ITV

Tag: Balaji Telefilms

  • FY-2015: Despite lower revenue, Balaji Telefilms back in the black; board recommends 30% dividend

    FY-2015: Despite lower revenue, Balaji Telefilms back in the black; board recommends 30% dividend

    BENGALURU:  Balaji Telefilms Limited (Balaji Telefilms) reported 15 per cent decline in consolidated Total Income from Operations (TIO) at Rs 346.49 crore in FY-2015 (year ended 31 March, 2015, current year) as compared to Rs 407.46 crore in the previous year. The company reported a consolidated profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 5.62 crore (1.6 per cent of TIO) as compared to a loss of Rs 17.21 crore in the previous year, (FY-2014 results had included survival benefits of a keyman insurance policy to the extent of Rs 6.73 crore).

     

    Note:  (1)100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore

    (2) All numbers are consolidated unless stated otherwise.

     

    Consolidated operating revenue in Q4-2015 declined 8.8 per cent to Rs 76.94 crore as compared to Rs 84.4 crore in Q4-2014, but improved 7.5 per cent from Rs 71.54 crore in Q3-2015.

     

    The company reported a positive consolidated EBIDTA in FY-2015 of Rs 6.06 crore as compared to negative EBIDTA (operating loss) of Rs 21.78 crore in the previous year. Consolidated EBIDTA in Q4-2015 was Rs 8.04 crore as compared to negative EBIDTA (operating loss) of Rs 22.37 crore in Q4-2014 and negative EBIDTA (operating loss) of Rs 6.91 crore in Q3-2015.

     

    Balaji Telefilms’ consolidated cost of production of movies and television serials in FY-2015 declined 23 per cent to Rs 296.53 crore as compared to the Rs 395.09 crore reported in FY-2014. Consolidated cost of production of movies and television serials declined 36.1 per cent in Q4-2015 to Rs 59.84 crore as compared to the Rs 93.63 crore in Q4-2014 and declined 13.4 per cent as compared to the Rs 69.14 crore in Q3-015.

     

    Revenue Streams

     

    The following subsidiaries, LLPs’ and revenue streams contribute to Balaji Telefilms consolidated numbers: Balaji Telefilms standalone; wholly owned subsidiaries BMPL and Boll Media Limited; other subsidiaries and LLP – Marinating Films and Event Media LLP.

     

    Balaji Television

     

    On a standalone basis, Balaji Telefilms Total Operating Revenue (TOR) in FY-2015 increased 59 per cent to Rs 205.76 crore as compared to the Rs 129.20 crore in FY-2015. TOR in Q4-2015 at Rs 60.64 crore was 51.4 per cent more than the Rs 40.07 crore in Q4-2014 and 3.6 per cent more than the Rs 58.53 crore in Q3-2015.

     

    Standalone PAT in FY-2015 at Rs 12.27 crore was 22.5 per cent more than the Rs 10.02 crore in FY-2014. Standalone PAT in Q4-2015 was Rs 9.61 crore as compared to PAT of Rs 0.13 crore in Q4-2014 and Rs 3.09 crore in Q3-2015.

     

    Standalone cost of production in FY-2015 at Rs 166.80 crore was 65.8 per cent higher than the Rs 100.6 crore in FY-2014.Standalone cost of production increased by 74 per cent in Q4-2015 to Rs 44.91 crore from Rs 25.82 crore in Q4-2014, but declined 5.7 per cent from Rs 47.61 crore in the previous quarter.

     

    Excluding regional segment and events, on a standalone basis, Balaji Telefilms reported a 49.1 per cent growth in programming hours in the current quarter (Q4-2015) to 258 hours as compared to 177 hours in Q4-2014, but a decline of 6.9 per cent from the 277 hours in the previous quarter (Q3-2015).

     

    The company’s revenue per hour increased by 0.7 per cent to Rs 23.06 lakh in Q4-2015 as compared to the Rs 22.90 lakh in Q4-2014, and increased by 11.7 per cent from the Rs 20.64 lakh in the immediate trailing quarter.

     

    Balaji Telefilms Stock movement

     

    The board of directors of the company has recommended a dividend of Rs 0.60 per equity share having face value of Rs 2 each, or 30 per cent, as compared to the Rs 0.40 per share (20 per cent) in the previous year.

     

    The script closed at Rs 75.10 per equity share on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), up 5.92 percent (up Rs 4.20) from the previous close of Rs 70.90. The share had opened at Rs 73.50 today and saw a volume of 415349 shares. The BSE Sensex witnessed fall of 27.86 points to close at 27809.35 points today.

     

    On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), Balaji Telefilms shares closed at Rs 75.05 each, up 6.23 per cent (Rs 4.40) from the previous close of Rs 70.65 each. The share had opened at Rs 73 today on the NSE and saw a volume of 1627950 shares. NSE’s Nifty closed at 8241 points, down 2.25 points from yesterday.

  • “Broadcasters need to stop relying on advertisers for revenue”: Sameer Nair

    “Broadcasters need to stop relying on advertisers for revenue”: Sameer Nair

    MUMBAI: Broadcasters need to stop relying solely on advertisers as their main source of revenue. Moreover as digitisation reaches the third phase, it is imperative to for them to come up with new content strategies.

     

    A FICCI Frames session moderated by media analyst and columnist Vinita Kohli Khandekar saw an aggressive discussion by top level media and broadcast executives on the future of content creation keeping in mind the emergence of digital platforms.

     

    The panel comprised Balaji Group CEO Sameer Nair, Disney India VP and content head Vijay Subramanium, Reliance Broadcast CEO Tarun Katial, Zee TV business head Pradeep Hejmadi and Star Plus GM Gaurav Banerjee.

     

    There are approximately 815 channels, which places India amongst the top five video consumers of the world and it is crucial to have varied and captivating content, which caters to the need of the viewers. The biggest question that arises from the scenario is – What should be changed to make better content?

     

    A pertinent point raised by Nair was that channels need to cut down their dependence on advertisers as their main source of revenue and find alternate sources in order to dish out quality content.

     

    Nair asserted, “The content we have been producing is often termed as trash, which in reality is not because we all remember the content and no one remembers trash. We are a growing industry and content takes time to transit. We have to give it the necessary amount of time as a sudden transition may lead to confusion. Some years back there were 25 million TV homes and now we have 100 million homes. This proves that we are growing. Like every business, content is dominated by economics. We need to stop our heavy reliance on advertisers. Our need to earn high ratings is because of advertiser pressure and that is what is stopping us from aggressively experimenting with content. We need to start discovering other sources of revenue.”

     

    Talking about the necessities, Banerjee added, “A lot has changed from where we were a few years back. We are a lot more ambitious from what we used to be. The budget for a half an hour fiction show has risen from Rs 7 lakh– 8 lakh to Rs 15 lakh– 20 lakh and that speaks volumes. Television industry’s biggest power is its reach. We reach twice the audience of the biggest viewed film release and hence with the reach comes responsibility, which we should not forget, while making content. The need of the hour is devoting more time and money to research and development. We need to research in depth before putting up any content as it might have its repercussion and have socio-economic fabric of our nation..”

     

    During the course of the discussion, an issue that was constantly debated was whether films or TV shows make for better content. Firmly defending TV content over films, Banerjee said, “We should have a more distinguished measurement phenomenon when it comes to cinema and we should also not forget the fact that the number of screens is shrinking. There are a lot of opportunities to improve and no reason to rate films over TV content as of now.”

     

    Supporting Banarjee’s opinion, Katial added, “Films in recent times have lost their purpose and contribute very little in creating a social impact.”

     

    “What comes from the production house is just a one line concept and the channel gets into it and executes what is shown on TV. Another part that plays a vital role in improvising content is measurement, which comes from research because what TAM shows is post airing analyses and does not favour in deciding if the content is appropriate. So overall, while we are setting ourselves for the new era of TV content production we have to test, try and excel,” said Hejmadi.

     

    Now it remains to be seen if TV content makers raise the bar and produce quality content instead of jumping for  quantity and following herd mentality. More importantly, the need of the hour also is for broadcasters to discover alternate source of revenue for their business in order to make compelling content.

  • Bomanbridge Media continues Asia expansion; opens India office

    Bomanbridge Media continues Asia expansion; opens India office

    MUMBAI: Singapore-based content distribution agency Bomanbridge Media as part of its Asia expansion has opened an office in Mumbai. It will be headed by TV veteran Arpit Agarwal as Bomanbridge Media director of sales for South Asia.

     

    India is the fourth country in Asia where the company will have a base, after recently launching offices in Korea and Mongolia, in addition to its headquarters in Singapore. The further expansion follows recent investment by Hera Capital, which is also funding the company’s international lifestyle and cooking show Haute & Saucy with Kelly Randall Sia.

     

    Agarwal, who has worked in various capacities at Fremantle India, Balaji Telefilms, Bang Singapore and Sahara One, comes with over 18 years of experience in creating and managing both mass and niche television content in India and in Singapore. He also headed business development at Starcut Asia Pacific – a Nokia subsidiary and is credited for creating Singapore’s first made-for-mobile series Kumarsutra.  Agarwal began his career as a reporter, producer and host at NDTV in New Delhi, India.

     

    “This entrance into South Asia, and especially India, is the beginning of very exciting times for us at Bomanbridge. With assured improvements in TV measurement, and decreasing carriage costs, we are witnessing not only a surge in demand for niche content but also the need for product differentiation through innovation amongst the major GEC players. India has always been one of our stronger territories in the region and we look forward to enhancing our presence there to better serve our partners. Arpit brings extensive television experience and we look to him to bring us to the next level. Our team is now stronger than ever, ready to serve the entire Asian region with the best programming, and with people on the ground in several countries,” said Bomanbridge Media CEO Sonia Fleck.

     

    Agarwal added, “I am very pleased to join Bomanbridge Media, a company that is respected across the broadcasting fraternity of Asia as exclusive representatives of renowned content from around the world. Sonia and her team have a firm handle on the territory and I look forward to adding value and growing the business further in India and the region.”

     

  • Balaji joins hands with Phantom Films to co-produce ‘Udta Punjab’

    Balaji joins hands with Phantom Films to co-produce ‘Udta Punjab’

    MUMBAI: Balaji Motion Pictures has joined hands with Phantom Films to co-produce the Shahid Kapoor starrer Udta Punjab.

     

    The movie, which also stars Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor and Punjabi actor Diljit, is being directed by Abhishek Chaubey.

     

    Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Motion Pictures had earlier also collaborated with Phantom Films forLootera.

     

    The story of Udta Punjab revolves around substance abuse in the Indian state of Punjab. Earlier this month, the movie went on floors in Amritsar.

     

    Phantom Films is helmed by Madhu Mantena, Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane and Vikas Bahl.

  • Balaji diversifies into fashion segment; partners Best Deal TV

    Balaji diversifies into fashion segment; partners Best Deal TV

    MUMBAI: After ruling the television industry for close to 20 years, Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms is all set to diversify into a different business segment. The production house is planning to launch its first fashion label ‘EK’ at the Television Glamour & Fashion Awards, which will to aired on Colors on 29 March. 

     

    Brand ‘EK’ has been licensed to Balaji Telefilms by Kapoor, who owns the brand for commercialisation.

     

    Initially, the label will be available on Akshay Kumar and Raj Kundra’s new television channel Best Deal TV, which will be Balaji Telefilms’ exclusive television partner to merchandise the brand. The production house is also in the process of associating with an online partner to further grow the brand.

     

    A line comprising ethnic wear, mainly sarees and jewellery will be launched first, followed by Indo­-western trends and accessories in the near future.

     

    Brand ‘EK’ is a natural culmination of the  significant legacy of over 20 years that Ekta  Kapoor has created in the world of entertainment and now she takes her business and passion forward with the launch of her brand via merchandising.

     

    A foray into the fashion world is a first of its kind venture for Balaji Telefilms and the company will get a percentage of sales as royalty.

     

    “Television and style are consumed by viewers in different forms on a daily basis. ‘EK’ is an attempt to marry the two. We are excited with this new venture and look to make a mark in the fashion world, by making the brand easily accessible through online and television  shopping networks,” said Balaji Telefilms joint managing director Ekta  Kapoor.

     

    “This is an endeavour to leverage an existing potential opportunity within the ever-popular fashion theme. Celebrities play an influential role in modern culture and consumption patterns, serving as arbiters of taste, style and public opinion the world over. Given the popularity of Balaji’s soaps and serials the ‘EK’ fashion label is set to make a mark with Indian audiences across  the globe,” added Balaji Telefilms group CEO Sameer Nair.

  • Colors & Ekta Kapoor partner for Television Style Awards

    Colors & Ekta Kapoor partner for Television Style Awards

    MUMBAI: Over the years, there have been many style trends that have put Indian television on the global map. These trends have, often single handedly, added to the soaring popularity of television shows making them an endearing proposition for viewers.

     

    To deliver the same, Colors in association with Marinating Films, a subsidiary of Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms is set to launch the first ever Television Style Awards. The event is scheduled to take place in Mumbai on 13 March.

     

    The awards will recognise the trends and the trendsetters of the television industry that have penetrated into the very heartland of the country. It aims at celebrating Indian television’s most stylish and fashionable stars, who have made an impact across the globe. The event will bring together a unique blend of glamour, fun and entertainment. The style-filled evening will pay homage to those style trends which have been created by television stars that have carved a niche in the world of glamour in over 22 categories.

     

    The winners, across categories, have been handpicked by the jury members namely Karan Johar, Shilpa Shetty, Manish Malhotra and Dabboo Ratnani. 

     

    Colors CEO Raj Nayak said, “We hope that these awards encourage costume designers across the spectrum to push the envelope further to create path-breaking trends. The Television Style Awards aims at celebrating the icons who have contributed towards the growth and development of the television entertainment industry. We are happy to have associated with Ekta Kapoor and Balaji Telefilms for this unique offering.”

     

    Moreover, it will bring together the entire television industry as the best trendsetters receive due credit for creating impactful style statements. The awards evening will be hosted by Karan Johar and Manish Paul. It will also witness a volley of incredibly stylized and high-voltage performances by the most prominent faces from the television industry.

     

    Balaji Telefilms group CEO Sameer Nair believes that television and style are two integral elements, which are consumed by viewers in different forms on a daily basis. “Through the Television Style Awards, we are attempting to recognise the contribution of the various members of the television industry for making small-screen style a global phenomenon. Partnering with the channel on such an endeavour has been fantastic,” added Nair.

  • Q3-2015: Balaji q-o-q income up 22% on higher programming, less loss

    Q3-2015: Balaji q-o-q income up 22% on higher programming, less loss

    BENGALURU:  Balaji Telefilms Limited (Balaji Telefilms) reported 21.6 per cent growth in consolidated Total Income from Operations (TIO) at Rs 71.54 crore in Q3-2015 (quarter ended 31 December, 2014, current quarter) from Rs 58.84 crore in the immediate trailing quarter and 69.1 per cent more than the Rs 42.30 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter.  9M-2015 TIO was however 16.6 per cent lower at Rs 268.68 crore than the Rs 322.38 crore in 9M-2014.

     

    Note: 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore

    All numbers are consolidated unless stated otherwise

     

    The company reported a lower consolidated loss of Rs 6.96 crore in the current quarter as compared to the Rs 7.58 crore in the previous quarter, but higher loss than the loss of Rs 5.75 crore in the year ago quarter. The company reported a loss of Rs 3.98 crore in 9M-2015 versus a profit after tax of Rs 10.18 crore in 9M-2014.

     

    On a standalone basis, Balaji’s EBIDTA at Rs 4.25 crore was more than double the EBIDTA of Rs 2.01 crore in Q3-2014. Standalone EBIDTA for Q2-2015 was negative Rs 2.98 crore, while for 9M-2015, it was Rs 5.07 crore against an EBIDTA of Rs 0.09 crore in 9M-2014.Standalone PAT at Rs 3.09 crore was 86 per cent more than the Rs 1.66 crore in Q3-2014. The company had reported a standalone loss of Rs 2.39 crore in Q2-2015. For 9M-2015, standalone profit was 73 per cent lower at Rs 2.66 crore as compared to the Rs 9.89 crore in 9M-2015.

     

    Higher revenue in the current quarter can be attributed to the fact that Balaji produced 60.1 per cent more hours of programming at 277 hour in the current quarter versus the 173 hours in Q3-2014 and 26.5 per cent more than the 219 hours in Q2-2015. However, the company reported lower revenue per hour of Rs 20.64 lakh in Q3-2015 as compared to the Rs 21.18 lakh in the corresponding year ago quarter and a little higher than the Rs 20.45 lakh in the immediate trailing quarter. The revenue per hour and the hours of programming excludes regional segment, event business and incentives.

     

    Consequently, revenue from commissioned programmes went up 50.6 per cent in Q3-2015 to Rs 61.97 crore from Rs 41.16 crore in Q3-2014 and was 25.6 per cent more than the Rs 49.33 crore in Q2-2015. Commissioned programmes segment reported 41.4 per cent higher operating profit at Rs 7.56 crore in the current quarter from Rs 5.35 crore in Q3-2014 and was 29.2 per cent more than the Rs 5.85 crore in the previous quarter.

     

    Revenue from commissioned programmes increased 68 per cent to Rs 157.30 crore in 9M-2015 as compared to the Rs 98.89 crore in 9M-2015. Operating profit from this segment more than doubled to Rs 19.57 crore in 9M-2015 as compared to the Rs 9 crore in 9M-2014.

     

    Soon, with Balaji’s content portfolio comprises more than 20 films that are expected to hit the silver screen in the near term, the company’s films segment should again start churning out larger numbers and consolidated profits.

  • Sony Pal to bring curtains down on existing shows

    Sony Pal to bring curtains down on existing shows

    MUMBAI: The media industry is abuzz with rumours. And the target this time around is Sony Pal, the newly launched channel from the Multi Screen Media (MSM) stable. If rumours are to be believed, the channel, which went on air on 1 September 2014, has already sent notices to producers and actors of the existing shows to wrap up by 13 February.

     

    When quizzed about the rumours, Sony Pal and Sab TV senior EVP and business head Anooj Kapoor told Indiantelevision.com, “We are currently drafting a press release, and the official statement will come in the morning. You will know the exact status then.”

     

    As reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, the channel had said that it would be revamping its content owing to the failure of a few of its shows, which did not connect with its target audience. By the end of December, Sony Pal was airing only four shows, of the nine that it had launched with.  

     

    The nine offerings were Simply Baatein produced by GR8 Entertainment and anchored by Raveena Tandon, Dil Hain Chota Sa Choti Si Asha, produced by SOL Productions and hosted by Ragini Khanna and Jay Soni, Shashi Productions’ Ek Rishta Aisa Bhi, Miloni Films’ Khushiyon Ki Gullakh Aashi, Singhasan Battisi by Creative Eye, Pia Basanti Re by Rashmi Sharma and Pawan Kumar, Tum Sath Ho Jab Apne produced by Sphere Origins, Sister Didi by DJ’s Creative Unit and Yeh Dil Sun Raha Hain by Balaji Telefilms.

     
    The channel had slashed its three and a half hours of original content to two hours starting from primetime 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm. The current running shows include Yeh Dil Sun Raha Hain, Singhasan Battisi, Ek Rishta Aisa Bhi and Sister Didi.

     

    A producer on condition of anonymity said, “Yes, the channel is undergoing a revamp and it will be back with new shows, post the Indian Premiere League.”

     

    Many in the industry feel that Sony Pal was unable to differentiate its content from the network’s flagship channel – Sony Entertainment Television. “The channel could come back with a more segmented content with a hope to catch viewers’ attention,” added a media planner. 

     

    Kapoor, in an earlier interview to this website, had said, “When we went out checking with our core TG (women GEC viewers) to what they found right and not right with the channel in terms of content, the consumers came up with very interesting answers which threw some pointers on what core corrections were required.”

     
    “We are soon going to come back in the same slots, which have been shut down with new programmes in terms of dailies and with consumer feedback on-board. Hopefully, this time around we will go to the next level. We are going to come back with exact consumer expectations as they have articulated after viewing the channel,” he had said. 

     

    Rumours are also rife that post the revamp, Sony Pal could move from being a pay channel to becoming a free to air channel. 

  • Balaji Motion Pictures to release Azharuddin’s biopic in Dolby Atmos

    Balaji Motion Pictures to release Azharuddin’s biopic in Dolby Atmos

    MUMBAI: Keeping pace with evolving technologies, Balaji Telefilms will be releasing several of its films in Dolby Atmos, which is Dolby’s new surround sound technology.

     

    The first movie to release in Dolby Atmos will be ‘Azhar’, which is cricketer Md. Azharuddin’s biopic.

     

    Dolby Atmos gives filmmakers the creative freedom to easily place or move sounds anywhere in the movie theatre, including overhead, to create the most engaging cinema experience ever.

     

    Balaji Motion Pictures joint managing director Ekta Kapoor said, “With so many projects coming from our stable, our aim is to deliver films that entertain while enhancing every moviegoer’s experience. We want to serve our audiences with cutting-edge content that is supported by the finest audio quality, which is why we have decided to mix and release our forthcoming movies with Dolby Atmos. We are very excited to collaborate with Dolby to deliver the next generation of entertainment experience to our fans with Azhar being first of the many movies to release in Dolby Atmos.”

     

    Dolby Laboratories India and south east Asia senior regional director ANZ Pankaj Kedia added, “Dolby is excited to work with Balaji Motion Pictures, one of the leading production houses in the Indian cinema industry. With the range of upcoming Dolby Atmos titles, we are confident that cinematic storytelling will be taken to a new level.”

     

  • Balaji Telefilms and Chhayabani announce strategic partnership

    Balaji Telefilms and Chhayabani announce strategic partnership

    MUMBAI: Television and film production company, Balaji Telefilms, has entered into an alliance with Kolkata-based company, Chhayabani, to create distinctive, contemporary, clutter breaking television content.

     

    Chhayabani Balaji Entertainment will be developed as a unique platform that will initially produce television content and gradually scale up to explore other creative opportunities, while also becoming a magnetic hub attracting talented people – technicians and artists, to work together in a collaborative manner.

     

    Chhayabani is highly acknowledged for its glorious heritage in the area of entertainment, in Kolkata. This collaboration brings together two media houses with distinctive strengths to explore new formats of television presentation, create exciting high-end scripted content, while also attracting high quality talent.

     

    Commenting on the development, Balaji Telefilms joint MD Ekta Kapoor said, “Balaji is at a very exciting phase of growth. Within the Indian entertainment space, over time we have created our own unique position across both – the films and the television businesses, which by nature are two completely different disciplines. Our aim is to explore how best we can leverage Balaji’s competitive strengths to create exciting entertainment across media that will propel our growth. We are delighted that Chhayabani emerged as the most preferred partner for Balaji given their cinematic excellence and their tremendous passion to produce quality entertainment products.”

     

    Added Balaji Telefilms group CEO Sameer Nair, “We have always believed that growth is collaborative, which has also been our operating philosophy in a super-dynamic industry. We are very excited to partner with Chhayabani and as evident, the synergies are extremely strong. This collaboration helps us build a unique and robust platform that allows us to explore a very wide variety of avenues, given our respective creative strengths and the huge libraries of film and television content which we aim to leverage as we move forward.”

     

    Chhayabani director Saugata Nandi said, “It is gratifying to finally see a long cherished idea culminating into a strong association between Balaji and us — with a common vision of drawing the best creative talent available in the region to generate never-before-seen content for a very culturally driven and art-oriented Bengali audience. While Balaji holds the numero uno position in the television and film industry in India, Chhayabani has the distinction of being laced with an enviable reputation of being the torch bearer of the golden era in Bengali television and cinema. Through this platform we look forward to present very distinctive content that talks the universal language of emotions and instantly connects with the viewer.”