ITV

Tag: DNA

  • Bombay HC clears Zeel acquisition of DMCL’s media business undertaking

    Bombay HC clears Zeel acquisition of DMCL’s media business undertaking

    MUMBAI: Finally passing all the hurdles, Subhash Chandra-promoted Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (Zeel) announced to the BSE that the company has finally got the Bombay High Court nod for the ‘Scheme of Arrangement between Diligent Media Corporation Limited (DMCL) and the Company and their respective shareholders and creditors, for demerger of Media Business Undertaking (MBU) of DMCL’.

     

    The undertaking comprises media and entertainment business, event management activities, TV channel license and TV reality show formats for game based shows. Through this business, Zeel is planning to give an impetus to its event management capabilities. Planned are events and game shows.

     

    The scheme looks at the demerger of the MBU from DMCL and then vesting it with Zeel. Equity shareholders of DMCL will be given preference shares by Zeel in the ratio of one preference share of Re 1 of Zeel for every four equity shares of Rs 10 each held in DMCL. The company says that 2.23 crore preference shares shall be issued in all.

     

    DMCL was formed in 2005 with a 50:50 JV between Essel Group and Dainik Bhaskar Corp (DB). In 2012, Essel Group bought out DB’s 50 per cent.

     

    The entire DMCL is now under the two arms of Essel – Zee Media with DNA and Zee Entertainment with the MBU.

     

    Zeel was also recently included in the 50-share CNX Nifty index replacing Diageo-controlled United Spirits. The network has been included in the recently launched CNX Media Index on the NSE and carried the maximum weight of 45.45 per cent in the index that comprises 15 media and entertainment stocks.

     

    Reacting to the news, the share price of Zeel rose to 285.25 during trading on 12 September and closed on 283.75

  • Doordarshan brings the first television program on organ donation

    Doordarshan brings the first television program on organ donation

    Doordarshan Mumbai has been in the forefront of creating events/ programs which are meaningful and connect with the society at large.

    Agriculture, Education, Information & Entertainment programs form a part of Doordarshan’s DNA. Sahyadri has been creating potential program content on girl child education, women empowerment, health awareness, inspirational programs for the youth and Informative programs designed to strengthen the farmers in rural India.

    For the first time in the history of Indian Television DD Sahyadri has decided to launch a unique program to create understanding among the people on the noble cause of “ORGAN DONATION”. The channel intends to create awareness among the masses towards the concept of cadaver & live organ donation.

    The following participant’s experiences and their life changing stories apart from Doctor’s, NGO’s and others who are connected in this entire chain of organ donation forms a major part of this awareness program. Special AV’s have been created of the organ recipients’ & donor’s participating in this program.

    1)    Prashant Jain,  Nisha Jain – cadaver Donor

    2)    Ratnadeep Motiwale – Cadaver Recipient

    3)    Manoj Patel – Liver Recipient – (Cousin Brother) Manilal Patel – Liver Donor (Live)

    4)    Abhimanyu Salunkhe – Cadaver Donor

    5)    Bhimrao Patil – Cadaver Recipient

    6)    Dynaraj Patkar – Kidney Recipient – (Sister) Gauri Pore – Kidney Donor (Live)

    The innovative program has been conceptualized and designed by Shri Mukesh Sharma, Addl. DG – DD Mumbai “who believes that sensitizing people and educating them to donate organs is the need of the hour and is himself pledged to donate his organs for the cause of humanity”.

    The program is greatly supported by the entire ZTCC (Zonal Transplant Co-ordination Centre, Mumbai) Team, especially Dr. Gustad B. Daver, President of ZTCC & Dr. Sujata Patwradan.

    Actor, Amir Khan who himself had pledged to donate all his usable organs came specially at DD Mumbai to record his appeal on organ donation which will be form a part of this program entitled “NAATE -JANMAANTARICHE”.

    Mrs. Usha  Sangwan, MD – LIC of India graced the occasion as the Chief Guests for this evening. And had also extended her support by associating LIC with this program as the title sponsor.

    DD Sahyadri will telecast this program “NAATE -JANMAANTARICHE” on the occasion of India’s Organ Donation Day i.e, 6th August 2014 from 7:15 p.m. onwards.

  • Zee News’ DNA most watch Hindi news show

    Zee News’ DNA most watch Hindi news show

    NEW DELHI: As per the latest TAM data Daily News and Analysis (DNA), one of the flagship news show of Zee News (part of India’s largest News Network, Zee Media Corporation Limited) has emerged as the clear leader in the Hindi News genre. Source : TAM, Wk 25 CS 15+, Wk 25 (2100 – 2159 HRs), Weekdays, GTVTs (000s).

     

    The news show has consistently set standards in Hindi news journalism with its independent voice, thought provoking reportage and threadbare analysis of the top news of the day. The program is hosted by one of the most renowned Sudhir Chaudhary.  Under the guidance of Sudhir Chaudhary, the news show has managed to consistently deliver the numbers and become the viewer’s choice.

     

    As per the latest TAM report (Wk 25), the news show has grabbed maximum eyeballs and has been the leader. The latest viewership figures also proved that DNA is the most watched Hindi news show when it comes to deliver quality reportage of both national and international significance. 

     

    The show – DNA aims to strengthen the credibility, trust, and resolve to be always on the side of the truth, through unbiased and faced-paced reporting and news coverage. 

     

    Zee News (4348 GTVTs) is ahead of Aaj Tak (3300 GTVTs) by 32 per cent and ABP News (2155 GTVTs) by 102 per cent.  Source : TAM, HSM, CS15+, GTVTs (000s), Week 25 (2100-2159 hrs) Weekdays.

     

    Speaking on the occasion, Zee News Editor Sudhir Chaudhary said, “DNA has acquired numero uno position due to informative and factual content that fulfils the need and expectations of the viewers, which is missing in the existing news channels. It is our constant endeavor to provide exclusive, intelligent and informative content. The show also brings forth updates of the latest happenings across the state, city and district level.  The USP of the show is the simplicity.  It showcases the DNA test of every big news, which the nation needs to know in a simple and uncomplicated manner, thus proving to be nation’s favorite news classroom”

  • Lights, camera, action: The hunt is on again

    Lights, camera, action: The hunt is on again

    MUMBAI: Not everyone is born with a silver spoon in their mouth, but when has that ever stopped anyone from dreaming big?

     

    One look around ourselves and there are enough and more examples of people who rose above and broke the various shackles which restraints one to fly high. Take one-time rice packer from Haryana Subhash Chandra, for instance, who was written off by many but rose from the ashes like a Phoenix to prove his critics wrong.

     

    Maybe that is why the country’s largest Media & Entertainment powerhouse he built from the scratch believes in giving people a platform to make their dreams, a reality. The country which has unlimited talent pool has suddenly discovered it all thanks to non-fictional shows. Today everyone can dance, sing or act!

     

    From Sa Ra Ga Ma Pa years ago to recent Dance India Dance, Zee has launched numerous platforms for people to awe the world with its gift. But the ultimate goal for many who come here is to be seen not only on the small screen but the big screen as well. In a country where films are churned out every Friday, everyone wants to be a Shah Rukh Khan or a Madhuri Dixit.

     

    So, get your act together, Zee is back with Cinestar Ki Khoj. The non-fiction show will once again see the actor in all come to life as millions will be auditioned across the country to get the big ticket.

     

    The show which has had two seasons earlier in 2004 and 2006 (this one, not so successful) will give a break not only to the channel but people as well who have had an overdose of DID. “We wanted to bring something new to the platform which was/is homegrown and part of our DNA,” says the channel’s programming head Namit Sharma.

     

    Agrees a media planner who says that it was a good decision by the channel as the viewers had enough of dance and singing on the small screen.

     

    One had to go through four layers of filtration at the auditions, which took place in 18 cities across the country, only to be selected as top 16 and judged by Vijay Krishna Acharya aka Victor and Sonali Bendre. The new judges on the show will have a helping hand with a new mentor or ‘Bollywood buddy’ from the industry. The first ‘buddy’ is none other than Parineeti Chopra who will be seen in the first two episodes followed by Ayushman Khurana.

     

    The actors revealed so far by the channel were chosen because of their non-filmy background. Interestingly, Khurana was rejected on the same platform in 2003 when he auditioned to enter the world of glamour. 

     

    On his being rejected then, Khurana says, “Today’s Bollywood is very different from that of 10 years ago. It’s experimenting not only with scripts but star cast as well. It’s the golden era and there are a lot of opportunities for the talent.”

     

    The winners who will have to showcase their talent in comedy, drama, dancing etc will get a chance to appear as lead actors in a film for which the channel is already in talks with various production houses.

     

    “We want to shape the talent and give it a future,” says Sharma.

     

    The marketing of the show is divided into three phases. The first promos reveal the judges and the two mentors. The next will be to reveal the 16 contestants.

     

    The show is a big property for the channel and hence, is demanding a high ad rate as well. As per sources, the channel is asking for a premium rate (around Rs 2 lakh) for a 10 second ad slot whereas its other offerings have gone for a lakh or so. “Although, one would think that the long gap and Zee’s fresh approach will help it rake in the moolah but that may not be the case. Given the current slot ratings, I don’t think advertisers will be ready to shell out so much especially during mid-season,” says a planner.

     

    Cera Sanitaryware is the title sponsor whereas the show will be powered by Glam-Up. We Chat is the technology partner while a couple of associate sponsors have also come on board. The channel aims to generate around 60-80 crore from the property.

     

    “The format has to be interesting enough for people to watch. Even though Ankita Lokhande came into limelight with Cinestar Ki Khoj, people don’t really remember the show, but know of Ankita because of the work she did post the talent hunt. So, the channel needs to keep this in mind,” opines the media planner while stating that the show should be able to get the ratings the channel is expecting from it.

     

     The show which will run for 13 weeks will go on air from 5 July, every weekend at 9 pm.

  • ‘Nepal’s Organ Trail: A CNN Freedom Project Documentary’ investigates the brutal kidney trade in Nepal

    ‘Nepal’s Organ Trail: A CNN Freedom Project Documentary’ investigates the brutal kidney trade in Nepal

    MUMBAI: ‘Nepal’s Organ Trail: A CNN Freedom Project Documentary’ highlights the brutal and exploitative organ trade in Nepal which sees the trafficking of impoverished and ignorant villagers as unwitting kidney donors. CNN International Correspondent Sumnima Udas investigates the plight of these trafficked victims who live with severe health complications and the threat of premature death looms large, pushing their impoverished families further into the cycle of poverty and exploitation.

     

    “Organ trafficking is a barbaric trade that destroys the lives of not just an individual, but the entire family,” said Tony Maddox, Executive Vice President and Managing Director for CNN International. “This was a story that needed to be told, and we are dedicating ourselves to highlight this inhuman practice so a change can be brought about.”

     

    The documentary follows the organ trail which begins from the villages of the remote Kavre district in Nepal where villagers are trafficked on pretexts ranging from false job offers to promises of large sums of money for a ‘chunk’ of their body which they are told will ‘grow back’. At the other end of the trail, ailing and desperate patients await kidney transplants which could potentially save their lives. A perfect storm of poverty, desperation and loopholes in the government machinery allow traffickers to continue this exploitative cycle and make handsome profits at the cost of acute human suffering. The trafficked victims are left in a pitiable state. In the words of one victim, he is “just counting my days to die” while holding on to the hope that “the government will take care of my children.”

     

    The half-hour documentary also highlights the efforts of government agencies, anti-trafficking organisations like The Forum For Protection Of People’s Rights and medical organisations to combat the trade. The Nepal government is issuing more stringent counter measures to prevent forgery of documents, hospitals are putting in place measures like DNA testing to prove the biological relationship between donors and recipients and anti-trafficking organisations are working hard to educate vulnerable villagers. While there is still a long journey ahead, activists express the hope that “if all the stakeholders contribute, this problem will be resolved.”

  • Zeel seeks shareholder approval to acquire media business of DMCL

    Zeel seeks shareholder approval to acquire media business of DMCL

    MUMBAI: A few months post Zee Media’s amalgamation with Essel Publishers that brought the English newspaper DNA under Zee Media, its sister company Zee Entertainment (ZEEL) has called for a meeting of its shareholders to approve the scheme of arrangement with Diligent Media Corporation’s (DMCL) media business undertaking (MBU).

     

    The notice to shareholders says that the MBU conducts various events on women empowerment, education, automobiles and real estate.  It also consists of a non-news TV channel licence and certain registered intellectual properties for TV formats of various gaming-based shows.

     

    The court convened meeting shall be held on 4 June. The scheme looks at the demerger of the MBU from DMCL and then vesting it with ZEEL. Equity shareholders of DMCL will be given preference shares by ZEEL in the ratio of one preference share of Re 1 of ZEEL for every four equity shares of Rs 10 each held in DMCL. The company says that  2,22,73,886 preference shares shall be issued in all.

     

    Through this business, ZEEL is planning to give an impetus to its event management capabilities. Planned are events and game shows.

     

    The scheme, post approval by shareholders, is subject to the approvals of the central government and the Bombay High Court. All statutory licences, permissions, approvals or consents relating to, vested with and/or held by DMCL will be with ZEEL. All DMCL employees will then be considered as ZEEL employees.

     

    DMCL was formed in 2005 with a 50:50 JV between Essel Group and Dainik Bhaskar Corp (DB). In 2012, Essel Group bought out DB’s 50 per cent stake.

     

    The entire DMCL is now under the two arms of Essel – Zee Media with DNA and Zee Entertainment with the MBU.

  • Sony MAX set to fly high with the MAX Television premier of super hero: Krrish 3

    Sony MAX set to fly high with the MAX Television premier of super hero: Krrish 3

    MUMBAI:It’s that time of the year when Sony MAX, the premium Hindi movies channel, brings to you the best of Bollywood flicks right in the comfort of your home. The Indian super hero with a cape, sporting a mask, muscles of steel and a heart of gold-Krrish 3 to premier on MAX on Sunday,8th June 2014 at 1pm and Saturday,14th June 2014 at 8pm.  

     

    Sony MAX will be back to showcasing a line-up of engaging movies which would keep the audience entertained. Krrish 3 the blockbuster grossing over 100 crore is about Krishna aka Krrish (Hrithik Roshan) living a happy married life in India with his wife Priya (Priyanka Chopra) and scientist dad Rohit (Hrithik in dual role), while helping the masses with his superpowers and struggling to keep a steady job. In another part of the world, an evil handicapped man named Kaal (Vivek Oberoi) has used his DNA to generate a team of human-animal mutants.  Kaya(Kangana Ranuat)  and other mutants create havoc among the masses of India but are counter-acted by Rohit’s scientific genius.

     

    When asked about the Krrish 3, Hritik Roshan said “A film this size and this magnitude has not been attempted. One of the qualities of Krrish is that we really don’t know the extent of his powers.” Speaking on the magnificent sets created for Krrish 3, he added “Special effects play a very important part in a movie like this, but they can help enhance the movie only to a certain extent, you have to build real sets also for the look and feel. We built one such set in Hyderabad. It was a huge set which ran for almost a mile. We shot quite a lot on this set and I thought it was really an amazing set to shoot at.”

     

    Rakesh Roshan commented about how he conceived the idea of making Krrish 3- “Whenever I make films, I always tend to venture into new subjects, which are difficult and give me sleepless nights. I take these subjects and then I visualize the screenplay which will be appreciated and understood in small towns and also for those who stay in Manhattan or in countries other than India. I make the movies keeping in mind the audiences of the world, and for a movie like Krrish 3 the strongest element is the story and the content. We worked for year on the story, I got the idea of a super villain who has a lot of powers in him, a lot more powers than what Krrish has. We have done a fabulous job and I am very proud that we have done all the VFX work in India.  ”

     

    How will Krrish find Kaal and what will their final face-off entail, find out more in the MAX Television premier of ‘Krrish 3’ on Sunday,8th June, 1PM and Saturday,14th June, 8PM, Only on MAX

  • Jitesh Rajdeo quits Zee Media

    Jitesh Rajdeo quits Zee Media

    MUMBAI: After dedicating 14 years to the company, Zee Media chief sales officer Jitesh Rajdeo has decided to move on. He is currently serving his notice period and according to sources his next stop will be Amagi Media.

     

    Rajdeo took over the role of chief sales officer in February last year for the entire bouquet of Zee News, Zee Business, Zee 24 Taas, Zee News UP, Zee News Punjabi and Zee 24 Ghanta. Prior to this, he was the chief revenue officer at DNA. 

     

    He has worked at various places including Mukta Advertising, Asian Age newspaper, Modi Entertainment Network and Multichannel India.

  • An ‘Infectious’ association

    An ‘Infectious’ association

    MUMBAI: For colleagues at the then Saatchi & Saatchi who saw them fighting with each other, it came as a surprise when Ramanuj Shastry and Nisha Singhania quit within days of each other, to start an enterprise of their own.

    Singhania makes no bones about it. “We still have a lot of fights. Of course, it’s all related to work, but we aren’t the kinds who will just nod our heads to what the other person has to say,” she admits. How do they resolve these conflicts? “We try and convince the other. At the end of the day, it is all about logic and creativity,” she answers.

    What began as an association when the duo first met in Rediffusion Y&R blossomed into an up-and-coming agency christened ‘Infectious’. Ask them why such a title and Singhania says it has to do with their belief that their work should be infectious. “We wanted to solve clients’ business problems, rather than focus only on creating communication like large agencies. Our work is to engage people and for that to happen, the work had to be communicable. We wanted to start an epidemic of good with ideas that spread,” she adds.

    The freedom to do the kind of work the two of them wanted to was the mainstay of this self-funded agency. “We wanted to ‘do’ as well as ‘say’. For instance, when Camlin asked us to create a print ad for Children’s Day, we ‘did’ an activity instead. We created a ‘join the dots’ ad, which kids had to colour and parents were urged to upload on their Facebook page. It was a very successful engagement and within 24 hours, took the likes on the Kokuyo Camlin FB page from 150 to 15,000,” says Shastry.  The activity went on to be nominated by Facebook Studio for best use of the social networking website by any brand.

    According to Singhania and Shastry, what sets their agency apart is the quality of ideas, lesser turnaround time, and personal involvement in every business. The client list is a mixed bag of biggies like HCL, DNA and Camlin and start-ups like Pied Piper and Braces & Smiles. For some clients, the agency handles all their marketing requirements while for others, it looks after specific projects.

    For an organic set up, Infectious was lucky to have bagged two clients even before it launched. However, Singhania and Shastry are candid about the fact that clients are usually more comfortable giving business to larger agencies. Besides, it did take them a while before winning the confidence of heavyweights like HCL and DNA.

    Infectious is headquartered out of Mumbai with a presence in Chennai, Delhi and Kolkata and has a young, energetic, hand-picked team of 15 running it. “We have worked in various agencies, so when people heard that we were starting something of our own; we got a lot of calls, especially from the youngsters. And since we have worked with them, so we knew what we could expect from them. We are blessed to have hand-picked talent,” says Singhania.

    In addition to having a young team, the agency saw no harm in advertising itself. “Very few advertising agencies ever advertise about themselves. What is the harm in doing so? The logo adaption is our way of having fun. Digitally, one can do so much to engage with people, let alone clients,” says Shastry. Though he quickly adds that at its core, the business is still about ideas and digital is only a medium. Speaking of elections, he says that most political parties engaged and optimized their reach via the digital medium. Even Infectious created a special campaign along with DNA to urge people to go out and vote.

    What do the next five years look like for Infectious? “Five years is a very long time. We are a ‘work in progress’ agency, with plans for the next 100 days,” say Shastry and Singhania at once.

    What about network agencies snapping up independent agencies? The duo feels that in most cases, it is a win-win situation where network agencies bring in resources and scale while independent agencies bring in local expertise.

    And with Goafest coming up, the agency which is all for awards as long as they are for real work, the future holds only great promises.

    One wouldn’t be wrong in saying that like Monday mornings and coffee (chai, in some cases), Singhania and Shastry are a perfect combo.

  • Zee Media brings DNA under its fold

    Zee Media brings DNA under its fold

    MUMBAI: It was in early 2012 that the Subhash Chandra owned company Essel Group bought out its Joint Venture (JV) partner D B Corp’s 50 per cent stake in the English national newspaper DNA, cementing the media baron’s presence in the print media. Now, it has taken a long leap again. In a recent announcement to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), Zee Media Corporation Limited (ZMCL) announced its intention to venture into the print media business with the amalgamation of Essel Publishers that brings out DNA and itself.

     

    Following a postal ballot held between 30 October and 28 November, 95.46 per cent or 652 people out of 683 shareholders were in favour of the amalgamation.

     

    “Having already built a nationwide largest television news network with its varied news channels, with an object of creating a news powerhouse in the country, Zee Media aspires to expand its product offering across multiple platforms, regions and languages,” read the document to investors on the amalgamation scheme.

     

    And it was in keeping with Zee group chairman Subhash Chandra statement in a release a while ago that the company is on a mission to consolidate its broadcast, print and internet content under one umbrella.

     

    According to ZMCL CEO Alok Agrawal, the merger process has just begun and will take a year to complete. And the net result (says the document sent out to shareholders following which they gave the fusing of the two firms the nod) will be that : “Zee Media will be in a position to leverage the combined network of resources, working in an integrated newsroom through multiple platforms as well as providing a bouquet of services to advertisers which would strengthen its market reach.”

     

    “Stories will be shared across the two mediums thus allowing English, Hindi and other regional languages to benefit from each other,” says Agrawal. With this move, ZMCL employees will be also be multi-tasking just like in other efficiently run media organisations the world over.

     

    At the same time, it means additional work as well. “Employees will get cross exposure now. Those who accept the challenge will prosper and those who don’t will falter. That’s the law of the land,” remarks Agrawal.

     

    Since 2009, the management of DNA has been handled by the Essel Group with Malcolm Mistry as the current CEO. The integrated newsroom will take some time to evolve. Initially, the focus will be on evaluating the requirement for separate offices for the two media entities, consolidating the teams wherever possible in various cities nationally, and in the process generate savings.

     

    ZMCL has its eye set firmly on expanding DNA by launching new editions in newer towns in phases. DNA is currently published from Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Indore and Bengaluru. Delhi would be the next target;however, Agrawal says it will take some time as Delhi is a very competitive market with The Times of India and The Hindustan Times fiercely battling each other.

     

    According to the Indian Readership Survey 2012 Q4 topline findings the circulation of DNA was 972, 000. The number may well have gone up significantly since then.

     

    Was it easy to convince shareholders about the expansion plans? “The overwhelming response we got was surely a bit of a surprise but they saw the good opportunity. As a TV channel, our reach was limited and the amalgamation makes it more holistic and well rounded,” explains Agrawal. ZMCL claims that its bouquet of six channels in the news space reach out around 130 million viewers.

     

    The deal proposed to shareholders was that for every 11 shares of Re 1 each held in Essel Publishers, 2 shares of Re 1 each from ZMCL would be issued and allotted. But no shares would be given for fractional entitlements. Post the announcement, the market value of ZMCL’s share saw a spike and at the time of filing this report it was quoting at Rs 14.04 on the BSE.

     

    The authorised share capital of Essel Publishers and ZMCL put together has been enhanced to Rs 170 crore with Rs 70 crore from Essel Publishers and Rs !00 crore from ZMCL.

     

    The amalgamation scheme became effective from 3 December and thus Essel Publishers now stands dissolved without being wound up. And all the newspaper staff have henceforth become ZMCL employees.

     

    ZMCL’s financial result for Q2 2014 showed that advertising and subscription revenues were higher than the previous quarter. Total revenue for Q2 2014 was Rs 160.7 crore with ad revenue at Rs 52.92 crore and subscription revenue at Rs 24.9 crore. PAT stood at Rs 2.8 crore while EBIDTA stood at Rs 74.8 crore.