ITV

Tag: India News

  • iTV Network appoints MSLGROUP as its PR firm

    iTV Network appoints MSLGROUP as its PR firm

    NEW DELHI: iTV, India’s fastest growing news network has appointed MSLGROUP as its PR agency, to handle the PR mandate for the entire network. iTV Network is going through an expansion phase and aims to emerge as the biggest independent news network in the country. The Network employs more than 2000 people across 25 bureaus and offices in India. With a reach of 91 million viewers & readers across the country the umbrella brand has two national news channels- News X and India News, four regional news channels- India News (Haryana, MP & Chhattisgarh, UP & Uttarakhand and Rajasthan), two newspapers- Sunday Guardian and Aaj Samaj and various digital assets to its portfolio.

    Savvy Dilip, Group CMO, iTV Network, said, “We were looking for an agency with expertise in the media segment and found MSLGROUP to be the most effective and credible one. I am hopeful MSLGroup will add value to our brand and help us create brand salience. We are optimistic that this association will further boost the aggressive growth track we are set to follow.”

    Jaideep Shergill, Chief Executive Officer, MSLGROUP India, said, “The industry is evolving and clients are looking for strategic and integrated communications that will differentiate them in the marketplace. We are pleased to partner with iTV Network and look forward to take this association to a whole new level with our expertise and media knowledge.”

  • “I don’t see a revenue stream from digital for 2-3 years”: Kartikeya Sharma

    “I don’t see a revenue stream from digital for 2-3 years”: Kartikeya Sharma

    MUMBAI: At the Seventh Indian News Television Summit, ITV Network managing director Kartikeya Sharma took the stage to speak about the success of his network and the future plans. Hailing from a political family, Sharma was adamant that he did not want to get into politics.

     

    It was while he was studying in London that he got attracted to the media industry. “When I was studying, the only way of being in touch with home was television with the first channel that came on Sky. That drew me into the space,” he said while speaking to indiantelevison.com founder, CEO and editor in chief Anil Wanvari. He added that what affected him was the rise of primetime during 2004-05 and the way India was reacting to the world while it was fresh off the boat.

     

    On being asked about the difference in running his hospitality business vis a vis media business, he said that the two cannot be compared. “News is definitely a tough business and there isn’t any particular revenue model that works well. You have to improvise. Circumstances are also important. So at what point a channel is being launched and the policies at that time is crucial,” he said.

     

    Speaking about the growth of his Hindi News channel, India News, Sharma said that the initial projected benchmark was 6-7 per cent market space but it actually went to 11 per cent within a span of six to eight months. “We don’t fight for filling ad slots on the channel anymore,” he said.

     

    The growth of the ITV Network has been a combination of both internal accruals and external debt. It will be going after a few more acquisitions and product launches in the regional space in the coming months. “By 2016 we want to be the largest and most profitable news network in the country,” he added.

     

    Responding to Wanvari’s question about whether syndication of news was an alternative means of revenue for sustaining the business, Sharma said that surely that will bring in a new source of revenue. “There is enough content floating around with 400 channels but the true value of syndication is debatable and I don’t think you can look at it vis-?-vis subscription or ad sales,” he said.

     

    While digital is touted as the ‘next big thing’, according to Sharma it is still too early to predict its fate. “In foreign countries, people aren’t able to monetise the digital platform as expected. There has been very little work done in research and development. I am not very optimistic about a revenue stream coming out of digital for the next two-three years,” he said adding that there is a need to look at digital as a synergy between evolution of content and technology.

     

    According to him, evolution of digital does not mean the old world will end. “I am a big fan of digital myself but we are being bullish when we talk of this medium. It is a matter of fact that it is the future but the timing is important. We have made huge errors of calculating that in the past and we are doing the same again,” he said.

     

    Talking about his tenure as Association of Regional TV Broadcasters (ARTB) president, Sharma said that the main aim was to help regional broadcasters since he realised that they needed a voice. “I managed to get 40 per cent of revenue for broadcasters from the government,” he stated.

     

    For the industry to progress, Sharma said that unity was necessary but collective decision doesn’t last long. “DD Freedish has pushed up its rates from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 5 crore in five years because of GECs wanting to get onto it. We all decided that we won’t go on the platform but then some of us ended up breaking that decision,” he shared with the audience.

     

    While the news space was cluttered, he believes that there is space and chance to be a number one in news.

  • ITV’s new education concept: Newsroom as Classroom

    ITV’s new education concept: Newsroom as Classroom

    MUMBAI: It’s a Revolution in Media Education. A New Media Institute adds new dimensions to imparting knowledge. ITV School of Media and Management is introducing short term specialized courses, offering an opportunity to work in broadcast news channels. For the first time in the history of Media education, Newsrooms will act as classrooms. Students will get a chance to learn from professionals and will get the unique opportunities to work in professional channels.

     

    ITV School of Media and Management is the First revolutionary Media and Management institute offering training, research and development in the audiovisual news sector. It provides a rich and dynamic environment for developing new ideas and launching new careers. A faculty of internationally recognized media makers and cutting-edge scholars engages students in a day to day work dynamics and technology of Media industry. Our programs are distinguished by their practical and professional aspects.

     

    Media aspirants have a lot of short term certificate courses to choose from at ITV School of Media and Management. With access to the national network and professional resources at ITV, our programs provide a strong foundation for your future in media.

     

    Our Courses will help students learn all aspect of journalism –editorial and technical. You also get an opportunity to work in a News channel for one year to put theory into practice.

     

    “This Institute is for People who are passionate for News Media. Students who want to work in News Media and don’t get opportunities, we want to give them that platform,” says Kartikeya Sharma, Managing director, ITV Media Network.

     

    “There’s immense competition out there and as a media person it’s our responsibility to not get lost in the confusion and deliver news with clarity and integrity. So the course at ITVSMM will not teach students from books but from real scenes as the action unfold.”

     

    The ITVSMM initiatives delivers the highest calibre of training, launches careers and helps build sustainable businesses to compete in the international industry. The ITVSMM strategy is to cater to the immediate demand for the skills and knowhow of audiovisual news industry and businesses operating in and on demand of the economy.

     

    ITVSMM is an endeavour by India’s leading English and Hindi TV news channels Newsx and India News. The emphasis is not on just theoretical but on practical knowledge. This school also ensures 100 % guaranteed job placement in ITV news channels. ITV Network is India’s fastest growing news network, with two national news channels, NewsX – India’s No 1 English News Channel and India News – India’s Leading Hindi News Channel. ITV Network also has a dominant presence in the Hindi heartland with its four regional news channels India News UP / Uttarakhand, India News Rajasthan, India News Madhya Pradesh / Chhattisgarh and India News Haryana. The network also runs two popular newspapers Aaj Samaj – North India’s Fastest-Growing Hindi Daily and The Sunday Guardian – India’s Finest Sunday Newspaper.

     

    ITV Network employs more than 2000 people across 25 bureaus and offices in India and reaches cumulatively 91 million viewers and readers on a regular basis. ITV Network is going through an expansion phase and aims to emerge as the biggest independent news network in the country.

    Faculty at ITV School of Media and Management consist of award-winning professionals with years of on-field experience and outstanding research work.

     

    The ITV School of Media and Management personify the philosophy of blending educational excellence with latest advancements in technology. Graphics and production labs, studio, PCR, Furnished classrooms will invite students and faculty to study, work and collaborate.

     

    The School provides Opportunity to learn in as many as seven state of the art TV studios, TV newsrooms, assignment desks, output desks, NRCS (newsroom computerized systems), ingest department, teleport system of India News.

     

    Courses offered in ITVSMM includes -: Graphics and animation, Video-editing, Videography, Broadcast journalism, Studio production (PCR) and Social media management.

  • ITV Network appoints Manish Chettri as senior VP and national head SKOPE

    ITV Network appoints Manish Chettri as senior VP and national head SKOPE

    MUMBAI: ITV Network, which runs the English news channel NewsX and a clutch of channels under India News, has appointed Manish Chettri as senior vice president and national head SKOPE.

     

    He will be responsible for creating concepts both in the B2B and B2C space as well as contribute to the channels’ leadership position and revenue mix. Working closely with the marketing team, he will be responsible in the creation of new intellectual properties, format selling, syndications, partnerships and delivering additional solutions to existing and new advertisers.

     

    He was earlier with Network18 as VP and national head B2B initiatives for CNBC TV18. Chettri has also worked with companies such as Hindustan Times, Times Internet, Confederation of Indian Industry, Mudra Communications and CIM India.

     

    ITV Network MD Kartikeya Sharma said, “Manish brings to ITV network a rich combination of sales and strategic marketing that makes him ideal to scale and lead our sales force, for experiential advertising which will undoubtedly enhance ITV Network’s win velocity. Manish’s proven track record in B2B and B2C relationship building and focused revenue generation will help us build on our forward momentum and enable ITV Network to sustain this rapid growth. We look forward to leveraging Manish’s sales leadership to realise the exciting opportunity we see in front of us.”

     

    ITV Network group CEO RK Arora reposes faith in Chettri adding value to the network and help its objective of being India’s most profitable TV network. He said, “Manish is a phenomenal addition to our leadership team and brings a tremendous wealth of experience with him. His customer-focus and in-depth experience in IP creation, B2B events, strategic alliances, brand building and sales, will strengthen ITV Network’s commitment and its objective of becoming India’s largest TV news network. I am confident that Manish will take ITV network to greater heights than it’s ever known.”

     

     “I am excited to join ITV Network at this pivotal time,” Chettri said. “The battle for maximising revenue in the broadcasting industry is going through a sea of change wherein companies are looking at alternate forms of revenue apart from the traditional advertising sales. I look forward to using my experience to further enhance ITV Network’s performance, profitability and growth.”

  • Gautam Bhanot joins NewsX as national revenue head

    Gautam Bhanot joins NewsX as national revenue head

    MUMBAI: ITV Network, which runs news channels NewsX and India News, has roped in Gautam Bhanot as the national revenue head for its English channel. He will be responsible for the overall sales and revenue generation of NewsX.

    He will focus on growing the top line while also looking at creating new revenue streams and opportunities. Bhanot has 16 years of experience with his last sting being at Network18 where he was national sales head for CNN-IBN for nine years.

    Prior to this, he was with CNN-IBN, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz as VP sales for north region. He’s also worked with The Times of India, Economic Times and Tej Bandhu Group.

    ITV Network MD Kartikeya Sharma said, “Gautam brings with him a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will be invaluable in unlocking the potential value of brand NewsX. I am confident that Gautam with his in depth understanding of media sales combined with his dynamism and leadership as a sales professional will be a great asset to the organisation.”

    ITV Network group CEO RK Arora said, “We are delighted to have Gautam on board at this exciting time of growth and expansion at ITV Network. We are certain that his experience and understanding of the business will benefit NewsX as we strive to continue to be the market leader in English news genre, in line with ITV Network’s objective of becoming India’s profitable and largest TV news network.”

    Bhanot said, “I believe the industry is going through a transformational phase wherein programming formats, news consumption patterns, technology platforms all are evolving and hence the opportunity to learn and contribute is immense. My agenda will be to enhance the offerings of NewsX and partner with new and existing clients, to deliver delight and grow the revenue stream.”

  • Savvy Dilip joins ITV Network as group CMO

    Savvy Dilip joins ITV Network as group CMO

    MUMBAI: ITV Network that runs news channels NewsX and India News has made another appointment. Savvy Dilip has been appointed as the group chief marketing officer. She will report to group CEO RK Arora.

     

    As CMO, Dilip will be responsible for marketing activites, including marketing strategy, creating flagship events, brand building and digital marketing for the ITV Network.

     

    Prior to this, Dilip was co-founder and COO of Vigovea Media, a consumer focused digital media company. She was also the vice president marketing at TV18 where she was responsible for the marketing operations of CNN-IBN and IBN7. Dilip comes with experience in the media space covering brand management and development, product development and management, strategic alliances, content development, events and experiential marketing, sales enablement and PR across various media.

     

    Speaking on her appointment, ITV Network managing director Kartikeya Sharma said, “Savvy is an outstanding addition to our leadership team and brings a unique blend of global experience and expertise to ITV Network. Her extensive background in the media industry, proven marketing expertise, and rich experience makes her the ideal person to continue to drive our brand’s growth and momentum.”

     

    “Savvy’s exceptional marketing expertise will allow us to further enhance our strategic marketing initiatives across the company,” said Arora. “With Savvy coming on board at this juncture, we really feel optimistic that this will further boost the aggressive growth track we are set to follow and will enhance our revenue stream.”

     

    Talking about her new association, Dilip said, “It is a great opportunity for me to contribute towards further consolidating and cementing ITV Network’s leadership position in the news genre. The group has tremendous impact and the company is backed by the most cohesive team in the media industry. My focus is to increase the engagement between our brands, advertisers and our viewers.”

     

    Dilip has done her executive management program from IIM-Bangalore and has completed the advanced management program from the Harvard Business School in Boston USA. 

  • Rahul Shivshankar is now NewsX editor in chief

    Rahul Shivshankar is now NewsX editor in chief

    MUMBAI: The spate of changes at ITV Network that runs NewsX and India News continues. The latest is the elevation of current managing editor of NewsX Rahul Shivshankar to the post of editor in chief of the English news channel.

     

    He had joined NewsX in September 2013 in his second stint at the channel. Shivshankar is the face of the channel’s weekday prime time show Nation@9:00pm and India Debates.

     

    Prior to rejoining NewsX, he was executive editor of Headlines Today and senior editor at Times Now. He has also worked on the editorial page of Times of India. He has a total of 20 years of experience.

     

    Speaking on his elevation, ITV Network managing director Kartikeya Sharma said, “I am delighted to recognise the talent of Rahul Shivshankar. He is a celebrated name in the news fraternity and has an incredible drive and vision, which makes him a wonderful choice to lead the channel. Bringing in talent of the caliber of Rahul and enlarging his role, will allow Rahul and his team to accelerate our move into a continuous and dynamic model of innovating in the news genre. Under Rahul’s tenure, NewsX has become India’s leading English news channel with a consistent performance of being a market leader and in a short span time, it has attained a leadership edge over its competition and is a force to reckon with in the English news genre. Rahul has been instrumental in reorganising content strategies and news operations with greater creativity and flexibility and has developed more cohesive and unique experiences for our audiences. He’s been everything I could ever want in an editor and I cannot imagine a better choice at NewsX for editor in chief. Congratulations Rahul—you more than deserve it.” 

     

    His first stint at the channel was between 2011 and 2012. He was also one of the core members who launched Headlines Today in 2003.

     

    ITV Network group CEO RK Arora feels that this move will strengthen the network’s commitment to become India’s largest and most profitable TV news network. “We have assembled the most talented journalists in ITV Network and Rahul’s elevation as editor in chief will help us leverage his skills and experience to deliver breaking news with context and perspective on the most important stories. I am confident that Rahul will bring NewsX to greater heights than it’s ever known.”

     

    Shivshankar has extensively documented the attack on Nariman House in Mumbai on 26 November 2008 in an anthology of investigative narratives published by Roli Books.

     

    “I am deeply honored. I have been blessed with a team of incredibly talented and creative people that work tirelessly to bring to life stories told with a rare degree of nuance, objectivity and accuracy. This collective effort and enterprise has catapulted News X to a leadership position in the English news space. This role provides me with an exciting opportunity to shape the future of news TV,” said Shivshankar.

  • NewsX editor-in-chief Jehangir Pocha passes away

    NewsX editor-in-chief Jehangir Pocha passes away

    MUMBAI: The pressure-filled TV news business has had another casualty. Jehangir Pocha, the co-promoter of  IndiMedia Pvt Ltd, which earlier owned the NewsX channel, died earlier this morning in Gurgaon following a cardiac arrest. 

     

    Pocha came into the limelight after he worked out a rescue package  to bail out the channel in 2009 along with Nai Duniya CEO Vinay Chhajlani. Launched originally by the eighties poster boy of television – Peter Mukerjea – as part of the INX Media group, it had fallen up on troubled times soon after its launch in 2008. Pocha was editor in chief at BusinessWorld maagazine when he partnered with Chhajlani.

     

    NewsX continued, but desperately needed cash to run and Pocha and Chhajlani found a buyer in the Kartikeya Sharma owned Information TV (part of the ITV Group) and its associates in mid-2012. Even as Chhajlani exited, Pocha continued as the channel’s editor in chief.

     

    Born in Mumbai, Pocha did his Bachelors in Economics in 1990, followed by an MBA in Marketing in 1992 from the SP Jain Institute, Mumbai University. Later, he also did his Masters in Public Administration, Media and foreign policy from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government.

     

    Pocha was The Boston Globe’s Beijing-based China correspondent from 2003-2007. Prior to that he spent about a decade in the IT industry, holding management positions with start-ups and Fortune 500 companies in the US and Singapore.

     

    His passing away has been mourned by many. Amomg them the prime minister Narendra Modi who said: “I am shocked and saddened to hear about Jehangir Pocha’s demise. I pay my condolence to his family in this hour of grief. May his soul rest in peace.”

     

    The  Broadcast Editors’ Association sent out  a statement condoling his sad demise: “It is big loss to the world of TV journalism. Jehangir was a dear colleague of ours and was a guiding force in BEA’s activities.”

     

    Former IBN18 editor in chief Rajdeep Sardesai tweeted, “Deep condolences to family of Jehangir Pocha. Life is transient, but was lived well. RIP”

     

    Anupam Kher’s tweet: “Can’t believe that is no more. Just spoke to him few days back. One of the best journalists & human beings. So so sad. RIP”

     

    Senior news TV journalist Dibang  tweeted: “Oh suddenly passes away Life is transient, can end suddenly; we plan for future, now is the only moment we have:

     

    Colors TV CEO Raj Nayak had this to say in his tweet: “A friend who tweeted 10 hrs ago, who came to meet me few days back to discuss his future plans is suddenly no more RIP “

     

    Journalist and digital entrepreneur Govind Ethiraj tweeted “RIP wonderful guy, India’s best China journalist, great writer.”

     

    The soft spoken Pocha’s tweeted late last night: “Hurrying Home…”

     

    Pocha’s tweet was in response to a news clipping that he had attached with it. It referred to a High court judgement stating that “constantly reaching home late from work without informing your wife amounts to cruelty. “

     

    He is survived by his wife Ranjana and twins.

     

    RIP!  Jehangir.

  • This FIFA, news channels will even the score

    This FIFA, news channels will even the score

     MUMBAI: It’s raining goals this FIFA World Cup. Favourites are being kicked out while the underdogs are rising up the points table. And news channel are now vying to latch on to the football fever by focusing on dedicated FIFA shows and content.

     

    Official FIFA broadcaster, Sony Six, has associated with India’s premier news channel Times Now, to provide excerpts from their two shows: Café Rio and Football Extraaa, but not match content. Times Now utilises this exclusive content consisting of expert analysis for its sports slot between 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

     

     According to Sony Six assistant vice president marketing Murtuza Madraswala the association with the newscaster will benefit them both. He says, “We are happy to associate with Times Now as there is a synergy in our passion for the sport and we cater to a similar profile of target audience. FIFA World Cup is the greatest sporting extravaganza and this partnership only adds to the magic and the fervour of the greatest party in the world!”

     

     Other major news channels too have joined the FIFA bandwagon by bringing in dedicated shows with big names associated as anchors and guests. Some of these channels include ABP News, ABP Ananda, CNN-IBN, IBN7, Headlines Today, NewsX and Al Jazeera.

     

     Headlines Today has come up with Carniball2014: Brazil which is aired between 7 pm to 8 pm every night. It covers performances and off-field developments with pre and post analysis of the games.

     

     The guest line up for Carniball2014, anchored by Shivani Gupta, comprises of former India manager Eric Benny, sports historian and consulting editor from Kolkata Boria Majumdar, former India skipper and current ISL football team owner Sourav Ganguly, I- league winning coach of Bengaluru FC team Ashley Westwood, super model Gabriela Bertante, soccer expert Roy Hay and director of the national football museum in Manchester Kevin Moore.

     

    The ABP group’s main show Duniya Gol Hai is aired at 8:30 am and 10:30 pm. The morning version focuses on match results, golden boot contenders and light features whereas the evening show is primarily a preview based show looking at players to watch out for and the games to expect. The group’s impressive guest lineup has famous Indian midfielder Renedy Singh whose career graph extends 14 long years. Joining him is football commentator Ghaus Mohammad and the show is anchored by GS Vivek along with a news anchor and two correspondents who are covering FIFA from Brasil.

     

    The ABP group, through ABP Ananda, has also focused on the regional Bengali market where a large football fan base exists. MCCS marketing manager Vikas Singh says, “Through ABP Ananda we have a battery of experts and a round the clock coverage catering extensively to the high fan base market like Bengal. For us, FIFA World Cup is not a sports event but a news event.”

     

    Network18’s CNN-IBN and IBN7 are not far behind. A Beautiful Game airs on CNN-IBN while Mission Brazil airs on IBN7. The expert lineup includes renowned former Moroccan footballer and coach Karim Bencherifa, football analyst and commentator Novy Kapadia and former captain and coach of the Indian football team Shabbir Ali.

     

    Commenting on the network’s special programming, IBN18 Network editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai said, “Football has a massive fan following in India and our extensive programming will be an absolute treat for the football enthusiasts of the nation. The programming will focus on providing extensive coverage of the tournament including unmatched analysis of the strategies adopted by various teams and a scrutiny of the players’ performances.”

     

    Tapping into the FIFA fever, Al Jazeera English has introduced Football Rebels, a show presented and narrated by former Manchester United star Eric Cantona. It is a five part documentary that sheds light on some unusual stories of football heroes.

     

     Meanwhile, News X has a special show-War of the World aired from Monday to Friday at 8:30 am and 6:30 pm and7:30 pm on Saturday and Sundays. Its morning show features guests like former EPL footballer with Liverpool Mark Seagraves, football journalist Anurag Jacob and News X consulting editor Ayaz Memon. War of the World is anchored by sports anchor Anil Senghera.

     

     India News has launched Dan Dana Dan which is broadcast daily at 7:30 am and 6:30 pm. Dan Dana Dan is anchored by  Rajeev Mishra along with a guest line up of ex FIFA referee Melvyn Da Souza, former Mohan Bagan coach Santosh Kayshap and former India players Mahesh Gawli and Shamsi Raza.

     

     To make the shows more engaging and interactive in nature, a few of the news channels have realised that it is extremely important to engage with netizens and make them active viewers rather than just passive audiences. Headlines Today has two contests – a Carniball Weekly Contest and Trivia of the Day. Participants stand a chance to win Adidas FIFA merchandise and a Maruti Suzuki Swift Car. On twitter the channel has been engaging with the twitterati by creating the hashtag #Carniball2014. These tweets are displayed on air during the show.

     

    For those who think that news channels only show political news seem to forget that FIFA is not just a sport; it’s a news maker and audience capturer all by itself!

  • Delhi HC directs India News over copyright case

    Delhi HC directs India News over copyright case

    MUMBAI: India TV and India News- two News channels with glaringly similar names. That is what India TV appealed to the Delhi HC way back in 2008 when India News was launched. The case on identity usage of the umbrella brand ‘India’ was contended by the Rajat Sharma led channel.

     

    An order was passed last year directing India News to run communication either as a tickr or scroll stating that it is not associated with India TV. The latter states that recently it noticed the channel not complying with the order and filed a contempt petition in the HC.

     

    The order that was passed last week has directed the channel to run a continuous scroll on their channel till the judgement on the case is passed. Another hearing on the case is to happen in the coming few months.

     

    India TV had also stated in its petition that its revenues were being impacted due to the similarity of name. The court has also ordered India News to submit its revenue accounts with the court.