahead of the nearest compeition.***

    The brand had refreshed its screen look & programming line-up in 2017. The refreshed content and fresh packaging has clearly appealed to the viewers and this is clearly reflecting in the channels’ growing ratings.

    Commenting on the channel’s success Rajesh Raina, Group Editor – ETV Network said “ETV Rajasthan’s strength has always been both its unmatched coverage of news from across the state as well as the fact that it has raised issues that have a direct and significant impact on its viewers. It is this that has enabled the channel to build tremendous equity with the people in the state. ”

    Avinash Kaul, President- Network18 and MD- A+E Networks/TV18 commenting on the channel’s performance said “The people of Rajasthan have made their choice clear and we are thankful that they have overwhelmingly chosen ETV Rajasthan their channel of choice. We would like to reaffirm our commitment to pursuing the highest quality of journalism. We are confident that our focus on excellence will ensure that ETV Rajasthan will continue to remain the dominant player and a clear leader in the state.”

    *Source: BARC India, TG: 15+, Market: Rajasthan, Time Period: Week 01 ’18, 24 hours

    **Source: BARC India, TG: 15+, Market: Rajasthan, Time Period: Week 01 ’17 – Week 01 ’18, 24 hours

    ***Source: BARC | TG: 2+ | Market: Rajasthan | Period: Week 50’17-Week1’18 (1800 – 2300) hours

  • Marquees: High-powered jury announced, News18 India to present debut

    MUMBAI: The Advertising Club, India’s foremost advertising community that is all set to present the maiden edition of Marquees 2017 has now announced the esteemed jury panel for the awards. Presented by News18 India and powered by COLORS and MTV in its debut edition, Marquees 2017 instituted to recognise brands for their excellence in building effective and sustainable equity will now be adjudged by media legends that includes RPG Enterprises chairman Harsh Goenka, UpGrad co-founder Ronnie Screwvala, Taproot India chairman & co-founder Agnello Dias, TPG Capital sr Advisor & Vodafone former COO Naveen Chopra and Perfect Relations founding partner Dilip Cherian and GroupM CEO – south Asia CVL Srinivas.

    The stalwarts along with Hindustan Unilever CEO and MD Sanjiv Mehta as jury chair is all set to bring great perspective and acumen into the judging process for the first edition of this unique awards. The debut edition of the awards is slated to premiere on August 11th, 2017 in Mumbai.

    Speaking about the diversity of the jury panel for the awards the Advertising Club president Raj Nayak said “The illustrious jury for Marquees 2017 that consists of stalwarts from across categories brings in great diversity of experience and vigor into the deliberation process. This diversity is set to provide significant insight mining potential and range in perspective into the evaluation method, ensuring that only the most deserved and path breaking marketers facilitating social and behavioral change emerge victorious.”

    Speaking about associating with Marquees 2017, A+E Networks – TV18 MD and Network18 president – strategy, product & alliances Avinash Kaul said, “Network18 through its front-running Hindi General News brand News18 India believes in acknowledging talent that has transformational potential. As a news organisation, we bring cutting-edge stories that prompt authorities into action. Similarly, we believe Marquees 2017 will recognise forward thinking marketers who create campaigns to inspire positive change. The multi-disciplinary jury panel of industry legends is sure to bring further credence and value to the awards, making it a much sought-after event for marketers.”

    Talking about Marquees 2017 awards jury, Marquees 2017 chairman Partho Dasgupta said “The debut edition of Marquees has already set a significant benchmark by bringing together a highly respected jury panel that consist of media legends. The combined experience, wisdom and technical know-how of the jury is sure to recognize and validate brands and marketers that have redefined and challenged the conventional communication paradigm.”

  • A+E commissions Woodcut to produce Jo Frost on Killer Kids, Keshet to distribute

    MUMBAI: A+E Networks® UK has commissioned Woodcut Media to produce a new documentary series, Jo Frost on Killer Kids, which will premiere on Crime + Investigation in the UK this autumn.

    The 4×60’ documentary series will explore the shocking subject of children who commit murder. Each episode explores a different topic including children who kill a family member, children who kill at school and children who kill other children. Presented by parenting expert Jo Frost, the series examines cases that left the nation shocked to the core, investigating what led these children to commit murder and asks the question, are some children born evil?

    Jo Frost on Killer Kids is commissioned by Koulla Anastasi, Director of Crime + Investigation (CI) at A+E Networks® UK.

    Anastasi commented: “We are a delighted to welcome Jo Frost to Crime + Investigation’s growing stable of talent. With her extensive experience of working closely with children and challenged families, Jo will add context and insight to this compelling and exclusive new UK commission.”

    Jo Frost on Killer Kids is produced by Woodcut Media and co-produced with Krempelwood Entertainment. Executive Producers are Diana Carter for A+E Networks UK, Jo Frost for Nanny Jo Productions, Kate Beal and Derren Lawford for Woodcut Media, alongside Series Producer Nick Mavroidakis who produced the hit World’s Most Evil Killers.

    The series will be distributed internationally by Keshet International.

    Kate Beal, CEO, Woodcut Media said: “Jo Frost’s unique take will offer a fresh approach to this challenging topic as we explore the question of whether people are born evil, or if it’s a case of nature or nurture. Having forged a solid working relationship over the years with Crime + Investigation, we know this is the perfect platform to launch this fascinating new series.”

    Jo Frost said: “How families function and observing behaviour patterns for decades led me very keen to develop this idea. Given Woodcut Media’s reputation in true crime, I knew they would be the perfect partner to team up with for this series. I’m extremely excited to be doing my debut documentary series for Crime + Investigation on such an important and yet gripping issue.”

  • A+E Networks appoints two execs, bolsters international biz

    A+E Networks appoints two execs, bolsters international biz

    MUMBAI: A+E Networks president of international and digital media Sean Cohan has brought in new executives to strengthen the international business of A+E. Strengthening its international team, A+E Networks appointed Edward Sabin and Patrick Vien to serve as executive managing directors.

    Cohan said that the appointments would support A+E Networks’ rapidly expanding global footprint across all platforms for both short and long-form entertainment. To be based in New York City starting January, Vien joins A+E Networks from Pulse Films as the executive managing director for international where he would oversee all of A+E’s businesses throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

    Vien will also lead acquisitions, programming strategy, and production for the company’s channels outside the U.S. and collaborate on international marketing initiatives. Vien will also oversee all aspects relating to the company’s international content sales across 220 territories.

    Sabin, who joined A+E Networks in 2015 as the managing director for the Americas and head of commercial operations, has been elevated. He manages key relationships, partnerships, channels and digital media activities in Latin America and Canada, leads the company’s global strategic and operational teams, and heads up format programming and production. Sabin would now oversee of Asia, Australia and New Zealand. He is based in Los Angeles.

  • A+E Networks appoints two execs, bolsters international biz

    A+E Networks appoints two execs, bolsters international biz

    MUMBAI: A+E Networks president of international and digital media Sean Cohan has brought in new executives to strengthen the international business of A+E. Strengthening its international team, A+E Networks appointed Edward Sabin and Patrick Vien to serve as executive managing directors.

    Cohan said that the appointments would support A+E Networks’ rapidly expanding global footprint across all platforms for both short and long-form entertainment. To be based in New York City starting January, Vien joins A+E Networks from Pulse Films as the executive managing director for international where he would oversee all of A+E’s businesses throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

    Vien will also lead acquisitions, programming strategy, and production for the company’s channels outside the U.S. and collaborate on international marketing initiatives. Vien will also oversee all aspects relating to the company’s international content sales across 220 territories.

    Sabin, who joined A+E Networks in 2015 as the managing director for the Americas and head of commercial operations, has been elevated. He manages key relationships, partnerships, channels and digital media activities in Latin America and Canada, leads the company’s global strategic and operational teams, and heads up format programming and production. Sabin would now oversee of Asia, Australia and New Zealand. He is based in Los Angeles.

  • Ambani talks about RIL’s media & entertainment empire

    Ambani talks about RIL’s media & entertainment empire

    MUMBAI: When one of India’s richest billionaires starts talking about what most consider as a small media & entertainment business, juxtaposing it against the Rs 300,000 crore he generates out of oil and gas, it’s a statement of how much it has come to mean to him.

    At the RIL AGM on 1 September chairman Mukesh Ambani outlined the scale of Reliance Industries Ltd’s (RIL’s) M&E business.

    “We own 58 channels the highest number by an Indian company and we are aggressively investing in it along with global leaders such as Viacom, CNBC, CNN Forbes, and A+E Networks,” he said with aplomb.

    11 of these channels are overseas but they are Indian and catering to the diaspora globally. Network18 contributes 21 of these in the form of news channels reaching out national and regional viewers, in 18 states and 11 languages. The entertainment and infotainment TV business it has set up in partnership with global majors such as Viacom and A+E has 26 channels.

    “Our television network reaches out to more than 500 million viewers every month, that is two out of every five Indians,” he explained. “Colors is amongst the top two channels in India, while Nick and MTV are top players in their genres.”

    He was pretty kicked up about the reach of online websites under the Network18 umbrella. “They attract over 27 million unique visitors every month which is the largest in India,” he exclaimed.

    He also spoke about the fact that online shopping and ticketing sites such as bookmyshow have got the highest traction in the country.

  • Ambani talks about RIL’s media & entertainment empire

    Ambani talks about RIL’s media & entertainment empire

    MUMBAI: When one of India’s richest billionaires starts talking about what most consider as a small media & entertainment business, juxtaposing it against the Rs 300,000 crore he generates out of oil and gas, it’s a statement of how much it has come to mean to him.

    At the RIL AGM on 1 September chairman Mukesh Ambani outlined the scale of Reliance Industries Ltd’s (RIL’s) M&E business.

    “We own 58 channels the highest number by an Indian company and we are aggressively investing in it along with global leaders such as Viacom, CNBC, CNN Forbes, and A+E Networks,” he said with aplomb.

    11 of these channels are overseas but they are Indian and catering to the diaspora globally. Network18 contributes 21 of these in the form of news channels reaching out national and regional viewers, in 18 states and 11 languages. The entertainment and infotainment TV business it has set up in partnership with global majors such as Viacom and A+E has 26 channels.

    “Our television network reaches out to more than 500 million viewers every month, that is two out of every five Indians,” he explained. “Colors is amongst the top two channels in India, while Nick and MTV are top players in their genres.”

    He was pretty kicked up about the reach of online websites under the Network18 umbrella. “They attract over 27 million unique visitors every month which is the largest in India,” he exclaimed.

    He also spoke about the fact that online shopping and ticketing sites such as bookmyshow have got the highest traction in the country.

  • ESPN ropes in Jasdeep Pannu as India TV initiatives head

    ESPN ropes in Jasdeep Pannu as India TV initiatives head

    MUMBAI: Leading global sports network ESPN is slowly but steadily rebuilding itself in the Indian television space, after exiting its 50:50 sports broadcasting joint venture with Star India in 2012.

    Last year, it bounced back into the Indian television ecosystem in a partnership with Sony Pictures Networks (SPN) in an initiative that would see it giving birth to many channels, new program, online initiatives, among other things. At least that’s what MSM India CEO NP Singh and ESPN international Executive vice-president and managing director Russell Wolff had stated at the time of the launch of the new venture.

    January 2016 saw Sony Kix being rebranded as Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD, the first of the many channels the two want to launch in India.

    As a first step on the talent front, ESPN has brought in sports television veteran Jasdeep Pannu as head of its TV initiatives in India. Pannu joined the company in July 2016 but has been working in a low key manner since then.

    For the programming vet, it is a home coming of sorts. In an earlier innings with Sony Entertainment Television, according to information available with indiantelevision.com, he was senior vice-president and head of programming for its Max channel. At Max, he led a 150-strong content development and execution team on the IPL to present cricket as an entertainment experience and won multiple awards for best programming. He developed the team from ground-up, enabled disruptive thinking and innovative execution. He was one of the key executives involved in the positioning of the IPL as an inclusive sports event for mass audiences. Expanded audience share among women and younger viewers, increased reach by over 20 million viewers.

    He followed that with a year or so long stint with Star Sports wherein he worked on integrating the ESPN sports production team into the new post-merger sports network’s team structure. He hired a 150-person team in six weeks – drove the organisational design process obtaining management and HR approvals.

    His last assignment prior to joining ESPN, was with A&E Networks as the EVP and head of content for ten months.

  • ESPN ropes in Jasdeep Pannu as India TV initiatives head

    ESPN ropes in Jasdeep Pannu as India TV initiatives head

    MUMBAI: Leading global sports network ESPN is slowly but steadily rebuilding itself in the Indian television space, after exiting its 50:50 sports broadcasting joint venture with Star India in 2012.

    Last year, it bounced back into the Indian television ecosystem in a partnership with Sony Pictures Networks (SPN) in an initiative that would see it giving birth to many channels, new program, online initiatives, among other things. At least that’s what MSM India CEO NP Singh and ESPN international Executive vice-president and managing director Russell Wolff had stated at the time of the launch of the new venture.

    January 2016 saw Sony Kix being rebranded as Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD, the first of the many channels the two want to launch in India.

    As a first step on the talent front, ESPN has brought in sports television veteran Jasdeep Pannu as head of its TV initiatives in India. Pannu joined the company in July 2016 but has been working in a low key manner since then.

    For the programming vet, it is a home coming of sorts. In an earlier innings with Sony Entertainment Television, according to information available with indiantelevision.com, he was senior vice-president and head of programming for its Max channel. At Max, he led a 150-strong content development and execution team on the IPL to present cricket as an entertainment experience and won multiple awards for best programming. He developed the team from ground-up, enabled disruptive thinking and innovative execution. He was one of the key executives involved in the positioning of the IPL as an inclusive sports event for mass audiences. Expanded audience share among women and younger viewers, increased reach by over 20 million viewers.

    He followed that with a year or so long stint with Star Sports wherein he worked on integrating the ESPN sports production team into the new post-merger sports network’s team structure. He hired a 150-person team in six weeks – drove the organisational design process obtaining management and HR approvals.

    His last assignment prior to joining ESPN, was with A&E Networks as the EVP and head of content for ten months.