ITV

Tag: Hungama TV

  • Disney to postpone ‘Hungamathon’ in Delhi and Kolkata

    Disney to postpone ‘Hungamathon’ in Delhi and Kolkata

     MUMBAI: Following the pandemonium that took place at the ‘Hungamathon’ (8 -15 year olds) organized by Disney owned kid’s broadcaster Hungama TV in Mumbai on 7 January, the channel has decided to postpone the mini marathon slated to kick off in the other two cities of Delhi and Kolkata on 14 and 28 January, respectively.

    A scroll running on the channel will indicate the change in schedule. However, a fixed date for the same has not been announced yet, confirms a Walt Disney spokeperson.

    An official statement issued by the channel prior to the event claimed that they had “received an overwhelming response of more than 90,000 entries across three cities in India, with close to 30,000 entries only from Mumbai.” However, later reports say that the organizers, Total Sports Asia, were only equipped to handle 15,000 registered participants.

    The Britannia Tiger sponsored ‘Hungamathon’ was to be planned, promoted and executed by Total Sports Asia in association with the Athletic Federation of India and conducted across the three major metros. However, the unexpected turn out in the number of participants and spectators gave way to a disorderly situation, in which a few children received injuries. This has now put the other two events on hold.

     

  • Disney powers it up with the first ‘Power Rangers’ tour in India

    Disney powers it up with the first ‘Power Rangers’ tour in India

    MUMBAI: Setting the stage for a mammoth on-ground initiative, the Walt Disney Company has brought the Power Rangers to India for the first time in a multi-city tour called ‘Jetix Live.’ This also marks their first visit to the Asia Pacific region.

    One of the key properties of Disney, the Power Rangers that airs weekly at 4 pm on ‘Jetix’, the action adventure block on Toon Disney, will tour six cities. It will perform a sequence of four half-hour live shows in each city.

    As a prelude to the event, Disney hosted a special welcome for the action heroes at the Gateway of India in Mumbai today.

    The company has launched a mass media campaign and has conducted a three week contest on the Disney Channel, Hungama TV and Jetix that short listed children to attend the performances, as entry is by invitation only.

    The three city outdoor campaign for ‘Jetix Live’

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com Walt Disney Television International (India) director marketing and communications Tushar Shah said that besides using outdoor and print in the six cities, radio will also be used in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata. The company has roped in sponsors to initiate a multimedia co-promotional activity. Partnering Disney are Dabur, Real Fruit Juice, Colgate, Boost ChocoBlast and Nerolac on radio and retail activation.

    Additionally, a special edition of the Power Rangers game was added to the official website www.toondisneyindia.com. While on the mobile route, the Power Rangers Gaming Challenge across principal mobile networks in the country was used to promote the arrival of the super heroes.

    Mumbai’s Inorbit Mall will house the first show on 14 January. Other cities on the agenda include Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata and Hyderabad. The channel promises that the shows will be charged with high octane music, dynamic action, interactive games and on ground contests in each of the six cities.

    Disney MD Rajat Jain strikes a pose with the Power Rangers at the Gateway of India in Mumbai

    Welcoming the action heroes was Walt Disney Company (India) Managing Director Rajat Jain. He said, “Power Rangers is amongst the most popular action adventure series of all time around the globe. With over two years of television viewing on Jetix in India, Power Rangers has created a captivating experience for Indian audiences in the form of merchandise, on air contests, mobile gaming and home entertainment. Power Rangers Dino Thunders Live performance in the country will complete our 360 degrees entertainment offering to consumers around this popular franchise. “

    The Power Rangers franchise lends itself to a range of kid’s merchandise including toys, books, clothes, bags, stationary and bed linen. The Power Rangers mobile game claims to be the most downloaded game in India with over a million downloads.

    The schedule for the six city tour is as follows:
    Mumbai, January 14, at In Orbit Mall
    Ahmedabad, January 18 at 10 Acres Mall
    Delhi, January 21 at Ansal Plaza
    Kolkatta, January 26 at City Centre
    Bangalore, January 28 at Garuda Mall
    Hyderabad, January 31 at Spencers Mall

  • Hungama TV names board of directors for this year

    Hungama TV names board of directors for this year

    MUMBAI: The former UTV owned kids channel Hungama TV made its first official announcement today following its acquisition by the Walt Disney Company. Hungama TV announced their annual selection of their board of directors called the Captains Club which includes ten children from across key cities who act both as a network of local information systems as well as official spokespersons for the channel.

    Representing Hungama TV was VP programming and production Aparna Bhosle who has recently joined the Disney bandwagon and will report Walt Disney Company (India) managing director Rajat Jain. Hungama TV however, appears to be scouting for a head. Bhosle declined to divulge details of the same.

    After coming under the Disney banner, gradual changes are likely to be expected in the acquired channel. However, both parties say that the positioning of the channel will remain the same. On the programming front, the first fruits of these changes are visible as Toon Disney’s Power Rangers series has been added to Hungama’s portfolio of shows, as of 1 January.

    In addition, driver properties on Hungama TV like Doreamon and Shinchan are likely to be pushed further with the support of Disney’s Consumer Products Division with merchandising activities on the anvil.

    When queried by Indiantelevision.com about the occurrence of a conflict of interest as being a natural outcome following the buy out, Bhosle said Hungama TV compliments the offerings of the Disney pair and so far there have been no such demands to implement any such adjustments.

    Kicking off the New Year, Hungama TV has been swift in getting down to business by taking the opinions of the newly appointed board of directors to plan for the year ahead. This board will meet on a quarterly basis to discuss business, an area in which they will be trained by industry experts from each of their local centers. They will also spearhead all local activities of the channel in each of their cities.

    What appears to be a glaring demand among these kids is the need for more live action content. Primarily governed by ‘tweens’, this board will act as a critique for the channel and keep them abreast of the growing competition.

    On speaking to the Captains some of them freely spoke of the changes they would like to see implemented on the channel. Being given priority is the live action show Hero, which the kids see as unrealistic and far fetched.

    Instead, they have suggested a more practical approach based on science rather than imagination. In additions, they also proposed that more on-ground activities need to be executed to drive kids to the channel. They will be required to put into perspective “What children want to see on television across the nation.” This is a culmination of a three month long event titled Parle G Hungama TV Captains Hunt 2006- 2007.

    Bhosle of course said that considering their suggestions has helped the channel in the past and that changes in live action content such as Hero are likely to be seen, as the core focus for the channel is the belief in “kid’s empowerment.”

     

  • Britannia Tiger Hungamathon 2006-2007 kicks off on 7 January

    Britannia Tiger Hungamathon 2006-2007 kicks off on 7 January

    MUMBAI: Britannia Tiger Hungamathon 2006-2007a mini marathon for kids by Hungama TV will kick off on 7 January at Bandra Reclamation at 8 am.

    The event would be flagged off by former cricketer Ajay Jadeja and actors Rimmi Sen and Kunal Kapoor from the starcast of UTV produced movie Hattrick will be cheering the little athletes.

    Hungama TV claims to have received an overwhelming response of more than 90,000 entries across three cities in India with close to 30,000 entries only from Mumbai.

    This year, the race is open to kids between 8-15 years. There are two categories in the mini marathon ‘Masters’ for the age group 8 – 12 years that would run 2 km and ‘Blasters’ for the age group 13 – 15 years who would run 3 kms.

    Britannia Tiger Hungamathon 2006-2007 will be held in Delhi on 14 January and Kolkata on 28 January.

    Hungama TV has tied-up with The Athletic Federation of India for Britannia Tiger Hungamathon 2007 to ensure appropriate adjudication for the entire event.

  • ‘No child’s play’ for Disney in India

    ‘No child’s play’ for Disney in India

    MUMBAI: Kid’s television behemoth Disney is approaching its second anniversary in India on 17 December and with this, the channel is signing off 2006 with a lot of aggression. In the last two years Disney Channel and Toon Disney have contributed to competition in the kid’s television landscape in India, thus provoking the pioneers Cartoon Network and its sibling Pogo to spruce up their offerings.

    In this respect, the most strategic move made by Disney this year was its acquisition of kids GEC channel Hungama TV. UTV recently bid farewell to what it calls its ‘little baby’ and in that same breadth Disney opened its doors to the channel and took control. This consolidation will mark the beginning of a new era for Disney, but will inevitably kindle fierce competition in this space.

    Walt Disney Television International (India) executive director production and programming Nachiket Pantvaidya affirms that this landmark will only lay the foundation and provide a spring board for the company’s future plans in India. However, he declined to divulge on the positioning and integration of the new addition into the Disney portfolio.

    While Disney was bold enough to select India as the first market in the TV business outside the US to introduce original local production with Vicky Aur Vetaal, the next home grown entity is likely to be announced next month.

    Pantvaidya expects that the next year will convert kid’s viewership habits from a ratio of 23:77 kids’ channels versus GEC/sports to a 60:40 ratio of the same. He added that Disney currently cornered the bulk of market share as individually Disney Channel held 18.9 per cent, Southern star Toon Disney 8 per cent and new comer Hungama TV 22 – 23 per cent (Market:HSM, Period:average for November 2006).

    As reported earlier, the two Turner players plan to enter the local movie production space as well as put in place a theme park experience next year with Planet Pogo and Cartoon Network Townsville. At the same time rumours are rife in the industry of a new player from the BBC plethora, while Nick is also showing potential of bringing some action to the fore. Commenting on the capability for growth of the category Pantvaidya says that the revenue monetization of the market should be in proportion to its viewership. “Currently, it is highly under monetized from an ad sales point of view. The question is, will the ad pie expand?”

    Additionally, Pantvaidya outlines an emerging trend among kids television viewing which is inviting a large number of older girls (10 – 14 year old) as opposed to a previously a male dominated scenario that was attracted to action and cartoon based themes.

    In eyeing the ‘tween’ category, he sees the biggest challenge in 2007, as being “to create programming that will resonate culturally with older kids (10-14).”

    Presently, the channel has lined up a slew of festive programming with the TV premiere of The Incredibles on Christmas Eve on Disney Channel at 11 am (with a repeat at 7 pm). While on 25 December, Micky’s Once upon a Christmas will air at 12 noon and a special episode of Mickey Mouse Club House: Mickey Saves Santa in the preschool segment on Disney Channel.

  • ‘We will get into local movie production early next year.’ : Ian Diamond – Turner Entertainment Networks Asia, Inc. Sr VP & GM

    ‘We will get into local movie production early next year.’ : Ian Diamond – Turner Entertainment Networks Asia, Inc. Sr VP & GM

    Turner Entertainment Networks Asia, Inc. senior vice president and general manager Ian Diamond is gearing up for the challenge. He realises Walt Disney is in aggressive mode and has gained market share in kids television space by snapping up Hungama TV. But, as he says, “it is demanding on the content providers to keep up the speed.”

     

    Turner’s aim in 2007 would be churn out more original content in series. The leader in the kids’ genre would also be getting into local movie production, he says.

     

    In an interview with Indiantelevision.com’s RENELLE SNELLEKSZ, Diamond reveals the opportunities that the rapidly emerging new delivery mechanisms and retail infrastructure throw open in India.

     

    Excerpts:

    Looking back on 2006, could you provide an overview of how the year has panned out for both Cartoon Network and Pogo?

    Galli Galli Sim Sim which was launched on Independence Day in the Indian market , balances the line between entertainment and education and is more than a television show, it’s actually a ‘culture of education’.

     

    We also launched SnapToons, promoting the idea of developing animation in India.

     

    The Pogo Amazing Kids Awards (PAKA) though in its third year, we keep trying to re-invent it and this year we decided to change the format by rolling it thorugh 19 half hour episodes, a series that celebrates child heroes.

     

    By breaking beyond the folds of television, Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) has launched 18 different categories across 4,000 retailers and 1,000 different product variants in the market across 20 cities. Being a licensing business, we have not only licensed our successful brands like Tom & Jerry but have also licensed third party brands like Beyblade. All in all, CNE has seen a 50 per cent increase in its overall business.

    What has been the biggest achievement for both the Turner channels this year?

    Our achievements have been that original productions like MAD (Music, Art and Dance) continue to top the charts. If you look across the year, Cartoon Network and Pogo are still the No. 1 and 2 channels. In a fragmented market it’s great that people continue to see us as a strong brand.

     

    I wouldn’t diminish any of the achievements by saying that one is superior to the other. Galli Galli Sim Sim and PAKA mean something to me but that doesn’t imply that the other activities were any worse. What I’m happy about is that 2006 has been a good year all round. It is important that we do a lot of things well, rather than a couple of things that stand out so that there is continuity in the activities undertaken.

    How much of the pie does Cartoon Network and Pogo separately corner in kid’s television market?

    Pogo is about 22 per cent a share while Cartoon Network is 28 per cent. Also in terms of distribution Cartoon Network is viewed 26 million and Pogo 17 million.

     

    We not only continue to rule the roost in the television space but its important that whether it be in publishing, licensing, marketing events we try to provide ‘choice’ to our consumers. It’s a sum of parts kind of business where you do many things that all come together to give the flavour of the brand. It is demanding on the content providers like ourselves to keep up the speed on what people want as their tastes and needs change.

    Do you think there is space for more players to enter the kid’s television arena?

    I do. What’s interesting about India is that the retail environment is still nascent, when more organized retail structures come in, the kids business is going to radically open up in terms of new clients, new advertising partners and new products that Cartoon Network and Pogo can provide a platform for. It’s going to get really exciting, it’s only just started.

     

    It’s also something I am looking forward to, as we are working to be well equipped as it happens.

     

    When we launched 11 years ago people thought we were mad to take the kids business seriously and I’m heartened to see that there are others players coming into the market, seeing the values, merits and potential that we saw so many years ago.

    What strategy will you adopt to counter the consolidation of three players under one brand, Disney?
    We pride ourselves in the fact that we have studied the market for 11 years, you can’t just come into the market and expect to know it overnight. You must learn about the people you are talking to.
    ‘We have studied the market for 11 years, you can’t just come into the market and expect to know it overnight‘

    Currently, at what stage does the theme park rollout stand?

    By mid next year Planet Pogo will be ready, while Cartoon Network Townsville will open a little later as it is on a much larger scale spanning 6.8 acres in comparison to Planet Pogo which is 3.5 acres. These will have state-of the-art rides and safety measures. It will be India’s first branded theme park environment.

    Have there been any trends that have emerged from recent research?

    The biggest trend is gaming and is something that has also been highlighted in the recent Next generation findings that show that about 40 per cent of kids are computer users and 1 in 6 of these also surf the internet. Their favourite internet activity is playing games (32 per cent) and that led us to roll out an Xbox video gaming championship Toonami Game On.

    The spurt in growth of kid’s channels has lured both conventional and non-conventional advertisers to come on board. Which new advertisers have joined in and by how much has the ad sales increased over the year?

    Several new categories have joined in like PCM software (Apply, Sify, Lenovo), Amusement Parks (Black Thunder, Prakash Amusement park, Ocean Park Multitech) and consumer durables (LG, Whirlpool) have been added to our client base.

     

    It’s interesting to know that kids have a strong influence in the purchase decision which non-conventional advertisers like Maruti and Bajaj are recognizing. Like for instance, ICICI introduced that young star account for which we licensed Tom & Jerry. Research also supports that 71 per cent of parents agreed that their child influences which brand is chosen while buying television sets, 70 per cent for computers, 67 per cent while buying mobile phones and 66 per cent on the purchase of a car. Other non traditional clients include BPCL, ING-Vyasa, All-Out, Citibank, Bombay Dyeing and Red Label, among others.

     

    On a business level, we have seen a 21 per cent ad sales growth year on year.
    ‘We have seen a 21 per cent ad sales growth year on year‘

    What advice would you give parents who think television viewing is harmful as it decreases outdoor activities and habituates kids to become ‘couch potatoes’?

    Watch Galli Galli Sim Sim! Kids like to watch TV. The important thing for a broadcaster is to provide choice, something that falls back on an educational element having strong positive values. Also our preschool block like Tiny TV with shows like Oswald, Make Way for Noddy are created to enhance development. Even MAD helps to reinforce what is often lost out in school, creativity.

     

    But at the end of the day the parent has the responsibility to monitor and regulate the content that the child is consuming.

    What can we expect from the Turner twins next year?

    At the moment we are in the process of moving into the movies space. I will be back in India early next year to announce our line up of a lot more original content in terms of movies and series in India. In addition, we will also provide a platform for materials that other people make through acquisitions. There must be a balance between international and locally produced content hence we have to juggle around to give the right mix so that the menu is good, making people come back.

     

    In addition, the radical evolution of retail infrastructure and new delivery mechanisms like new media, especially the mobile will drive change in this space. Although, I still get excited about old mediums used in a new way, you need to reinvent yourself and reinvent the medium you play with to speak to people in new way.

    What do you see as the biggest challenge for Turner in 2007?
    To build on the events of 2006 and continue to raise the bar to provide quality entertainment for kids via multiple mediums. Our mission for next year is to extend beyond television to build kids super brands and push the envelope.
  • ‘Britannia Tiger Hungamthon’ ropes in Ajay Jadeja to kick off the event

    ‘Britannia Tiger Hungamthon’ ropes in Ajay Jadeja to kick off the event

    MUMBAI: The second season Hungama TV’s kid’s marathon just got bigger. The Hungamthon this time round has roped in former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja to flag off the event, for which Britannia Tiger has come on board as the official brand sponsor. With the addition of a third city this year, the Britannia Tiger Hungamthon ’06-07 will be held on 7, 14 and 28 January in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata respectively.

    To add star power to the event, the cast of UTV produced film Hattrick – Rimmi Sen and Kunal Kapoor will extend their support to the runners.

    Hungama TV has tied-up with sports association Athletic Federation of India to ensure appropriate adjudication for the entire event. This year the race will be divided into two categories of the ‘Masters’ and ‘Blasters.’ The applicable age for participants is between 8-15 years, while the Masters will consist of 8 – 12 year olds who would run for 2 km, the Blasters will include 13 – 15 year olds who would run for 3 km.

    The entire event will not be telecast but snippets of it will be shown in Feburary next year.

    To ensure participation, an on going school contact program across 100 schools each in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata was rolled out in November. The channel states that last year the distribtution of forms to the various schools claims to have garnered maximum response from the kids. Additionally, this will be supported by a mass media promotion comprising of print, radio and internet. The channel has tied up with Times NIE and TTIS as print partners and ABP and Telegraph to promote the event in Kolkata. The radio partners are Red FM 93.5 and Total Sports Asia the event partners.

    What’s more, this year the event has lured more advertisers including Set Wet Nottee and Bournvita as co-presenting sponsors, the associate sponsors are Boomer, Dabur Chyawanprash, Sustacal, Haldiram’s Chips and Dukes Waffy. The water partner is Oxyrich and the Multiplex partners are Cinemax and PVR Cinemas.

    Speaking about the Britannia Tiger Hungamthon, UTV senior vice president marketing and communications Siddharth Roy Kapur said that much like last year the event would have a carnival feel with a holding area for parents and kids that will have food and games stalls. “In addition to the Hungama characters interacting with the kids, there will also be a live band performing at the venue.”

    Application forms are available at Cinemax chain in Mumbai and PVR chain in New Delhi as well as on the website www.hungamatv.com.

  • UTV launching youth-centric entertainment channel in JV with Astro

    UTV launching youth-centric entertainment channel in JV with Astro

    MUMBAI: Ronnie Screwvala has swung back into action. After selling off kids channel Hungama TV to Walt Disney in July, he is making a re-entry into the broadcasting space.

    Screwvala’s UTV Software Communications Ltd. is forming a 50:50 joint venture with Malaysia-based Astro for launching a Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC) aimed at the youth. An investment of Rs 2 billion will be earmarked towards this.

    The new venture will operate across multiple platforms, including a television channel, gaming, mobile, licensing and merchandising, ground events and the internet.

    The first television channel in Hindi is slated for launch in the second quarter of 2007, supported by a huge multimedia campaign and multi-city ground events. UTV is currently conducting extensive research on this target group as an input to its programming and marketing designs.

    The plans for the venture include the launch of multiple channels across languages in India and Southeast Asia. UTV had earlier entered into a business co-operation arrangement with Astro to set up kids channels in Malaysia and Indonesia, which launched on the Astro platform earlier this year.

    Screwvala is looking at creating a channel targeted at audiences between the age group of 15-25 years. In Hungama TV, the core audience was 4-14 years.

    Walt Disney has acquired 14.9 per cent stake in UTV, offering the multinational giant to participate in expansion opportunities in India. With the buyout of local Hindi channel Hungama TV in a combined purchase deal, Disney has already consolidated its position in the kids segment.

    UTV recently received the FIPB (Foreign Investment Promotion Board) and other regulatory approvals for the sale of stake to Walt Disney. It may be recalled that Astro had signed the MoU with UTV to acquire 26 per cent in Hungama TV but with Disney later making a combined purchase offer, the deal didn’t sail through.

    Astro has ambitious plans in India and, along with Value Labs and NDTV, bought out the operations of Radio Today, the radio division of Living Media Group, which runs under the Red FM brand.

    The GEC segment is poised to see further activity with NDTV planning to make an entry. Star Plus continues to lead the space but is being challenged by Zee Telefilms. Sony TV hopes to stage a comeback with Big Boss.

    Screwvala’s attempt, analysts say, will be to carve out a specific target audience as he so successfully did in the kids space.

    Meanwhile, Disney’s acquisition of Hungama TV has concluded with the final approval from the FIPB. This was followed by the inflow of Rs 1.4 billion ($ 31.125 million) from Disney to UTV within a week. Disney has also invested Rs 670 million ($ 14.5 million) towards a 14.9 per cent stake in UTV. The two companies are now working out synergies in areas across television content production, movie production and broadcasting.

    “We will be working along with Disney in the areas of TV, animation and movies,” says UTV CEO Ronnie Screwvala.

    Areas of common involvement have been identified including the launch of niche channels, movie co-productions and television content creation by UTV for Disney channels.

    UTV scrip slipped 2.7 per cent in the BSE to end today at Rs 258.70.

  • Hungama TV’s ‘Oral-B John aur Kaun’ to hit television on 2 December

    Hungama TV’s ‘Oral-B John aur Kaun’ to hit television on 2 December

    MUMBAI : Kid’s talent hunt Oral-B John aur Kaun, is set to premiere on Hungama TV on 2 December. The 13 episode reality show will culminate in the selection of a winning pair of a girl and boy to star alongside John Abraham in UTV’s film Goal. The grand finale of the show will be telecast on 13 January 2007.

    40 kids from across five-cities were evaluated on their acting and dancing skills in three rounds judged by television stars Poonam Goel and Shraddha Nigam. The quarter final round reduced the number of kids to 20, with an equal number of boys and girls. The final eight were selected in the semi-final round to compete in the finale that would be judged by film director Vivek Agnihotri in addition to the other two judges.

    In the Finale, the eight contestants would be evaluated on their acting skills and two winners will get an opportunity to star along with superstar John Abraham in Vivek Agnihotri directed movie Goal.

    The show will be hosted by Roshan Abbas and Karishma Randeva and promises not only to entertain but also hopes to provide an interesting peek into the grooming and training of the youngest talent pool of India.

  • Essel Shyam Communication plans to raise Rs 600 million via IPO

    Essel Shyam Communication plans to raise Rs 600 million via IPO

    MUMBAI : Essel Shyam Communication Ltd, a 50:50 joint venture between Essel Group and Shyam Group, is looking at an initial public offering (IPO) size of Rs 600 million to fund its expansion plans.

    The company plans to set up four teleports, three of which are to be funded from the IPO proceeds. While it has obtained licenses for Mumbai and Noida (in the outskirts of Delhi), the other two teleports will come up at Cochin and Chennai or Hyderabad. The company has earmarked Rs 130 million from the IPO towards installation of teleports and Rs 15 million for playout facilities.

    “We hope to come out with the IPO in January-February. The final size will be decided through the book building process. We are looking at Rs 600 million and if there is a necessity, we will fund it through internal accruals,” Essel Shyam Communication ED and whole time director Lalit Jain tells Indiantelevision.com.

    The new facility at Noida will be for Ku band. Essel Shyam has an existing teleport in Noida where Zee and several other channels are uplinked. The new teleports in Mumbai and Noida are expected to be completed by 2007.

    For the expansion of VSAT operations, the company plans to invest Rs 85 million. Essel Shyam, which has seven hubs, proposes to add another three.

    The fund requirement for expanding deployment of DSNG (digital satellite news gathering) vans is Rs 80 million. These services are offered to customers for the purpose of news gathering, content transfer, live coverage and live uplinking of events. A further investment of Rs 175 million is planned to extend its existing BPO of 32 seats to a BPO/KPO of 500 seats. This will include KPO of 70 seats. New businesses will need Rs 50 million (Rs 10 million for system integration and Rs 40 million for radio frequency identification).

    Post-IPO, the promoters’ holding, which stands at 97 per cent, will faill to 70 per cent. Essel Shyam has filed Draft Red Herring Prospectus for an IPO with SEBI (Securities Exchange Board of India) and proposes to offer 55,00,000 equity shares of Rs 10 each through the book building process.

    The company is into the business of providing various services related to satellite communication such as VSAT, teleport, SNG/DSNG and BPO facilities. The company is providing teleport services to channels of Zee Group, Janmat, Zoom (Times Group), IBN 7, Hungama TV. Several regional channels like Shalom TV, MM TV, Sangeet Bangla, Total TV and Sudarshan TV are also using Essel Shyam’s teleport. The company has recently set up a modern facility for TV Channels from studio to the cable distributor.