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Tag: B4U

  • BARC week 30: Movie channels dominate free channels lists across genres

    BARC week 30: Movie channels dominate free channels lists across genres

    BENGALURU: TRAI’s new tariff order (NTO) seems to have changed viewership patterns if one were to go as per Broadcast Audience Research Council of India (BARC) data. Of course, BARC has started slicing and dicing the data more and more specifically and hence enabling an improved scenario of viewership patterns in the country. But, NTO resulted in the major networks converting some of their free to air (FTA) channels to pay TV, hence enabling channels that remained FTA viewership to leapfrog. One of the biggest beneficiaries of the change in its competitions’ platforms to pay TV is Enterr 10 TV’s Hindi GEC Dangal. Dangal has often been the leader in BARC’s weekly list of top 10 channels across genres on all platforms as also in BARC’s weekly lists of top 10 Hindi GEC channels in the combined rural and urban Hindi speaking markets or HSM (U+R) as also in the rural Hindi speaking market or HSM (R). At the same time, Dangal has also been amongst BARC’s weekly list of top 10 Hindi GECs in the urban Hindi speaking market or HSM (U). Another channel that has reaped viewership benefits has been Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) FTA Hindi GEC Big Magic.

    Since week 27 of 2019, BARC has started reporting breakup of free and pay channels in the case of some markets, including the top 10 or 11 channels across genres. BARC’s weekly list of top 11 free channels across genres contains channels only from the region above the five South Indian states and the union territory of Puducherry – the Hindi speaking markets. BARC defines HSM as all India without the states in which the four South Indian languages – Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu are spoken. Ten of 11 channels in BARC’s weekly list of top 11 free channels across channels are mostly either Hindi or Bhojpuri, the one exception being Marathi. Six of the 11 channels among the top 11 FTA channels across genres are movies channels – equally divided between Hindi movies and Bhojpuri movies. Often the number of Bhojpuri channels equals Hindi channels.

    Let us look at BARC’s weekly list of top 11 free channels across genres for week 30 of 2019

    BARC’s weekly list of top 11 free channels across genres  for week 30 of 2019 (Saturday, 20 July 2019 to Friday, 26 July 2019) had two Hindi GECs, three Hindi movies channels, four Bhojpuri channels including three Bhojpuri movie channels, and one channel each from the Marathi and music genres. From the networks’ perspective, there were four channels from Enterr 10 TV, three channels each from B4U Media and Zeel, and one channel from Skystar Entertainment Private Ltd (Skystar).

    All the 11 channels in BARC’s weekly list of top 11 free channels across genres were same as in week 29, but with a small tweak in ranks. As a matter of fact, the names and ranks of the first four channels in BARC’s weekly list of top 11 free channels across genres in week 30 of 2019 were the same as in week 29.

    As mentioned above, Dangal headed BARC’s weekly list of top 10 channels on all platforms across genres in week 30 of 2019. The channel climbed up one place to first rank with 866.547 million weekly impressions in week 30 of 2019 from second rank and 781.501 million weekly impressions in week 29. Dangal retained first rank in BARC’s weekly list of top 11 free channels across genres in week 30 of 2019 with 665.082 million weekly impressions as compared to 589.591 million weekly impressions in week 29. Dangal was ranked first in BARC’s weekly list of top 10 Hindi GECs in the combined urban and rural Hindi speaking market HSM (U+R) as well as in HSM (R) and was ranked sixth in HSM (U). Dangal also headed BARC’s weekly list of top 8 free Hindi GECs during the week under review.

    At second rank in week 30 was Big Magic with 405.141 million weekly impressions as compared to 358.730 million weekly impressions in BARC’s weekly list of top 11 free channels across genres. Big Magic was ranked seventh in BARC’s weekly list of top 10 Hindi GECs in HSM (U+R) on all platforms. Big Magic was ranked second in BARC’s weekly list of top 10 Hindi GECs in HSM (R) and was ranked eighth in HSM (U). It was ranked second in BARC’s weekly list of top 8 free Hindi GECs during the week under review.

    At third rank in week 30 of 2019 was B4U Media’s Hindi movies channel B4U Kadak with 325.020 million weekly impressions as compared to 347.028 million weekly impressions in the previous week. B4U Kadak was ranked second in BARC’s weekly list of top 5 Hindi movies channels on all platforms in HSM (U+R) and was ranked first in HSM (R). B4U Kadak was ranked first in BARC’s weekly list of top 5 free Hindi movies channels.

    At fourth rank was Enterr 10 TV’s Marathi channel Fakt Marathi with 162.021 million weekly impressions as compared to 184.384 million weekly impressions in week 29. Fakt Marathi was ranked second in BARC’s weekly list of top 5 Marathi channels in the Maharashtra and Goa market.

    B4U Media’s Bhojpuri channel B4U Bhojpuri climbed up a place to fifth rank in week 30 of 2019 with 157.775 million weekly impressions as compared to sixth rank and 154.732 million weekly impressions in the previous week. B4U Bhojpuri was ranked first in BARC’s weekly list of top 5 Bhojpuri channels in the Bihar and Jharkhand market. This indicates that the channel has viewers outside the Bihar and Jharkhand markets also.

    Enterr 10 TV’s Bhojpuri channel Bhojpuri Cinema dropped a place to sixth rank in week 30 of 2019 with 157.352 million weekly impressions as compared to fifth rank and 160.117 million weekly impressions in the previous week. Bhojpuri Cinema topped BARC’s weekly list of top 5 Bhojpuri channels in the Bihar and Jharkhand market.

    Another B4U Media Hindi movies channel, B4U Movies also climbed up a place to rank seven in week 30 of 2019 with 150.461 million weekly impressions as compared to eighth rank and 130.537 million weekly impressions in week 29. B4U Movies was ranked fifth in BARC’s weekly list of top 5 Hindi movies channels in HSM (U+R) and was ranked second in BARC’s weekly list of top 5 free Hindi movies channels.

    Zeel’s Bhojpuri channel Big Ganga dropped a place to eighth rank in week 30 of 2019 with 138.778 million weekly impressions as compared to seventh rank and 151.977 million weekly impressions in week 29. Big Ganga was ranked third in BARC’s weekly list of top 5 Bhojpuri channels in the Bihar and Jharkhand market.

    Skystar’s Hindi movies channel Skystar Movies retained its previous week’s ninth rank in week 30 of 2019 with 120.616 million weekly impressions as compared to 124.183 million weekly impressions in week 29. Skystar Movies was ranked third in BARC’s weekly list of top 5 free Hindi movies channels.

    Zeel’s Music channel Zing climbed a rank to tenth place in week 30 of 2019 with 102.370 million weekly impressions as compared to eleventh rank and 100.580 million weekly impressions in week 29.

    Dropping a place to eleventh rank in week 30 of 2019 was Enterr 10 TV’s Hindi movies channel Enterr 10 with 102.280 million weekly impressions as compared to tenth rank and 102.757 million weekly impressions in week 29.

    Enterr 10 was ranked fourth in BARC’s weekly list of top 5 free Hindi movies channels.

  • BARC week 29: Sun TV back on top as ICC Cricket World Cup tourney ends

    BARC week 29: Sun TV back on top as ICC Cricket World Cup tourney ends

    BENGALURU: The Sun TV Network’s flagship Tamil GEC Sun TV was back on top as the most watched channel across genres on all platforms in Broadcast Audience Research Council of India (BARC) weekly lists of top channels in week 29 of 2019. (Saturday 13 July 2019 to Friday 19 July 2019, week under review). With India out of the premier cricket tourney after the surprise loss to New Zealand, interest in the final match between England and New Zealand seemed to have waned in India, despite the nail-biting photo-finish. Star Sports 1 Hindi, the occupant of numero uno rank in the previous weeks’ lists failed to find a place in BARC’s weekly list of top 10 channels across genres, or the top 11 Pay channels across genres – Sun TV headed both the lists. Further, DD Sports which also aired the tournament exited BARC’s weekly list of top 10 Free channels across genres during the week under review.

    For week 29 of 2019, BARC has posted the following across genres lists: Top 10 channels across genres across platforms; Top 11 Pay channels across genres; and Top 11 Free channels across genres. For week 28, the ratings agency had posted only the top 10 channels list for across platforms, pay channels and Free channels across genres.

    BARC’s weekly list of top 10 channels across genres on all platforms

    Six Hindi GECs, two Tamil channels and one channel each from the Telugu and Hindi movies comprised BARC’s weekly list of top 10 channels across genres in week 29 of 2019. From the network’s perspective, there were three channels each from Sony Pictures Network India (SPN) and Star India and one channel each from Enterr 10 TV, Sun TV Network, Viacom18 and Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel)

    As mentioned above, Sun TV headed BARC’s weekly list of top 10 channels with 863.550 million weekly impressions in week 29 of 2019 as compared to second rank and 843.786 million weekly impressions in the previous week.

    At second rank was Enterr 10 TV’s FTA Hindi GEC Dangal with 781.501 million weekly impressions in week 29 of 2019 as compared to 762.595 million weekly impressions in the previous week. Moving up a place to third rank in week 29 of 2019 was Star India’s flagship Hindi GEC Star Plus with 708.740 million weekly impressions as compared to fourth rank and 694.567 million weekly impressions in the previous week.

    Moving up two places to fourth rank was Zeel’s flagship Hindi GEC Zee TV with 693.440 million weekly impressions in week 29 of 2019 as compared to sixth rank and 676.868 million weekly impressions in week 28. Retaining its previous week’s rank five was Star India’s flagship Telugu GEC Star Maa in week 29 of 2019 with 683.816 million weekly impressions as compared to 689.795 million weekly impressions in week 28.

    Climbing up three places to sixth rank was Viacom18’s  flagship Hindi GEC Colors with 563.058 million weekly impressions in week 29 of 2019 as compared to ninth rank and 526.158 million weekly impressions in week 28.

    Climbing up a place to seventh rank in week 29 of 2019 was SPN’s Hindi GEC Sony Sab with 551.715 million weekly impressions as compared to eighth rank and 530.349 million weekly impressions in week 28. Dropping a rank to eighth place in week 29 of 2019 was Star India’s flagship Tamil GEC Star Vijay with 531.446 million weekly impressions as compared to seventh rank and 545.135 million weekly impressions in week 28.

    SPN’s Hindi movies channel Sony Max climbed a place to ninth rank in week 29 of 2019 with 522.040 million weekly impressions as compared to tenth rank and 496.497 million weekly impressions in week 28. SPN’s flagship Hindi GEC Sony Entertainment Television (SET) re-entered BARC’s weekly list of top 10 channels across genres in week 29 of 2019 with 504.481 million weekly impressions.

    BARC’s weekly list of top 11 pay channels across genres

    Four Star India channels, three channels from SPN, two channels from Zeel and one channel each from Sun TV Network and Viacom18 made up BARC’s weekly list if top 11 pay channels across genres in week 29 of 2019. Five Hindi GECs, three Hindi movies channels, two Tamil channels and one Telugu channel comprised BARC’s weekly list of top 11 pay channels across genres in week 29 of 2019.

    As mentioned above, here also, Sun TV headed BARC’s weekly list with 863.550 million weekly impressions in week 29 of 2019 as compared to second rank and 843.786 million weekly impressions in the previous week. Star Plus also climbed a place to second rank in week 29 of 2019 with 705.707 million weekly impressions as compared to third rank and 690.613 million weekly impressions in week 28.

    Climbing up two places to third rank was Zee TV with 691.204 million weekly impressions as compared to fifth rank and 674.518 million weekly impressions in the previous week. Retaining to fourth rank in week 29 of 2019 was Star Maa with 683.816 million weekly impressions as compared to 689.795 million weekly impressions in week 28.

    Colors climbed up three places to fifth rank in BARC’s weekly list of top 11 pay channels across genres in week 29 of 2019 with 558.873 million weekly impressions as compared to eighth rank and 522.718 million weekly impressions in week 28. Sony Sab climbed up a place to sixth rank in week 29 of 2019 with 547.408 million weekly impressions as compared to seventh rank and 526.128 million weekly impressions in the previous week.

    Star Vijay dropped a place to seventh rank with 531.446 million weekly impressions as compared to sixth rank and 545.135 million weekly impressions in week 28. Sony Max was on eight rank in week 29 of 2019 with 519.990 million weekly impressions as compared to ninth rank and 495.560 million weekly impressions in week 28.

    SET climbed up a place to ninth rank in week 29 of 2019 with 502.417 million weekly impressions as compared to tenth rank and 487.728 million weekly impressions in week 28. Zeel’s Hindi Movies channel Zee Cinema and Star India’s Hindi Movies channel entered BARC’s weekly list if top 11 pay channels in week 29 of 2019 at tenth rank with 497.790 million weekly impressions and at eleventh rank with 460.007 million weekly impressions respectively.

    BARC’s weekly list of top 11 Free channels across genres

    Four channels from Enterr 10 Television, three channels each from B4U Media and Zeel and one channel from Skystar comprised BARC’s weekly list of top 11 free channels across genres in week 29 of 2019. Four Hindi Movies channels, two Bhojpuri channels two Hindi GECs and one channel each from the Bhojpuri, Marathi and Music genres comprised BARC’s weekly list of top 11 free channels across genres during the week under review.

    Dangal retained its previous week’s first rank in week 29 of 2019 with 589.951 million weekly impressions as compared to 593.000 million weekly impressions in week 28. Zeel’s Hindi GEC Big Magic also retained its previous week’s second rank with 358.730 million impressions as compared to 395.972 million weekly impressions in week 28.

    B4U Media’s Hindi Movies channel B4U Kadak also retained its previous week’s third rank with 347.208 million weekly impressions as compared to 307.206 million weekly impressions in week 28. Enterr 10 TV’s Marathi channel Fakt Marathi climbed up a place to fourth rank in week 29 of 2019 with 184.384 million weekly impressions as compared to fifth rank and 197.780 million weekly impressions in week 28.

    Enterr 10 TV’s Bhojpuri movies channel Bhojpuri Cinema climbed up a place to fifth rank in week 29 of 2019  with 160.117 million weekly impressions as compared to sixth rank and 172.979 million weekly impressions in week 28. B4U Media’s Bhojpuri Movies channel B4U Bhojpuri climbed three places in week 29 of 2019 with 154.732 million weekly impressions  to sixth rank as compared to ninth rank and 154.067 million weekly impressions in week 28.

    Zeel’s Bhojpuri channel Big Ganga also climbed a place to seventh rank in week 29 of 2019 with 154.732 million weekly impressions as compared to  eighth rank and 154.924 million weekly impressions in week 28. B4U Media’s Hindi Movies channel dropped a place to eight rank in week 29 of 2019 with 130.537 million weekly impressions as compared to seventh rank and 164.568 million weekly impressions in week 28

    Skystar’s Hindi Movies channel Skystar Movies entered BARC’s weekly list if top 11 free channels across genre in week 29 of 2019 at ninth rank with 124.183 million weekly impressions. Enterr 10 TV’s Hindi Movies channel Enterr 10 also entered BARC’s across genres free channels list in week 29 of 2019 with 102.757 million weekly impressions. Zeel’s music channel Zing dropped a place to eleventh rank in week 29 of 2019 with 100.580 million weekly impressions as compared to tenth rank and 107.974 million weekly impressions in week 28.

  • Delhi HC dismisses 9X Media, B4U Broadband, TV Vision petition challenging DD Free Dish e-auction

    Delhi HC dismisses 9X Media, B4U Broadband, TV Vision petition challenging DD Free Dish e-auction

    MUMBAI: The Delhi High Court has dismissed the petition filed by 9X Media, B4U and MASTiii against the DD Free Dish e-auction. Within a few days of the e-auction recommencement notice, the broadcasters approached the court as they felt the base prices are very high for small players.

    Senior lawyer Amit Sibal appearing for the petitioner 9XM argued that the music channels were free to air channels and they were not collecting any subscription amount. Hence, those channels could not be classified in the same bucket as general entertainment channels (GECs), and other channels.

    The revised guidelines of DD Free Dish auction says that differential pricing for genre (language) will be based on principle of higher reserve price for genre (language) with greater commercial potential. Sibal argued that the guiding norm has not been followed as the music channels have been placed in the same bucket as sports and GECs. He contended that the commercial potential of sports channels is greater than music channels.

    Sibal also argued that the commercial potential of music channels was much lower than news channels and yet the reserve price for news channels has been fixed at Rs 7 crore and music channels have been fixed at Rs 10 crore. He also referred to the financial statement of the petitioners to contend that they were loss making while the news channels were making profits.

    Earlier 9X Media mentioned in the petition that it is a loss-making entity with losses of Rs 7.81 crore and negative earnings per share and such a decision could adversely impact its business. Rajeev Sharma on behalf of Prasar Bharati pointed out the total revenue of 9XM for the financial year 2018 was around Rs 146.12 crore including Rs 138.71 crore as revenue from operations. He submitted that the reserve price of a slot was a very small fraction of the revenue. Sharma also added that the petitioners were already paying Rs 8 crore and the reserve price was only 25 per cent more than the existing price.

    Talking note of the argument, Justice Vibhu Bakhru said that the court does not agree to the argument that the reserve price fixed there under would amount to disabling an entrepreneur from carrying on the business of broadcasting a music channel. He also added that DD Free Dish is not the only platform to air the channels.

    Justice Bakhru also asserted that it will not be appropriate to enter into a controversy as to the assessment of the commercial potential of various genres or channels. The court also added that the question of fixing a reserve price is a matter of commercial discretion of the public broadcaster Prasar Bharati.

    “Prasar Bharti’s commercial decision to fix the prices is not amenable to judicial review under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, unless it is established that the same is so arbitrary or so unreasonable that no reasonable person could possibly take such a decision,” the judgement also said.

    Justice Bakhru also found Sibal’s contention that that petitioners are not challenging the policy but the implementation is unpersuasive as the petitioners are seeking to challenge the fixation of reserve price which itself is a matter of policy.

    The new policy guidelines has kept five buckets for e-auction of MPEG2 slots. Bucket A+ has been kept for Hindi GECs and teleshopping channels with a reserve price of Rs 15 crore, and Bucket A has been dedicated to Hindi movie channels with a reserve price of Rs 12 crore.

    Hindi music, sports, and Bhojpuri GEC and movie come under Bucket B which has a reserve price of Rs 10 crore. All news & current affairs (Hindi), news & current affairs (English) and news & current affairs (Punjabi) channels fall under the category of Bucket C which with a reserve price of Rs 7 crore. The Bucket D with lowest reserve price of Rs 6 crore will comprise of all other remaining genres/language channels.

  • Moses Francis Chinappa bags additional role of business head (MENA) at B4U

    Moses Francis Chinappa bags additional role of business head (MENA) at B4U

    MUMBAI: B4U Network has announced that chief commercial officer of India, Moses Francis Chinappa, willtake charge of the additional role of business head, MENA (Middle East and North Africa). Chinappa shall now handle the profit center and sales of Aflam and Plus channel (MENA region) along with sales for India.

    He will functionally report to international business head for the MENA region Ashok Shenoy and will continue to report to CFO and COO broadcasting operations India Sandeep Gupta.

    He takes the baton from Zeeshan Sajid Amin, who wishes to explore an opportunity outside B4U after a stint of five years with the company.

    Shenoy said, “We are thrilled to have Moses to oversee the operations in the MENA region. His expertise in sales and business strategies are an asset and we look forward to generating further profitable growth in the MENA market. We thank Zeeshan for his time and commitment to B4U and we wish him all the very best for his future endeavors.”

    On his appointment, Chinappa states, “I am looking forward to taking on the additional responsibility as business head, MENA. Whilst I am certain it will be a challenge, I am confident that I will be able to use my large amount of experience and pre-existing business relationships to develop long-lasting strategies to ensure B4U has consistent growth in the MENA region.”

  • B4U supports 4 social causes4 it’s viewers through December 2018

    B4U supports 4 social causes4 it’s viewers through December 2018

    MUMBAI: B4U Network supports 4 causes around Health, Disability, Defence& Culture in the month of December 2018. B4U Network with its 2 channels B4u Music & B4u Movies has always influenced its strong base of over 168 million viewers in urban & rural hindi speaking markets with entertaining bollywood music and movies content. Banking of its high reach and influence among viewers the networks channels have taken up four causes with the intent of spreading awareness, sensitizing, supporting and bringing change in the society at large through the medium of television starting from 1st December through this entire month.

    Causes around four diverse topics have been taken up in the same month directing viewer’s attention to different issues and causes around the below days:

    1st December, 2018 – World Aids Day

    B4U Music & Movies have launched promos on high frequency raising awareness for the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection, with focus on “SAFE SEX” through a series of quirky promos which are suggestive to use of condoms for the prevention of AIDS. With B4U’s reach, popularity and ardent fan following amongst the youth audience these promotions would drive awareness and reinforce the message of safe sex for all genders across India.

    3rd December, 2018 – International Day of Disabled Persons

    The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

    To get this message across the promo’s give tribute to disabled musical instrument players with intercuts of his remarkable journey of learning the musical instrument despite his disability. This is followed by the message: “B4U salutes the indomitable human spirit”.

    4th December, 2018 – Navy Day

    Supporting India’s defense forces and saluting them for their dedication in protecting the water bodies, Navy day would be celebrated on 4 December to celebrate the achievements and role of the naval force to the country and to give respect to our naval force.

    B4U would will create interesting promotional trivia about Indian Navy and Navy Day. The slate will have images of Indian navy warships, submarines, navy officers at duty, the Navy and national emblem etc.

    11th December, 2018 – International Mountains Day

    Celebrated to encourage the international community to organize events at all levels to highlight the importance of sustainable mountain development. Using graphic vignettes 45-60 seconds B4U would talk about different Bollywood movies and songs which have used mountains as a picturesque backdrop in their narrative which would help in promoting the importance of sustainable development through this entertaining medium. Interesting anecdotes from the shooting of the films and songs will also be shared in these vignettes

    to build alliances that will bring positive change to mountain peoples and environments around the world.

    The communication campaign & promos are scripted, directed and produced by B4U’s internal creative team. The promos are designed to be smart, quirky and minimalistic so that they break clutter at the same time trigger change in society during the last month of the year.

  • B4U wishes all the beautiful women a very happy women’s day

    B4U wishes all the beautiful women a very happy women’s day

    MUMBAI: International women’s day is celebrated on 8th march every year.   the day connotes and salutes the spirit of being a woman. 
    b4u wishes all the beautiful women a very happy women’s day 

    bollywood stories are incomplete without the quint essential heroine or divas who bring that spark to the silver screen

    these women are fashion icons trendsetters who along with looking glamourous, also essay powerful yet sensitive roles bringing about new thought processes and social change.

    b4u music promises to make this women’s day memorable by airing some splendid songs of all bollywood divas across decades. watch out for these special programs: 

    HASEENO KA MELA 08.05am to 10.35am

    A 2-Hour Breakfree program where we play the songs of the best of the actresses from 90s till now. From Sridevi, Kajol & Rani Mukerjee to Kareena Kapoor & Shraddha Kapoor, the show presents a bouquet of songs of these actresses, truly making it a “Haseeno ka Mela”.  

    90’S SCREEN QUEENS 11am to 05pm  

    This is a two-hour special show dedicated to the top divas of 90s, whose songs continue to entertain us even today. From the ravishing Raveena Tandon and sizzling Urmila Matondkar to the beautiful Manisha Koirala and gorgeous Karishma Kapoor.

    SHOW STOPPERS  05pm to 06pm

    There’s stardom and then there’s superstardom – the zenith of an actress’s popularity which truly makes her a “Showstopper” featuring stars like Madhuri Dixit, Aishwarya Rai, Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone, “Show Stoppers” is all about the ultimate divas of Bollywood in the last three decades. 

    DIVAS first song of every hour B4U celebrates Women’s Day with a special musical packaging, “Divas”, where we will play songs of the most iconic actresses from the retro-classic era. The musical vignette is a fitting tribute to legendary Bollywood queens like Rekha, Hema Malini, Zeenat Aman and Helen, whose songs continue to be timeless gems of Bollywood’s repertoire. 

    PATAKAS 06pm to 07pm   “Pataka Girls”, as the show  name suggests will play songs of the top actresses of the contemporary times. Enjoy the very best tracks of today’s sizzling sensations like Katrina Kaif, Alia Bhatt, Anushka Sharma and Kangana Ranaut. 

  • Mittal, Binani cede majority control in B4U Media to Abecross Holdings

    Mittal, Binani cede majority control in B4U Media to Abecross Holdings

    MUMBAI: Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal has for long been wanting to offload his media investment in Indian music and movie channel network- B4U Media – as it does not form a part of his core businesses and has been looking for an exit.

    Well he seems to have got one, partially at least, with the announcement at the beginning of the month that medium-sized equity firm Abercross Holdings is picking up a majority stake in B4U Network for pounds sterling 20 million. Abecross is led by former England cricketer Alex Loudon and Issam Hamid, former chief investment officer for the Saudi royal family, and Andrew Woodhouse who was formerly director of corporate finance and development at SABMiller.

    B4U Media is being led by CEO Ishan Saksena, at the time of the Abecross acquisition, who had earlier managed the Queens Parks Rangers for the Lakshmi Mittal group. The company has a clutch of channels under its belt which includes: B4U Music, B4U Movies, and B4U Aflam. The channels are available in more than 100 countries globally. Additionally, it has been building up its on-the-go service B4U Mobile in recent times. B4U Media has a film production and distribution offshoot B4U Films.

    “We are proud of the growth of B4U as a major content platform for Indian entertainment. Indian entertainment has many fans all over the world and B4U has played an important role in driving the awareness and enjoyment of this great art form,” says Swordfish Investments managing partner Amit Bhatia, the son-in-law of Lakshmi Mittal, who is the largest shareholder in B4U. The others being Gokul Binani and Eros’ Sunil Lulla (diamond merchant and film producer Bharat Shah was initially an investor too).

    “Abercross has a vision to further grow the brand and cement its leadership position in this space. We wish them every success for the future and will follow the company’s progress with great interest,” he adds.

    Adds Abecross managing partner Issam Hamid said: “B4U has developed into a fantastic brand with strong potential for growth and a proven management team. We are very pleased to welcome the company to our portfolio and are committed to growing the business and making it the foremost player in its space.”

  • Zee promotes freeing of its channels on UK’s Sky TV

    MUMBAI: Three years after it introduced the Sky Asia pack in the UK, the British satellite operator has decided to drop it and put the Asian channels into its basic bouquet.  It was in March 2014, that  Sky had introduced the pack – consisting of Zee TV, Zee Cinema, Zee Punjabi, Sony Entertainment Television, Sony MAX and B4U Movies – at a price of 15 pounds. But Britasians were slow to subscribe to the package. That was even after it was made available at five pounds to viewers, according to online news reports. The reason: content on the paid pack was available on free TV. 

    So when the three year agreement with Sky and the Asian channels came up for renewal earlier this year, it decided to change the status quo and put the channels out for free in  its three packs    – original, variety and box sets. The. original pack is priced at 22 pounds and offers 270 channels; the variety sells at 25 pounds a month for 300 plus channels and the box set pack at  31 pounds a month  for 350 plus channels. The Asian  channels will be giving company to others such as Star Plus, Star Gold, Life OK, Star Utsav, and MTV Beats, which are also available at no cost.

    To promote this change, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, one of the first movers into the UK with its Hindi channels, launched a two week phased  campaign starting with a teaser   – casting a shadow of suspense over the UK with  “Can you keep a ZEECRET” message. The advertising was pushed nationwide accross media,  covering key south Asian pockets. It also undertook an innovative viral announcement by Youtube comedian sensation, Pammi Aunty – who not only lets you in on the secret that Zee TV UK, Zee Cinema, Zee Punjabi are free but also tells you what to do with the saving of the £15 monthly Sky Asia Pack fee!

    Now the promotion has moved into the nexrt phase with the message: “All Zee, No Fee,” Zee Entertainment Enterprises marketing head – UK and Europe Simran Sablok informed indiantelevision.com. The idea: draw eyeballs to the Zee channel group including Zee TV, Zee Cinema, Zing, Zee Punjabi and &TV.  

    Even as the channels have gone free on Sky, Zee’s channels  continue to be available on Virgin  as part of the paid Asian Mela pack.

    Observers are expecting the slugfest between the Indian channels in the UK to intensify for the already shrinking advertising pound following this move.

    Also Read:

    Zee set to launch channel in France with dubbed/sub-titled content

    ZEEL to globally strengthen its ‘largest Indian entertainment’ brand identity, says Amit Goenka

    Free Colors HD on Sky in UK from 14 Feb

  • Viacom18, Star India & B4U win case against pirated streaming in US

    MUMBAI: A US court has ordered closure of unauthorised digital streaming and distribution by the providers of the Cres TV and Shava STBs in further success for US pay-TV operator Dish. The US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia recently awarded more than US$25 million in damages in another blow to peddlers of illegal video piracy services soon after forcing the closure of an illegal IPTV operation.

    The court awarded the huge sum in damages to plaintiffs for unauthorised distribution of copyrighted works. Plaintiffs include Dish Network L.L.C., Al Jazeera Media Network, Asia TV USA Ltd., B4U U.S., Inc., GEO USA LLC, Impress Telefilm, Inc., MBC FZ LLC, MSM Asia Ltd., Soundview Broadcasting LLC, Soundview ATN LLC, Star India Private Ltd. and Viacom18 Media Private Limited.

    Back in India, Viacom18 has secured a John Doe interim order from Madras High Court restricting more than 1250 identified and all other unidentified websites from making the infringing copies of Viacom18’s latest release i.e ‘Force2’ available for public viewing over internet.

    In the said order, the Court has further directed 40 major Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and also other unidentified ISPs to block all such pirate websites which are illegally making the said film available over internet, Advanced Television reported.

    Back in India in Novermber 2016, Viacom18 had blocked Force 2 movie telecast across 1250 websites after getting an interim order from the Madras High Court  Viacom18 secured the John Doe interim order restricting identified and other unidentified websites from making the infringing copies of Viacom18’s release i.e ‘Force2’ available for public viewing over internet.

    In the said order, the Court has further directed 40 major Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and also other unidentified ISPs to block all such pirate websites which are illegally making the said film available over internet.

    Viacom18 group general counsel Sujeet Jain said, “I welcome this order. It is estimated that India loses $2.5 billion to online movie piracy every year. This order is a significant development for the film industry in its fight against online piracy. As immediate next steps, we’ve also launched an investigation into identifying the source of piracy at the threshold level and we will be soon taking strict action on that front.” Viacom18 had earlier successfully secured John Doe orders against infringement of its films Drishyam and ‘Manjhi – The Mountain Man’ as well.

    Also Read :

    Viacom18 blocks Force 2 across 1250 websites; gets interim order from Madras HC

    IPL 2017: The Piracy Conundrum

    FICCI FRAMES: Legitimate screens, stricter laws, best practices for IPR

    ‘Make piracy an economic offence, good cos ‘badvertise’ too’

  • Animated ‘Ramayana’ a global Diwali gift on web, mobile

    Animated ‘Ramayana’ a global Diwali gift on web, mobile

    NEW DELHI: Thirty episodes of the animated series Ramayana will be available around the world on the nexGTv web and mobile platforms during Diwali.

    This follows acquisition by nexGTv of the digital telecast rights from HT Media. With Diwali just around the corner, the content addition highlights nexGTv focus on delivering highly-relevant India-centric entertainment solutions to viewers around the world.

    The platform also recently tied up with several reputed content developers and media firms such as Culture Machine and Inavit Digital Pvt. Ltd. in order to add more diversity to its content library, already including 150+ Live TV channels, movies, shows and videos.

    nexGTv COO Abhesh Verma said, “With the festival fast approaching, our acquisition of the global digital rights to Ramayana could not have been timed better. We are confident that our viewers will be delighted with the latest addition, as they get a chance to relive the quintessential triumph of good over evil on-the-go through nexGTv.”

    Made available for seamless viewing across multiple devices and platforms, nexGTv viewers can watch 30 episodes of Ramayana as a part of its free content catalogue. The series can be accessed be either through www.nexgtv.com or through the nexGTv mobile app, available on both Android and iOS.

    With over 25 million downloads, nexGTv is the flagship, multi award-winning application from DigiVive. Offering unlimited and compelling entertainment across multiple devices (mobile, tablets or laptops/PCs), nexGTv offers its users an unrivalled suite of 150+ Live TV channels aside from a huge content library comprising movies, TV shows & videos for every mood. The app has won numerous awards including ‘The Best Digital Experience’ at the prestigious World Communication Awards 2014, in London, and is ranked amongst the Top Entertainment applications in app stores.

    DigiVive focuses on creating offerings in line with trends, with best-in-class content. Its partners include leading telecom operators and OEMs.

    nexGTv launched nexGTv Kids to curate and deliver the most entertaining and educative content meant especially for the kids aged between two and to 10 years. The platform’s exclusive news app, nexGTv News, has been launched as the go-to destination for mobile-based video news content aimed at revolutionizing the way news is currently consumed in the country through enhanced accessibility. Through its partnership with One Network Entertainment Pvt. Ltd (ONE), nexGTv has also launched the Comedy One, a first-of-its-kind comedy app having premium original comedy content ranging from stand-up, gags and spoofs to sketches and web-series. iFaith, nexGTv’s exclusive devotional app, will enable anytime, anywhere access to devotional content for nexGTv users. nexGTv has also launched nexGTv Yoga, which enables access to a host of videos on meditation, breathing techniques and yoga postures anytime, anywhere. The nexGTv Movies n Music app has been launched specifically for movie and music buffs around the world, and boasts of a library comprising nearly 2500 movies including titles such as Singham Returns, Holiday, Ragini MMS 2, Buddha In A Traffic jam, Dirty Politics and many more. The company has rolled out My nexGTv, a wrapper/aggregator tool that allows users to manage, install and access multiple nexGTv apps such as nexGTV Kids, nexGTV Yoga, nexGTV News and nexGTV Comedy One etc through one consolidated platform.

    nexGTv has partnered with leading channels such as B4U, 9X Jalwa, Tashan, B4U Music, M Tunes and 9XM Music to showcase high-quality entertainment solutions on its platform. Meanwhile, its partnership with India’s leading digital media firm, Culture Machine, will enable access to various digital channels like Being Indian, Put Chutney, Blush, Epified, What’s Trending India, Whack, Old Delhi Films, Rascalas, Vendhar TV etc to its viewers. Moving towards international web series content, the platform has acquired the digital telecast rights to UK-based Daehan Drama’s popular comedy web series, At the Counter, as well as its French-Chinese web series, Ex-Model, in order to diversify its offerings with high-quality international content.

    SPOTLight, India’s first mobile talent discovery platform, has been introduced by nexGTv with ace director Imtiaz Ali as the creative judge, as a medium to enable both amateurs and professional video enthusiasts to not only showcase their talent pan-India, but also earn off it. nexGTv also unveiled an original 14-part mobi-series in association with Priyanka Chopra and Fluence, ‘It’s My City’, in order to provide relatable and engaging video entertainment content to the country’s new-age digital viewership. In her inimitable style, Priyanka Chopra appears in and as herself, assuming the mantle of an official landlady, unofficial guardian and protective friend to the young protagonists.