ITV

Tag: Broadcast

  • 21st Century Fox buys out Sky in USD 14.8-bn deal

    21st Century Fox buys out Sky in USD 14.8-bn deal

    MUMBAI: 21st Century Fox has stated that Sky had agreed to a takeover offer worth USD 14.8 billion as the media tycoon Rupert Murdoch attempts to create a global media giant stretch across the U.K., U.S, and Europe.

    21st Century Fox is one of the world’s largest entertainment companies, with a broad portfolio of broadcast, cable, pay TV, film, and satellite assets across six continents.

    Fox group said in a statement that it had reached an agreement with Sky plc on the terms of a recommended pre-conditional cash offer to buy the rest of the European pay broadcaster, beyond the 39 per cent it already owns. The deal is worth USD 14.8 billion (Rs 1004 billion) in total for the cash purchase, the statement said. The terms of the formal offer, Sky News stated, would mean Fox paying 10.75 pounds per Sky share, for the remainder 61% of Sky.

    The new deal will create an improved balance between affiliate fee, subscription, advertising and content revenues.

    Fox’ cable and broadcasting properties include include STAR India, Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, FOX, National Geographic Channels, 28 television stations in the U.S and over 300 international channels.

  • BloombergQuint: Business reporting the cross platform way

    BloombergQuint: Business reporting the cross platform way

    MUMBAI: The old TV news warhorse is back. After selling his Network18 business to Reliance’s Mukesh Ambani a couple of years ago, Raghav Bahl burst back on to the scene with a new digital venture Quintillion Media. Now the firm has got into bed with the global business information power house Bloomberg Media. The result of the union will take birth in the next three months as BloombergQuint India which will deliver business and financial news over traditional broadcast, digital and live events in the subcontinent.

    Bahl says journalism will be at the core of BloombergQuint India. Bloomberg recently dissolved its partnership in a company that included Reliance, UTV’s Ronnie Screwvala and had been operational in India as a TV channel for about eight years as UTV Bloomberg.

    Bahl believes that the entry of BloombergQuint in the hypercompetitive news space heralds challenges for both the partners, but they are up for the task. Says he: “It is a great sense of dejavu for us. We created this space which is now very powerful. We have created brands that are powerful. And now we are getting back in this space with a new offering and a new brand. There is a need for disruption and that’s where BloombergQuint stands which you will see with the service being rolled out. We have money…. and we are hoping to get good advertisers on board.”

    Bloomberg Media International managing director Parry Ravindranath explains that the Quintillion marks a first for his company.

    “We have been in India for around 20 years, “ he says. “But this is the first Bloomberg cross platform partnership. We continue to break new ground in news and deliver the best content in Asia’s fastest growing market.”

    And the decision to partner with Raghav was a natural one. “This is a second coming for Raghav and he has pioneered the business news genre in broadcast and digital in India. And he was my first boss,” adds Ravindranath with a smile.

    Adds his boss in the US Bloomberg Media CEO Justin Smith: ” It was clear when we met Raghav that we shared a common vision to create India’s premier digitally-led multi-platform business media company. And that met with our global vision. Currently, almost half of our digital traffic comes from outside the US and this figure continues to grow. Partnering with Quintillion Media in India is a game-changer for the country’s digital and broadcast media industries, and for Bloomberg Media globally as we take our investment to an exciting new phase.”

    “As the fastest growing major economy in the world, India is one of the most important stories we are covering in Asia. I’m glad we are partnering with Raghav and his team who have deep experience reporting on India for the past two decades,” chips in Bloomberg News APAC executive editor David Merritt.

    With the joint venture signed just a few days back, a gaggle of news professionals are being hired and it looks like its homecoming for them. The company has roped in former CNBC TV18 CEO Anil Uniyal and former CNBC-TV18 executive editor Menaka Doshi to serve as BloombergQuint’s CEO and managing editor respectively. Harsha Subramaniam, a Bloomberg executive producer will oversee the partnership for Bloomberg across platforms.

    “We have a set of robust colleagues on board joined by solid associates which we had in Network 18. I am delighted to have them with us. We also have Ritu Kapur with us and we are very confident about our product. They also bring a fantastic news structure. We are very proud that a global company has partnered with us,” says Bahl.

    It might be recalled that back in 2014, Bahl left a void in his own Network 18 group which was taken over by the Reliance Group. After Bahl moved out, the group also witnessed resignations from Sai Kumar, Ajay Chacko, RDS Bawa, Rajdeep Sardesai and Sagarika Ghose. Wishing Bahl luck for his new joint venture, India Today Group consulting editor Rajdeep Sardesai said, “I wish him very well. I have had enjoyable years with him and have shared an excellent relationship with Raghav.”

    “There is enormous potential in the English news genre and it’s only expanding. For now, they will have to follow the ad driven revenue model, but in the long run, every channel will love to follow a subscription revenue model,” says media analyst and IIM Calcutta professor Chandradeep (CD) Mitra. “A new channel can be successful if it has compelling content, great market presence and on-ground action. As advertisers are reluctant about going on new platforms, the channel can either give attractive rates or start with one well-known brand on board. Creating an impression helps a channel irrespective of whether it is earning profits or incurring losses.”

    The two properties – one, a linear product (television) and the other non-linear (online and digital), will completely be integrated. “There is no specific strategy for either of the products. The strategy will depend on the nature of the platform. On digital, social virality and distribution are important, while on TV distribution and breaking news play a vital role. We want to provide good quality content to the maximum number of households and also hope to bring advertisers on board,” says Bahl.

    With English news focused on six metros, the genre is often considered to be niche. And Bahl agrees that this is what BloombergQuint will concentrate on. “In India, the majority of our audience is there. But I think the audience will increase outside this catchment in sometime quickly,” he says. “But we are seeing audiences coming from tier two and three cities. We will provide content to wherever audiences are. We are a nationwide distributed TV property and on the digital front, we want to leave a global footprint.”

    “We have a huge source of content at Bloomberg and only hope to cater to a much larger audience in India and globally. Business is not niche; everyone gets affected by it,” adds Ravindranath.

    Both he and Bahl pooh-pooh the thought that digital and online is killing linear television. “TV will definitely survive as the core ethos remains the same. No. The commercials have caught up,” says Ravindranath.

    “The entire debate is incorrect. It’s not digital versus TV, its linear and nonlinear, static and mobile, family to individualistic”, adds Bahl.

    The launches will be heavily promoted on social media and will also see newsroom anchors indulging in social interactive services like Instagram and Whatsapp. “The intention is to push the traffic. Digital promotion is a big thing. We have a full business plan for everything. You just have to wait and watch,” says Ravindranath.

    And indeed everyone will be waiting and watching how messrs Bahl and Bloomberg fare in their second innings.

  • BloombergQuint: Business reporting the cross platform way

    BloombergQuint: Business reporting the cross platform way

    MUMBAI: The old TV news warhorse is back. After selling his Network18 business to Reliance’s Mukesh Ambani a couple of years ago, Raghav Bahl burst back on to the scene with a new digital venture Quintillion Media. Now the firm has got into bed with the global business information power house Bloomberg Media. The result of the union will take birth in the next three months as BloombergQuint India which will deliver business and financial news over traditional broadcast, digital and live events in the subcontinent.

    Bahl says journalism will be at the core of BloombergQuint India. Bloomberg recently dissolved its partnership in a company that included Reliance, UTV’s Ronnie Screwvala and had been operational in India as a TV channel for about eight years as UTV Bloomberg.

    Bahl believes that the entry of BloombergQuint in the hypercompetitive news space heralds challenges for both the partners, but they are up for the task. Says he: “It is a great sense of dejavu for us. We created this space which is now very powerful. We have created brands that are powerful. And now we are getting back in this space with a new offering and a new brand. There is a need for disruption and that’s where BloombergQuint stands which you will see with the service being rolled out. We have money…. and we are hoping to get good advertisers on board.”

    Bloomberg Media International managing director Parry Ravindranath explains that the Quintillion marks a first for his company.

    “We have been in India for around 20 years, “ he says. “But this is the first Bloomberg cross platform partnership. We continue to break new ground in news and deliver the best content in Asia’s fastest growing market.”

    And the decision to partner with Raghav was a natural one. “This is a second coming for Raghav and he has pioneered the business news genre in broadcast and digital in India. And he was my first boss,” adds Ravindranath with a smile.

    Adds his boss in the US Bloomberg Media CEO Justin Smith: ” It was clear when we met Raghav that we shared a common vision to create India’s premier digitally-led multi-platform business media company. And that met with our global vision. Currently, almost half of our digital traffic comes from outside the US and this figure continues to grow. Partnering with Quintillion Media in India is a game-changer for the country’s digital and broadcast media industries, and for Bloomberg Media globally as we take our investment to an exciting new phase.”

    “As the fastest growing major economy in the world, India is one of the most important stories we are covering in Asia. I’m glad we are partnering with Raghav and his team who have deep experience reporting on India for the past two decades,” chips in Bloomberg News APAC executive editor David Merritt.

    With the joint venture signed just a few days back, a gaggle of news professionals are being hired and it looks like its homecoming for them. The company has roped in former CNBC TV18 CEO Anil Uniyal and former CNBC-TV18 executive editor Menaka Doshi to serve as BloombergQuint’s CEO and managing editor respectively. Harsha Subramaniam, a Bloomberg executive producer will oversee the partnership for Bloomberg across platforms.

    “We have a set of robust colleagues on board joined by solid associates which we had in Network 18. I am delighted to have them with us. We also have Ritu Kapur with us and we are very confident about our product. They also bring a fantastic news structure. We are very proud that a global company has partnered with us,” says Bahl.

    It might be recalled that back in 2014, Bahl left a void in his own Network 18 group which was taken over by the Reliance Group. After Bahl moved out, the group also witnessed resignations from Sai Kumar, Ajay Chacko, RDS Bawa, Rajdeep Sardesai and Sagarika Ghose. Wishing Bahl luck for his new joint venture, India Today Group consulting editor Rajdeep Sardesai said, “I wish him very well. I have had enjoyable years with him and have shared an excellent relationship with Raghav.”

    “There is enormous potential in the English news genre and it’s only expanding. For now, they will have to follow the ad driven revenue model, but in the long run, every channel will love to follow a subscription revenue model,” says media analyst and IIM Calcutta professor Chandradeep (CD) Mitra. “A new channel can be successful if it has compelling content, great market presence and on-ground action. As advertisers are reluctant about going on new platforms, the channel can either give attractive rates or start with one well-known brand on board. Creating an impression helps a channel irrespective of whether it is earning profits or incurring losses.”

    The two properties – one, a linear product (television) and the other non-linear (online and digital), will completely be integrated. “There is no specific strategy for either of the products. The strategy will depend on the nature of the platform. On digital, social virality and distribution are important, while on TV distribution and breaking news play a vital role. We want to provide good quality content to the maximum number of households and also hope to bring advertisers on board,” says Bahl.

    With English news focused on six metros, the genre is often considered to be niche. And Bahl agrees that this is what BloombergQuint will concentrate on. “In India, the majority of our audience is there. But I think the audience will increase outside this catchment in sometime quickly,” he says. “But we are seeing audiences coming from tier two and three cities. We will provide content to wherever audiences are. We are a nationwide distributed TV property and on the digital front, we want to leave a global footprint.”

    “We have a huge source of content at Bloomberg and only hope to cater to a much larger audience in India and globally. Business is not niche; everyone gets affected by it,” adds Ravindranath.

    Both he and Bahl pooh-pooh the thought that digital and online is killing linear television. “TV will definitely survive as the core ethos remains the same. No. The commercials have caught up,” says Ravindranath.

    “The entire debate is incorrect. It’s not digital versus TV, its linear and nonlinear, static and mobile, family to individualistic”, adds Bahl.

    The launches will be heavily promoted on social media and will also see newsroom anchors indulging in social interactive services like Instagram and Whatsapp. “The intention is to push the traffic. Digital promotion is a big thing. We have a full business plan for everything. You just have to wait and watch,” says Ravindranath.

    And indeed everyone will be waiting and watching how messrs Bahl and Bloomberg fare in their second innings.

  • Goafest 2016: JWT leads with 3 golds on ABBY day 2; Taproot Dentsu bag most number of metals

    Goafest 2016: JWT leads with 3 golds on ABBY day 2; Taproot Dentsu bag most number of metals

    MUMBAI: Day 2 at Goafest 2016 saw Creative ABBY being given out to the most creative works  in eight different categories namely — Radio Single, Radio Craft, Branded Content, Brand Activation, Broadcast, Print Craft, Public Relations and Direct.

    Overall JWT Mumbai emerged as the clear leader of day 2 bagging as many as three golds in Radio Singles, Brand Activation and Public Relations categories. Apart from this the agency bagged 11 silver and three bronze metals. Their total number of metals came to 17.

    They were followed by Taproot Dentsu with two golds to their name in Direct marketing and Print Craft categories. Adding up their six silver and ten bronze metals, Taproot Dentsu took home 18 metals home on day 2.

    The agency to bag third most number of metals is Cheil India with two gold, five silver and four bronze.

    Category wise break up of metals winners are as follows:

    Radio singles: JWT Mumbai bagged one gold in Radio Singles  for Godrej’s  MAMAcampaign  in the category followed by one bronze and one silver. They were followed by Contract Advertising getting eight bronze and two silver,  and Dentsu Creative Impact winning seven bronze and one silver.

    Radio Craft was led by Scarecrow Communications getting five bronze metals followed by  Rediffusion Dentsu Young & Rubicam with two bronze and one silver. JWT Mumbai too fared well with one bronze and one silver to their name.

    Print Craft: Taproot Dentsu stood out in the print category with a gold to their name for their campaign for Indian Outdoor Advertising Association. They also secured nine bronze metals and and three silvers in the category. Apart from them, Ideas@work bagged four bronze metal followed by Dentsu Aegis Network with two bronze and two silver. There were n total one gold, 23 bronze and 11 silver metals given out in the category.

    Public Relations: This is one category that attracted the most number of golds, with total 8 golds, 16 bronze and 9 silvers. Sarva Integrated emerged as clear winners with two golds to their name, followed by Cheil India with one gold, one bronze and one silver award.

    Broadcasters: Broadcasters category saw a fascinating showdown with over all 15 bronze, four silver and two gold metals. Star India bagged the most number of metals with 10 bronze, two silver and one gold. They bagged their gold for Mauka Mauka as the Best TV sports channel program promo. Zee Entertainment enterprises bagged the second gold in the category for their work on Bond Vs. Bond as best movie promo on TV. There were total 2 golds, fifteen bronzes and four silvers in the category.

    Branded Content: Brave New World bagged the gold in the category for their campaign for The Roadster Life Co followed by Maddison worldwide with three bronzes.

    Brand Activation:  In the brand activation space JWT has bagged the only gold in the genre along with five other silver metals. They received their gold for Udaan for Airtel. They were followed by Cheil India with one gold for Samsung Joy Plus TV, two silver and two bronze; and DDB Mudra with one gold for UNICEF and one bronze metal to their name.

    Direct: In direct marketing category, Taproot Dentsu won the show with one gold, two silver and two bronze awards. They bagged their gold for Waiting For You for Times Of India. Dentsu Creative Impact received a gold award for their work on One Breath: He She and Them for Max Health Care. In total there were two golds, 13 bronzes and nne silvers awarded in this category.

    Percept Limited director Ajay Chandwani who had overseen the entire process closely, right from the round one of shortlisting of entries, to jury discussions on it to the ultimately anonymous voting to choose the winners mentioned that the jury had been extremely fair and meticulous in selecting the winners.

    As per Chandwani, “Firstly the number of golds have gone down. The reason could be that the judging standard has gone up by quite a lot, therefore there are fewer golds and nothing so far has received a Grand Prix.. The other thing to note is that if there is a powerful idea the creatives have had, they making the most of it by entering it in several categories. So there are some campaigns which have gotten recognition in several categories, although the judging in each category may be different so while it gets a bronze in one category, it may get a silver in another. This is a worldwide trend not restricted to India alone.”

    The evening held special significance as the media and advertising fraternity also came together to felicitate Piyush Pandey, Executive Chairman and Creative Director, O&M India on receiving the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of India. Vineet Jain, Managing Director, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. was also felicitated for his significant contribution to innovative growth in the media industry, unstinting support to the advertising industry, his unflinching belief in the importance of creative communication and his ongoing efforts to use communication as a force for societal change.

  • Goafest 2016: JWT leads with 3 golds on ABBY day 2; Taproot Dentsu bag most number of metals

    Goafest 2016: JWT leads with 3 golds on ABBY day 2; Taproot Dentsu bag most number of metals

    MUMBAI: Day 2 at Goafest 2016 saw Creative ABBY being given out to the most creative works  in eight different categories namely — Radio Single, Radio Craft, Branded Content, Brand Activation, Broadcast, Print Craft, Public Relations and Direct.

    Overall JWT Mumbai emerged as the clear leader of day 2 bagging as many as three golds in Radio Singles, Brand Activation and Public Relations categories. Apart from this the agency bagged 11 silver and three bronze metals. Their total number of metals came to 17.

    They were followed by Taproot Dentsu with two golds to their name in Direct marketing and Print Craft categories. Adding up their six silver and ten bronze metals, Taproot Dentsu took home 18 metals home on day 2.

    The agency to bag third most number of metals is Cheil India with two gold, five silver and four bronze.

    Category wise break up of metals winners are as follows:

    Radio singles: JWT Mumbai bagged one gold in Radio Singles  for Godrej’s  MAMAcampaign  in the category followed by one bronze and one silver. They were followed by Contract Advertising getting eight bronze and two silver,  and Dentsu Creative Impact winning seven bronze and one silver.

    Radio Craft was led by Scarecrow Communications getting five bronze metals followed by  Rediffusion Dentsu Young & Rubicam with two bronze and one silver. JWT Mumbai too fared well with one bronze and one silver to their name.

    Print Craft: Taproot Dentsu stood out in the print category with a gold to their name for their campaign for Indian Outdoor Advertising Association. They also secured nine bronze metals and and three silvers in the category. Apart from them, Ideas@work bagged four bronze metal followed by Dentsu Aegis Network with two bronze and two silver. There were n total one gold, 23 bronze and 11 silver metals given out in the category.

    Public Relations: This is one category that attracted the most number of golds, with total 8 golds, 16 bronze and 9 silvers. Sarva Integrated emerged as clear winners with two golds to their name, followed by Cheil India with one gold, one bronze and one silver award.

    Broadcasters: Broadcasters category saw a fascinating showdown with over all 15 bronze, four silver and two gold metals. Star India bagged the most number of metals with 10 bronze, two silver and one gold. They bagged their gold for Mauka Mauka as the Best TV sports channel program promo. Zee Entertainment enterprises bagged the second gold in the category for their work on Bond Vs. Bond as best movie promo on TV. There were total 2 golds, fifteen bronzes and four silvers in the category.

    Branded Content: Brave New World bagged the gold in the category for their campaign for The Roadster Life Co followed by Maddison worldwide with three bronzes.

    Brand Activation:  In the brand activation space JWT has bagged the only gold in the genre along with five other silver metals. They received their gold for Udaan for Airtel. They were followed by Cheil India with one gold for Samsung Joy Plus TV, two silver and two bronze; and DDB Mudra with one gold for UNICEF and one bronze metal to their name.

    Direct: In direct marketing category, Taproot Dentsu won the show with one gold, two silver and two bronze awards. They bagged their gold for Waiting For You for Times Of India. Dentsu Creative Impact received a gold award for their work on One Breath: He She and Them for Max Health Care. In total there were two golds, 13 bronzes and nne silvers awarded in this category.

    Percept Limited director Ajay Chandwani who had overseen the entire process closely, right from the round one of shortlisting of entries, to jury discussions on it to the ultimately anonymous voting to choose the winners mentioned that the jury had been extremely fair and meticulous in selecting the winners.

    As per Chandwani, “Firstly the number of golds have gone down. The reason could be that the judging standard has gone up by quite a lot, therefore there are fewer golds and nothing so far has received a Grand Prix.. The other thing to note is that if there is a powerful idea the creatives have had, they making the most of it by entering it in several categories. So there are some campaigns which have gotten recognition in several categories, although the judging in each category may be different so while it gets a bronze in one category, it may get a silver in another. This is a worldwide trend not restricted to India alone.”

    The evening held special significance as the media and advertising fraternity also came together to felicitate Piyush Pandey, Executive Chairman and Creative Director, O&M India on receiving the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of India. Vineet Jain, Managing Director, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. was also felicitated for his significant contribution to innovative growth in the media industry, unstinting support to the advertising industry, his unflinching belief in the importance of creative communication and his ongoing efforts to use communication as a force for societal change.

  • TEN SPORTS Network says ‘Never Stop’

    TEN SPORTS Network says ‘Never Stop’

    MUMBAI: Ten Sports Network today (29 March 2016) announced a new identity for its bouquet of sports channels with ‘Never Stop’ as the network positioning. Taking forward the bold, young, dynamic, dauntless outlook for the Network.

    As earlier flashed by Indiantelevision.com, the network will also be re-branding its existing bouquet of channels as TEN 1, TEN 2, TEN 3 and TEN 1HD respectively. The new logos and positioning will be officially unveiled on air on Friday, 1st April 2016.

    Ten Sports Network Global CEO Mr. Rajesh Sethi, said, “As a sports network, we have been continuously providing high quality sports programming from across the world, for our viewers. Over the years, we have been enhancing our sports offerings, starting with the launch of TEN SPORTS in 2002, followed by the launch of a 24X7 cricket channel, TEN CRICKET in August 2010, the only dedicated golf channel in this part of the world, TEN GOLF, in March 2012 and then a premium HD channel, TEN HD, in April 2012. In August 2015, TEN SPORTS embarked on a new journey with the launch of a consolidated network rebranding – the TEN SPORTS Network, as well as the launch of TEN GOLF HD to offer the best of golf in HD. Our rebranding effort signals the start of a new era, a contemporary and energized approach to how the network views its sport sphere, with maximum excitement and engagement for its viewers.”

    Elaborating further on the new channel identity, Sethi added, “As we bring across a variety of sports and sportainment for our viewers from across the world, at times it becomes a hurdle to allocate content to a particular sports-specific channel. In order to break free from sports-specific channels, we are taking the numeric route. We strive to bring international-quality sports to our viewers and we want them to watch sports as it is consumed internationally with numeric-based channels. It is our endeavour to ‘Never Stop’ delivering sporting action to our fans.”

    “TEN SPORTS Network’s logo as well as the individual channel logos, have been designed keeping in mind the elements of action and dynamism, as well as immediacy and the spirit to achieve. These powerful thoughts behind the logos point to the Italic nature of the fonts used. The flame has been an intrinsic part of TEN SPORTS’ identity since inception and it has consciously been retained to maintain a connection with viewers, even while it is now surrounded by the new and dynamic network and individual channel fonts,” the network explained through a media statement.

    Post rebranding, the network will be spreading content equally amongst all the channels so that viewers are exposed to the maximum of sports programming. TEN 1 will focus on WWE Weekly Shows & Specials, TEN 2 on UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Super Cup & other football content, as well as US Open, Moto GP and Tour de France, while TEN 3’s primary focus will be Cricket from South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Zimbabwe. Among the HD channels, TEN 1 HD will broadcast the best of content from across the TEN SPORTS Network’s SD Channels while TEN GOLF HD will primarily showcase premium golf content including the European tour, Asian Tour, Rider Cup and US PGA Championship.

    As a part of its rebranding, Ten Sports Network will also roll out a brand new logo for TENSPORTS.COM which has now become synonymous with the TEN SPORTS Network. TENSPORTS.COM will showcase extensive live sports content with a special focus on Video-On-Demand. The live streaming will include top-class football content from UEFA Champions League and Europa League, including matches that are not broadcast on TV, as well as content from Ligue 1, I-League, Cricket from across the five boards, Tennis, Golf, Moto GP multi-angle feeds and much more.

    The brand refresh will also be accompanied by an extensive new programming rollout which will be developed via insights from new media and fan involvement to the greatest extent. Ten Sports Network has already started producing content in Hindi and plans to expand into other regional languages as well, going ahead.

     

  • TEN SPORTS Network says ‘Never Stop’

    TEN SPORTS Network says ‘Never Stop’

    MUMBAI: Ten Sports Network today (29 March 2016) announced a new identity for its bouquet of sports channels with ‘Never Stop’ as the network positioning. Taking forward the bold, young, dynamic, dauntless outlook for the Network.

    As earlier flashed by Indiantelevision.com, the network will also be re-branding its existing bouquet of channels as TEN 1, TEN 2, TEN 3 and TEN 1HD respectively. The new logos and positioning will be officially unveiled on air on Friday, 1st April 2016.

    Ten Sports Network Global CEO Mr. Rajesh Sethi, said, “As a sports network, we have been continuously providing high quality sports programming from across the world, for our viewers. Over the years, we have been enhancing our sports offerings, starting with the launch of TEN SPORTS in 2002, followed by the launch of a 24X7 cricket channel, TEN CRICKET in August 2010, the only dedicated golf channel in this part of the world, TEN GOLF, in March 2012 and then a premium HD channel, TEN HD, in April 2012. In August 2015, TEN SPORTS embarked on a new journey with the launch of a consolidated network rebranding – the TEN SPORTS Network, as well as the launch of TEN GOLF HD to offer the best of golf in HD. Our rebranding effort signals the start of a new era, a contemporary and energized approach to how the network views its sport sphere, with maximum excitement and engagement for its viewers.”

    Elaborating further on the new channel identity, Sethi added, “As we bring across a variety of sports and sportainment for our viewers from across the world, at times it becomes a hurdle to allocate content to a particular sports-specific channel. In order to break free from sports-specific channels, we are taking the numeric route. We strive to bring international-quality sports to our viewers and we want them to watch sports as it is consumed internationally with numeric-based channels. It is our endeavour to ‘Never Stop’ delivering sporting action to our fans.”

    “TEN SPORTS Network’s logo as well as the individual channel logos, have been designed keeping in mind the elements of action and dynamism, as well as immediacy and the spirit to achieve. These powerful thoughts behind the logos point to the Italic nature of the fonts used. The flame has been an intrinsic part of TEN SPORTS’ identity since inception and it has consciously been retained to maintain a connection with viewers, even while it is now surrounded by the new and dynamic network and individual channel fonts,” the network explained through a media statement.

    Post rebranding, the network will be spreading content equally amongst all the channels so that viewers are exposed to the maximum of sports programming. TEN 1 will focus on WWE Weekly Shows & Specials, TEN 2 on UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Super Cup & other football content, as well as US Open, Moto GP and Tour de France, while TEN 3’s primary focus will be Cricket from South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Zimbabwe. Among the HD channels, TEN 1 HD will broadcast the best of content from across the TEN SPORTS Network’s SD Channels while TEN GOLF HD will primarily showcase premium golf content including the European tour, Asian Tour, Rider Cup and US PGA Championship.

    As a part of its rebranding, Ten Sports Network will also roll out a brand new logo for TENSPORTS.COM which has now become synonymous with the TEN SPORTS Network. TENSPORTS.COM will showcase extensive live sports content with a special focus on Video-On-Demand. The live streaming will include top-class football content from UEFA Champions League and Europa League, including matches that are not broadcast on TV, as well as content from Ligue 1, I-League, Cricket from across the five boards, Tennis, Golf, Moto GP multi-angle feeds and much more.

    The brand refresh will also be accompanied by an extensive new programming rollout which will be developed via insights from new media and fan involvement to the greatest extent. Ten Sports Network has already started producing content in Hindi and plans to expand into other regional languages as well, going ahead.

     

  • Encourage greater indigenous STB production with tax holiday in budget for DAS to succeed

    Encourage greater indigenous STB production with tax holiday in budget for DAS to succeed

    NEW DELHI: With the Government hoping to achieve complete digitisation of the cable television sector by the end of this calendar year, it is imperative that the Union Budget for 2016-17 being presented on Monday has important concessions for the industry.

    Perhaps the most important step would be to give infrastructure status to the Broadcast, Cable and direct-to-home (DTH) sector so that it gets all the benefits and incentives available for infrastructure industry including the availability of finance at a concessional rate.

    Though the government claims more than 90 per cent seeding of set top boxes (STBs) in all urban areas covered under Phase III of digital addressable system (DAS) – a figure disputed by most private stakeholders, it is important that the budget should give some concessions that benefit the sector particularly as far as set top boxes go.

    While the Make in India or Digital India initiatives have failed to encourage many indigenous manufacturers of STBs, it is necessary not merely to give some tax concessions under these two schemes but also a tax holiday for some years for those who venture to beat the sale of Chinese STBs and encourage Indian STBs.

    Earlier, the Entertainment Wing of FICCI had said in a pre-budget memorandum to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley that the sector should be allowed tax concessions under Section 80-IA of the Income Tax Act.

    As the digitisation process and the deployment of STBs are heavy capital oriented sectors needing large investments, FICCI had said they should be allowed to set off accumulated losses and unabsorbed depreciation allowances to be carried forward as per Section 72 A of the Act.

    One way of giving greater encouragement to indigenous STBs is to give the broadcast industry the same benefits that the manufacturing sector gets.

    FICCI had in fact also said that the rate of taxes, which range from 30 – 70 per cent, especially the entertainment tax imposed by the states, over and above the service tax are punitive in nature. It is important that the overall taxation level is brought down for the sector as a whole.

    State Entertainment tax legislations levy high taxes on the subscription earned by cable operators and DTH operators. The non-availability of credit of central taxes against the state taxes and vice versa increases the tax burden on the entertainment industry.

    In addition to this, the Central Government has levied service tax at 14 per cent on the transfer of copyrights, which is already being taxed as ‘goods’ under the various state VAT legislations.

    There is therefore need to rationalise taxes or rush through the Goods and Service Tax (GST) Bill to bring parity and clear snags in taxation.

    With so many cases pending before TDSAT and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) constantly being impleaded in such matters, the Government should provide a clarification that the payments made towards carriage fees are not in the nature of royalty or fees for technical services and TDS is required to be made on such payments as per section 194C of the Act.

    The Indian media and entertainment industry grew from Rs 918 billion in 2013 to Rs 1026 billion in 2014, registering an overall growth of 11.7 per cent. The industry is estimated to achieve a growth rate of 13 per cent in 2015 to touch Rs 1159 billion. The sector is projected to grow at a healthy CAGR of 13.9 per cent to reach Rs 1964 billion by 2019.

    The benefits of Phase I and II of DAS rollout, and continued Phase III rollout are expected to contribute significantly to strong continued growth in the TV sector revenues and its ability to invest in and monetise content. The sector is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.5 per cent over the period 2015-2019.

  • Encourage greater indigenous STB production with tax holiday in budget for DAS to succeed

    Encourage greater indigenous STB production with tax holiday in budget for DAS to succeed

    NEW DELHI: With the Government hoping to achieve complete digitisation of the cable television sector by the end of this calendar year, it is imperative that the Union Budget for 2016-17 being presented on Monday has important concessions for the industry.

    Perhaps the most important step would be to give infrastructure status to the Broadcast, Cable and direct-to-home (DTH) sector so that it gets all the benefits and incentives available for infrastructure industry including the availability of finance at a concessional rate.

    Though the government claims more than 90 per cent seeding of set top boxes (STBs) in all urban areas covered under Phase III of digital addressable system (DAS) – a figure disputed by most private stakeholders, it is important that the budget should give some concessions that benefit the sector particularly as far as set top boxes go.

    While the Make in India or Digital India initiatives have failed to encourage many indigenous manufacturers of STBs, it is necessary not merely to give some tax concessions under these two schemes but also a tax holiday for some years for those who venture to beat the sale of Chinese STBs and encourage Indian STBs.

    Earlier, the Entertainment Wing of FICCI had said in a pre-budget memorandum to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley that the sector should be allowed tax concessions under Section 80-IA of the Income Tax Act.

    As the digitisation process and the deployment of STBs are heavy capital oriented sectors needing large investments, FICCI had said they should be allowed to set off accumulated losses and unabsorbed depreciation allowances to be carried forward as per Section 72 A of the Act.

    One way of giving greater encouragement to indigenous STBs is to give the broadcast industry the same benefits that the manufacturing sector gets.

    FICCI had in fact also said that the rate of taxes, which range from 30 – 70 per cent, especially the entertainment tax imposed by the states, over and above the service tax are punitive in nature. It is important that the overall taxation level is brought down for the sector as a whole.

    State Entertainment tax legislations levy high taxes on the subscription earned by cable operators and DTH operators. The non-availability of credit of central taxes against the state taxes and vice versa increases the tax burden on the entertainment industry.

    In addition to this, the Central Government has levied service tax at 14 per cent on the transfer of copyrights, which is already being taxed as ‘goods’ under the various state VAT legislations.

    There is therefore need to rationalise taxes or rush through the Goods and Service Tax (GST) Bill to bring parity and clear snags in taxation.

    With so many cases pending before TDSAT and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) constantly being impleaded in such matters, the Government should provide a clarification that the payments made towards carriage fees are not in the nature of royalty or fees for technical services and TDS is required to be made on such payments as per section 194C of the Act.

    The Indian media and entertainment industry grew from Rs 918 billion in 2013 to Rs 1026 billion in 2014, registering an overall growth of 11.7 per cent. The industry is estimated to achieve a growth rate of 13 per cent in 2015 to touch Rs 1159 billion. The sector is projected to grow at a healthy CAGR of 13.9 per cent to reach Rs 1964 billion by 2019.

    The benefits of Phase I and II of DAS rollout, and continued Phase III rollout are expected to contribute significantly to strong continued growth in the TV sector revenues and its ability to invest in and monetise content. The sector is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.5 per cent over the period 2015-2019.

  • Flags Communications bags Rs 250 lakh marketing mandate of Kairali Ayurvedic Group

    Flags Communications bags Rs 250 lakh marketing mandate of Kairali Ayurvedic Group

    NEW DELHI: Flags Communications has been mandated to provide integrated and end-to-end marketing solutions to Kairali Ayurvedic Group, a global, independent, family-owned company helping people heal by using the method of ayurveda. 

     

    Flags will also strengthen brand engagement across all platforms – Print, Broadcast, Digital, Outdoor and Social. The deal is for around Rs 250 lakh.

     

    Flags have been tasked with drawing on 360 degree strategic communications expertise, which includes advertising, marketing, PR and digital to creatively engage customers and investors of Kairali on a nationwide scale.

     

    Kairali MD KV Ramesh said, “We were looking for an agency that can partner with us closely in our growth story. Flags Communications’ deep experiential knowledge of emerging markets and capability to seamlessly implement national product launches, with deep public relations expertise will be invaluable in strengthening our presence. The company’s strategic understanding of the Ayurvedic industry gives us confidence to believe that this will be a successful alliance. We look forward to a long term and mutually beneficial relationship.”

     

    Flags MD PKD Nambiar added, “Kairali is just not any other client for Flags. By partnering with Kairali, we have signed up with  its philosophy of promoting ayurveda to the deepest corner of this country. Our mandate is to facilitate building and enhancing their corporate reputation, create visibility for their brand through contemporary and cutting edge communications. Kairali has tremendous expectations from us, and backed by our expertise we are confident of meeting them.”

     

    Kairali Ayurvedic Group has been helping amalgamate ancient ayurveda with contemporary wellness needs and healing mankind worldwide through Kairali – The Ayurvedic Healing Village (formerly known as ‘Kairali Ayurvedic Health Resort’), at Palakkad – Kerala and Kairali Ayurvedic Centers (Worldwide).