ITV

Tag: AXN

  • Multi Screen Media rebrands as Sony Pictures Networks

    Multi Screen Media rebrands as Sony Pictures Networks

    MUMBAI: Multi Screen Media, which was earlier known as Sony Entertainment Television (SET) India, has rebranded as Sony Pictures Networks (SPN) in India as the company marks its 20th year in the country. SPN will be a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

     

    It was back in December 2007 that SET India was renamed as Multi Screen Media (MSM). The then CEO of the company Kunal Dasgupta had said that the new name was reflective of the company’s evolution from a pure television broadcaster to a multimedia one. And that was exactly what the company did. Today, SPN’s bouquet of channels includes a range of channels like Sony Entertainment Television (SET), Max, Max 2, Sab, Pix, AXN, Aath, Mix, Six and Kix as well as the digital entertainment channel Liv.

     

    PlNow, as Sony completes its two decade run in the country, Sony Pictures Television (SPT) president of worldwide networks Andy Kaplan said of the re-branding, “Our channels in India represent an important part of Sony Pictures Television’s global portfolio and we are proud to be part of the fabric of the diverse Indian culture. As we celebrate bringing the best entertainment to viewers in India for 20 years, it’s only fitting that these networks be branded as part of our Sony family. Like the Sony brand, which stands for innovation, creativity and delight, SPN brings the same qualities to our viewers.”

     

    SPN CEO NP Singh added,  “As MSM, we’ve served television audiences worldwide for the last 20 years, during which time we pioneered new formats, new shows and actually set the trends for television entertainment. We changed the dynamics of how cricket and cinema were viewed on Indian television and contoured a variety of genres in TV entertainment. So while Kaun Banega Crorepati and Dus Ka Dum created new waves in television gaming, and Boogie Woogie and Indian Idol brought the commoner’s talent on the telly, we were also the first ones to embrace the cultural fabric of India by providing Sab – an out-and-out family humour channel.”

  • Comedy Central gains in BARC week 42

    Comedy Central gains in BARC week 42

    MUMBAI: Comedy Central secured leadership position in the English general entertainment channel (GECs) genre in All the India (Urban + Rural) market. On the other hand, Zee Café, which was leading last week, stood at number three according to Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India data in week 42.

     

    Comedy Central led the English GEC genre with 195 (000Sums) followed by AXN in the second slot with 144 (000Sums) followed by Zee Cafe with 124 (000Sums).

     

    Star World with 94 (000Sums) and Colors Infinity SD with 70 (000Sums) bagged the fourth and fifth berth respectively.

  • AXN readies Midnight Screamathon for Halloween

    AXN readies Midnight Screamathon for Halloween

    MUMBAI: English entertainment channel AXN will treat its viewers with supernatural surprises, gruesome imagery, gothic legend, psychological creepiness, and classic jump-out-of-your-seat moments this Halloween.

     

    The AXN Midnight Screamathon will air from 12 am on 31 October and 1 November, 2015.

     

    AXN will premier episodes of Penny Dreadful Season 2 all night long. In this horror-thriller by John Logan, some of literature’s most terrifying characters, like Dr. Frankenstein and his Creature, Dorian Gray, along with some of the iconic figures from the novel Dracula lurk in the darkest corners of Victorian London are joined by Vanessa Ives (Bond-girl Eva Green), Timothy Dalton (ex-Bond) and Josh Hartnett (30 Days of Night) who form unlikely alliances to hunt down greater evil.

     

    The channel will celebrate their Midnight Screamathon with its viewers by throwing midnight parties for the first time across Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore.

  • BARC week 41: Zee Cafe continues to lead English GECs; Colors Infinity enters top 5

    BARC week 41: Zee Cafe continues to lead English GECs; Colors Infinity enters top 5

    MUMBAI: Zee Cafe maintained its leadership position in the English general entertainment channel (GECs) genre in All the India (Urban + Rural) market while Colors Infinity entered in the top five channels of the genre according to Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India data in week 41.

     

    Zee Café in the English GEC led the genre in the first spot with 103 (000Sums) followed by AXN on second slot with 98 (000Sums) and Comedy Central with 92 (000Sums) on the third slot.

     

    Viacom 18’s English GEC Colors Infinity SD and Colors Infinity HD bagged the fourth and fifth berth with 88 (000Sums) and 58 (000Sums) respectively.

     

    In week 40 of BARC India urban data, the top three positions were same. Zee Cafe led the chart with 235 (000Sums) followed by AXN on second slot which scored 126 (000Sums) and Comedy Central on third spot scored 114 (000Sums). 

  • Sony launches global green campaign; India focus on waste disposal

    Sony launches global green campaign; India focus on waste disposal

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Television Networks will launch a worldwide campaign across their channels in 177 countries, engaging viewers in environmental issues on 28 September.

     

    The effort, titled ‘Picture This,’ will utilise the channels’ storytelling expertise to engage viewers around environmental issues important to each market. Picture This will then combine these local efforts into a worldwide voice to bring awareness to everyday efforts that can help protect our natural resources.

     

    In India, the Picture This campaign will focus on the issue of waste disposal.

     

    “With the reach of our global networks and the passion of our storytelling, we will both engage the community and energise people to action by picturing a better environment. Collectively we can make noise heard around the world on behalf of issues that are central to everyone’s well-being and do it in an entertaining way,” said Sony Pictures Television (SPT) president, worldwide networks Andy Kaplan.

     

    Multi Screen Media (MSM) CEO NP Singh added, “Picture This is a great initiative taken by Sony Pictures Television Networks to engage our viewers on environmental issues. As people of this planet, we need to embrace all the colours that enliven the surroundings in which we co-exist whilst working towards harmonising nature. At MSM, we will take steps to support this global initiative.”

     

    Picture This will include on-air and online elements, events and viewer participation opportunities. At launch, some of the topics will include: recycling in Russia and Italy; eliminating plastic bag use in Asia; waste disposal in India; saving the rhino in South Africa; urban gardening in Latin America; and deforestation in Romania.

     

    The campaign will be aired across channels like AXN, Sony Channel, Sony One, AXN Black, AXN White, Sony PIX HD, Sony SIX HD, AXN Sci-Fi, AXN Mystery, Animax, Sony Sci-Fi, Sony Movie Channel, Canal Sony, Crackle, SET, Turbo, getTV and CineSony.

  • Emmy Award winning show ‘The Voice’ is Back On AXN

    Emmy Award winning show ‘The Voice’ is Back On AXN

    MUMBAi: The most widely acclaimed singing reality show and 2015 Emmy Award winner for the outstanding reality show competition, The Voice is back with a brand new season on AXN India, and this season is going to ‘Gwentastic’.

     

    The Season 9will witnesses the comeback of the Hollaback-Girl Gwen Stefani along with last season’s celebrity judges Pharrell Williams, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton. The show will premierealong withthe U.S. every Saturday and Sunday, starting 26thSeptember’15, at 8pm exclusively on AXN& AXN HD.

     

    This new, exciting season will also see some of the biggest celebrity coaches. While Rihanna will serve as a key mentor to all the teams, Selena Gomez will make her debut mentoring Team Gwen. John Fogerty will be serving as Adam Levine’s adviser, Brad Paisley will help out Blake Shelton and Missy Elliott is going to be on team Pharrell Williams.

     

    The Voice Season 9 is all set to mesmerize its viewers with performances from some great, new talents this season. The show’s innovative format features five stages of competition: the first begins with the blind auditions, followed by the battle rounds, the knockouts, the live playoffs and finally, the live performance shows. This season the competition gets tougher as the contestants will also get to impress woof the most iconic 21st century music sensations of the World, Rihanna and Selena Gomez.

  • AXN presents the first season of Zoo for the Indian viewers

    AXN presents the first season of Zoo for the Indian viewers

    MUMBAI:  For centuries, mankind has domesticated animals, locked them up, and killed them for sport. But what if all across the globe, the animals decided to take revenge? What if they attacked humans and claimed the top spot in the food chain?  Based on the #1 bestselling novel by James Patterson, ZOO is a new thriller series about a wave of violent animal attacks against humans.  The Fresh from the U.S. show premiered in India exclusively on AXN & AXN HD and currently airs every Sunday at 11 PM.

     

    The series stars James Wolk, Kristen Connolly, Billy Burke, Nonso Anozie and Nora Arnezeder. Jackson Oz (Wolk) is a young, renegade American zoologist who spends his days running safaris in the wilds of Africa when he begins noticing the strange behavior of the animals. As the worldwide assaults become more cunning, coordinated and ferocious, he is thrust into the race to unlock the mystery of the pandemic before there’s no place left for people to hide. He is joined by a team of people from different backgrounds with different specialties: a journalist, a fellow safari guide, a French investigator, and a veterinary pathologist.

     

    ZOO is executive produced by Jeff Pinkner, Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec, Scott Rosenberg, Michael Katleman, James Mangold, Cathy Konrad, James Patterson, Bill Robinson, Leopoldo Gout and Steve Bowen.  CBS Studios International distributes the show globally.

  • Tonic Media looks to boost brands’ growth on social media

    Tonic Media looks to boost brands’ growth on social media

    MUMBAI: Traditional marketing comprised being heard on radio and television and being seen on print and Out of Home (OOH) as part of brand campaigns. However, today a brand campaign is considered incomplete without a presence on social media. After this, sustenance through constant engagement too is key as new brands make inroads. In a scenario of clutter and cutthroat competition, digital agency Tonic Media has been aiding brands to achieve this and more. The portfolio for Tonic is quite diverse ranging from entertainment, FMCG, to quick service restaurants.

     

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Tonic Media founder and CEO Chetan Asher says the agency had a first mover advantage since it launched in India when the digital space had not really grown here. “We did a lot of work outside the country as we have a presence in the Middle East. Trends generally break in the western part of the world first. We picked up those trends and started applying it here,” he informs.

     

    Some of the brands that complete its roster include the Multi Screen Media bouquet of channels including Sony Pix, AXN, Sony Max, Sony Entertainment Television and Sony Mix. It also works with the National Basketball Association (NBA India), eBay India, McDonald’s India and Neutralite amongst others. Tonic also works with various mobile apps and websites.

     

    Elaborating on how the team goes about designing a digital campaign, Asher says that each campaign is different and they closely work with clients as partners. “There is a lot of understanding on how inter departments work. For example, we work very closely with Sony Entertainment Television with their programming and marketing teams. They also bring in their consumer insights and research. We have a common creative pool that then brings together solutions that can be applied,” informs Asher.

     

    Tonic Media prides itself on coming up with a number of firsts like the browser – mobile integrated game for Pix. One could play a game on the browser using their mobile phones. On the ninth anniversary for eBay, it did a live interactive show with Suresh Menon, wherein he donned the hat of a bouncer and in order to get invited to a party, fans had to make him laugh. “He would personally respond to each comment and tweet that came. It was live streamed. We have done a lot of creative work, which is a first of sorts. That differentiates us from the rest,” he states.

     

    Asher is of the opinion that other digital agencies largely execute but they don’t go beyond a strategy or research that is handed over by a client. Tonic Media, on the other hand, has already built capabilities to do research and deep dives a lot into the target audience and then comes up with a robust strategy. “We have also got a lot of main line learnings and applied it to digital as finally it is about communication but the medium might differ,” Asher says.

     

    In the Middle East, Tonic Media has a team of five people while in India, it boasts of 62 employees. At any given point Tonic Media works with close to 20 to 25 brands each year. Industry experts suggest that each digital account win is approximately Rs 1 crore per year. Going by this figure, Tonic Media most likely sees minimum revenue of Rs 20 – 25 crore per year.

     

    Asher credits his young and energetic millennial team at spotting various trends.

     

    According to Asher, Tonic Media witnessed a growth of 100 per cent last year. “With some big brands already on board and our presence in the Middle East, our plan is to grow these aspects. We will also be focusing on local and international acquisitions,” he informs.

  • Sony Pictures Television Asia ups Virginia Lim as VP – content & marketing

    Sony Pictures Television Asia ups Virginia Lim as VP – content & marketing

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Television (SPT) Asia has promoted Virginia Lim as vice president – content & marketing.

     

    Lim will continue to report to SPT Networks senior vice president and general manager Hui Keng Ang.

     

    Based in Singapore, Lim will oversee a consolidated Asian and English content portfolio, which includes leading general entertainment channels AXN and One, as well as Animax, Sony Channel, beTV and GEM Asia. Specifically, Lim will be responsible for all programming, including original productions and acquisitions, brand marketing and on-air promotions.

     

    “We have streamlined and strengthened our business operations with a consolidated content group, enabling more effective collaboration internally and externally in this rapidly changing and competitive market enviornment. I know that Virginia’s innovative vision will lead and drive further growth in SPT Networks’ content business in Asia,” said Ang.

     

    Lim joined SPT Networks, Asia in 2008 as director of programming for Animax and became vice president of Asian content in 2012. In this capacity, Lim oversaw the programming, marketing and on air promotions for Korean entertainment channel One as well as Animax and Gem.

     

    Prior to joining SPT Networks, Asia, Lim worked with StarHub for over 10 years.

  • AXN bets big on 2015; launches new shows

    AXN bets big on 2015; launches new shows

    MUMBAI: Come April and English entertainment channel AXN from the Multi Screen Media (MSM) stable is all set to redefine itself. The channel will be extending its content offering and has lined up a slew of new shows for this year. Moreover, April will also see the launch of the channel’s high definition offering – AXN HD.

     

    Speaking on the launch of the HD channel, Sony Pix and AXN EVP and business head Saurabh Yagnik says, “Due to digitisation, issues relating to distribution and availability have been addressed. The category has now become more amenable to appointment based viewing and audiences are seeking two kinds of shows – iconic and fresh shows from the US.”

     

    As part of its revised strategy, the channel will do away with telecasting movies.

     

    Brand New FPC

     

    Keeping consumer insights in mind, the channel has increased its programming line up. For instance, the weekday programming slot from Monday to Thursday has been re-jigged to Monday to Friday. The 8 pm slot will have signature shows like Guiness, Ripley’s, American Ninja Warrior and Wipeout.

     

    This will be followed by reality shows at 9 pm like Fear Factor, So You Think You Can Dance, Top Chef, Survivor and The Amazing Race. 

     

    The 10 pm slot will have famous crime shows like 24, Elementary, NCIS and CSI amongst others.

     

    Finally, the 11 pm slot will have edgier content with shows like Sex and the City, Dexter, Ray Donovan and Californification.

     

    Weekend Slot Strengthened

     

    In August 2014, AXN introduced a new weekend slot, ‘Not So Ordinary Weekend,’ which aired on Friday and Saturday. Since the weekday slot will now be extended from Monday to Friday, the ‘Not So Ordinary Weekend’ slot has been moved to Saturday and Sunday. During this slot, the channel will air fresh content airing closer to US dates. Shows that air in this slot are: Sherlock (season four), Supernatural (season eleven), Orphan Black (season three), Hannibal (season three), Elementary (season four), Voice (season nine and 10), Madam Secretary (season two), Extant (season two), and Scorpion (season three).

     

    New Shows:

     

    Beginning 6 April, fresh seasons of shows like 24 and Dexter will be telecast at 10 pm and 11 pm respectively on weekdays. Top Chef Masters season five will begin from 9 April at 8 pm during the weekdays. Another long running reality show Survivor is back in its season 27 from 21 April from Monday to Friday at 9 pm.

     

    The channel has partnerships with 20 global studios like CBS, Sony Pictures, BBC, WB, MGM, NBC Universal, Buena Vista International, Fremantle Media, Endemol, and FOX for content deals. The channel also has 2000 plus hours of content supply every year.

     

    AXN HD Launch

     

    On 6 May, 2014 MSM received two licences from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry (I&B). The aim was to increase its high definition (HD) offering to its viewers. The licences obtained were for AXN HD and SET HD. The network today announced that AXN HD will be launched on 6 April, 2015. It will have 1080i HD picture clarity and 5.1 sharp surround sound. The network is currently in talks with various platforms for its distribution. It is currently priced at Rs 30.

     

    “While the shows will be same on the two channels, we will be tweaking some of the content for the HD feed. We could also have certain exclusive content for the HD feed in the future,” informs Yagnick.

     

    Social Engagement

     

    Providing some inputs from digital agency Social Bakers for the period December 2014 to February 2015, the channel claims to have an engagement rate on social media of 5.80 per cent versus its closest rival Zee cafe at 2.90 per cent. For the same period, FX, Comedy Central and Star World had an engagement rate of 1.70 per cent, 1.36 per cent and 0.76 per cent respectively. A third of the channel’s marketing budget is dedicated for digital activations that are handled both by AXN and digital agency Tonic Media. Through this, AXN targets to reach an additional five million fans on social media. 

     

    The target audience for the channels is the 15-34 age group.

     

    Marketing

     

    AXN has also put in place an aggressive TV plan where promotions will run across the MSM network channels. A print plan targeted in four cities on 6 April is on the anvil besides robust social media promotions. However, radio and OOH will not feature for the promotions.

     

    Sharing an insight about the genre’s growth, Yagnick says that the average weekly viewing (time spent) of 10 minutes on the genre has increased by approximately 50 per cent. While the metros have been performing well for the channel, the U.P. market has grown substantially as distribution has helped increase availability.

     

    Pix and AXN vice president and head programming and acquisitions Amogh Dusad informs that drama is the biggest performing genre on the channel. “Comedy is well being explored and reality shows too have performed well for the channel,” Dusad adds.

     

    With a robust line up and a focus ahead on retaining its leadership position, AXN is aiming at making it big this year.