ITV

Tag: Coleman & Co

  • Times change again as Varun Kohli exits, Gopakumar takes interim charge

    Times change again as Varun Kohli exits, Gopakumar takes interim charge

    MUMBAI: Another shuffle at Times Network has set the industry buzzing. Varun Kohli, who joined as chief operating officer barely a year ago, has suddenly stepped down from the role. In the interim, Rohit Gopakumar, currently CEO of entertainment and digital business at The Times Group, has been handed charge of the broadcast business.

    The development comes against the backdrop of CEO M.K. Anand’s exit in July 2024, when he quit after more than a decade at Bennett, Coleman & Co. (BCCL). Kohli was brought in just a month earlier, in June 2024, to oversee the network’s revenue function across its television broadcast business.

    Kohli, a seasoned media professional, moved to Times Network from Bharat Express, where he spent a year and a half as director and CEO. Before that, he briefly helmed Sporty Media Solutionz as CEO and held senior stints at ITV Network (group CEO), Network18, HT Media, and Amar Ujala Prakashan.

    Meanwhile, Gopakumar isn’t new to the media house. He joined the group in August 2023 as CEO of Worldwide Media and was later elevated to lead entertainment and digital. His expanded remit now includes steering Times Network’s broadcast operations during a tricky phase for the industry.

    With two top exits in just over a year, Times Network finds itself once again at a leadership crossroads and all eyes will now be on how Gopakumar steadies the ship.

  • BCCL & Shoppers Stop ink licensing deal for Femina Flaunt

    BCCL & Shoppers Stop ink licensing deal for Femina Flaunt

    MUMBAI: Bennett, Coleman & Co and Shoppers Stop have formed a strategic partnership to extend Femina into the consumer products space.

     

    As part of this ‘co-create and co-own’ partnership, BCCL will license ‘Femina Flaunt’ to Shoppers Stop, to design, develop, and retail the brand, exclusively across Shoppers Stop stores, in the core fashion categories – apparel, footwear, accessories and bags. Flaunt is the retail identity developed by BCCL for Femina. 

     

    BCCL managing director Vineet Jain said, “This is in line with our brand extension strategy to partner with the best-in-class players to unlock immense hidden value in many of our marquee brands. As a group, we’ve always been ahead on the innovation curve, and this partnership is another such example.”

     

    Shoppers Stop customer care associate & managing director Govind Shrikhande added, “In line with our brand philosophy of Start Something New, we have embarked on a new partnership with the BCCL group to launch ‘Femina Flaunt’ in our stores. The premium positioning of this brand fits seamlessly into our diverse portfolio of premium brands. We are positive that ‘Femina Flaunt’ will be a huge success with our discerning customers.”

     

    BCCL director & business head brand extension Sandeep Dahiya said, “It’s a unique partnership that brings together complementing strengths from two formidable industry leaders, in a format that’s a win-win for both. With Shoppers Stop as the partner, we’re confident of stability, sustainability and most importantly, scalability of our brand, in these categories.” 

     

    The ‘Femina Flaunt’ range will be retailed exclusively through 300-400 sq feet of dedicated shop-in-shop space, within Shoppers Stop stores. The range will be launched in the Fall-Winter season this year, and will be available across 20 Shoppers Stop stores to begin with, and going upto 50 stores by the third year.

     

    Highlighting the uniqueness of the partnership, Dahiya added, “This partnership re-formats the existing licensing template in India, by creating a unique ‘co-create, co-own’ model that creates far more value at both ends. It not only gives Shoppers Stop a great opportunity to add one more strong franchise to its portfolio of premium labels, but also helps BCCL unlock significant value in its marquee brand, while still retaining the ownership of the brand.”

  • MIB sends TV channels’ list to Home Ministry for fresh security clearance

    MIB sends TV channels’ list to Home Ministry for fresh security clearance

    NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has forwarded a list of 82 TV channels, teleports and news agencies to the Home Ministry for a fresh round of security clearance as their initial ten-year licenses expire.

     

    Last week, the Home Ministry had also agreed to examine all cases of multi-system operators (MSOs) awaiting security clearance to get licenses for digital addressable system. MIB secretary Bimal Julka told Indiantelevision.com that the initial license was for ten years. Julka will also be meeting concerned officials of the Home Ministry in this regard.

     

    If found suitable, permission will be granted for renewal for an interim period up to 31 December, 2015 or till the final decision on channels’ application for renewal of permission is taken, whichever is earlier.

     

    However, TV channels, teleports, news agencies and MSOs have been asked to furnish an affidavit to the effect that the company will abide by all the provisions of the latest Uplinking/ Downlinking Guidelines and other relevant instructions/ modifications issued from time to time.

     

    All applicants have been asked to send the information to the MIB along with supporting documents within l5 days to enable it to proceed further in the matter.

     

    Prominent names among those whose cases are coming up for renewal include several channels of Bennett, Coleman & Co., Eenadu Television, Panorama Television, Prism TV, Television Eighteen India, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, Zee Media Corporation (erstwhile Zee News), IBN18 Broadcast and Times Global Broadcasting Company.

     

    Broadcasters may also enclose the details of Board of Directors (BOD) and latest Share Holding Pattern (SHP) including foreign direct investment (FDI) component, if any, duly accompanied by requisite approval of the Foreign Investments Promotion Board (FIPB).

     

    The companies were also asked to ensure submission of the annual renewal fee for both Uplinking and Downlinking at rates as applicable as per Guidelines and for the period that may be due.

     

    For full list of TV channels, Teleports and News Agencies, click here.