ITV

Tag: Digital

  • Kids content growth is fastest in digital, and monetizing models need to keep up

    Kids content growth is fastest in digital, and monetizing models need to keep up

    MUMBAI: ‘Kids content has already gone digital, catering to its target audience,’ was the unanimous consensus at a session on ‘Kids Go Digital’ at the ongoing FICCI Frames 2016

    Unlike most discussions on digital media, there were no “if’s, ‘but’s and ‘maybe’s” and panelists — Chuchu TV CEO Vinoth Chander, Godimensions’ founders Shravan and Sanjay Kumaran, Nazara Technologies CEO Manish Agarwal  and Viacom 18 Digital Ventures COO Gaurav Gandhi – discussed how to take digital kids content to the next level, expand its market in India and make the most of the resources and eyeballs at disposal. Whizkidz Media founder Amit Agarwal, moderated the panel discussion.

    “Kids content growth is fastest in digital as its consumers are native to the medium. While you and I are adapting to the medium, they are born in the digital world and hence take naturally to it,” said Gandhi, adding that over the years the demography of kids born in the digital world will only grow.

    Currently kids’ content on digital platform is mostly on YouTube which has a few issues. Firstly, there is hardly any premium kids content available in India, then there is a lack of character driven shows, and most of the content for children is targeted at preschoolers leaving out a huge chunk of the audience. Moreover, most of the viewership comes from foreign markets, and the market in India still needs to be developed.

    Reflecting on how one markets kids content, Gandhi had a cryptic answer: “In their own language”. “You need to think like them and market your content on their own terms.”

    Speaking from personal experience, Gandhi added that using TV as a medium is a good start, as a huge chunk of the audience is still on TV. “Sampling videos on YouTube, TV and even reaching out to them through schools and play schools is also a good way to understand them and share your content.”

    As far as Chander was concerned, organic reach has worked wonders for him and his company ChuChu TV and he would vouch for strategically placed promotion within their own YouTube content. “We want to concentrate on quality content, rather than marketing as the former does the latter for us,” Chander said categorically. He also stressed that kids usually take more to visual content, and therefore propagating the message through videos and pictures would work better.

    “Kids are smart,” said Agarwal on the topic of edutainment. “Do not trick them into consuming content that you sell as entertainment, which is actually educational and is meant for learning. You need to separate your own consumers from their parents.” To back his argument Agarwal narrated about his own failed experiment with a gaming app that was intended to teach mathematics to kids. “A minute into the game they figured that this was no game but a trick to teach them, and immediately they got disinterested. For them games is entertainment, and just that.”

    The young entrepreneurs in the panel however differed. The Kumaran brothers said “Kids do like content that mirrors the teachings of their parents. Moreover, content that has an educational value that teaches a skill set like a programming code, or their everyday school syllabus with diagrams and videos, will work immensely well.”
     
    Expectedly monetizing models came up when discussing content production and business opportunity. “Time spent on content is what advertisers swear by. If that is so, as per market insight, kids will spend more and more time on digital or second screens than on TV, it is already happening,” said Agarwal hinting that ad revenue on kids content on digital platform will only grow.
     
    Gandhi shared another statistic from a BCG study: “Out of top 200 YouTube channels that garnered 10 billion views, 5 percent had kids content while 26 percent of the viewership came from children. It indicates that kids watch repeatedly, and they get obsessive over characters,” Gandhi said. Pointing out the simple demand supply ratio in economics, he added, “money will follow.”

  • Fremantle Media India forays into digital; launches web series ‘Confessions-It’s Complicated’

    Fremantle Media India forays into digital; launches web series ‘Confessions-It’s Complicated’

    MUMBAI: Fremantle Media India is known for its successful Indian Idol franchise, which has been running for several seasons. The content creator is now pushing the envelope on digital  and has launched its first web series titled Confessions –It’s Complicated. The launch was done at the hands of film actress Richa Chadda on 29 March.

    Based on three spirited, vivacious girls Sameera Saxena, Raka Ghosh and Nupur Murthy from different parts of the country who live under one roof and office in Mumbai, Confessions, sheds light on their struggles, fears, dreams and adventures. Peppered with a mix of drama, love, romance and wit, the show bridges the gap between the reel and real lives of the characters.

    The title track has been crooned by Anushka Manchanda, while the upbeat soundtrack has been composed by the renowned musician Leslie Lewis.

    The 40 episode show has been conceptualised for the ‘on-the-go’ audience with each episode being of eight minute duration. Confessions – It’s Complicated begins airing on 4 April 2016 with fresh episodes being launched online every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. A total of 10 episodes will have a confession that will be made every Saturday.

    Each installment will first be released on Facebook before moving on to Youtube. And that’s what makes Fremantle’s effort a standout. Its association with Facebook India and Facebook Live will allow viewers and fans to share their perspectives and experiences in real time. Additionally, the three leads will also reach out to audiences across key social media platforms and share with them their journey in the city of dreams.

    Estimates are that each episode is costing the production house anywhere from Rs six to eight lakh.

    Fremantle has roped in four sponsors  to help defray its costs. This includes Myntra, and Gillette Venus, as the title and powered by sponsors respectively with Miss Malini and Saavn coming in as other sponsors.

    Fremantle  Media India business head Vidyuth Bhandary highlights that every attempt has been made to integrate the sponsors into each episode so that the content and storyline looks seamless and unforced.

    It’s something that is echoed by Myntra VP marketing and head of monetisation Manish Aggawal. Says he: “Confessions does that (brand integration) beautifully. We are a fashion brand and fashion is all about choice. It is interesting to see how the three protagonists leverage fashion and their freedom in Mumbai according to their choice. They will be seen wearing Myntra clothes. Our consumers will get to see the products that we have through this.”

    Adds Myntra CMO and head of international brands Gunjan Soni: “We see digital and storytelling as a powerful way to engage with young people. The Confessions web series celebrates independent young women and hence is  close to our beliefs. We hope the viewers will also enjoy the shoppable styles the protagonists will be wearing.”

    The Myntra partnership has been extended in other ways: the show will air on the fashion outlet’s app giving it a reach of 7 million viewers even as the three faces will be seen on the application and its properties. Push notifications and pop ups will be sent to Myntra users.

    Part of the marketing plan drawn up by Fremantle includes the sponsors promoting the series on their digital platforms. Additionally, an agency to moderate social media to create buzz around the show has been signed on.

    “We are striving to develop new formats and explore innovative ways to integrate non-traditional platforms,” says Bhandary.

    The web-series has been produced in HD with the hope that it will find a telecast window in traditional TV channels, depending on its success.

    “You need a combination of high production values and good content for a show to stand tall, “ explains Bhandary. “Once we are done with the digital run, we will definitely syndicate it as it’s been made without any compromises. It’s produced equally or even better than how a TV show is produced. The amount I am paying to produce this web series, I would have to pay the same amount to produce a TV show.”

    A professional who is confident that the digital initiative will pay off is Fremantle Media India senior VP of branded entertainment and digital partnerships Ron Crasto. It was he who forged the relationship between the creatives at the content creator,  Facebook and Myntra. Says he: “We want to be at the forefront of digital content production and storytelling. This innovative series will delight audiences and deliver great results for all stakeholders.”

    Bhandary is hopeful of Confessions getting a second season. Says he:  “The idea behind a finite series is that people want a beginning and an end. If this gets successful, we might do a sequel also.”

    Amen to that!

  • Fremantle Media India forays into digital; launches web series ‘Confessions-It’s Complicated’

    Fremantle Media India forays into digital; launches web series ‘Confessions-It’s Complicated’

    MUMBAI: Fremantle Media India is known for its successful Indian Idol franchise, which has been running for several seasons. The content creator is now pushing the envelope on digital  and has launched its first web series titled Confessions –It’s Complicated. The launch was done at the hands of film actress Richa Chadda on 29 March.

    Based on three spirited, vivacious girls Sameera Saxena, Raka Ghosh and Nupur Murthy from different parts of the country who live under one roof and office in Mumbai, Confessions, sheds light on their struggles, fears, dreams and adventures. Peppered with a mix of drama, love, romance and wit, the show bridges the gap between the reel and real lives of the characters.

    The title track has been crooned by Anushka Manchanda, while the upbeat soundtrack has been composed by the renowned musician Leslie Lewis.

    The 40 episode show has been conceptualised for the ‘on-the-go’ audience with each episode being of eight minute duration. Confessions – It’s Complicated begins airing on 4 April 2016 with fresh episodes being launched online every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. A total of 10 episodes will have a confession that will be made every Saturday.

    Each installment will first be released on Facebook before moving on to Youtube. And that’s what makes Fremantle’s effort a standout. Its association with Facebook India and Facebook Live will allow viewers and fans to share their perspectives and experiences in real time. Additionally, the three leads will also reach out to audiences across key social media platforms and share with them their journey in the city of dreams.

    Estimates are that each episode is costing the production house anywhere from Rs six to eight lakh.

    Fremantle has roped in four sponsors  to help defray its costs. This includes Myntra, and Gillette Venus, as the title and powered by sponsors respectively with Miss Malini and Saavn coming in as other sponsors.

    Fremantle  Media India business head Vidyuth Bhandary highlights that every attempt has been made to integrate the sponsors into each episode so that the content and storyline looks seamless and unforced.

    It’s something that is echoed by Myntra VP marketing and head of monetisation Manish Aggawal. Says he: “Confessions does that (brand integration) beautifully. We are a fashion brand and fashion is all about choice. It is interesting to see how the three protagonists leverage fashion and their freedom in Mumbai according to their choice. They will be seen wearing Myntra clothes. Our consumers will get to see the products that we have through this.”

    Adds Myntra CMO and head of international brands Gunjan Soni: “We see digital and storytelling as a powerful way to engage with young people. The Confessions web series celebrates independent young women and hence is  close to our beliefs. We hope the viewers will also enjoy the shoppable styles the protagonists will be wearing.”

    The Myntra partnership has been extended in other ways: the show will air on the fashion outlet’s app giving it a reach of 7 million viewers even as the three faces will be seen on the application and its properties. Push notifications and pop ups will be sent to Myntra users.

    Part of the marketing plan drawn up by Fremantle includes the sponsors promoting the series on their digital platforms. Additionally, an agency to moderate social media to create buzz around the show has been signed on.

    “We are striving to develop new formats and explore innovative ways to integrate non-traditional platforms,” says Bhandary.

    The web-series has been produced in HD with the hope that it will find a telecast window in traditional TV channels, depending on its success.

    “You need a combination of high production values and good content for a show to stand tall, “ explains Bhandary. “Once we are done with the digital run, we will definitely syndicate it as it’s been made without any compromises. It’s produced equally or even better than how a TV show is produced. The amount I am paying to produce this web series, I would have to pay the same amount to produce a TV show.”

    A professional who is confident that the digital initiative will pay off is Fremantle Media India senior VP of branded entertainment and digital partnerships Ron Crasto. It was he who forged the relationship between the creatives at the content creator,  Facebook and Myntra. Says he: “We want to be at the forefront of digital content production and storytelling. This innovative series will delight audiences and deliver great results for all stakeholders.”

    Bhandary is hopeful of Confessions getting a second season. Says he:  “The idea behind a finite series is that people want a beginning and an end. If this gets successful, we might do a sequel also.”

    Amen to that!

  • Balaji Telefilms completes fund raise of Rs 150.08 crore for Alt Digital Media

    Balaji Telefilms completes fund raise of Rs 150.08 crore for Alt Digital Media

    MUMBAI: Balaji Telefilms Limited (Balaji Telefilms) has completed the fund raising exercise of Rs. 150.08 crore for its digital venture ALT Digital Media. 1,07,20,000 equity shares  representing 14.1 per cent of  the  equity share  capital of the  company, each having  face  value  of  Rs. 2  each,   have   been   issued   and  allotted  on preferential basis  at  a price  of  Rs. 140  each  for  a total consideration of  Rs. 150.08 crore The shares were issued to  Atyant Capital India Fund  – I, Vanderbilt University, GHILTP Ltd., GHIHSP Ltd. and  GHIERP Ltd. 

    The equity shares   will be locked-in for  a period  of one year  from the  date  of trading approval.

    The proceeds of the issue will be used to catapult the launch and growth of ALT Digital Media Entertainment Limited (ALT Digital Media), Balaji Telefilm’s foray into the B2C digital content business segment touted as the next growth driver for the Company. The board of  directors of  the  company has approved investment of  Rs. 150  crore  in  ALT Digital Media ALT Digital Media  will create  its own  highly differentiated, original digital content platform for the  entire connected ecosystem spanning mobiles, computers, tablets, smart TVs and  game  stations.

    Commenting on the completion of the fund raise, Balaji Telefilms group CEO  Sameer Nair, said, “We are delighted to have completed this fund raising to  support our  growth aspirations through ALT  Digital Media. 

    We are now on a fast track mode to roll out the ALT Digital OTT platform which is set to redefine the entertainment viewing experience of Indian in India and  across the globe.”

    The transaction was facilitated by Axis Capital Limited, being the sole investment banker and advisor for the fund raise.

  • Balaji Telefilms completes fund raise of Rs 150.08 crore for Alt Digital Media

    Balaji Telefilms completes fund raise of Rs 150.08 crore for Alt Digital Media

    MUMBAI: Balaji Telefilms Limited (Balaji Telefilms) has completed the fund raising exercise of Rs. 150.08 crore for its digital venture ALT Digital Media. 1,07,20,000 equity shares  representing 14.1 per cent of  the  equity share  capital of the  company, each having  face  value  of  Rs. 2  each,   have   been   issued   and  allotted  on preferential basis  at  a price  of  Rs. 140  each  for  a total consideration of  Rs. 150.08 crore The shares were issued to  Atyant Capital India Fund  – I, Vanderbilt University, GHILTP Ltd., GHIHSP Ltd. and  GHIERP Ltd. 

    The equity shares   will be locked-in for  a period  of one year  from the  date  of trading approval.

    The proceeds of the issue will be used to catapult the launch and growth of ALT Digital Media Entertainment Limited (ALT Digital Media), Balaji Telefilm’s foray into the B2C digital content business segment touted as the next growth driver for the Company. The board of  directors of  the  company has approved investment of  Rs. 150  crore  in  ALT Digital Media ALT Digital Media  will create  its own  highly differentiated, original digital content platform for the  entire connected ecosystem spanning mobiles, computers, tablets, smart TVs and  game  stations.

    Commenting on the completion of the fund raise, Balaji Telefilms group CEO  Sameer Nair, said, “We are delighted to have completed this fund raising to  support our  growth aspirations through ALT  Digital Media. 

    We are now on a fast track mode to roll out the ALT Digital OTT platform which is set to redefine the entertainment viewing experience of Indian in India and  across the globe.”

    The transaction was facilitated by Axis Capital Limited, being the sole investment banker and advisor for the fund raise.

  • Second digital India summit to be launched by Times Network

    Second digital India summit to be launched by Times Network

    MUMBAI: In a bid to help speed up the transition to a vibrantly Digital India, Times Networkannounced the launch of the Second Digital India Summit (SDIS). The Network claims that the summit will lead the country on the path to digitalization by providing the leaders and digital evangelists a platform to ideate on important areas and issues, and also by recognizing and honouring individuals, businesses and organizations that are harnessing the power of information, communication and technology and digital tools.

    SDIS will be telecast on Times Now and ET Now. The summit will get under way on 22 March 2016, with a day-long event in New Delhi, which will begin with a keynote address from the union minister of communications and information technology, Ravi Shankar. The session will be addressed by Dell’s Asia Pacific and Japan president Amit Midha and Dell emerging markets chairman.

    Times Network managing director and CEO M K Anand said, “India is surging ahead on the path of progress, powered by young, creative, digitally-savvy people and a strong government emphasis on the best use of information, communication and technology to usher in digitization across cities and platforms. As the nation’s most influential network with the biggest English and business news channels that inform and empower viewers, Times Network is proud to announce the second digital India summit. Our goal is to contribute to transforming India into a global economic superpower over the next decade, and we are confident that the second digital India summit will create a significant positive impact.”

    The day will conclude with the Digital India Summit awards being given out to those leaders whose efforts and initiatives have contributed the most to the Digital India Summit’s primary objectives to help India on the path to transform business processes, improve delivery of public services and thereby to create a positive impact on society. SDIS works to identify and honour the top individual torchbearers harnessing the power of ICT and digital.

    To promote SDIS, Times Network says that it will run and exhaustive high-decibel call-for-entries campaign to invite participation from businesses and organizations that are harnessing the power of technology and transforming businesses and lives of people. The entire process, from call for entries to the selection and short listing process, through an eminent jury meet, and finally, the winners’ announcement and felicitation on the awards night, will flow across a month.

    The awards are divided into two parts, Good For India and Good For Organizations.

    While the Good For India awards recognize the initiatives taken by stakeholders towards the accomplishment of the digital India dream, on other hand the Good for Organizations awards will recognize organizations that have made the first move towards digital India by using ICT in integrating people, processes and data to achieve business transformation and growth.

    Good for India has seven categories – e-governance solutions, e-education learning solutions, e- healthcare delivery solutions, skills and employment solutions, energy solutions, environmental solutions and agricultural solutions. Good for organizations has four categories under digital enterprise which are manufacturing, services, digital start-up innovators and digital social innovation.

    Supporting the event are the lead and award partner Huwaei, lead partners GTL Infrastructure and Union Bank of India, knowledge partner MAIT and Tech 4 good partner NASSCOM foundation.

  • Second digital India summit to be launched by Times Network

    Second digital India summit to be launched by Times Network

    MUMBAI: In a bid to help speed up the transition to a vibrantly Digital India, Times Networkannounced the launch of the Second Digital India Summit (SDIS). The Network claims that the summit will lead the country on the path to digitalization by providing the leaders and digital evangelists a platform to ideate on important areas and issues, and also by recognizing and honouring individuals, businesses and organizations that are harnessing the power of information, communication and technology and digital tools.

    SDIS will be telecast on Times Now and ET Now. The summit will get under way on 22 March 2016, with a day-long event in New Delhi, which will begin with a keynote address from the union minister of communications and information technology, Ravi Shankar. The session will be addressed by Dell’s Asia Pacific and Japan president Amit Midha and Dell emerging markets chairman.

    Times Network managing director and CEO M K Anand said, “India is surging ahead on the path of progress, powered by young, creative, digitally-savvy people and a strong government emphasis on the best use of information, communication and technology to usher in digitization across cities and platforms. As the nation’s most influential network with the biggest English and business news channels that inform and empower viewers, Times Network is proud to announce the second digital India summit. Our goal is to contribute to transforming India into a global economic superpower over the next decade, and we are confident that the second digital India summit will create a significant positive impact.”

    The day will conclude with the Digital India Summit awards being given out to those leaders whose efforts and initiatives have contributed the most to the Digital India Summit’s primary objectives to help India on the path to transform business processes, improve delivery of public services and thereby to create a positive impact on society. SDIS works to identify and honour the top individual torchbearers harnessing the power of ICT and digital.

    To promote SDIS, Times Network says that it will run and exhaustive high-decibel call-for-entries campaign to invite participation from businesses and organizations that are harnessing the power of technology and transforming businesses and lives of people. The entire process, from call for entries to the selection and short listing process, through an eminent jury meet, and finally, the winners’ announcement and felicitation on the awards night, will flow across a month.

    The awards are divided into two parts, Good For India and Good For Organizations.

    While the Good For India awards recognize the initiatives taken by stakeholders towards the accomplishment of the digital India dream, on other hand the Good for Organizations awards will recognize organizations that have made the first move towards digital India by using ICT in integrating people, processes and data to achieve business transformation and growth.

    Good for India has seven categories – e-governance solutions, e-education learning solutions, e- healthcare delivery solutions, skills and employment solutions, energy solutions, environmental solutions and agricultural solutions. Good for organizations has four categories under digital enterprise which are manufacturing, services, digital start-up innovators and digital social innovation.

    Supporting the event are the lead and award partner Huwaei, lead partners GTL Infrastructure and Union Bank of India, knowledge partner MAIT and Tech 4 good partner NASSCOM foundation.

  • NXT Digital inks deal with Disney Media for two years

    NXT Digital inks deal with Disney Media for two years

    MUMBAI: Headend In The Sky (HITS) platform NXT Digital, which rolled out its services in September 2015, has added one more broadcaster to its kitty. Disney Media Distribution, which recently separated from the IndiaCast distribution platform, has signed a two year deal with the Hinduja-owned HITS company.

    The deal allows both active and passive distribution of the eight Disney channels.

    “This is a partnership deal for two years, we see HITS progressing thick and fast and hence when they reached out to us, we decided to move ahead and sign the deal,” a senior Disney official tells Indiantelevision.com.

    The deal has been signed on a cost per subscriber (CPS) model, and the channels are already available for NXT Digital’s subscribers.