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Tag: Disney Star

  • Disney Star launches #She4HerGlory campaign

    Disney Star launches #She4HerGlory campaign

    Mumbai: In the run-up to the ICC Women’s World Cup 2024, Disney Star has launched the #She4HerGlory campaign, a unique initiative designed to empower and celebrate women in cricket. The campaign has united women leaders from across industries to rally behind the Indian Women’s Cricket Team while also shining a spotlight on the growing prominence of women’s cricket.

    The #She4HerGlory campaign adopted a creative approach, featuring each leader highlighting unique facts about women’s cricket. Not many people know that the first ever double century in limited overs cricket was scored by Australian woman cricketer, Belinda Clark and not Sachin Tendulkar. Fewer still know that the first Women’s Cricket World Cup was held before the Men’s Cricket World Cup in 1973. This approach not only celebrates the sport but also educates and inspires viewers about the rich history and future potential of women’s cricket.

    For the first time ever, close to 40 prominent voices echoed these sentiments, including Anupriya Acharya (CEO, Publicis Groupe – South Asia), Anita Kotwani (CEO, Dentsu Media South Asia), Sheran Mehra (Chief Brand Officer, Tata Digital), Anjali Madan (Director, Consumer Experience, Mondelez India Poulomi Roy (CMO, Joy Personal Care), Rathi Gangappa (CEO, Starcom India), Hema Malik (Chief Investment Officer, IPL Mediabrands India), Anisha Iyer (CEO, OMD India), Vaishali Verma (CEO, Initiative India), Sumeet Singh (CMO, Info Edge India Ltd), Kanika Kalra (Regional Marketing Director – Health, Reckitt, South Asia) and Richa Singh (Managing Director India & Middle East at Natural Diamond Council). These leaders shared their thoughts on the importance of women’s cricket and its increasing significance, not just in sports but also across industries.

    In culmination to the event, Disney Star hosted a vibrant gathering of CEOs, CMOs, and senior executives from the media and marketing fraternity on 18 September, all driven by a shared commitment to advancing women in sports. The event was graced by former Indian women’s team captain Mithali Raj as she enamoured the audiences with inspiring stories from her journey as a cricketer. Renowned sports presenter Mayanti Langer Binny was the host for the evening, bringing energy to the gathering.

    Shubhra Sethi, Head of Product and Revenue Strategy at Star Sports set the tone for the event as she spoke about #She4HerGlory being collective celebration of women’s cricket led by prominent women leaders from media and marketing with the aim to harness the influence of these leaders to champion the growth and success of the sport. She also spoke about Disney Star’s commitment to championing women’s cricket and fostering a strong community of supporters as we approach the much-anticipated ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.

    Following this Kingshuk Mitra, Head of Ad Sales at Star Sports and Dhruv Dhawan, Head of Ads at Disney+ Hotstar, India engaged in a fireside chat with Mayanti Langer Binny as they addressed the plethora of opportunities for advertisers during the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on both platforms and the distinct benefits for brands by associating with the megaevent.

    The event was attended by leaders such as Sam Balsara (Chairman, Madison World), Lara Balsara (Executive Director at Madison World), Praveena Rai (COO at NPCI), Ajay Dang (President, Head Marketing at Ultra Tech Cement), Vikram Sakhuja (Group CEO, Madison Media and OOH), Prasenjit Basu (CMO at Voltas Beko), Omer Aydin (CFO at Voltas Beko), Moupriya Das (AGM, Marketing at Audi India), Kavita Jagtiani (CMO, L&T Finance) and Vikash Anand (Deputy Vice President, Marketing at Angel One) among others.

    The success of the #She4HerGlory event underscores Disney Star commitment to driving visibility for women’s cricket. The event’s impact ensures that the voices of women leaders across industries will be heard as India gears up for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, starting on October 3.

  • Indian Women’s T20 cricket viewership soars as major events captivate the nation

    Indian Women’s T20 cricket viewership soars as major events captivate the nation

    Mumbai: Women’s T20 cricket in India is witnessing an extraordinary surge in popularity, with Disney Star, the official broadcaster of ICC and ACC women’s cricket events, recording a remarkable increase in viewership numbers. According to BARC, the recently concluded Women’s Asia Cup 2024 garnered an impressive 52 million viewers, marking a 126 per cent increase in reach compared to the 2022 edition.

    The surge in viewership was further highlighted by extraordinary total watch times. The Women’s Asia Cup 2024 recorded a staggering 3.95 billion minutes of watch time, a 206 per cent rise from the 2022 edition, while the 2023 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup amassed an unprecedented 6.7 billion minutes, a 18 per cent increase since the 2020 edition. These figures set a new standard for how women’s cricket is consumed in India, and nation’s growing passion and excitement for women’s cricket.

    Speaking on growth of viewership in women’s cricket, a Star Sports spokesperson said, “Women’s cricket has witnessed a tremendous surge in viewership and interest over the past few years, and these latest results are a testament to our relentless efforts in capturing and amplifying the audiences’ passion for the game. Star Sports has been an integral part of this journey from the very beginning, ensuring that our Women in Blue receive the spotlight they deserve. Through our extensive coverage of marquee tournaments and the remarkable engagement on our digital platforms, we have created a platform for our talented women cricketers to truly shine. The future of women’s cricket in India has never looked brighter, and we are excited to continue championing this incredible journey.”

    This growth is a continuation of Disney Star’s long-standing commitment to popularising women’s cricket in India. Beginning with the live broadcast of the Women’s World Cup in 2013, Disney Star has consistently led efforts to draw attention to and create deeper connections with the women’s game. Through innovative production and programming initiatives, award-winning marketing campaigns, and dynamic digital activations, the network has made women’s cricket a household sport across India.

    Viewers and fans can be guaranteed the same intensity with the upcoming broadcast of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup from 3 October 2024. The broadcaster will showcase the marquee tournament in multi-language feeds of Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada for India matches, making the tournament more accessible and engaging for diverse audiences.

    Harmanpreet Kaur and Co are grouped with Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. India will get their campaign underway on 4 October against New Zealand from 7:30 pm IST. The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan match is scheduled for 6 October 2024 from 3:30 pm IST. Each team will play four group-stage matches, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals on 17 and 18 October leading up to the final on 20 October.

  • Promax India Awards 2024 wraps up with spectacular wins

    Promax India Awards 2024 wraps up with spectacular wins

    Mumbai: The Promax India Awards 2024 have officially wrapped up, marking the end of an extraordinary virtual event celebrating the brightest talents in media and entertainment marketing. With an array of creative work across 57 categories, this year’s awards highlighted the industry’s leading players’ resilience, innovation, and creativity.

    Despite the challenges faced by the industry in a post-pandemic landscape, the virtual format allowed Promax India to reach a global audience, showcasing the best work in entertainment marketing and promotion. This year’s winners demonstrated artistic excellence and a keen ability to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing environment.

    Shemaroo Entertainment led the pack with an impressive haul, taking home 20 Gold and 13 Silver awards. Their campaigns stood out for their creativity and impact, setting new benchmarks in the industry. Disney Star/ Disney+ Hotstar/ NGC also shone brightly, securing 15 Gold and 11 Silver awards. Their innovative approaches to brand promotion and audience engagement were widely recognised and celebrated. Culver Max Entertainment claimed 9 Gold and 13 Silver awards, showcasing their versatile and dynamic work across various categories. Zee Entertainment Enterprises made its mark with 6 Gold and 6 Silver awards, reflecting its commitment to pushing the boundaries of entertainment marketing. Viacom18 earned 1 Gold and 8 Silver awards, underscoring their consistent efforts to deliver high-quality promotional content. Reporter Broadcasting Company garnered 2 Gold awards, highlighting their impactful storytelling and marketing strategies. MA+TH Entertainment Network achieved 1 Gold and 1 Silver award, showcasing their innovative contributions to the industry. White Turtle Studios – A Trailer Park Group Company and Dynamite Design each took home 1 Silver award, while Cutawayy Films and Warner Bros. Discovery celebrated their success with 1 Gold each.

    Promax India event director Andy Chua reflected on the event’s success, stating, “It’s been a challenging year for the Indian entertainment media industry, with many companies still recalibrating and navigating the new market realities post-pandemic. But what really stands out to me is how this challenge has sparked even more creativity and smarter budgeting, as seen in the brilliant entries we’ve received for The Promax India Awards. As we come together virtually to celebrate these achievements, I’m excited to share that Promax India is evolving, too. Next year, we’ll be rebranding as The Global Entertainment Marketing Academy of Arts and Sciences (GEMA), and we’re planning to bring a fresh, in-person event to India. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for all of us.”

     

  • Bigg Boss in Southern India boosts brand metrics, reveals new research

    Bigg Boss in Southern India boosts brand metrics, reveals new research

    Mumbai: Bigg Boss, is a cultural phenomenon in India and even more so in the Southern states. A recent study by Unomer Technologies has reinforced the reality of “All ad impressions aren’t equal” with the extraordinary jump witnessed in brand outcomes with exposure on Bigg Boss Tamil and Malayalam. The research examined brands across 19 different categories associated with the show, revealing a disproportionate elevation in top-of-mind awareness (57 per cent), consideration (26 per cent), and purchase intent (33 per cent) among core viewers compared to light viewers and non-viewers. The show continues to be a game-changer for brands, significantly enhancing brand disposition across sectors such as auto, BFSI, consumer durables, real estate, telecom, local retail, and the three major FMCG segments of food, home care, and personal care

    Bigg Boss in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam remains an exclusive marquee content that delivers an immersive and attentive ad experience to a vast and diverse audience. The show attracted over 50 sponsors and 200+ advertisers, and garnered an impressive 150 billion minutes of consumption, reaching a total audience of 170 million.

    Unomer Technologies CEO Vinay Bapna weighed in on the research insights “Brands must seek ways to remain relevant to consumers, hence the choice of content they align with is crucial. The Tamil and Malayalam editions of Bigg Boss foster a deep emotional connection and empathy with the audience in their markets, which is maintained over time, offering brands a unique opportunity. Our data reveals significant improvements not only in brand awareness but also in down-the-funnel metrics like consideration and purchase intent among viewers, compared to those who didn’t watch the show.”

    Bigg boss

    Bigg boss

    1.2 per cent lift in purchase intent towards brands among Bigg Boss viewer vs non-viewer.

    The new season of Bigg Boss Telugu and Tamil commences from September 2024 on Star Maa and Star Vijay respectively. Disney Star head, entertainment ad sales & strategy Dev Shenoy stated, “Bigg Boss in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam has demonstrated itself to be an exceptional content association for advertisers. Apart from large national brands, it is exciting to see regional brands experiencing remarkable growth in metrics across the funnel. We look forward to collaborating with brands across the spectrum for the upcoming season.”

    Brands associated with Bigg Boss have echoed the show’s positive impact on their business. While commenting on the multi-year collaboration with Bigg Boss, Haier Appliances India president NS Satish said “Bigg Boss continues to be the most popular and captivating entertainment among Telugu and Tamil-speaking audiences. Its ability to attract millions of homes to watch together and a loyal fan base has great synergy with our target audience. For any brand looking to make a significant impact in AP & Telangana and Tamil Nadu, Bigg Boss is not just an advertising opportunity—it’s a catalyst for growth. We’ve found that leveraging Bigg Boss as a launch platform accelerates market penetration and consumer acceptance in multiple ways.”

    Jos Alukkas MD John Alukka shared his experience, “We’re thrilled with our association on Telugu TV’s biggest reality show, which has significantly boosted our brand’s presence and reputation. The increased footfall in our stores underscores the show’s wide popularity among our audience, contributing to our sales growth and brand recognition.”

  • Star Sports to broadcast Premier League 2024/25 season in 4K resolution

    Star Sports to broadcast Premier League 2024/25 season in 4K resolution

    Mumbai: Star Sports Network, the official broadcaster of the Premier League, has announced that the 2024/25 season will be broadcast in stunning 4K definition for the first time on Indian linear television. This marks a momentous leap for football viewing audiences in India, offering fans unparalleled clarity and immersion as they cheer on their favourite teams in the top tier of English football.

    Starting from 17 August, Premier League fans can watch the new season in 4K resolution on Star 4K. The opening fixture, Manchester United vs. Fulham at 12:30 am, will kick off the broadcast. The first game week will also include Ipswich Town vs. Liverpool and Chelsea vs. Manchester City on Sunday.

    Star 4K is available exclusively as a value-added service (VAS) on Airtel Xstream and TATA Play Binge+. Current and potential 4K users should contact their DTH providers to access this service.

    Throughout the season, Star 4K will broadcast selective matches featuring the ‘Big 6’ teams—Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Tottenham. Fans of these legendary clubs can look forward to experiencing their games in crystal-clear 4K, with four times better picture quality and a highly enhanced audio experience.

    Star 4K first made its debut during TATA IPL 2024, and since then, it has elevated the viewing experience of major tournaments such as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, Wimbledon 2024, Women’s Asia Cup 2024, Tamil Nadu Premier League 2024, and BGMI Masters Series Season 3. This new milestone with the Premier League further underscores Star Sports’ commitment to providing state-of-the-art sports content for fans across India.

    In addition to the Premier League, Star 4K will also feature a stellar lineup of upcoming sports events, including the Caribbean Premier League, ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, and the much-awaited Pro Kabaddi League Season 11. Additionally, Star 4K recently elevated the viewer experience by hosting the 4K TV Premieres of several blockbuster Bollywood movies, including Brahmastra, Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, and 83. This highlights the service’s dedication to delivering premium content and further strengthens its value proposition and offerings.

  • TCCL fails to make overdue payments for Disney Star’s channel

    TCCL fails to make overdue payments for Disney Star’s channel

    TCCL has failed to make overdue payments for Disney Star’s channels, despite collecting subscription fees in advance from its customers. Even after continuous discussions and multiple reminders regarding the overdue payments, TCCL has yet to settle its financial obligations

    TCCL’s failure to pay outstanding dues to Disney Star, has led to a situation where Disney Star had to suspend all its channels from TCCL. This decision comes after repeated attempts to resolve the payment issue, leaving numerous viewers in Tamil Nadu unable to access their favorite Disney Star channels.

    Viewers who relied on and trusted TCCL for their entertainment needs find themselves in a fix right now. Popular channels known for their engaging content, including top-rated shows and movies on leading channels like Star Vijay, Vijay Super, Vijay Takkar, Star Movies, National Geographic Channel, Star Suvarna, Star Sports 1 Tamil, Hungama TV etc. are no longer available to TCCL customers.  

    Disney Star hopes that TCCL acts immediately and clears its dues so that the subscribers may resume enjoying their Disney Star channels without further delay.

    For those affected, it is recommended to reach out to TCCL to express concerns regarding the service disruption and ask for a reduction in subscription fees. Additionally, viewers are encouraged to switch to alternate operators allowing them access to all channels provided by Disney Star.  

  • Star Sports’ Wimbledon Championships 2024 sets record for most-watched grand slam

    Star Sports’ Wimbledon Championships 2024 sets record for most-watched grand slam

    Mumbai: Disney Star has set a new viewership record for major sporting events with its coverage of The Championships, Wimbledon 2024. According to BARC, Star Sports’ broadcast of Wimbledon 2024 became the most-watched grand slam ever in India. The total watch time increased by 40 per cent from the previous edition, reaching a claimed 930 million minutes. The 2024 tournament attracted 36.3 million viewers, a reported 176 per cent rise from 2023. The newly introduced Hindi coverage reached 18.4 million unique viewers, contributing notably to the viewership growth in Hindi-speaking regions such as Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, UP/Uttarakhand, MP/Chhattisgarh, and Bihar/Jharkhand.

    Star Sports Select 1 and Star Sports Select 2 – Disney Star’s premium sports channels for core viewers – also watched 106 minutes of the tournament on average and clocked seven per cent growth in overall watch time.

    Disney Star recorded the highest ratings ever for both the men’s and women’s finals across any grand slam. The men’s singles final, featuring Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, achieved the highest rating for a men’s Grand Slam final, with a claimed 22 per cent increase in TVR compared to the previous highest. The women’s singles final between Barbora Krejcikova and Jasmine Paolini set a new record with a reported 91 per cent increase in TVR from the previous highest, making it the highest-rated women’s Grand Slam final.

    Disney Star head – sports Sanjog Gupta said, “Star Sports has taken the tradition and prestige associated with Wimbledon to new viewers this year. Our production efforts entailing live coverage in Hindi, programming efforts entailing improved surround programming and highlights in Telugu and Kannada and marketing efforts entailing a consideration-driving 360-degree campaign have piqued the interest in the ‘Grandest Slam’, fuelling its growth. The enhanced viewing experience served to Tennis fans and viewers of Star Sports Select network has also fuelled a significant boost in engagement metrics.”

    All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) commercial and marketing director Usama Al-Qassab said, “Broadening our audience in India is key for Wimbledon to achieve its global targets. Disney Star is a critical partner and has contributed significantly to the exponential growth of the Wimbledon brand which has never been stronger in India. We look forward to building on those results in 2025.”

    Indian legend and Tennis Hall of Famer, Vijay Amritraj provided expert insights on the matches and engaged with the biggest celebrities building the Indian context for the tournament including Sachin Tendulkar, Aamir Khan, Rohit Sharma, Sidharth Malhotra, and Kiara Advani. The surround programming shows like Wimbledon Daily Live, Wimbledon Daily Review, and Wimbledon Heroes witnessed a growth of 231 per cent in reach and 71 per cent in consumption compared to the previous edition. The shows and packaged highlights in Hindi, Tamil, and Kannada reached out to an additional 14 million viewers who sampled the marquee property for the first time. The gripping action on the grass courts notwithstanding, Wimbledon 2024 on Disney Star delivered a viewing experience like no other. Star Sports had six sponsors on board for The Wimbledon Championships 2024 – Jaquar, ICICI Prudential, Amul, Castrol Edge, OnePlus, and LIC.

    Source:

    BARC data for 2+U+R

  • Arasu Cable TV faces broadcaster backlash over Rs 500 crore unpaid dues

    Arasu Cable TV faces broadcaster backlash over Rs 500 crore unpaid dues

    Mumbai: Broadcasters have voiced their concerns as TN govt-owned firm Arasu Cable TV (TACTV) fails to pay Rs 500-cr dues. Numerous broadcasters including Sony, Zee, Viacom, Disney Star, and Sun TV have raised concerns regarding unpaid dues which according to sources have been outstanding for over a year.

    In response to the prolonged non-payment, the Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF) addressed a letter in March to Tamil Nadu’s IT and Digital Services minister Palanivel Thiagarajan and TACTV’s managing director, A John Louis, calling for a fair and sustainable business environment.

    “Given the severity of this issue and its adverse impact on the industry, we urgently seek your esteemed intervention to expedite the clearance of TACTV’s subscription dues. Resolving this matter promptly is vital for restoring confidence and stability in Tamil Nadu’s broadcasting ecosystem,” the IBDF stated in the letter dated 13 March.

    Sources indicated that the Tamil Nadu state government has not yet addressed the broadcasters’ requests, citing TACTV’s financial difficulties.

    Thiagarajan was quoted as saying by the Tamil newspaper Dinamalar on 29 June that Arasu Cable owes Rs 525 crore in fees to television broadcasting companies. The Tamil Nadu Government Cable company is in a critical state. It’s up to the contractors to provide the necessary support.

    When asked why broadcasters haven’t cut off TV channel access to TACTV, a leading broadcaster’s executive mentioned fears that the state government might retaliate against their business in the region. Another executive highlighted concerns about potential copyright issues and signal piracy if they disconnected the service.

    Broadcasters have the option to appeal for pending dues through the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT).

    TACTV has also not complied with a 2022 Central government advisory directing Union ministries, state governments, and union territory administrations to cease involvement in broadcasting or distribution activities by 31 December 2023. This advisory aimed to prevent the politicization of broadcasting, as content could potentially promote the ruling party and influence voters.

    The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has included similar provisions in the draft broadcasting bill, which will gain legal authority once enacted. MIB officials have discussed the issue with TACTV, but the matter remains sub judice.

  • Disney Star promotes Sumanta Bose to head programming

    Disney Star promotes Sumanta Bose to head programming

    Mumbai: Disney Star has promoted Sumanta Bose, according to media reports. In his expanded role, Bose will oversee Star Bharat, the Hindi and English Movies Cluster, Kids and Infotainment Channels, Regional East, Live Entertainment, and Network Business Analytics & Insights. Bose currently serves as the business head for Star Plus, Star Utsav, Regional East, and the Content Studio for Disney+ Hotstar (Hindi)

    In addition to his current responsibilities, Bose will drive the overall Content Studio for Disney+ Hotstar, encompassing Hotstar Specials (Hindi), AVOD (Hindi) content, and the acquisition of digital movie rights for the platform.

    Bose has been with Disney Star for over a decade, successfully leading Star Jalsha and recently Star Plus to prominent leadership positions. With a career spanning nearly three decades, Bose has amassed extensive experience working across agencies and brands, including RK Swamy, HDFC Bank, Bharti Airtel, Tata Teleservices, and PE Electronics.

  • The new series is all about making new friends: Susumu Fukunaga

    The new series is all about making new friends: Susumu Fukunaga

    Mumbai: The Pokémon Company (TPC) has announced the launch of ‘Pokémon Horizons: The Series,’ a new animated series which is currently airing on Hungama. For the first time in Pokémon’s history, the series stars a female lead named Liko, who, alongside her partner Pokémon Myaoha, embarks on adventures in the vibrant Pokémon world with fellow trainer Roy.

    Pokémon has captivated children’s imaginations for over two decades and remains a beloved entertainment choice, solidifying its place as a pop-culture phenomenon. Hungama has been the home of Pokémon since 2014, engaging millions of fans and amassing 87 million views across Disney Kids Channel in India last year alone.

    In this series, viewers encounter new characters like Liko and Roy, along with fascinating groups such as the Rising Volt Tacklers and the Explorers. The series introduces numerous new Pokémon, each showcasing unique abilities. Captain Pikachu leads daring voyages across sea and sky, adding thrilling adventures to the storyline.

    The Pokémon Company’s collaboration with Vishal-Sheykhar to produce original songs for the series in India highlights its commitment to establishing a strong presence in the Indian market and nurturing partnerships with local artists and enterprises. This initiative not only enriches the series with a local flavor but also celebrates the diverse appeal of Pokémon to fans worldwide.

    Indiantelevision.com reached out to The Pokemon Company’s Susumu Fukunaga where he briefly touched upon some insights about the show and more…

    Edited excerpts

    On the creative process behind developing the storyline and characters for the new series

    Our intent has been to create a new story that appeals to the new generation. If you watch the episodes you will realize that many elements in the story are very contemporary and reflect the day and age we live in.

    On the new series integrate elements of adventure, friendship, and teamwork, which are central themes in the Pokemon universe

    The new series is all about making new friends by going on an adventure and taking on challenges. The journey becomes more enjoyable and difficulties appear to be simpler when everybody comes together and supports each other as a team.

    On Pokemon anime receiving criticism for being too simplistic, repetitive and bland from a storytelling perspective even from a kids genre point of view

    We appreciate all feedback. We are grateful to our audiences across the globe for supporting us for all these years and we hope to remain relevant in the future as well.

    On conducting the first ever Pokemon VGC event in India, since online gaming industry in this country is booming

    We cannot disclose future plans at this point, but we are working on new initiatives and hope to make strides in the Indian market with a variety of content.