ITV

Tag: Alpha Marathi

  • InCablenet might get Zee-Turner signals from 14 May: Chandra

    MUMBAI: InCablenet may well start receiving signals of all the 17 channels belonging to the Zee-Turner bouquet from 14 May 2003 onwards.
    Speaking on the sidelines of a media briefing to announce an alliance with France TV and Silhouette Films to co-produce a film, Zee Telefilms CMD Subhash Chandra said he expected Hinduja group MSO InCablenet to settle its outstandings tomorrow (14 May). Zee Turner had switched off the signals from 6 May 2003 onwards over waht it said were long-pending payment dues.
    Chandra also mentioned that Zee-Turner would also be issuing a notice to MSO Hathway Cable & Datacom (in which Star India officially has a 26 per cent stake) tomorrow on the issue of outstanding payments. 
    Zee’s action of issuing a notice to Hathway totally rubbishes allegations that are being made against the three major pay broadcasters – Zee, Star and Sony – by certain quarters that they are cartelising in order to fragment the InCablenet network in Mumbai.
    An indiantelevision.com report dated 8 May quotes industry sources who say InCablenet’s total dues owed to different broadcasters are: ESS Rs 30 million, SET-Discovery Rs 40 million, Zee-Turner Rs 3.7 million and Star Rs 40 million plus.
    Commenting on the switching off the Zee-Turner bouquet of channels, Zee Turner CEO Sunil Khanna was earlier quoted in the release as saying that they were forced to take this action as the outstandings had piled up.
    Zee Turner is the largest television network in India with 17 television channels, which includes Zee TV, Zee Cinema, Zee News, Zee Music, Alpha Marathi, Alpha Punjabi, Alpha Bangla, Alpha Gujarati, Zee English, Zee MGM, trendz, CNN, CNBC, Cartoon Network and Reality TV.

    Also read:

    Zee Turner bouquet switched off InCableNet in Mumbai

    Star also switches off InCableNet in Mumbai

  • Zee upgrades transmission signals for cable ops

    MUMBAI: As part of Zee’s initiative of bringing the best to their viewers the Subhash Chandra network upgraded transmission signals to cable operators yesterday.
    Viewers of Zee News, Zee Music, Alpha Punjabi, Alpha Gujarati, Alpha Bangla and Alpha Marathi will find the technological upgradation reflected in crisper and sharper images with better colour resolution on their existing TV sets.
    The head Siticable Jawahar Goel said, “We have completed a major exercise for upgrading our transmission quality of our six channels which were being uplinked from our Noida facility. Our investments will result in our viewers getting enhanced quality of our channels. We are happy to say that majority of our cable operators have already switched on to the upgraded format and we are expecting the others join within the next few days”.
    Zee asked all its cable operators to re-tune their equipment for accessing the upgraded services. The deadline for the cable operators was yesterday at 4 pm and the upgraded services are available across Asia, Middle East and Far Eastern countries.
    As reported earlier by indiantelevision.com Zee Turner switched off InCable Net in Mumbai. With this two of the major broadcasters have disappeared.

  • Alpha Marathi to launch ‘Saheb bibi aani mee’ on 7 May

    MUMBAI: While its Hindi counterparts have matriarchs shedding buckets of tears, Alpha Marathi is all set to woo the niche family audience with the newest launch Saheb bibi aani mee.. 
    Scheduled to air from 7 May, every Wednesday at 9:30 pm, this weekly will be starring Girish Oak, Bharat Jadhav, Neelam Shirke, Medha Jambotkar, Chinmay Kelkar, Pallavi Subhash, Mahesh Kokate, Anjali Valsangkar, Shekar Phadke, Ramkrishna Parte and Jayraj Nair, says a Kalarang Video’s release.


    Produced by Kalarang Video, the sitcom’s storyline is based on lives of two middle aged men Mohan Aajgoankar played by Jadhav and Girish Despande played by Oak. While the latter is the boss at workplace Titanic Import Export Company, the former is his landlord. The crux of the serial is the power struggle between these two lead characters and the hilarious after effects of the tussles.


    According to Kalarang’s release, the serial written and directed by Kedar Shinde is not one of the slap stick kind but is genuinely a situational comedy that relies on bring a smile on the audiences face by presenting the daily life struggles and pressures in a humourous vein.

  • DD MARATHI IS NOW ‘SAHYADRI’

    DD MARATHI IS NOW ‘SAHYADRI’

    Doordarshan has rechristened its regional channel, DD-Marathi to ‘Sahyadri’. The renaming ceremony took place today at 4.00 pm and was telecasted live on the channel. The 24 hours Marathi channel is aired through Insat-2C on a free-to-air platform as any other DD channel.

    The rechristening has been done to create an identity for the channel which faces competition from Zee’s Alpha Marathi, Prabhat, Tara (the forthcoming channel from Broadcast Worldwide) and another one from the southern powerhouse Eenadu.

    Recently Doordarshan had announced its willingness to part its regional channels to private players and the national broadcaster is hoping this renaming step to add value to the channel.

  • Alpha Marathi continues targetting family with ‘405 Anandwan’

    Alpha Marathi continues targetting family with ‘405 Anandwan’

    Alpha Marathi has announced the commencement of the serial 405 Anandwan. Producer, director and writer Pratima Kulkarni was behind the highly successful Prapancha which ran for 78 episodes on the channel.

    A channel spokesperson said that Prapancha was one of the few serials that held its ground during the onslaught of the Kaun Banega Crorepati phenomenon on Star Plus. Prapancha ratings hovered between 2 – 3 which is normal for the channel.

    Prapacha which concluded last May on the channel dealt with a joint Maharashtrian family. In fact there was demand for the show long after it wrapped up but apparently Pratima Kulkarni decided that it was time to move on.

    405 Anandwan which commenced last week airs every Tuesday at 9:30 pm. It sees stars of Prapancha like Sudhir Joshi, Anand Ingle return to create the magic through a different theme. Pratima Kulkarni has tried to showcase the positive nature of todays youth. The perception today is that the youth are self centred and lack a larger perspective on issues affecting the world.

    While all that is true the serial attempts to strike a balance by showcasing the sensitive, serious and introspective side of todays youth. The fact that not all of them are happy-go-lucky is the perspective that the show will adopt.

    The residents of 405 Anandavan are a brother and sister who are home alone as their parents are working in Nigeria. Relatives, friends and neighbours frequently troop in and out of the place. Characters include a bookworm and a student trying to become a veterinary doctor much against the wishes of his mother.

    The home thus becomes a place where social activity takes place sometimes with comical and at other times with tragic results. The youth’s relationship with society is examined through apparently mundane situations. In this manner they learn and grow.

    The spokesperson also said that from Thursday at 9:30 pm the channel will show a serial Sai Baba. This is the first time a serial on Indian television has dealt with the subject. It deals with his relevance in modern India, why people continue to put their faith in him. It has been directed by Deboo Devdar and Sharavani Devdar.

    The channel won plaudits on 16 March at the Maharashtra Times Sanmaan Awards which took place at Rang Bhavan. The channel bagged nine out of ten awards for serials like Zale Mokhale Aakash and Nupur. In an ironic twist of fate rival channel ETV bagged the rights to show the programme.

  • ‘I insist on getting things done in my way and have unlimited freedom’ : Mukesh Sharma Mumbai DD Director

    ‘I insist on getting things done in my way and have unlimited freedom’ : Mukesh Sharma Mumbai DD Director

    Mukesh Sharma is not the kind of guy you would expect to find in a government job. Suave and with filmstar like good looks, Sharma has, however, been doing exactly that for the past 20-odd years. First with the Children‘s Film Society from 1980 onwards and then with Doordarshan from 1992 in various capacities until he was appointed as the director of the Mumbai Kendra of Doordarshan in May 2000.

    Sharma heads DD Sahyadri at an extremely difficult time. The channel is under attack from a clutch of private players: Alpha Marathi, ETV Marathi, Prabhat, and Tara Marathi.

    His immediate task, when he took over, was to slash red tape, revamp the programming, give it a fresh look so that it jelled with the denizens of one of India‘s most important states – Maharashtra – and Marathi speaking audiences.

    There are several firsts Sharma has notched up for DD Sahyadri: today DD employees undergo performance appraisals, his office is open to respond to queries, something which is anathema in most government organisations, where babudom reigns.

    Indiantelevision.com‘s Anoop Wanvari spoke to Sharma who was quite candid on several issues relating to DD, the industry and television in general.

    Excerpts:

    How and where did you start your career in media?
    After completing my graduation from Lucknow University, while I was pursuing a career in the forest services I got a call from V Shantaram to come and assist him in production. I was just 23 years old at that time, a rookie. I was given a bank account with a balance of half a million rupees. I was the only authorised signatory and I was given a free hand to complete some shooting in Kashmir. I even questioned V Shantaram as to how come you are trusting me? I could run away with the money – it was quite a big sum in those days. V Shantaram told me you will complete the work and come back. I trust you fully.

    I have worked as production chief with the Children‘s Film Society, from July 1980 to May 1992. During that tenure, I directed and produced several feature films. I organised children‘s film festivals in India and abroad and was actively associated with the marketing of children‘s films.

    Who did you work with and did you win some laurels during this period?
    I have worked with V.Shantarm, Jaya Bachchan and Amol Palekar when I was with the Children‘s Film Society. During Jaya Bachchan‘s tenure, I made the children‘s feature film Anokha Aspatal for which I received a special mention award from the President of India during the 1989 Sixth International Children‘s Film Festival in New Delhi. I was the winner of the best children‘s film, the national award from the President of India as the producer of a joint Indo-Mauritius co-production Ankur Maina Kabutar. This was a movie about operation pink pigeon, which was on the verge of extinction.

    I have worked with people like Satyam Bose to Kedar Sharma and even with some renowned south Indian producers.

    My training has been ek master ke neeche (under the great master); that‘s why I could do so much.

    I have received calls from other DD channels, seeking advice on how to make improvements. I was even invited by the BBC to explain how could so much be achieved by an individual in a government setup.

    Everybody concerned is made aware of what‘s going on. Everything is so transparent. I feel if you do things with a clean heart success is bound to follow

    What is your work credo and how have you achieved it?
    I believe in complete transparency at the highest level, including in decision making. This is very difficult in a government organisation, but that‘s what I believe in and have tried to incorporate within the Mumbai Kendra. This has really boosted employee morale and created a family atmosphere. I don‘t smoke, don‘t drink, don‘t have any vices and all my work is completely transparent. So much so that there are no secrets anymore.

    How did you go about recreating DD Sahyadri?
    Earlier on this was a Marathi regional channel with no name. It was launched in April without a name; the name Sahyadri was given only last year. The viewership was only 3-4 per cent. The quality of programming was shabby, the execution was poor, minimum exposure was there in TV homes and all cable networks were not carrying this channel. It was a dead channel.

    In my opinion it is easier to start a new channel in such a scenario. I was working within a particular environment for DD and had to consider several things in the revamp. We are running a mandatory public service broadcast organisation and have to always to do a balancing act. The efforts put in are different, we have to reach people and gain acceptance.

    We decided to change and put in a lot of new programs as content had to be improved substantially.

    New packaging and presentation were done for all the shows. It was made mandatory to get a technical okay before any programme could be telecast (something similar to ISI standards). New young talent was introduced, new five minute programme slots were created. There were daily discussions on socially relevant topics like alcoholism, dowry, law, health and women‘s issues. Additionally, this was communicated to viewers at large: we held regular press meetings and conferences to boost the image of the channel.

    Can you be more specific about your programming efforts?
    DD Sahyadri has introduced 25 new programmes (in-house as well as out-sourced) since I took over. I have focused strongly on increasing interactivity with viewers using simple concepts such as phone-ins. There‘s Saad Pratisaad. This is a dial-in programme where people can phone in live, discuss and question the invitees about what is being done. We have got a number of people coming on the show and have had episodes on cancer, alcoholics anonymous, gambling etc. Many non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are involved in this programme.

    Other programmes along these lines are: Hello Sakhi, (targeted at women pertaining to fashion, beauty, food, diet childcare, family problems etc.) Hello Doctor (online consultation with eminent doctors), Hello DD (live phone-ins with personalities from all walks of life), and a sex education programme on Saturday which is telecast live with no editing.

    Game shows such as Saap Shidi, which is a snakes and ladders game with live participation, Aaj Atta Tabadtob (a phone in quiz) and Chala Banuya Roadpati (a spoof on Star Plus‘s Kaun Banega Crorepati) were introduced. Some of the other programmes include Sanga Utar Sanga (quiz program), Dum dama dum (for children along the lines of Sony Entertainment‘s Boogie Woogie), Kala Darpan (based on heritage, culture and music of tribal and rural folk) Spot light (Marathi film and play appreciation), Tarangan (five minute snippet on Marathi artistes), Raag Ek Raag Anek (based on Indian classical music) Padgham (channel promotions) and Chalta Bolta (a mobile camera team on the move talks to people in Maharashtra in a quiz format), talk shows like Nati Goti (a celebrity chat show) and Samora Samor (a personality based talk show).

    Additionally, two news bulletins were introduced and experts were invited to review an issue for the day in a 30-minute current affairs show at 9:30 pm.

    Today, DD Sahyadri has a programming mix consisting of 41 per cent information, 44 per cent entertainment, seven per cent education and eight per cent other genres.

    Any particular programmes which are positioned as channel drivers?
    Yes. Damini, and Gharkal, two five-day-a-week sponsored series, produced by Shri Adhikari Brothers serve as effective channel drivers for DD Sahyadri.

    What did you do to improve the work culture prevailing in the Kendra?
    Firstly, I have organised daily one-hour long morning meetings. Everyone has to be present. Before my taking over as director earlier on there were 15-meeting in the morning only, where nothing used to be done.

    Nowadays, we discuss what was done yesterday, what targets were achieved. Why there were any reasons for success or failure. We discuss everything threadbare with the people concerned and what rectification or changes can be made. We even ask for feedback from people.

    All the daily in-depth programme meetings with the staff have helped the channel overcome inherent production and technical problems.

    After the meeting, I draw up a chart for what is planned for the day and the timings. This have been so well-organised that even in my absence things move on without any hitch. Everybody concerned is made aware of what‘s going on. In fact even the peon knows what‘s to happen and is quite miffed that there is no kichdi to pakao (no rice to cook). Everything is so transparent. I feel if you do things with a clean heart success is bound to follow

    DD Sahyadri was a dead channel earlier. The quality of programming was shabby, the execution was poor… TAM TRP ratings today show that it is tops amongst all Marathi channels. Its reach has grown 739 per cent from 7.9 per cent in April 2000 to 59.65 per cent in August 2001

    How much of a free hand do you have in deciding matters? Are your hands tied by politicians or bureaucrats?
    I insist on getting things done in my way and have unlimited freedom to do so. I insist on complete transparency. By God‘s grace I am well blessed as far as material benefits go. If I do my job correctly with complete dedication and passion with no ulterior motives, only good can come out of my hard work. The results speak for themselves. In fact I have even handed in my resignation twice when there have been hindrances against my way of working.

    What results have you achieved?
    The reach of the channel has seen a growth from 7.9 per cent in April 2000 to 59.65 per cent in August 2001 — an increase of almost 739%.

    More specifically how are you performing in revenue terms?
    Last year revenues were Rs 185 million to 190 million. Overall the Kendra has being doing better. This year so far we have had revenues of around RS 75 million already and I have set a target of RS 300 million. Let‘s see how much we can manage by the end of the (financial) year.

    This expose (the alleged TRP scam) carried by CNBC is an overall loss for the television industry… this expose was unethical by all means. I feel it‘s just a question of sour grapes. Ektaa Kapoor‘s programs were topping all the ratings

    How are you positioned against the other regional channels under the DD umbrella?
    TAM TRP (viewership) ratings show that DD Sahyadri is tops amongst all Marathi channels. For Prasar Bharati, DD Malayalam and DD Bangla channel are the top earners, but we are not far behind in third place. Basically we don‘t have that many Marathi movies being shown on the channel. What helps DD Malayalam, is that it has a lot of feature film content which really grabs viewership. As it is Marathi movies do not get that much importance and not many are produced. I will try to organise a programme inviting Marathi filmmakers to rectify this and strike some sort of a deal.

    What is your opinion about the alleged TRP scam?
    I feel it‘s just a question of sour grapes. Ektaa Kapoor‘s programs were topping all the ratings And unnecessarily all this came out. Advertisers need some yardstick to know which programmes are doing well. There should be some common currency to distinguish the viewership and ratings of programmes.

    This expose carried by CNBC is an overall loss for the television industry. The rating agencies are doing a good job. There should be a level playing field for all the players in industry and this expose was unethical by all means.

    Doordarshan Sahyadri was not affected in any way by this expose. The reach of this channel is very large and it is very well connected.

    Do you think you need to be multi-skilled in a creative business like television?
    Today multi-tasking knowledge is a must to survive and come up. A war tank for example, has three people one to fire one driver and one person to navigate. Each and every person must be a master of at least two of these job functions so that in case one is injured or killed in combat, the other two should be able to function without any hitch and get the tank back safe and sound. I have done so many tasks that multitasking is a way of life for me which is why I can achieve all that I do.
  • Alpha Marathi scores in Ganesh festival coverage

    Alpha Marathi scores in Ganesh festival coverage

    In the western Indian state of Maharashtra the Ganesh festival is huge. And this year the Marathi language channels have tried their levellest to outdo each other in scoring with the audience.

     

    Zee’s Alpha Marathi seems to have got the edge in the effort as the festival reaches its peak, although national broadcaster Doordarshan’s Sahyadri channel has also given a good account of itself. The 10-day festival climaxes this Saturday, 1 September and all the three leading Marathi channels (Alpha Marathi, Sahyadri and ETV Marathi) will have live coverage of the proceedings.

     

    This is the first time that all the regional channels have taken special efforts to capture the spirit of the Ganesh festival with an aim to boost their viewership.

     

    Alpha Marathi has geared up for the Ganesh Festival in the real sense with morning slots totally devoted to it. At 7 in the morning Alpha is showing Bappa Morya followed by Dewachiye Dwari anchored by veteran Theosophist Jayant Salgaonkar. Both are basically devotional programmes giving more insights about Ganesha as well as the various rituals as well as various other aspects of the festival. Stavan is another programme which gives all details of the Pooja rituals as well as prayers. Bappa Aala Re is another programme which is also shown in the morning, which is basically a discussion on various social issues related to the festival.

     

    DD Sahyadri kicked off its proceedings with a dance ballet on the first day of the festival, Ganesh Chathurthi. The advantage DD got was on the fourth day when they showed live the the high profile Pune Festival, a yearly feature becoming famous even outside India. Congress party president Sonia Gandhi inaugurated the event.

     

    From today to 29 August, Sahyadri will be showing features on various Ganesh temples in and around Maharashtra. There are also other programmes which have been put together for the festival.

     

    ETV Marathi seems to have missed the bus with hardly one programme Rangat Rangala Ganaray which consists of folk songs, slotted at 11 at night. Gani Tumachi Aamachi which is a regular programmes of (recommended) songs has been devoted to the festival as the programming team will be shooting in various Ganesh Pandals in various cities in the state.

     

    The last day’s proceedings i.e. Anant Chaturdashi on 1st of September will see all three channels converging at south Mumbai’s famous Chowpatty Beach with live coverage of immersion activities.

     

    In the time of falling TRPs let us see whether Ganesha is of any help to these channels in garnering the revenue pie.

  • Alpha to host Marathi theatre, cinema awards

    Alpha to host Marathi theatre, cinema awards

    Alpha Marathi, the Marathi language channel of the Zee Network, announced on Monday that the second Alpha Gaurav Puraskar awards for theatre and cinema will be held on 3 February.

    The awards, which cover the best of Marathi theatre and cinema across different categories, will be broadcast on Alpha Marathi at 8:00 pm on 10 February. Launched last year at the beginning of 2000, these awards are aimed at giving recognition to the Marathi theatre and cinema industry.

    Introduced with the aim to encourage local language and culture, Alpha caters to the local flavours and traditions of Maharashtra and provides a forum for the artistic talents of Marathi film and theatre artists. There will be one male personality and one female personality to bag the Lifetime Achievement award in each category.

    Curtain raisers for the show will be telecast on 3 February and 9 February.