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Tag: Balaji Telefilms

  • Ajay Bhalwankar-led Sony’s maiden inhouse show partners Beyond Dreams

    Ajay Bhalwankar-led Sony’s maiden inhouse show partners Beyond Dreams

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Network India is all set to produce its first show in-house for the network which will be led by the industry veteran Ajay Bhalwankar.  Also, Sony’s internal production house has partnered with Yash Patnaik’s Beyond Dreams for their first show.

    A source close to the development informed indiantelevision.com that the production house will be headed by the creative director Bhalwankar.

    Bhalwankar, an industry veteran of 20 years, was earlier the content head of Zee TV. Prior to joining to Zee TV, he worked as the programming head for SET from November 2009 to June 2011.  In 2014, he rejoined SET as the chief creative director.

    At the launch of Sony’s historical show Peshwa Bajirao, SPNI CEO NP Singh informed, “The first show of our production house is going into production early next month. It will be a fiction series and will go on air in 3- 4 months time.”

    This is not the first instance that a broadcast network is getting into TV production. Zee Network has its Essel Vision, which has been involved in many of its marquee properties. Star India had taken a 25.99 per cent stake in Balaji Telefilms in April 2004, only to exit it on 5 August 2015.

    ALSO READ :

    Sony Pictures Networks India to foray into TV production

    DD sets up ‘War Room’ to revitalise programming & revenues

  • Ajay Bhalwankar-led Sony’s maiden inhouse show partners Beyond Dreams

    Ajay Bhalwankar-led Sony’s maiden inhouse show partners Beyond Dreams

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Network India is all set to produce its first show in-house for the network which will be led by the industry veteran Ajay Bhalwankar.  Also, Sony’s internal production house has partnered with Yash Patnaik’s Beyond Dreams for their first show.

    A source close to the development informed indiantelevision.com that the production house will be headed by the creative director Bhalwankar.

    Bhalwankar, an industry veteran of 20 years, was earlier the content head of Zee TV. Prior to joining to Zee TV, he worked as the programming head for SET from November 2009 to June 2011.  In 2014, he rejoined SET as the chief creative director.

    At the launch of Sony’s historical show Peshwa Bajirao, SPNI CEO NP Singh informed, “The first show of our production house is going into production early next month. It will be a fiction series and will go on air in 3- 4 months time.”

    This is not the first instance that a broadcast network is getting into TV production. Zee Network has its Essel Vision, which has been involved in many of its marquee properties. Star India had taken a 25.99 per cent stake in Balaji Telefilms in April 2004, only to exit it on 5 August 2015.

    ALSO READ :

    Sony Pictures Networks India to foray into TV production

    DD sets up ‘War Room’ to revitalise programming & revenues

  • Saaibaba musicals & comedy, Balaji dramas may lift DD’s fortunes from Feb

    Saaibaba musicals & comedy, Balaji dramas may lift DD’s fortunes from Feb

    MUMBAI: Starting February, pubcaster Doordarshan is geared up to launch television shows following the prime time programming slot auction in December.

    Saaibaba Telefilms and Ekta Kapoor-promoted Balaji Telefilms are putting together programming ranging from family dramas to youth-oriented shows to music reality shows which may lead to revival of the viewership and finances of the network. indiantelevision had reported that Balaji bid successfully for four slots, and Saaibaba bagged two slots on Doordarshan’s prime time slot auctions.

    Saaibaba, which is popular for shows such as SaReGaMa, Antakshari, and Star Voice of India, will produce music-focused reality and fiction shows for Doordarshan. Saaibaba won bids for 7.30 pm to 8 pm from Monday to Friday, and 8pm to 9pm on Saturday and Sunday, indiantelevision.com had reported.      

    Saaibaba director Shweta Singh on Tuesday told indiantelevision.com, “We had not applied for initial two bids but put the hat in the third ring because it was feasible and fortunately got two slots. In terms of content, we are looking for musical reality shows for weekends and comedy show on weekdays.”     

    Balaji COO – television business Ketan Gupta reportedly said that one of the shows was going to be a youth-focused show, while another would be a love story. A daily soap opera (family drama) has been planned for the Friday slot, he added.

    Balaji has made superhit fiction shows such as Kumkum Bhagya on Zee and Pavitra Bandhan (which runs on DD National). It successfully pocketed three slots (half an hour each for 8-9:30pm programming) from Monday to Thursday. The production house won two slots for 8-9pm programming on Friday.

    After a Prasar Bharati Board meeting in October, Doordarshan had announced a series of concessions once the programmers come on board, including lowering the base price for a 30-minute slot to Rs. 1,50,000.      

    DD sources had told indiantelevision.com that the only eligibility criterion that has been relaxed is that the basic price for auction has come down to Rs 1,50,000 (Rs 1.5 lakh) for a 30-minute slot. It was Rs 250.000 when the auction was announced in June this year, and was decreased to Rs 200,000 when the new date was set in early September 2016.

    However, most of the other eligibility norms remain the same as earlier in the New Content Acquisition Scheme that has been approved by Prasar Bharati Board.

    Also Read: Balaji & Saaibaba bag prime time slots on DD National

    DD non-prime time slots programmes invited; FCTs specified

  • Saaibaba musicals & comedy, Balaji dramas may lift DD’s fortunes from Feb

    Saaibaba musicals & comedy, Balaji dramas may lift DD’s fortunes from Feb

    MUMBAI: Starting February, pubcaster Doordarshan is geared up to launch television shows following the prime time programming slot auction in December.

    Saaibaba Telefilms and Ekta Kapoor-promoted Balaji Telefilms are putting together programming ranging from family dramas to youth-oriented shows to music reality shows which may lead to revival of the viewership and finances of the network. indiantelevision had reported that Balaji bid successfully for four slots, and Saaibaba bagged two slots on Doordarshan’s prime time slot auctions.

    Saaibaba, which is popular for shows such as SaReGaMa, Antakshari, and Star Voice of India, will produce music-focused reality and fiction shows for Doordarshan. Saaibaba won bids for 7.30 pm to 8 pm from Monday to Friday, and 8pm to 9pm on Saturday and Sunday, indiantelevision.com had reported.      

    Saaibaba director Shweta Singh on Tuesday told indiantelevision.com, “We had not applied for initial two bids but put the hat in the third ring because it was feasible and fortunately got two slots. In terms of content, we are looking for musical reality shows for weekends and comedy show on weekdays.”     

    Balaji COO – television business Ketan Gupta reportedly said that one of the shows was going to be a youth-focused show, while another would be a love story. A daily soap opera (family drama) has been planned for the Friday slot, he added.

    Balaji has made superhit fiction shows such as Kumkum Bhagya on Zee and Pavitra Bandhan (which runs on DD National). It successfully pocketed three slots (half an hour each for 8-9:30pm programming) from Monday to Thursday. The production house won two slots for 8-9pm programming on Friday.

    After a Prasar Bharati Board meeting in October, Doordarshan had announced a series of concessions once the programmers come on board, including lowering the base price for a 30-minute slot to Rs. 1,50,000.      

    DD sources had told indiantelevision.com that the only eligibility criterion that has been relaxed is that the basic price for auction has come down to Rs 1,50,000 (Rs 1.5 lakh) for a 30-minute slot. It was Rs 250.000 when the auction was announced in June this year, and was decreased to Rs 200,000 when the new date was set in early September 2016.

    However, most of the other eligibility norms remain the same as earlier in the New Content Acquisition Scheme that has been approved by Prasar Bharati Board.

    Also Read: Balaji & Saaibaba bag prime time slots on DD National

    DD non-prime time slots programmes invited; FCTs specified

  • DD non-prime time slots programmes invited; FCTs specified

    DD non-prime time slots programmes invited; FCTs specified

    NEW DELHI: After facing partial success in a third try for the e-auction for prime time slots, Doordarshan has now invited programmes in sponsored category for serials, game shows and musical programmes in the non-prime time slots on DD National.

    Applications can be sent by 20 January 2017 and the proposals have to be submitted with a processing fee along with a pilot episode in a professional optical disc, HD format and 16:9 aspect ratio.

    According to Doordarshan, the number of episodes should not normally exceed 52 episodes of weekly serials and 260 episodes of five days a week of daily soaps.

    Those applying for serials in non-prime time have to submit detailed story line of the serial with break-up of the story in episodes and broad outline of treatment; synopsis of each episode and detailed scenario script of at least four episodes.

    The applicant will also have to furnish personal and professional details while making the application and no change can be made in the production team without the prior consent of Doordarshan.

    In cases of game shows and musical programmes, needing expensive sets, the producer may submit the design of the set along with his/her proposal. The design of the set will also require the approval of Doordarshan before production starts. The producer must give an undertaking that s/he would have no objection if the programme is carried on Doordarshan’s DTH service free of charge with or without commercials.

    The proposals received will be processed first by the evaluation committee and then by the selection committee. The selection committee, while according its approval to the proposal, will clearly specify in case of a serialised TV programme the number of episodes for which it has been approved as well as the duration of each episode and the time band (primetime, mid-primetime, non-primetime, etc.).

    The producer will pay Doordarshan telecast fee as may be prescribed from time to time in Doordarshan’s Commercial Rate Card. The payment of the telecast fee will be the joint and separate responsibility of the producer and his/her designated marketing agency.

    The producer will be entitled to utilise free commercial time (FCT) as may be specified from time to time. The producer can utilise the FCT before or after or in between the programme. In addition to FCT, the producer will be entitled to a credit line of 10 seconds each at the beginning and at the end of the programme. The credit line will include only the name of the sponsor/product, as the case may be. The sponsor will, however, be allowed to use in the credit line his/her logo, lettering style, music/sound effects, etc., as per Doordarshan rules.

    In the earlier e-auctions, Balaji Telefilms bid successfully for four slots and Saaibaba Telefilms bagged two slots on Doordarshan’s prime time slot auctions. BAG Films and Media of Delhi, which had also been shortlisted, failed to pocket any slot.

    However, Doordarshan sources had told indiantelevision.com that as the RFP (request for proposal) document had made it clear that no party could bid for more than three slots in a week, Balaji may lose one slot after full examination of the bids received.

    No bid was received for three slots: 10 pm to 10.30 pm and 10.30 to 11 pm from Monday to Thursday, and for 7pm to 8pm slot on Sunday. Thus, the successful bids by Balaji are for 8 pm to 8.30 pm and 8.30 – 9pm from Monday to Friday, and 9 pm to 9.30 pm and 9.30 pm pm to 10.00 pm from Monday to Thursday. Saai won the bids for 7.30 pm to 8 pm from Monday to Friday, and 8 pm to 9 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

    Thus, the two production houses got 19 of the 34 weekday slots and two weekend slots. Sixteen slots remained unsold.

    Also read

    Balaji & Saaibaba bag prime time slots on DD National

     

  • DD non-prime time slots programmes invited; FCTs specified

    DD non-prime time slots programmes invited; FCTs specified

    NEW DELHI: After facing partial success in a third try for the e-auction for prime time slots, Doordarshan has now invited programmes in sponsored category for serials, game shows and musical programmes in the non-prime time slots on DD National.

    Applications can be sent by 20 January 2017 and the proposals have to be submitted with a processing fee along with a pilot episode in a professional optical disc, HD format and 16:9 aspect ratio.

    According to Doordarshan, the number of episodes should not normally exceed 52 episodes of weekly serials and 260 episodes of five days a week of daily soaps.

    Those applying for serials in non-prime time have to submit detailed story line of the serial with break-up of the story in episodes and broad outline of treatment; synopsis of each episode and detailed scenario script of at least four episodes.

    The applicant will also have to furnish personal and professional details while making the application and no change can be made in the production team without the prior consent of Doordarshan.

    In cases of game shows and musical programmes, needing expensive sets, the producer may submit the design of the set along with his/her proposal. The design of the set will also require the approval of Doordarshan before production starts. The producer must give an undertaking that s/he would have no objection if the programme is carried on Doordarshan’s DTH service free of charge with or without commercials.

    The proposals received will be processed first by the evaluation committee and then by the selection committee. The selection committee, while according its approval to the proposal, will clearly specify in case of a serialised TV programme the number of episodes for which it has been approved as well as the duration of each episode and the time band (primetime, mid-primetime, non-primetime, etc.).

    The producer will pay Doordarshan telecast fee as may be prescribed from time to time in Doordarshan’s Commercial Rate Card. The payment of the telecast fee will be the joint and separate responsibility of the producer and his/her designated marketing agency.

    The producer will be entitled to utilise free commercial time (FCT) as may be specified from time to time. The producer can utilise the FCT before or after or in between the programme. In addition to FCT, the producer will be entitled to a credit line of 10 seconds each at the beginning and at the end of the programme. The credit line will include only the name of the sponsor/product, as the case may be. The sponsor will, however, be allowed to use in the credit line his/her logo, lettering style, music/sound effects, etc., as per Doordarshan rules.

    In the earlier e-auctions, Balaji Telefilms bid successfully for four slots and Saaibaba Telefilms bagged two slots on Doordarshan’s prime time slot auctions. BAG Films and Media of Delhi, which had also been shortlisted, failed to pocket any slot.

    However, Doordarshan sources had told indiantelevision.com that as the RFP (request for proposal) document had made it clear that no party could bid for more than three slots in a week, Balaji may lose one slot after full examination of the bids received.

    No bid was received for three slots: 10 pm to 10.30 pm and 10.30 to 11 pm from Monday to Thursday, and for 7pm to 8pm slot on Sunday. Thus, the successful bids by Balaji are for 8 pm to 8.30 pm and 8.30 – 9pm from Monday to Friday, and 9 pm to 9.30 pm and 9.30 pm pm to 10.00 pm from Monday to Thursday. Saai won the bids for 7.30 pm to 8 pm from Monday to Friday, and 8 pm to 9 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

    Thus, the two production houses got 19 of the 34 weekday slots and two weekend slots. Sixteen slots remained unsold.

    Also read

    Balaji & Saaibaba bag prime time slots on DD National

     

  • Ekta ties up with Lemon Advisors for Alt Balaji global launch

    Ekta ties up with Lemon Advisors for Alt Balaji global launch

    MUMBAI: Ekta Kapoor’s Alt Balaji, which is gearing up for launch in early 2017, has announced a strategic partnership with Lemon Advisors, a Singapore based technology consulting firm. With this tie-up, the tech company will assist and strengthen business development activities in key global markets with significant Indian diaspora and demand for Indian content.

    “We are delighted to have Lemon Advisors on board. Their impressive network spanning across 30 countries worldwide will certainly help us in reaching out to the global audience. Technology will play a huge role in shaping the growth trajectory of digital entertainment industry in India and globally, and as we make our foray into the domain with disruptive content, we are proud to have an established technology and business development partner,” said Balaji Telefilms group CEO Sameer Nair.

    Lemon Advisors will help Alt Balaji forge alliances with distribution partners like telecom operators, internet service providers and OEMs. They will also assist in exploring brand alliance opportunities with major international brands along with planning& executing marketing and on ground activities. In addition to this, they will also be a representative entity for Alt Balaji at various trade shows & exhibitions.

    “Balaji is a name that every Indian content consumer worldwide is extremely familiar with. It’s a privilege for us to partner with Balaji as they embark on their digital journey in the form of Alt Balaji. We are happy that we will have a chance to contribute to the overall success of their endeavour”, added Lemon Advisors founder and chairman SubhashR. Ghosh.

  • Ekta ties up with Lemon Advisors for Alt Balaji global launch

    Ekta ties up with Lemon Advisors for Alt Balaji global launch

    MUMBAI: Ekta Kapoor’s Alt Balaji, which is gearing up for launch in early 2017, has announced a strategic partnership with Lemon Advisors, a Singapore based technology consulting firm. With this tie-up, the tech company will assist and strengthen business development activities in key global markets with significant Indian diaspora and demand for Indian content.

    “We are delighted to have Lemon Advisors on board. Their impressive network spanning across 30 countries worldwide will certainly help us in reaching out to the global audience. Technology will play a huge role in shaping the growth trajectory of digital entertainment industry in India and globally, and as we make our foray into the domain with disruptive content, we are proud to have an established technology and business development partner,” said Balaji Telefilms group CEO Sameer Nair.

    Lemon Advisors will help Alt Balaji forge alliances with distribution partners like telecom operators, internet service providers and OEMs. They will also assist in exploring brand alliance opportunities with major international brands along with planning& executing marketing and on ground activities. In addition to this, they will also be a representative entity for Alt Balaji at various trade shows & exhibitions.

    “Balaji is a name that every Indian content consumer worldwide is extremely familiar with. It’s a privilege for us to partner with Balaji as they embark on their digital journey in the form of Alt Balaji. We are happy that we will have a chance to contribute to the overall success of their endeavour”, added Lemon Advisors founder and chairman SubhashR. Ghosh.

  • Balaji & Saaibaba bag prime time slots on DD National

    Balaji & Saaibaba bag prime time slots on DD National

    NEW DELHI: Balaji Telefilms bid successfully for four slots, and Saai Baba Telefilms bagged two slots on Doordarshan’s prime time slot auctions, although financial statistics were not revealed. Bag Films and Media of Delhi, which had also been shortlisted, failed to pocket any slot.

    However, Doordarshan sources said that, as the RFP (request for proposal) document had made it clear that no party could bid for more than three slots in a week, Balaji may lose one slot after full examination of the bids received.

    No bid was received for three slots: 10 pm to 10.30 pm and 10.30 to 11 pm from Monday to Thursday, and for 7pm to 8pm slot on Sunday. Thus, the successful bids by Balaji are for 8 pm to 8.30 pm and 8.30 – 9pm from Monday to Friday, and 9 pm to 9.30 pm and 9.30 pm pm to 10.00 pm from Monday to Thursday.

    Saai won the bids for 7.30 pm to 8 pm from Monday to Friday, and 8 pm to 9 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

    Thus, Doordarshan has managed to get successful bidders in its third attempt since it announced its decision to auction the prime time slots early this year. Each time, DD had to make some concessions over its initial RFP.

    After a Prasar Bharati Board meeting in October, Doordarshan had announced a series of concessions once the programmers come on board, including lowering the base price for a 30-minute slot to Rs. 1,50,000.

    DD sources told indiantelevision.com that the only eligibility criterion that has been relaxed is that the basic price for auction has come down to Rs 1,50,000 (Rs 1.5 lakh) for a 30-minute slot. It was Rs 250.000 when the auction was announced in June this year, and was decreased to Rs 200,000 when the new date was set in early September 2016.

    However, most of the other eligibility norms remain the same as earlier in the New Content Acquisition Scheme that has been approved by Prasar Bharati Board.

    Producers/production houses that have produced at least 200 hours of general entertainment programming, including feature film productions in any Indian language in the last three years, and have a turnover of minimum Rs. 30 million per annum in the field of TV and film production in the last three financial years are eligible to apply.

    Applicants for weekend slots in the genres of reality, game and quiz are required to have produced 100 hours of such content in the last three years. However, DD sources told indiantelevision.com that certain changes had been made for successful bidders to promote their programmes.

    Successful bidders will now also be allowed to approach and obtain advertisements from public service undertaking for their programmes on Doordarshan, which was not permitted earlier. Doordarshan has also laid down a compulsory number of promotional commercials, which will be free, on various channels of Doordarshan network.  

    In addition, successful bidders will be allowed to ‘bank’ their free commercial time. That is, in case a successful bidder has not exhausted the number of promotional commercials (totalling 240 seconds) permitted before the telecast of a particular programme, the balance can be used as and when the programme picks up in popularity.

    The exit option has also been relaxed: in case a producer decides to opt out of the scheme, he will need to give only 45 days notice instead of three months. The lock-in period for this has also been reduced from one year to six months.

    ALSO READ:

     

     

  • Balaji & Saaibaba bag prime time slots on DD National

    Balaji & Saaibaba bag prime time slots on DD National

    NEW DELHI: Balaji Telefilms bid successfully for four slots, and Saai Baba Telefilms bagged two slots on Doordarshan’s prime time slot auctions, although financial statistics were not revealed. Bag Films and Media of Delhi, which had also been shortlisted, failed to pocket any slot.

    However, Doordarshan sources said that, as the RFP (request for proposal) document had made it clear that no party could bid for more than three slots in a week, Balaji may lose one slot after full examination of the bids received.

    No bid was received for three slots: 10 pm to 10.30 pm and 10.30 to 11 pm from Monday to Thursday, and for 7pm to 8pm slot on Sunday. Thus, the successful bids by Balaji are for 8 pm to 8.30 pm and 8.30 – 9pm from Monday to Friday, and 9 pm to 9.30 pm and 9.30 pm pm to 10.00 pm from Monday to Thursday.

    Saai won the bids for 7.30 pm to 8 pm from Monday to Friday, and 8 pm to 9 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

    Thus, Doordarshan has managed to get successful bidders in its third attempt since it announced its decision to auction the prime time slots early this year. Each time, DD had to make some concessions over its initial RFP.

    After a Prasar Bharati Board meeting in October, Doordarshan had announced a series of concessions once the programmers come on board, including lowering the base price for a 30-minute slot to Rs. 1,50,000.

    DD sources told indiantelevision.com that the only eligibility criterion that has been relaxed is that the basic price for auction has come down to Rs 1,50,000 (Rs 1.5 lakh) for a 30-minute slot. It was Rs 250.000 when the auction was announced in June this year, and was decreased to Rs 200,000 when the new date was set in early September 2016.

    However, most of the other eligibility norms remain the same as earlier in the New Content Acquisition Scheme that has been approved by Prasar Bharati Board.

    Producers/production houses that have produced at least 200 hours of general entertainment programming, including feature film productions in any Indian language in the last three years, and have a turnover of minimum Rs. 30 million per annum in the field of TV and film production in the last three financial years are eligible to apply.

    Applicants for weekend slots in the genres of reality, game and quiz are required to have produced 100 hours of such content in the last three years. However, DD sources told indiantelevision.com that certain changes had been made for successful bidders to promote their programmes.

    Successful bidders will now also be allowed to approach and obtain advertisements from public service undertaking for their programmes on Doordarshan, which was not permitted earlier. Doordarshan has also laid down a compulsory number of promotional commercials, which will be free, on various channels of Doordarshan network.  

    In addition, successful bidders will be allowed to ‘bank’ their free commercial time. That is, in case a successful bidder has not exhausted the number of promotional commercials (totalling 240 seconds) permitted before the telecast of a particular programme, the balance can be used as and when the programme picks up in popularity.

    The exit option has also been relaxed: in case a producer decides to opt out of the scheme, he will need to give only 45 days notice instead of three months. The lock-in period for this has also been reduced from one year to six months.

    ALSO READ: