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Tag: Akshat Singhal

  • Dangal TV storms into YouTube’s global Top 100 with 50 million subscribers

    Dangal TV storms into YouTube’s global Top 100 with 50 million subscribers

    MUMBAI: Dangal TV, has smashed yet another digital milestone — crossing a massive 50 million subscribers on YouTube and earning a coveted spot among the Top 100 YouTube channels globally, currently sitting pretty at #87.

    Launched on 2 August 2017, Dangal’s rise from regional to global star reflects more than just strong programming, it’s a testament to sharp strategy and storytelling that cuts across borders and bandwidths.

    The credit, insiders say, goes to the unflinching vision of managing director Manish Singhal, who’s steered Dangal with one mission in mind: to take Bharat’s stories to the world, one compelling plot twist at a time.

    Akshat Singhal, head of Dangal Play, and the driving force behind Dangal TV’s digital transformation, shared, “Reaching 50 million subscribers is a proud and emotional moment for all of us. It reflects the deep connection we’ve built with audiences worldwide and our valued partnership with YouTube, which has enabled us to showcase Indian storytelling on a global stage.”

    He adds, “Our vision from the start has been to create content rooted in the heartland that connects across borders. Reaching the 87th spot globally is just the beginning – with our current and upcoming shows, we aim to break many more records.”

    As the channel nears its eighth anniversary, its YouTube numbers aren’t just vanity metrics, they’re proof that content rooted in India’s soil can roar on the world stage.

  • Zepto, Shaadi.com and DangalPlay make OOH advertising fun

    Zepto, Shaadi.com and DangalPlay make OOH advertising fun

    MUMBAI: You’ve got to hand it to the outdoor medium. It allows for great advertising, sometimes even cheeky messaging.

    Take a look at how each of these three advertisers are feeding off the communications of each other on top of a road tunnel.  

    The first is quick commerce player Zepto. Its billboard  states: “Manyavar chahiye?  Manyavar in 10 minutes – Zepto” (You want Manyavar?)

    Next to it People Interactive – the parent firm of Shaadi.com  – has a billiboard stating: “Var Chahiye?  Will take more than 10 minutes – Shaadi.com.” (You want a husband?)

    Both seem to be from the same agency – if one has guessed correctly –  as they seem to be on a continuing billboard.(Did they share the cost of the billboard???) 

    Below both is the Manish Singhal-owned and Akshat Singhal-run OTT platform Dangal Play. Its contribution: “Shaadi mein drama chahiye? Download Dangal Play in less than one minute.” (You want drama in marriage?)

    We, the folks at indiantelevision.com, could not help but chuckle at this clever use of the environment your advertising is placed in. 

    (Updated on 27 November 12 pm…

    Anupam Mittal the CEO & founder of People Group threw light on this, ad which we somehow missed. Here’s what he posted on linkein yesterday: 
    “Who would have expected a crossover between love and 10-minute delivery ??For decades, brands operated in isolation, fiercely protective of their lanes and any collaboration meant approaching the partnership with suspicion, a win-lose approach and months of planning. Today, they’re co-creating more than ever ?? Social Media with the immediacy it lends, shorter content life-spans, topical orientation and a need to engage audiences is driving brands to be more creative than ever and with AI I expect this trend to further accelerate.
    (A question to Anupam – Was it a morphed photo to generate conversation on linkedin? Duh! We still don’t get it? Can someone help us out here-Editor.).

    (A big thank you to Avinash Naik, the digital head of Enter10 under which Dangal Play comes, who posted the picture on Linkedin)
     

  • The Content Hub 2024 – New Content Trends

    The Content Hub 2024 – New Content Trends

    Mumbai: The eighth edition of The Content Hub Summit delved into the ever-changing world of content creation. With the consolidation of platforms, creators face new hurdles in gaining visibility, maximizing revenue, and maintaining creative freedom. The event explored the remarkable theatrical success of Indian cinema and unraveled the secrets behind its unprecedented profits, with a critical eye towards its sustainability.

    The esteemed panel of industry leaders has shared their expertise on adapting to the shifting landscape, tackling daily challenges, and envisioning the future of production.

    The session was moderated by HitFlik film director & CCO Saurabh Varma which includes panelists: Inspire Films Ltd founder & managing director Yash A Patnaik, Dangal Play head Akshat Singhal, writer & director Soumik Sen, Geophil managing director Robin Philip, producer Monisha Singh Katial, GSEAMS producer, creator Kartk D Nishandar and Pratilipi co-founder & CEO Ranjeet Pratap Singh.

    Verma kicked off the discussion by highlighting the future trend of regional content, to which Katial emphasised its growing popularity beyond traditional markets. She noted the increasing viewership of South Indian movies in the Hindi belt, signaling a promising avenue for content creators.

    Nishandar echoed this sentiment, stating the importance of creating content within budget constraints while adapting to changing trends. Success, he argued, lies in the ability to evolve with the times and cater to shifting audience preferences.

    Singh drew parallels between his platform and a modern-day version of Disney, emphasizing the power of storytelling to transcend barriers of format, language, and geography. In a landscape inundated with content, he stressed the challenge of identifying what resonates with audiences.

    Sen stated the importance of audience engagement, stating that creativity thrives on interaction and connection with viewers. In an era of abundance, where choices abound, creators must actively seek to engage their audience rather than passively expect their attention.

    Philip shed light on the global perspective, highlighting the significance of international distribution in monetizing Indian content. He urged industry players to aggressively position themselves for global licensing opportunities, viewing it as a lucrative avenue for revenue generation.

    Singhal gave more importance to regional content as according to him, focusing more on niche content meaning where people can relate themselves in their daily life, can give an immense boost to the storytelling narrative.

    Patnaik gave succinct framework for content success: invite, engage, involve, and entertain. He told the importance of consistency, drawing parallels with the enduring popularity of US sitcoms characterized by their extensive episode count.

    The session wrapped up with each panelist expressing a high level of optimism regarding the future of content.

  • Welingkar Institute and indiantelevision.com partner on career guidance seminar

    Welingkar Institute and indiantelevision.com partner on career guidance seminar

    Mumbai: There’s a tremendous opportunity for new entrants in the media and entertainment sector, despite the transformation it is undergoing and the pressure of revenues it has been facing. That was the conclusion of senior industry leaders who were part of a half-day conclave We Communique that Mumbai-based MBA institute  We School  – aka Welingkar Institute of Management – organised in partnership with Indiantelevision.com  on 17 January for postgraduate students of the media and entertainment course.

    Among the leaders who took part in panel discussions and a fireside chat included:  Cosmos Maya India CEO Megha Tata, Enterr10 director Akshat Singhal, Shemaroo broadcast business head Sandeep Gupta, Elara Capital media analyst Karan Taurani, Friday FilmWorks CEO Devendra Deshpande, Madison Media Sigma COO Vanita Keswani,  Wavemaker general manager Sejal Lodaya, Lodestar UM IPG Associate vice-presidents Shrikant Shenoy and Bhavesh Shah,  Disney Star India’s Prashant Khanna and Carat India director integrated media planning  Swarali Halepati. Indiantelevision.com founder, CEO & editor in chief Anil Wanvari chaired all three sessions.

    The speakers were spread across two sessions  “Evolution of Media, Sports, and Entertainment Trends” and “Media and Marketing in 2024. ”

    Almost all the speakers agreed that students need not be demotivated by news reports of doom and gloom that the media and entertainment industry are facing. “Yes, 2024 is going to be a year of consolidation with mergers and acquisitions seeing the course of conclusion,” said Taurani.  “Jobs are evolving but you have to get the basics right,” said Shenoy in the marketing and media session. “Learn about viewership trends, GRPs, reach etc and continue keeping abreast of developments.”

    “There is no shortage of jobs in media,” said Shah. “We are always hiring in media,” added Lodaya.  According to Keswani, the media executive’s job is becoming more about numbers and this can be fun as well.  Both Lodaya and Halepati emphasised that longevity in an organisation works very well as far as an executive’s career progression is concerned. “You should not be hopping around every few years for that marginal increase in salary,” they opined. “As long as you are learning and growing stick to the job.”

    The television panel opined that even though there is a shrinkage in the broadcast sector on the advertising inventory front (read: ad revenues), the television industry has a lot of legs. “Free TV is growing,” said Singhal, “Though pay TV is  struggling..”

    “Yes, production budgets are also slimming down,” explained Deshpande. “As are OTT series budgets.”

    He added that producers have to thus work within these budgets, and extract profits without compromising on quality through efficient production pipelines.

    Gupta extolled the student and WeWork alumni audience to learn as many skills as they can, but they need to focus on only one.

    Most of the panellists concurred that animation, gaming, VFX, AI, and ML are the most promising verticals that students should keep an eye on. “VFX studios are popping up everywhere in India and they will need talented individuals to work with them,” highlighted Taurani.

    The conclave was extremely well received with students rating it high on the knowledge enrichment chart.