ITV

Tag: AIR

  • ‘Sarabhai’ stands out for wit & cast’s inimitable timing, says Hotstar CEO Ajit Mohan

    MUMBAI: Leading VoD platform Hotstar finally announced the launch date of the much-awaited comedy, Sarabhai versus Sarabhai, to be 16 May. “We looked at the comedy space on digital and realised that there is a glut of content that liberally uses swearing and insults to create comedy. While that has its place, Sarabhai vs Sarabhai’s brand of comedy stands out in sharp contrast as content that’s best known for its wit, sarcasm and the stellar cast’s inimitable timing,” said Hotstar CEO Ajit Mohan.

    Sarabhai vs. Sarabhai is based on the life of a funny and quirky Gujarati family, living in Mumbai. The show’s originality and humour have earned it a spot among the best of Indian television, the sequel of which has now been made for the VoD platform.

    Hotstar is a leading premium streaming platform with more than 100,000 hours of drama and movies in nine languages, and coverage of every major global sporting event.

    “Sarabhai vs. Sarabhai: Take 2″ is the latest in our signature bouquet of content called — Hotstar Originals. Each show in this bouquet, be it On Air with AIB, Cineplay or Tanhaaiyan, is genre-defining in its own unique way, and we’re really excited to see the enthusiasm Sarabhai vs Sarabhai: Take 2 has already drummed up,” added Mohan.

    Following a unique marketing campaign that has sent fans into a frenzy of anticipation, India’s leading video-on-demand platform, Hotstar, finally announced the launch date of the much-awaited comedy, Sarabhai vs. Sarabhai, to be 16th May.

    Sarabhai vs. Sarabhai, back after a hiatus of seven years, will premiere on Hotstar as Sarabhai vs. Sarabhai: Take 2. The show features Satish Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Sumeet Raghavan, Rupali Ganguly, Rajesh Kumar and Deven Bhojani, and is produced by Jamnadas (JD) Majethia and Aatish Kapadia. The second season promises the same wit and sarcasm that became the hallmark of the show, along with some new and interesting story tracks and characters.

    Hotstar, keenly aware of the consistent and passionate fandom for the show, designed an immersive marketing campaign which would allow fans to become part of the show’s journey, while giving new audiences a peek into what makes the show a smash hit.

    The quirky digital campaign kick-started with a teaser on April 3rd, taking fans on a virtual tour of the show’s set for the ‘Muhurat shot’ via Facebook Live. Millions of fans immediately responded with incredible enthusiasm, resulting in the show trending on Facebook for 4 days.

    Hotstar dialed up the engagement further with a digital video, inviting suggestions from audiences for naming the second season of the show.

    The video went viral, attracting over 15 million views (and counting), within just 2 days of release. The suffix in the show’s title, ‘Take 2’, was selected from over 50,000 suggestions from fans.

    The new name of the show was finally revealed via the official promotional film for Sarabhai vs Sarabhai: Take 2 on social media, racking up 3 million views within 10 hours of release. The film, which shows the characters diligently cleaning various objects around the house, underscores the show’s proposition as a comedy that is ‘Clean bhi, crazy bhi’.

  • No plan to turn AIR, DD into corporate entities

    No plan to turn AIR, DD into corporate entities

    NEW DELHI: The government is not considering any proposal to make Doordarshan and All India Radio as separate corporate entities, the Parliament was told.

    Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said that the two organisations are being professionalised in accordance with the recommendations of the Sam Pitroda Committee submitted three years ago.

    He said that a panel of secretaries had been set up to examine the report and suggest other ways to modernise the organisations. But, the panel had not submitted any report so far, Rathore said.

    (Prasar Bharati Board had set up committees earlier to go into the various recommendations of the Sam Pitroda Committee and some action has already been initiated, Ministry sources told indianteleision.com.)

    Prasar Bharati was established as an autonomous corporation on 23 November 1997 under the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act 1990. The Act provided full functional autonomy to Prasar Bharati. The general superintendence, direction and management of Prasar Bharati is vested in the Prasar Bharati Board which exercises all powers and does all acts and things on behalf of the Corporation, as enshrined in the Act including disciplinary and full supervisory powers over its employees.

    Prasar Bharati being the public broadcaster has been mandated to organize and conduct public broadcasting services with the intent to inform, educate and entertain the public. Since Public Broadcasting is largely non-commercial, the Government continues to financially support Prasar Bharati.

    Also Read:

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    Budget ’17: Prasar Bharati grant-in-aid down, film sector’s aid up

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  • DD, AIR covers most naxal-hit areas too

    DD, AIR covers most naxal-hit areas too

    NEW DELHI: The entire state of Chhattisgarh, including its rural and naxal-affected areas, has been provided with multichannel TV coverage through Doordarshan’s free to air DTH service DD FreeDish while 13 AIR stations are operating in Chhattisgarh including eight of 100 W FM relay transmitters for localised coverage.

    Answering a question in the Parliament about coverage by Prasar Bharati in naxalite-affected areas, minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said that the signals of Direct to Home (DTH) service can be received with a small-sized dish receiving unit.

    A total of 29 terrestrial TV transmitters of varying power are functioning in Chhattisgarh, he added.

    As far as AIR was concerned, he added that some areas of Dantewada, Bijapur and Koriya districts were still uncovered by AIR’s terrestrial broadcast. High Power Medium Wave transmitter from AIR Nagpur is also providing AIR service in Chhattisgarh state.

    Most of the populated parts of Chhattisgarh are covered with AIR MW coverage and by its FM coverage also at reasonably good numbers of places.

    In addition, 31 channels of All India Radio are available on DD FreeDish throughout the country.

    Thirteen popular channels of All-India Radio can also be received through internet by browsing AIR’s website and by downloading suitable apps on iOS/ Android/ Windows based mobile phones.

    AIR’s scheme for replacement of existing outlived 100 kW MW transmitter at Jagdalpur by new 100 kW MW transmitter has already been approved under special scheme. A 5 kW FM transmitter under continuing scheme of 12th Plan has been approved for testing at Ambikapur

  • DD, AIR covers most naxal-hit areas too

    DD, AIR covers most naxal-hit areas too

    NEW DELHI: The entire state of Chhattisgarh, including its rural and naxal-affected areas, has been provided with multichannel TV coverage through Doordarshan’s free to air DTH service DD FreeDish while 13 AIR stations are operating in Chhattisgarh including eight of 100 W FM relay transmitters for localised coverage.

    Answering a question in the Parliament about coverage by Prasar Bharati in naxalite-affected areas, minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said that the signals of Direct to Home (DTH) service can be received with a small-sized dish receiving unit.

    A total of 29 terrestrial TV transmitters of varying power are functioning in Chhattisgarh, he added.

    As far as AIR was concerned, he added that some areas of Dantewada, Bijapur and Koriya districts were still uncovered by AIR’s terrestrial broadcast. High Power Medium Wave transmitter from AIR Nagpur is also providing AIR service in Chhattisgarh state.

    Most of the populated parts of Chhattisgarh are covered with AIR MW coverage and by its FM coverage also at reasonably good numbers of places.

    In addition, 31 channels of All India Radio are available on DD FreeDish throughout the country.

    Thirteen popular channels of All-India Radio can also be received through internet by browsing AIR’s website and by downloading suitable apps on iOS/ Android/ Windows based mobile phones.

    AIR’s scheme for replacement of existing outlived 100 kW MW transmitter at Jagdalpur by new 100 kW MW transmitter has already been approved under special scheme. A 5 kW FM transmitter under continuing scheme of 12th Plan has been approved for testing at Ambikapur

  • DD, AIR asked to focus on content than reach

    DD, AIR asked to focus on content than reach

    NEW DELHI: The minister of state for information & broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said that Doordarshan and AIR need to establish connect with the people not only geographically but also focus on the content and programmes.

    Speaking at the 28th State Information Ministers Conference here today, he also touched upon the activities carried out by media units and training institutes under the ministry.

    Rathore said gathering and dissemination of information was a continuous process and centre and states need to come together to create an ecosystem that enabled informed citizenry.

    Rathore said collaboration between states and Centre was the bedrock for good governance, and there was a need for moving forward together as Team India in scripting the development of the nation. Information dissemination and the analysis of the feedback was a critical component in the whole gamut of communication landscape.

    The minister urged the states to set up film facilitation units in states to ease out film shooting permissions as well as ensure seamless movement of their equipment. In this context, he said the ministry is in the process of setting up a central portal for all such related permissions and welcomed states to also collaborate in this platform as a part of ease of doing business initiative.

  • DD, AIR asked to focus on content than reach

    DD, AIR asked to focus on content than reach

    NEW DELHI: The minister of state for information & broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said that Doordarshan and AIR need to establish connect with the people not only geographically but also focus on the content and programmes.

    Speaking at the 28th State Information Ministers Conference here today, he also touched upon the activities carried out by media units and training institutes under the ministry.

    Rathore said gathering and dissemination of information was a continuous process and centre and states need to come together to create an ecosystem that enabled informed citizenry.

    Rathore said collaboration between states and Centre was the bedrock for good governance, and there was a need for moving forward together as Team India in scripting the development of the nation. Information dissemination and the analysis of the feedback was a critical component in the whole gamut of communication landscape.

    The minister urged the states to set up film facilitation units in states to ease out film shooting permissions as well as ensure seamless movement of their equipment. In this context, he said the ministry is in the process of setting up a central portal for all such related permissions and welcomed states to also collaborate in this platform as a part of ease of doing business initiative.

  • Auctions on 5 Oct for Freedish licence renewal

    Auctions on 5 Oct for Freedish licence renewal

    NEW DELHI: The conuntry’s only free-to-air direct-to-home platform Doordarshan Freedish is holding its 31st auction on 5 October. Despite having touched a bid amount of Rs 5.2 crore in the last auction on 15 September, the new auction will have the same reserve price of Rs 4.3 crore.

    A DD announcement stated that the auction is for ‘vacant DTH slot’ without indicating the number of slots, though indications are that there may be more than one vacant slot.

    The slots have fallen or are falling vacant as the license period of one or more of the 80 TV channels on the platform is expiring. The announcement was clear that those channels who are already on the platform but whose licences are expiring by 31 December 2016 can participate. Others whose licenses will expire on or after 1 January 2017 are not permitted to participate.

    Sources told indiantelevision.com that Freedish is being encrypted through Indian Conditional Addressable System (iCAS) to keep a tab on the number of subscribers, but it would remain free-to-air.

    The e-auction will be conducted by M/s. C1 India Pvt. Ltd., Noida, which also conducted the first stage of the FM Radio Phase III auctions on behalf of Prasar Bharati.

    The participation amount (EMD) in the e-auction is Rs.1.5 crore which will be deposited in advance before or by 12 noon on 5 October along with processing fee of Rs.10,000 (non-refundable) in favour of PB (BCI) Doordarshan Commercial Service, New Delhi.

  • Auctions on 5 Oct for Freedish licence renewal

    Auctions on 5 Oct for Freedish licence renewal

    NEW DELHI: The conuntry’s only free-to-air direct-to-home platform Doordarshan Freedish is holding its 31st auction on 5 October. Despite having touched a bid amount of Rs 5.2 crore in the last auction on 15 September, the new auction will have the same reserve price of Rs 4.3 crore.

    A DD announcement stated that the auction is for ‘vacant DTH slot’ without indicating the number of slots, though indications are that there may be more than one vacant slot.

    The slots have fallen or are falling vacant as the license period of one or more of the 80 TV channels on the platform is expiring. The announcement was clear that those channels who are already on the platform but whose licences are expiring by 31 December 2016 can participate. Others whose licenses will expire on or after 1 January 2017 are not permitted to participate.

    Sources told indiantelevision.com that Freedish is being encrypted through Indian Conditional Addressable System (iCAS) to keep a tab on the number of subscribers, but it would remain free-to-air.

    The e-auction will be conducted by M/s. C1 India Pvt. Ltd., Noida, which also conducted the first stage of the FM Radio Phase III auctions on behalf of Prasar Bharati.

    The participation amount (EMD) in the e-auction is Rs.1.5 crore which will be deposited in advance before or by 12 noon on 5 October along with processing fee of Rs.10,000 (non-refundable) in favour of PB (BCI) Doordarshan Commercial Service, New Delhi.

  • Trai proposes radio audience measurement on lines of Barc

    Trai proposes radio audience measurement on lines of Barc

    NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has come out with a set of recommendations on radio audience measurement (Ram) in India setting limits on ownership of stakeholders in the ratings agency, but there is no limit on the number of such agencies.

    In a preface, the regulator said there is a need to prescribe “a soft touch, conducive, forward looking, growth oriented framework” for Ram, which protects the interests of all stakeholders.

    The guidelines for rating agencies will be notified by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) based on the recommendations of Trai and there will be no ceiling on the number of rating agencies.

    Trai has a recommendatory role on such issues as final decisions rest with nodal ministries like MIB, Department of Telecoms (DoT) and Department of Space (DoS). In the past, many recommendations of the regulator had not been implemented at all or done so partially by the Ministry concerned.

    The Ram proposed guidelines mandatorily cover registration, eligibility norms, cross-holdings, methodology for conducting radio rating, complaint redressal, sale and use of ratings, audit, disclosure, reporting requirements and penal provisions for rating agencies.

    This will be very similar to the existing policy guidelines for television rating agencies issued by MIB under which Barc operates.

    Trai suggested the ratings agency should have adequate and equal representation from the three associations concerned — Association of Radio Operators for India (AROI), Indian Society of Advertisers (ISA) and Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI).

    The salient features of the TRAI recommendations are as follows:

    (i)Guidelines for rating system to be notified by MIB.

    (ii)Any agency meeting eligibility conditions can apply and get registered with MIB for doing the rating work. No cap on number of rating agencies has been prescribed.

    (iii)All rating agencies, including industry led body are required to comply with the guidelines.

    (iv)Guidelines to cover registration, eligibility norms, cross-holding, methodology for conducting rating, complaint redressal, sale and use of ratings, audit, disclosure, reporting requirements and penal provisions.

    (v)Voluntary code of conduct by the industry for maintaining secrecy and privacy of the listeners included in the rating process.

    (vi)Restrictions on ‘substantial equity holding of 10% or more’ between rating agencies and broadcasters/advertisers/advertising agencies have been prescribed.

    (vii)The rating agency to set up an effective complaint redressal system.

    (viii)Data/reports generated by the rating agency to be made available to all interested stakeholders in a transparent and equitable manner.

    (ix)The rating agency to get its entire methodology/processes audited internally on quarterly basis and through an independent auditor annually. All audit reports to be put on the website of the rating agency.

    (x)Penal provisions for non-compliance of guidelines.

    Since All India Radio (AIR) has a large geographical and population coverage and is not a member of AROI, representation of AIR should be ensured in the technical committee formed within the industry led body for guiding and supervising various radio rating processes.

    Trai said in its report that once guidelines are issued and implemented by MIB, these will be made applicable to all the rating agencies including the industry-led body.

    An independent rating agency, carrying out the rating process, can also outsource the field work, data collection and processing to third parties. The guidelines will not be applicable to the entities which have been contracted to carry out the field work, data collection and processing.

    At present, radio audience measurement in India is conducted by AIR and TAM Media Research.

    The full TRAI recommendation can be obtained at http://www.trai.gov.in/WriteReadData/WhatsNew/Documents/Recommendations_15_September_2016.pdf

  • Trai proposes radio audience measurement on lines of Barc

    Trai proposes radio audience measurement on lines of Barc

    NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has come out with a set of recommendations on radio audience measurement (Ram) in India setting limits on ownership of stakeholders in the ratings agency, but there is no limit on the number of such agencies.

    In a preface, the regulator said there is a need to prescribe “a soft touch, conducive, forward looking, growth oriented framework” for Ram, which protects the interests of all stakeholders.

    The guidelines for rating agencies will be notified by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) based on the recommendations of Trai and there will be no ceiling on the number of rating agencies.

    Trai has a recommendatory role on such issues as final decisions rest with nodal ministries like MIB, Department of Telecoms (DoT) and Department of Space (DoS). In the past, many recommendations of the regulator had not been implemented at all or done so partially by the Ministry concerned.

    The Ram proposed guidelines mandatorily cover registration, eligibility norms, cross-holdings, methodology for conducting radio rating, complaint redressal, sale and use of ratings, audit, disclosure, reporting requirements and penal provisions for rating agencies.

    This will be very similar to the existing policy guidelines for television rating agencies issued by MIB under which Barc operates.

    Trai suggested the ratings agency should have adequate and equal representation from the three associations concerned — Association of Radio Operators for India (AROI), Indian Society of Advertisers (ISA) and Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI).

    The salient features of the TRAI recommendations are as follows:

    (i)Guidelines for rating system to be notified by MIB.

    (ii)Any agency meeting eligibility conditions can apply and get registered with MIB for doing the rating work. No cap on number of rating agencies has been prescribed.

    (iii)All rating agencies, including industry led body are required to comply with the guidelines.

    (iv)Guidelines to cover registration, eligibility norms, cross-holding, methodology for conducting rating, complaint redressal, sale and use of ratings, audit, disclosure, reporting requirements and penal provisions.

    (v)Voluntary code of conduct by the industry for maintaining secrecy and privacy of the listeners included in the rating process.

    (vi)Restrictions on ‘substantial equity holding of 10% or more’ between rating agencies and broadcasters/advertisers/advertising agencies have been prescribed.

    (vii)The rating agency to set up an effective complaint redressal system.

    (viii)Data/reports generated by the rating agency to be made available to all interested stakeholders in a transparent and equitable manner.

    (ix)The rating agency to get its entire methodology/processes audited internally on quarterly basis and through an independent auditor annually. All audit reports to be put on the website of the rating agency.

    (x)Penal provisions for non-compliance of guidelines.

    Since All India Radio (AIR) has a large geographical and population coverage and is not a member of AROI, representation of AIR should be ensured in the technical committee formed within the industry led body for guiding and supervising various radio rating processes.

    Trai said in its report that once guidelines are issued and implemented by MIB, these will be made applicable to all the rating agencies including the industry-led body.

    An independent rating agency, carrying out the rating process, can also outsource the field work, data collection and processing to third parties. The guidelines will not be applicable to the entities which have been contracted to carry out the field work, data collection and processing.

    At present, radio audience measurement in India is conducted by AIR and TAM Media Research.

    The full TRAI recommendation can be obtained at http://www.trai.gov.in/WriteReadData/WhatsNew/Documents/Recommendations_15_September_2016.pdf