ITV

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  • Soccer fever: Zee Sports sets itself ‘Goal 2010’ with AIFF

    Soccer fever: Zee Sports sets itself ‘Goal 2010’ with AIFF

    MUMBAI: Just imagine! With football fever spreading across the country thanks to the football World Cup, Zee Sports has set itself an ambitious target.

    Zee Sports and the All India football federation (AIFF) are looking to spread the popularity of football over the next four years. The two parties have announced a visionary project Goal 2010.

    The ultimate aim is to see India play in the soccer World Cup in 2010 in South Africa. Hence the tagline Just Imagine! The two parties will have public relations, youth outreach, training and marketing activities. The first step in the long journey will be a three week long Soccer Carnival in 11 cities including Goa, Mumbai and Delhi. The carnival kicked off in Chandigarh on Monday.

    Elaborating further on the initiative Zee Sports business head Himanshu Mody said, “Football is an international sport for which there is a vast following among the masses in India. We have put in lot of hard work to present Indian Football in a high quality format at viewer friendly times with in depth analysis.

    “That football has entered a new level has become obvious with the strong response we have received from fans and the corporates in the last one-year. Goal 2010 is an assertion of our commitment to make football as the most watched and played sport in the country. We believe that this project will help Indian football make a place for itself in world football.”

    The channel notes that the level of interest in the ongoing soccer World Cup shows on one level that the interest in the game is alive and well. At the same time the poor standard exhibited by the Indian football team in the past few decades is responsible for the domestic clubs and national team’s performances not being followed. The channel rightly notes that should India take part in the soccer World Cup in 2010 interest will skyrocket.

    The parties are looking to take advantage of the rise of interest in football in the public’s consciousness and build the players, leagues and clubs on the plank of “Support your team and it’s player’s in their crusade for the next World Cup”. The Goal 2010 project will encompass all activities undertaken by Zee and AIFF in their preparation to get India to South Africa in 2010.

    Activity Plan: The earlier mentioned carnival will be in the form of roadshows. For three weeks they will travel to Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Pune, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Jaipur and Kolkata. The roadshows will have branding, MC, music, Zeebras and a roll of Canvas on which the channel will make Indians pledge their support to Indian Football’s World Cup 2010 campaign. The promoters will drive traffic to this Graffiti wall.

    In the morning, the channel shall park outside a school or academy to rally student support. In the evening, the channel will cover public parks and the main market areas. There will also be a giant replica of the Fifa World Cup. The channel is hoping that this will instill dreams in Indians that just like cricket their football team too can do their country proud on the global stage.

    During the three-week period in each city the road show will last for three days and will visit various hip and happening locations in each place. The aim is to create fan awareness about different facets of Indian Football, which includes various tournaments and leagues, football players, clubs, legends of Indian football, etc. Besides providing an opportunity to fans to know about Indian football, the carnival will also host a variety of interactive games and contests where they will have the opportunity to win Zee Sports merchandise.

    The carnival will first visit Chandigarh with the football cheerleading squad, the Zeebras. A huge inflatable football will be placed at a prominent indoor location in each city and will remain there for six months. People can come and pledge their support to the Indian Football’s World Cup campaign. All signatures collected during the campaign will be presented to Fifa president Sepp Blatter in October, during his visit here and his support for India’s dream will be sought.

    Zee Sports VP marketing Gaurav Seth says that later in the year the channel and AIFF will conduct inter school competitions where probables for the under 17 and under 19 teams will be considered. The Japanese team comes down in October to play in qualifying matches for next year’s Asia Cup in Malaysia. If the Indian team is able to qualify for the Asia Cup then that will give them excellent practice ahead of the World Cup qualifiers which start in 2008.

    Zee Sports and the AIFF will also conduct clinics for coaches and teachers. This is important in growing football at the grasroots level. A couple of weeks ago, AIFF, with advice from Zee Sports, had chosen Bob Houghton as the Indian football team’s coach. Houghton has in the past helped take China to the soccer World Cup. Seth is hopeful that with the carnival Indian soccer fans will not forget about the sport once the World Cup (which is airing on rival ESPN) ends.

    Zee Sports had introduced the Zeebras as their mascots of promoting Indian football. Dressed in funky outfits, the Zeebras will perform on hit tunes during the carnival.

    Zee Sports had signed a 10 year deal with the AIFF last year. The channel says that since then it has taken prudent steps to popularise Indian Football. For the first time, 100 matches of Indian football comprising of matches from National Football League, Federation Cup and Santosh Trophy were shown live.

    Zee Sports flew down international experts in football production for the telecast of Indian Football. This included directors, sound engineers, visual graphic specialists from the UK, South Africa and South East Asia. Using a 12-camera setup to cover the action from the field, Zee Sports ensured every shot and dribble was viewed from multiple angles ensuring exciting viewing to its consumers.

    The coverage involved more replays, international commentators, new graphic look and various in studios programming leading to the build up. For the 10th edition of ONGC Cup, two world-class units simultaneously broadcast the matches from Kolkata, Mumbai and Goa. British Match director David Horridge, produced the telecast.

    Horridge is involved in directing Champions League matches and is now Germany to work for Fifa on the World Cup coverage. The telecast package will include preview and review shows, half time match analysis and various studio programming. 

    In line with Zee Sports promise to deliver international quality coverage of Indian football, John Helm and former England International player Russell Osman were flown from England for commentary for all the three major domestic football tournament. Assisting them were Zee Sports commentator Debayan and football expert Noel da Lima Leitao.

  • Sun channels to be priced Rs 5 for Cas areas in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata

    Sun channels to be priced Rs 5 for Cas areas in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata

    MUMBAI: TRAI had issued press releases on 15/10/06, 25/10/06, 14.11.2006, 30.11.2006 and 14.12.2006 placing the details of Maximum Retail Prices fixed by the broadcasters in respect of CAS areas on the basis of the reporting done by them in terms of clause 7 (ii) of the Tariff Order of 31/8/2006.

    Subsequently, the Authority was informed that some of the pay channels listed in the website are not pay channels in some of the notified areas and also some new pay channels for the CAS notified areas, have been reported. A list of such channels as per reporting done now given below:-

    Name of the Broadcaster and Channel Remarks

    M/s SUN TV Limited

    i) Sun TV

    		 Pay channel at a price of Rs 5/- (excluding of taxes) in notified areas of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata. The channels will however be free to air in Chennai CAS area

    M/s Udaya TV Limited

    i)Udaya Movies , ii) Udaya Varthegalu

    		 Pay channel at a price of Rs 5/- (excluding of taxes) in notified areas of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata. The channels will however be free to air in Chennai CAS area

    M/s Gemini TV Limited

    i) Gemini Music, ii) Gemini News, iii) Gemini Cable Vision

    		 Pay channel at a price of Rs 5/- (excluding of taxes) in notified areas of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata. The channels will however be free to air in Chennai CAS area

    An updated list has been placed on TRAI’s website www.trai.gov.in

  • Setting up broadcast regulator to cost government Rs 601 million

    Setting up broadcast regulator to cost government Rs 601 million

    NEW DELHI: The proposed Broadcast Regulatory Authority of India (Brai) is likely to cost the government Rs 601.1 million to set up, which includes recurring and non-recurring expenses.

    According to projections made by the information and broadcasting ministry, the annual cost on pay and allowances of officers and staff of Brai would be Rs 85.7 million, with the chairperson’s remuneration being the highest wherein the monthly financial implication would be Rs 60,000.

    Non-recurring expenses have been pegged at Rs 124.7 million, which include basic infrastructure for Brai. The Indian government is proposing to set up Brai under the yet to be enacted Broadcasting Services Regulation Act. The functions of Brai will be to oversee the broadcast and cable industry in all its entirety with powers ranging from granting licences for any type of broadcasting services to ensuring quality of services to monitor content beamed on radio and TV channels.

    It has also been proposed that Brai have five regional offices in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Guwahati.

    There would be six full-time members of the regulatory authority, apart from the chairperson, with everybody’s term of office being for five years or till the time they attain the age of 65 — whichever being earlier.

    The chairperson or any other member would not be eligible for a second term, but a member can be eligible for appointment as chairperson for the remaining part of his term.

    Even though Brai is being set up as an independent organization, the government would keep a control over it through a government official of not less than additional secretary’s rank who will act as the chief executive of Brai.

    A draft note, prepared by the government, states that the secretary of Brai would act as its CEO and the federal government would make available a panel of not less than three officials for a selection to be made.

    All broadcast and cable related cases pending before the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), presently acting as the broadcast regulator, and the Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) will be deemed as transferred to Brai once it is set up.

  • Trai drafts standardised interconnect regulations

    Trai drafts standardised interconnect regulations

    NEW DELHI: In a bid to streamline the cable industry, sector regulator today released the proposed standard forms of interconnect agreements for CAS areas between broadcasters and multi system operators and between MSOs and local cable operators (LCOs).

    The reason for this being suggestions from the industry stake holders to the government that a standard form of interconnect agreements be formulated.

    On 10 March, 2006 the Delhi High Court had directed the government implement CAS in Kolkata, Delhi and Mumbai within a month’s time.

    Subsequent to this order, a series of meetings were taken by the information and broadcasting ministry.

    Taking note of suggestions emanating from the meetings, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has decided to finalise a standard format for interconnection agreements for CAS in consultation with the industry.

    Accordingly, a draft of the standard forms has been placed on the website of Trai today. The draft agreements contain a number of sections and provisions.

    One of them relate to revenue sharing. The actual revenue share percentages have been left blank in the draft and are proposed to be filled up after getting comments of the stakeholders.

    Trai has also asked for feedback on the following:

    •Should there be a uniform revenue share percentage between all broadcasters and MSOs and MSOs and LCOs. If yes, what should be the revenue share percentages? What is the methodology, data and principles on which these are based?

    •Should the revenue share percentages be different for different broadcasters? If so, should the rates for different broadcasters prevailing in Chennai be adopted in other CAS notified areas?

    •Is there any other alternative method of arriving at the revenue share?

    A draft regulation has also put on the website for comments containing the provisions for the standard agreements as well as a clause for prohibiting minimum subscriber guarantee. The deadline for sending comments is 27 June.

  • Radio City launches autobiography series ‘Meri Kahani’

    Radio City launches autobiography series ‘Meri Kahani’

    MUMBAI: Starting 11 June, Radio City will launch a series on autobiography of the stars by the stars. The series Meri Kahani will be aired across the cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Lucknow on every Sunday at 1 pm.

    The series kicks off with the autobiography of Nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar. In this one-hour show, the queen of the Indian melody reminisces her soulful moments and milestones of her extraordinary life and career that will strike a chord, leaving a lasting impression in the minds of millions of fans across the country, according to an official statement.

    Besides, Lata Mangeshkar Radio City will feature Subhash Ghai, Jitendra, Shilpa Shetty, Tabu, Khayyam and many more through the series.

    The show Meri Kahani incites the stars to talk about their lives, childhood stories, the backgrounds in which they have grown up, the start of their careers, struggling years, turning points and the important people who have been instrumental in shaping up their great lives. The stars also talk about their future plans and views on the Indian film and music industry.

    “At Radio City, it has always been our aim to connect with our listeners and the experts of the entertainment industry in a unique way. The unique format of this new show will enable listeners to connect with some unforgettable and unheard aspects in the journey of their favourite stars as they relive their past,” says Radio City national programming head Vikas Verma. “

  • Mid-Day Radio Go 92.5 relaunches as Radio One 92.5

    Mid-Day Radio Go 92.5 relaunches as Radio One 92.5

    MUMBAI: Radio Mid-Day Go 92.5 FM has undergone a change in its brand identity as well as positioning of the FM channel. From a niche player, Go 92.5 FM is set to create a mark as a mass player. Towards that end the station has undergone a name change to Radio One.

    Radio One is a Mid-Day Multimedia and BBC Worldwide venture.

    Earlier this year, BBC Worldwide Holdings B.V. entered into a deal with Mid-Day Multimedia Ltd to invest Rs 318.5 million for a 20 per cent stake in Radio Mid Day West (India) Pvt Ltd.The venture has bagged licenses to operate FM stations in Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Pune. While the Mumbai station is operational, other metros like Bangalore, Chennai and Delhi will go on air in the next few months.

    Interestingly, one of the radio brands from the BBC Worldwide stable is called BBC Radio 1. BBC Radio Service also runs BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio Five Live in the UK. 

    BBC Radio 1 specialises in popular music and targets the 16-24 age bracket. It was launched in September 1967.

    “With Radio Mid-Day becoming a national player in seven major metros around the country, it was only natural that we would evolve what we were doing in Mumbai into what is going to be a robust national play,” says Radio Midday CEO Rajesh Tahil.

    “As a single city player, being niche made sense, but a national presence gives us the opportunity to go back to the drawing board and look at opportunities to shed our niche image and broaden our markets, both in terms of audience and revenue,” Tahil adds.

    Commenting on the opportunities that the Phase II licensing allows for the growth of private FM in India Tahil adds, “For both Mid-Day Multimedia and the BBC, being a significant national radio player is of great strategic significance.”

    Radio Mid-Day and operating head of the Mumbai station Radio One Shariq Patel said, “We have tested the new format and have seen a healthy improvement in numbers from our own internal tracking. With FM becoming a truly mass medium, we’re on our way to building a mass brand.”

    The company has also brought about a change in its programming strategy. According to a statement issued today, the change in programming for the Mumbai station will be the first big change in the play-out of the national brand through which Radio Mid-Day aims to become the number one station in the cities it transmits.

    “The new radio station will still have the flavour of Go and the essence of what the brand stood for, which is fun, energy and exuberance reflecting the city of Mumbai. This will all remain though the language and the context changes a little,” says Radio Mid-Day VP programming and brand Vishnu Athreya. “For us, music and Bollywood are an integral part of the programming mix. Hindi music itself has come a long way and the attitude that Abhishek Bachchan reflects in a new Bollywood film or the fact that Himesh Reshammiya queues up playlists at a club shows us the new age of a changing audience.”

    The company is also optimistic about the new format giving a boost to revenues. “As the market share (audience) of the radio station increases, we are certain the share of revenue will increase as well. Already we have seen interests from a wider list of advertisers that may not have considered us a necessity earlier,” Radio Mid-Day VP advertising sales Avinash Pillai, who has recently joined, concludes.

  • 9.2 million Indians to seek jobs online by 2006-07: IAMAI

    9.2 million Indians to seek jobs online by 2006-07: IAMAI

    MUMBAI: The number of Indian online job seekers is expected to cross 9.2 million this year (2006-07) with the estimated market size of the Indian online recruitment industry reaching Rs 2.41 billion for 2006-2007 from Rs 1.45 billion for 2005-2006.

    The industry is also likely to maintain a year on year growth of over 60 per cent, according to a survey conducted by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) recently.

    As per the findings, the number of Indians seeking jobs online reached 6.5 million in 2005-2006 recording a rise of 71 per cent over last year.

    The survey also found that junior, mid-level and senior executives accounted for more than 50 per cent of online job seekers. In addition, in keeping with the overall pattern of internet usage, among the states Maharashtra topped the list of online job seekers followed by Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and West Bengal.

    Fast facts of online job search

    — 43 per cent in the 26-35 age group
    — 72 per cent male and 28 per cent female

    Qualification:
    — 41 per cent have a Graduate / Post-Graduate General (BA, BSC. MSC, B.com etc.)
    — 40 per cent have a Graduate /Post Graduate Professional Degree.

    Occupation:
    — 25 per cent Mid Level Executives
    — 15 per cent Junior Executives
    — 13 per cent Students
    — 12 per cent Senior Executives

    Top five states:
    — 26 per cent Maharashtra
    — 17 per cent Delhi
    — 13 per cent Tamil Nadu
    — 8 per cent Karnataka
    — 6 per cent West Bengal

    Online Job Search is one of the top five online activities (e-mail, surfing, chatting, search and job search) that Indians indulge in on the internet.

    Fuelled by a rising internet penetration and 38.5 million users, e-recruitment is gaining ground as a preferred medium of hiring in India. For job seekers, the internet has opened up the world of job searching, turning it into a 24-hour-a-day marketplace. Internet is arguably the most immediate, convenient and comprehensive medium for employment seekers to research and prospect for jobs.

    Commenting on the findings of the survey, IAMAI president Dr Subho Ray said, “Online job search is a winner all the way. For job seekers it eliminates the disadvantages of location, cost and time. For recruiters, it provides easy access to the best talent at a competitive cost. Given the obvious advantages, this segment is set to grow at a scorching pace.”

    A growing economy, a thriving job market and increasingly net savvy users have converged to create the right environment for the online job search market to grow.

    To understand the exact demographics of the online job seekers as well as parallel activities they do online, IAMAI mandated a study in January 2006 with a base of 3269 respondents who seek jobs online. The survey was mandated by the IAMAI to online research firm Cross Tab Marketing Services, with the overall objective of obtaining data to understand and anticipate online job trends.

  • Worldspace Q12006 revenues up 35% to $3.5 million

    Worldspace Q12006 revenues up 35% to $3.5 million

    MUMBAI: For the first quarter of 2006, satellite radio player Worldspace reported revenues of approximately $3.5 million, representing a 35 per cent increase compared with revenues of approximately $2.6 million for the first quarter of 2005.

    Subscription revenue doubled to approximately $1.6 million for the first quarter of 2006 compared with subscription revenue of approximately $0.8 million for the first quarter of 2005, the company said in an official release.

    Worldspace recorded a net loss for the first quarter of 2006 of $29.2 million, or $0.79 per share, compared with a net loss of $9.2 million, or $0.40 per share for the first quarter of 2005. Sequentially, the net loss improved from the fourth quarter 2005 results of $33.2 million, or $0.90 per share. Worldspace had an EBITDA (earnings before interest income, interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization) loss of $31.2 million for the first quarter of 2006, compared with EBITDA of $1.5 million for the first quarter of 2005, and an EBITDA loss of $44.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2005, the release adds.

    The company said it finished the first quarter of 2006 with 153,437 subscribers. The Company added 38,131 subscribers in the first quarter of 2006, an increase of 109 per cent over the 18,233 subscribers added in same quarter of 2005. In India, the Company had 111,723 subscribers at the end of the first quarter of 2006, up 50 per cent from 74,574 at the end of the fourth quarter of 2005 and a five-fold increase from 21,730 at the end of the first quarter of 2005, it said in a release.

    At the end of the first quarter of 2006, Worldspace had rolled out its satellite radio services in ten cities in India – Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, and Kolkata. It also signed Indian music impresario AR Rahman as a brand ambassador in India.

    Globally, Worldspace introduced three new programming channels, including Fox Sports Radio, and Ranin and Min Zaman, the latter two targeted to listeners in the Middle East, bringing the total number of channels broadcast on Worldspace’s global system to 223 by the end of the first quarter of 2006.

  • Radio Mirchi goes on air in Bangalore

    Radio Mirchi goes on air in Bangalore

    MUMBAI/ BANGALORE: Following a trial period of one week, Entertainment Network India Ltd (ENIL) radio brand — Radio Mirchi formally went on-air in Bangalore today. Radio Mirchi 95 FM is the second 24 hour FM radio station to go on-air in Bangalore.

    The first FM radio station in the city is Music Broadcast Pvt LTD Radio City. Radio Mirchi is the first brand to go on air in the phase II FM, within three months after completion of the Phase II bidding.

    The information & broadcasting had earlier this year awarded 280 licences to 36 private operators for running FM radio stations in 91 cities.

    Speaking on the potential of FM radio to revolutionise media consumption, ENIL CEO and MD AP Parigi said “Radio’s strength is its immense flexibility, adaptability and suitability for a modern and active life. It is the best companion. Thus our aim is to deliver programmes that are relevant to the people of Bangalore. This is a station for the people of Bangalore – playing their music and speaking their language.”

    He further added that “We expect the Mirchi style of programming of Radio Mirchi to revitalise the position of radio in Bangalore, just the way we have been able to win the loyalty of listeners in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and other cities.”

    The station is positioned as a sunshine channel, with a baseline which reads “It’s Hot” With round the clock programming, Radio Mirchi will bring in contemporary music, city happenings, Bollywood gossip, special interviews, exclusive film promotional tie-ups and lots more. 24 hours hit Hindi music is what Radio Mirchi promises to deliver to its listeners, informs an official release.

    Radio Mirchi 93.3 FM will broadcast a diverse mix of shows including Hello Bangalore, a charged up breakfast show to say hello! to a bright new day; Bombat Bhama, a gossip based show for the housewives; Bitti Ticket, for the latest gossip from the films, an afternoon show for the students; Chill Maadi, a chilled out evening drive time gaming show; Mirchi Talkies for retro music and Dr. Love, to handle teenager love problems.

    Moreover, the station uses the ‘best of class’ transmission and studio equipment to broadcast crystal clear stereophonic sound to its listeners.

    ENIL had launched its first radio station in the city of Indore in October 2001. At present Radio Mirchi is operational in 10 cities which includes Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Indore, Ahmedabad and Pune.

  • Airtel crosses two million customer landmark in Delhi

    Airtel crosses two million customer landmark in Delhi

    Airtel has crossed the two million customer mark in Delhi. With this, Airtel becomes the first mobile operator to complete this milestone in the Capital. The journey to the two million landmark has been stupendous having achieved the second million customers in two years eight months. On this momentous occasion, Airtel felicitated Mr. Vajinder, a dairy owner from Narela village, as its two millionth customer.

     

    Airtel’s commitment to Delhi is amply evident over the years as it has expanded its robust state-of-the art network and world class customer service to connect all of Delhi and the NCR region. In FY 05-06, Airtel invested over Rs 3000 million in Delhi. For the year ahead, Airtel will continue to focus and build on its network and customer service. Airtel currently has over 1600 cell sites in Delhi and the NCR region and plans to increase its number of cell sites by approximately 50%. It also plans to increase its number of Airtel relationship centers by 50% from the present 70. Airtel also has close to 25000 retail outlets.

     

    K Srinivas, CEO, Airtel, Mobiles services, Delhi circle said, “We are delighted with the overwhelming response from our valued customers as we cross this significant milestone. Their confidence in us has helped reiterate our leadership position in Delhi. This achievement, will inspire us to keep up the momentum that will see us scale new heights. Going forward, we will continue with our strategy of broad basing our consumer market. We will deploy a more segmented approach to the market and increase our penetration and preference amongst youth, low end customers and SMEs. Investing in the expansion of our state-of-the art network and infrastructure facilities will be key focus so as to provide unmatched quality of service and coverage to our customers across Delhi. I would like to thank Delhi for helping us achieve the two million mark.”