ITV

Tag: India Today Television

  • BARC week 3: News channels’ toppers continue to lead despite viewership dip

    BARC week 3: News channels’ toppers continue to lead despite viewership dip

    MUMBAI: Even after witnessing a decline in ratings, Times Network’s news channels Times Now and ET Now secured the leadership position in English and English Business news genres respectively.

     

    While Hindi and Hindi Business news genres leaders Aaj Tak and CNBC Awaaz recorded lower ratings compared to last week but continued to dominate their respective genres in week 3, according to Broadcast Audience Research council (BARC) India data.

     

    English News

     

    Times Now continued to rule the English news genre. Though the channel saw a fall in ratings, it led from the top with 420 (‘000s) as against 473 (‘000s) in the previous week. Following it was India Today Television, which climbed to the second place with 240 (‘000s). NDTV 24×7 moved to the third position with 213 (‘000s), while CNN-IBN was in fourth place with 175 (‘000s). BBC World News stood at number five with 120 (‘000s).

     

    English Business News

     

    ET Now, too continued to dominate the English business news genre but declined in ratings with 251 (‘000s) as against 372 (‘000s) in week 2, followed by CNBC TV18 with 210 (‘000s) in the second place. NDTV Profit and NDTV Prime stayed put at the third position with 85 (‘000s), while Bloomberg TV maintained its place in the fourth slot with 16 (‘000s).

     

    Hindi News

     

    Aaj Tak retained its lead with 80671 (‘000s) followed by India TV, which garnered the second position with 63055 (‘000s). ABP News stood at number three with 48081 (‘000s). Zee News bagged the fourth position with 47652 (‘000s), followed by India News with 47594 (‘000s) in the fifth slot.

     

    Hindi Business News

     

    Though CNBC Awaaz witnessed a fall in ratings, it led the genre with 1043 (‘000s) as against 1608 (‘000s) followed by Zee Business, which also saw a massive dip in ratings this week as it grabbed the second slot with 560 (‘000s) as against 901 (‘000s) in week 2.

  • BARC week 49: CNBC TV 18 is No. 1 in English Business News genre

    BARC week 49: CNBC TV 18 is No. 1 in English Business News genre

    MUMBAI: ’Twas the week of new leaders! In the English Business News genre, CNBC TV 18 toppled the numero uno channel ET Now to become the No 1 channel in week 49 according to Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) All India (U+R) (Excluding Tamil Nadu/Puducherry) : NCCS AB : Males 22+ Individuals.

     

    On the other hand, English News channel Times Now saw downfall in ratings but continued to rule the genre.

     

    In the Hindi news segment, Aaj Tak continues to lead the genre, while CNBC Awaaz maintained its leadership position in the Hindi Business News section in week 49.

     

    English News

     

    Times Now saw a drop in ratings but secured its leadership position with 322 (000Sums) as against 471 (000Sums) in week 48 followed by NDTV 24X7 in the second spot with 237 (000Sums), which was number three last week. On the other hand, India Today Television climbed up at number three with 219 (000Sums). 

     

    CNN-IBN dropped to number four with 201 (000Sums), while News 9 with 159 (000Sums) bagged the fifth spot.

     

    English Business News

     

    CNBC TV18 replaced the leader in Business News genre ET Now and grabbed first position with 205 (000Sums). ET Now was in second position with 172 (000Sums), whereas NDTV Profit and NDTV Prime were in the third slot with 70 (000Sums). Bloomberg TV stood at number four with 10 (000Sums). Pertinent to note here is that these numbers are excluding data from the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry markets.

     

    Hindi News

     

    In week 49, Aaj Tak witnessed a fall in ratings but grabbed leadership position with 73666 (000Sums) against 81828 (000Sums) in week 48. India TV bagged second position with 58748 (000Sums) followed by ABP News in the third place with 55667 (000Sums) and News Nation in the fourth slot with 48768 (000Sums). Zee News stood at number five with 46571 (000Sums).

     
    Hindi Business News 

     

    CNBC Awaaz continued as the leader in the genre and was firmly perched in the first position with 1110 (000Sums) followed by Zee Business in the second spot with 876 (000Sums).

  • BARC week 41: Times Now, ET Now, Aaj Tak, Zee Business dominate news genres

    BARC week 41: Times Now, ET Now, Aaj Tak, Zee Business dominate news genres

    MUMBAI: Times Now continued to dominate in the English news channels genre in the All India (U+R) market according to Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India data for week 41. In the Hindi news segment, Aaj Tak led the genre.

     

    On the other hand, Times Network’s ET Now topped the English business news channels genre, whereas Zee Business secured the leadership position in the Hindi business news channels genre.

     

    ENGLISH NEWS

    Times Now maintained its leadership and garnered first spot with 560 (000Sums) followed by CNN IBN at 233 (000Sums). India Today Television garnered third position with 202 (000Sums) and NDTV 24×7 held the fourth place with 183 (000Sums). News 9 in the fifth slot scored 156 (000Sums) in week 41 All India (U+R).

     

    In week 40 (C&S 1 lakh), the pecking order was as follows: Times Now in first spot, India Today Television in second and CNN IBN in the third position.

     

    HINDI NEWS

    Aaj Tak secured the first place in Hindi news genre with 72067 (000Sums) followed by India TV in the second spot, which scored 69694 (000Sums). ABP News secured the third berth with 65005 (000Sums), whereas News Nation with 62737 (000Sums) and Zee News with 50239 (000Sums) bagged the fourth and fifth place respectively in week 41 All India (U+R).

     

    In week 40 (C&S 1 lakh), India TV was at the top spot, followed by Zee News and Aaj Tak in second and third spot respectively.

     

    ENGLISH BUSINESS NEWS

    In the top four English business news channels, ET Now continued to lead the genre with 484 (000Sums) followed by CNBC TV 18 with 368 (000Sums) in the second spot. NDTV Profit & NDTV Prime in the third slot scored 108 (000Sums), whereas Bloomberg TV secured fourth place with 38 (000Sums) in week 41 All India (U+R).

     

    In week 40 (C&S 1 lakh), CNBC TV 18 led the genre, followed by ET Now in the second spot and NDTV Profit and NDTV Prime in the third place.

     

    HINDI BUSINESS NEWS

    In the Hindi business news genre, Zee Business bagged the first spot with 1099 (000Sums) followed by CNBC Awaaz in second slot with 949 (000Sums) in week 41 All India (U+R).

     

    Incidentally, in week 40 (C&S 1 lakh), CNBC Awaaz led the pack and was followed by Zee Business in the second spot.

  • Metros consume news more on Internet than TV: TeleWeb

    Metros consume news more on Internet than TV: TeleWeb

    MUMBAI: While Times Now remains the undisputed leader when it comes to Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India ratings, the newly set up joint venture between TAM Media Research and IMRB International TeleWeb, which will provide both television and web analytics, gives NDTV 24×7 the upper hand.

     

    NDTV’s combined reach of TV and web in six metros is just over 3047 (000s) of which 2240 (000s) come from web while TV brings in close to 950 (000s). The scenario with TV leader Times Now is a little different as the channel garners only 121 (000s) viewers through internet, compared to 1542 (000s) of TV, which takes the cumulative reach of the channel in six metros to 1652 (000s).

     

    India Today Television, of which the most followed journalist on the Internet Rajdeep Sardesai is a part of, follows NDTV 24×7 in terms of reach through Internet in the top six metros. The channel attracts over 779 (000s) people through web while the TV reach is estimated to be 1682 (000s), which takes the cumulative reach to 2375 (000s).

     

    CNN IBN’s internet reach as per TeleWeb is 168 (000s) whereas the TV reach is 981 (000s). The cumulative reach of the channel in six metros is 1136 (000s). The newest player in the top four English news category Kartikeya Sharma promoted NewsX’s cumulative reach in top six metros is estimated to be 900 (000s) where internet gets in a reach of 71 (000s) and TV earns a reach of 837 (000s).

     

    The data shows significant growth of news consumption on web in the top six metros. The combined reach of the news genre stands at 6093 (000s), of which TV’s reach is 2645 (000s), while the Internet reach is 3448 (000s).

  • “India Today TV has become a very strong alternative to the noise that dominated news television:” Ashish Bagga

    “India Today TV has become a very strong alternative to the noise that dominated news television:” Ashish Bagga

    May 2015 marked the re-branding of the English news channel Headlines Today as India Today Television. The group cited research conducted by the group, which showed higher brand recall value for India Today than Headlines Today as the reason for the name change. The change immediately showed results as it saw India Today Television toppling market leader Times Now to claim position as the leading English news channel in terms of viewership according to BARC ratings in the first week of its re-launch. 

    The journey from there on has been a good one for the channel as it has maintained the number two rank on the ratings chart. The challenge now is to take it to the top and sustain the pole position.   

    In an interview to Indiantelevision.com’s Seema Singh, India Today group CEO Ashish Bagga talks about the journey so far and the plans ahead.

    Excerpts:

    It has been seven weeks since the channel revamped to India Today TV. How has the response been?

    Of late, the English news television genre was dominated and characterised by loud debates with little being added to viewers’ usable knowledge. The last seven weeks have witnessed a starkly different product with a clear vision to take forward the 40 year legacy of the India Today brand.

    The launch has been amongst the most successful media launches in recent times with the channel showing considerable growth from the launch week itself as per BARC ratings. A lot of the success of the new channel can be credited to the brand strength of India Today along with the new content strategy, dynamic visual format and robust marketing that added to the increased popularity of the channel. The success of the launch has been very promising especially as the channel is built on the same ‘Gold Standard’ of journalism of the India Today brand. This clearly underlines that the brand extension was the right decision and the product has become a very strong alternative to the noise that dominated news television.

    What was the channel’s positioning in the ratings chart before the revamp? What is the percentage hike in viewership that you have witnessed after revamping?

    On a comparative level with Headlines Today, the average weekly market share for a four week period since the launch of India Today Television has increased from 11 per cent to 23 per cent. (four weeks average of last available data from TAM Week 10 to Week 13, CS 25+ M AB Top 6 Metros and post launch four week ratings as per BARC Week 21 to Week 24, CS 22+ M NCCS AB Top 6 Metros: Table below).

    The launch of India Today Television showed the highest growth, of almost 110 per cent in market share over Headlines Today, while most other channels showed negative movement during the same period.

    This positive growth clearly establishes the acceptance of the India Today brand among news viewers.

    How has the revamp helped the channel in attaining the number two rank? What were the changes that were made in the channel, that worked in favour?

    India Today Television was launched on a philosophy of keeping the India Today ethos of journalism at the core, while being relevant to the evolved news audience. This philosophy called for a paradigm change in TV news delivery formats to make the channel the definitive knowledge source. The most radical change was in the form of a pioneering visual format, which integrates digital interactivity and makes it possible for multiple news updates simultaneously on the screen. The digitally inspired screen with innovative elements like the roller deck has redefined the news viewing experience on television.

    The immense pull of the India Today brand along with a renewed content strategy designed to be a knowledge source had the viewership of the channel grow from the launch week itself.

    Has there been a shift in the positioning and target audience of the channel post the revamp due to which it has started gaining eyeballs?

    The content strategy is built on the principle to be the ‘fact factory’ as against an ‘outrage factory.’ Therefore the new positioning builds on the ethos of the India Today mega brand and goes after the viewer that seeks knowledge as against entertainment. The channel is engineered to cater to the viewer’s intelligence and to specifically appeal to a progressive audience that is seamlessly consuming news across platforms.

    The focussed promotions around the launch of the channel saw a lot of additional viewers who were drawn to the channel due to its distinct offering. 

    What is your strategy now to ensure that you move to the top position or maintain the current position?

    India Today Television is slated to become the No. 1 English News channel backed with a journalism that builds on the values that have defined news in the country for around four decades. The convergence has created synergy of content that will see the launch of a series of new shows. In addition, a lot of thought leadership event properties are lined up that are sure to provide the channel with unrivalled content. We will continue with focussed marketing for the brand to keep it ahead in preference.

    Though the growth in ratings has been very encouraging, our focus will be to make India Today TV a knowledge source by staying true to the same principles of journalism that had kept the magazine brand an undisputed leader. 

    How much of a role has distribution played in the numbers that the channel has achieved?

    It was a tactical booster made to facilitate and give the new brand enough sampling. This intervention seems to have done its job.

    What has been the response from advertisers?

    The consistent ratings of the channel from the launch week itself has created a steady increase in advertising. We are targeting shorter commercial breaks and increased premium. The value that the channel provides to advertisers has led to an increase in advertising and premium has definitely grown manifold for marquee shows led by Rajdeep Sardesai, Karan Thapar and Rahul Kanwal.

    What is the channel’s perception on BARC ratings and measurement mechanism?

    The channel’s focus towards excellence in journalism is clearly being reflected in the ratings. We are happy that the measurement system by BARC provides a robust and scientific measurement tool for viewership trends. We had in fact used the BARC system very effectively to build on the launch media plan.

  • TV channels unleash slew of special programming for Independence Day

    TV channels unleash slew of special programming for Independence Day

    The entire nation will be waiting to hear Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech from the historic Red Fort. The country paralysed by deadlock in the Parliament due to constant protest from opposition, will be desperately listening to the PM’s verses via different news channels, radio and other mediums.

     

    While ‘One Rank One Pension’ is already trending on social media, various gallantry awards are also scheduled to be distributed, this Independence Day.

     

    The Independence Day celebrations will not just be restricted to the political class as numerous channels are set to roll out special programming for their viewers. The programming mix on the occasion of India’s 69th Independence Day across television channels of various genres is as follows: 

     

    English News Channels

     

    ET Now

     

    The ET Now special coverage will have half an hour interview with Godrej Industries chairman Adi Godrej. Sandeep Gurumurthi will interview Godrej at 5.30 pm on 15 August. The channel will also relay Prime Minister’s speech in the morning. Live panel discussion on Modi’s ideas with panelists and big voices from the corporate world will also be in the list of special programming of Independence Day from 12 – 12.30 pm and 9 – 10 pm.

     

    India Today Television

     

    Women are going to be at the forefront of India Today Television’s Independence day programming, with topics like ‘Are women as independent as men?’ ‘Chak De Girls – On the Indian Women’s Hockey Team’ and Rajdeep Sardesai with the ‘Unsung Heroes’.

     

    In addition, the channel will also be airing ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told – 40 Years Of Sholay’, ‘I Am Sania’ – Sania Special Context – Getting The Khel Ratna as well as Sumitra Mahajan’s interview with Karan Thapar.

     

    Times Now

     

    Times Nows’ Independence Day coverage will begin with the live coverage of Modi’s speech followed by a special one hour independence day show of TotaI Recall. Stories and vignettes from across India on how Independence day was celebrated will be aired through the day.

     

    English Entertainment & Movies

     

    AXN India

     

    This Independence Day, Jack Bauer will battle and abolish crime with the iconic television series 24 Live Another Day on 15 – 16 August from 12 – 5 pm on AXN India.

     

    Disney

     

    Disney will be bringing in two beloved characters, Captain Tiao and Nikki (from Best of Luck Nikki) to share the meaning of Independence Day and showcase how will they be spending the day this year.

     

    HBO Defined

     

    HBO Defined gears up to celebrate the I-Day weekend with a line-up of movies, which will be 100 per cent ad-free. Beginning 15 August, 10 am onwards, the channel will showcaseThe Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Ender’s Game, Noah, I, Frankenstein, Gravity andNow You See Me.

     

    “We invite our audience to celebrate the spirit of freedom with their favorite movies on HBO Premium channel, HBO Defined, this Independence Day by not just offering exceptional titles but also presenting them with a completely memorable uninterrupted viewing experience,” said HBO marketing and business development director Shonali Bedi.

     

    Movies Now

     

    The channel will air a day long salute to the bravery with stories of ordinary people who display extraordinary courage to break free from constraints imposed them. The lineup features tittles like Avatar, Life of Pi, Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 2 and The Dark Knight Rises.

     

    MN+

     

    MN+ will give viewers an in-depth look into the story that shook the world. The line-up features two back to back movies on whistleblower Julian Assange.

     

    Underground: The Julian Assange Story and Steal Secrets: The story of Wikileaks will feature on MN+ as special programming for Independence Day.

     

    Speaking on the programming, Times Network English Entertainment cluster SVP and head Vivek Srivastava said, “For this Independence Day, our theme is saluting and celebrating bravery and the indomitable human spirit. We have stories of ordinary people who display extraordinary courage to break free from constraints imposed on them. On Movies Now, we are screening ‘Fight for Freedom’ from 9 am onwards.”

     

    “Under classifiled section, we will air the popular film – Underground: The Julian Assange Story followed by We Steal Secrets, the story of Wikileaks on MN+. The story emerges the details how a hacker transformed himself to a world saving whistleblower against the worldwide socio-economic and socio-political injustice. It is about freedom of press, speech and rights. By screening these films, we at MN+ and Movies Now want to celebrate the spirit of humanism and the eternal will of our race to stand upright,” he added.

     

    Sony Pix

     

    Exciting series of Indiana Jones based on adventures and mystery of Dr. Henry ‘Indiana’ Jones, a fictional archaeologist by none other than the legendary George Lucas will be Sony Pix’s offering for Indians on Independence Day.

     

    The programming will start with the search for the Ark of the Covenant in the movie The Raiders of the Lost Ark, which will be aired at 11 am. Indiana Jones will take viewers on his classic trilogy ride with The Last Crusade at 1.30 pm, followed by The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull at 4.30 pm.

     

    Star Movies Select HD

     

    Star Movies Select HD – the channel, which has committed to showcasing fresh stories every day of the year, will premier Wes Anderson’s cinematic masterpiece, The Grand Budapest Hotel on the occasion of India’s 69th Independence day. The channel will premier the movie at 9 pm on 15 August.

     

    VH1

     

    This 15 August at 9 am and 10 pm, Vh1 will liberate viewers from the shackles of doubt with Vh1 Artist Select: Independence Day Special. Indian artists will reveal what’s playing on their playlist. From knowing that the B.L.O.T boys love hip hop and to knowing what Dualist Inquiry listens to on their playlist, the channel will give viewers complete dope on Indian artists’ favorite tunes.

     

    Hindi Entertainment & Movies

     

    &TV

     

    For Independence Day, &TV will air four special promos through the day. In addition to that, a special end page carrying Independence Day wishes has been created across all promos on air on 15 August. The logo will also carry Independence Day wishes through the day.

     

    Colors

     

    On 15 August at 8:30 pm, actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui will be seen promoting his upcoming film Manjhi on Colors’ show Udaan. He will be seen partaking in the flag-hoisting ceremony and deliver a speech on inspiration and hope leading to freedom.

     

    Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Reloaded at 9 pm will have a special Independence Day show with the contestants showcasing performances themed around independence and freedom. Most contestants have designed their performances around Indian dance forms.

     

    Epic

     

    The Epic Channel is all set to celebrate the spirit of patriotism this Independence Day by airing back-to-back episodes from the recently launched show Stories by Rabindranath Tagore directed by Anurag Basu. The Independence Day special on 15 August will be aired from 12 – 9 pm.

     

    Sony

    Sony Entertainment Television will premiere the blockbuster Piku starring Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone and Irrfan Khan at 8 pm. The movie will be followed by a special episode of the show Crime Patrol.

     

    Sony Max & Max 2

     

    The combination of Sony Max and Max 2 brings to its viewers a formidable line-up of patriotic movies on the occasion of Independence Day. With movies such as Indian, Chak! De India, Purab Aur Paschim and Kranti, viewers will be privy to an entire day of enjoyable movie watching experience.

     

    Max and Max 2 senior executive vice president and business head Neeraj Vyas said, “To commemorate the nation’s independence, we thought of showcasing films on both channels that are evocative of the struggle and triumph of victory in different realms of life and through different eras. With our endeavour to constantly provide our viewers with the best films, we hope to arouse a feeling of patriotism with an engrossing bouquet of films on both channels.”

     

    Note: The channels are listed in Alphabetical order.

  • BARC week 27: No change in pecking order of Hindi GECs

    BARC week 27: No change in pecking order of Hindi GECs

    MUMBAI: The pecking order of Hindi general entertainment channels (GECs) remained the same in week 27 of Broadcast Audience Research Council India (BARC) ratings. 

    Star Plus continued to rule the genre with 416,916 (000s sum) followed by Colors with 364,741 (000s sum). Zee TV comfortably sat at the number three position with 284,517 (000s sum). 

     

    Life OK was spotted on the fourth spot with 239,459 (000s sum) followed by Sony Entertainment Television (SET) at the bottom of the chart with 177,934 (000s sum).

    Amongst the top programs in the GEC space, Star Plus’ Saath Nibhana Saathiya grabbed the first position with 6,166 (000s sum).

     

    Zee TV’s Kumkum Bhagya and Dance India Dance – Season 5 recorded second and third spot with 5635 (000s sum) and 4962 (000s sum) respectively. However, Colors’ Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat and Sasural Simar Ka occupied fourth and fifth spot with 4650 (000s sum) and 4595 (000s sum) respectively. 

     

    In the English news space, Times Now continued its dominance with 418 (000s sum) followed by India Today Television with 186 (000s sum). Lastly, CNN-IBN scored 170 (000s sum).

     

    In the Hindi news broadcasting space, India TV secured the top position with 27322 (000s sum) followed by ABP News with 26235 (000s sum). On the other hand, Aaj Tak claimed the third spot with 24968 (000s sum).

     

    In the sports genre, Ten Sports continued its dominance with 38309 (000s sum). Ten Cricket and Sony Six occupied the second and third position with 23383 (000s sum) and 11751 (000s sum) respectively.

     

  • Side effects of high decibel quotient on news channels

    Side effects of high decibel quotient on news channels

    MUMBAI: Surprisingly the largest read English newspaper in the world hails from India. More surprisingly, India, which is often perceived as a country suffering from poverty with low literacy rate has a whopping 99,660 publications registered with the Registrar of Newspaper in India (RNI). The story of pride and honor doesn’t end there; the country has in excess of 90 24×7 news channels operating in more than 10 languages. Such is India’s journalistic story.

     

    Take a walk down memory lane and you’ll see that Indian media received global recognition on many occasions. Young aspirants were inspired by the words of P Sainath, Shekhar Gupta and Aroun Shourie. While Indian Express’ blank editorial page to protest emergency enthralled journalism of courage in young minds, R Jagannathan business analysis informed readers about numbers in the most exquisite manner. Indians were not only reading but were also watching headlines in World This Week with Dr Prannoy Roy in the broadcast medium.

     

    While the past makes us nostalgic, the ecstasy in present poses a threat to the future. Senior journalists are taking on each other on public forums. More than news, anchors are speaking about ratings, whereas hashtags like #presstitutes, #whoownsNDTV #traitortimesnow are trending on social media. Competition has transformed to jingoism and campaigns are launched to take on each other. While one is calling the other’s show hysteria, the other is claiming to be the best in the business. Not only that jingoism is going to such an extent that reputed journalists are tagging and bantering with each other on Twitter.

     

    And all this to garner high ratings, which in turn will bring 12 money-making minutes per hour to the channel! But what about the millions who are following these veteran journalists on social media platforms? Why has minting money become the foremost target of news channels? And more importantly, how will it stop?

     

    Almost every news channel now has a campaign, which indirectly depicts loopholes in the ratings of Times Now’s prime time show News Hour hosted by the effervescent Arnab Goswami. What’s more, Times Now has now launched a campaign hitting out at the other four English news channels namely India Today Television, NDTV 24×7, CNN-IBN and NewsX.

     

    Not long back Goswami directly targeted Rajdeep Sardesai after Sunanda Pushkar’s coverage on erstwhile Headlines Today (now India Today Television). Goswami went to such an extent that Sardesai went on to offer an indirect apology when he wrote, “Yes, we are driven by a TRP culture and see a murder case involving the rich and famous as ideal fodder. Yes, this case must be thoroughly investigated. But are we conducting a media trial based on sensationalizing facts?”

     

    Sardesai’s blog further added, “Last night, I carried a video of the dead body with marks on it. We saw it as evidentiary value and, therefore, relevant to the case. On hindsight, in showing close ups of the body, we erred: could we not have just blurred the body pictures? I plead guilty. Sunanda deserves justice. She also deserves dignity, in death as in life.”

     

    Goswami also publicly opposed NDTV’s decision to premiere India’s Daughter – a documentary directed and produced by Leslee Udwin on the Delhi rape case. The Government of India intervened and a decision was passed to forbid the premiere. It must be noted that Times Now also aired a controversial documentary on Purulia Arms Drop featuring interviews of accused Kim Davy and Peter Bleach. The documentary exposed many holes in the Indian judicial system and Times Now’s investigative journalism witnessed mass acknowledgement. So when Times Now airs a controversial documentary, it’s investigative journalism and if NDTV does so it’s an insult? Nirbhaya’s parents had no problem with the documentary, so what was the real issue? Was insecurity of others getting higher viewership the problem? What happened to freedom of expression?

     

    A senior media planning executive is of the opinion that at the end of the day, ratings is what planners look at and that’s the reason why all this is happening. The more the eyeballs… the more the brand interest. “Negative publicity does not result in brands rejection until and unless viewers reject the show and stop watching it,” the planner adds.

     

    The most recent development in this entire scenario is Times Now’s new campaign hitting on the other four channels, which earlier took the campaign route to criticize News Hour.

     

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, journalism professor of Calcutta University Tapati Basu says, “There are a huge number of young minds who want to be journalists. A majority of them look at Arnab, Barkha and Rajdeep for inspiration. Them bantering with each other for whatever reason impacts those igniting minds. They should set an example, a path, which young ones will follow and grow. And not only students, this public bantering affects the mass too. As of now there is no downward trend in enrollment.”

     

    Former Symbiosis media dean and current Amity University dean Ujjwal K Chowdhury opines, “The campaign of picking on each other is not healthy. The attempt of any news-initiative campaign should be on the strengths of the initiative and not on others’ weaknesses. And when you resort to such a campaign, you are actually giving importance to your rivals perhaps more than they deserve. Or, at least more than what YOU think they deserve. Having said this, sensationalism and commodification of news have been on the rise, more so in television and the thought that only talking loud, creating quarrels on screen, taking moral high positions, and playing to the emotions, almost playing to the gallery are sure shots of success. So, there is bound to be a backlash.”

     

    On the issue of negative impact on students, Chowdhury feels, “There will not be any perceived impact of this campaign on media education in general, or journalism in particular. However, the buzz is out that newer ways to tackle Times Now type of journalism are needed. The exclusive interview of Lalit Modi by India Today Television is one such way. Original, incisive and investigative journalism will be respected and become more popular ahead.”

     

    Sardesai is the largest followed Indian journalist on Twitter with 2.42 millions. Barkha Dutt, whose footage from the warfront still gives goose bumps to many, holds the second position with 2.34 million followers. On the other hand, Goswami has so far failed to take the Twitter bait and is unlikely to hop on to the social networking site anytime soon. However, Times Now, which is almost synonymous with Goswami, has 2.48 million followers. No matter the permutation combination, at least 20 per cent of those followers will be aspiring journalists, who look up to the stalwarts for inspiration. These veteran journalists also have a moral responsibility towards the younger lot. In the end, it’s not just about the 12 money-making minutes per hour.

     

    Three Parting Thoughts:

     

    “The true function of journalism is to educate the public mind, not to stock it with wanted and unwanted impressions.” MK Gandhi

     


     

  • “Four smaller channels don’t match up to Times Now:” Arnab Goswami

    “Four smaller channels don’t match up to Times Now:” Arnab Goswami

    MUMBAI: Reporting an event and informing viewers with occurrences from that event is no longer enough for a news channel in India. Week 23 of calendar year 2015 showed the television industry some never before incidences.

    When the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India announced its ratings for week 22, it showed how India Today Television pipped Times Now to take the pole position in the English News genre. And that’s something Times Now did not like!

     

    The zest to go back to number one saw Times Now and ET Now news president and editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami getting into action mode on the first day of the week, which incidentally is Sunday – a day when he is generally off action. The Sushma Swaraj – Lalit Modi controversy turned out to be just the right fodder and Goswami exploited the opportunity by covering the news as extensively as possible. The action that began in the Times Now studio certainly irked the then number one India Today Television’s Rahul Kanwal and he even took to Twitter to express his disdain by tweeting the following:

    Not only that, another tweet from Kanwal read as below:

    While Goswami in his coverage mentioned time and again that he broke the Keith Vaz – Lalit Modi story, Kanwal tweeted his reservations thus:

    The week got over, Times Now regained pole position after securing 345 (000s sum), whereas India Today Television managed 151 (000s sum) followed by NDTV 129 (000s sum). 

     

    Commenting on the ratings and indirectly responding to Kanwal and other channels Goswami said, “My experience has been that leadership is built by doing the news, not by negative marketing campaigns. Each time someone mocks or apes us, our viewership grows. There is a big lesson in this fact. Besides, the massive public response to our LalitGate expose matches the growing number of our viewers. Four smaller channels don’t match up to Times Now. I think it is time for the smaller channels to realise that aping the leader, or spending a lot of money mocking the leader is futile.” 

      

    Now it remains to be seen if this jingoism continues and how it affects viewers and if ever any other channel succeeds to grab the pole position. Overall, not only is the news industry providing news, it is also making headlines.

  • BARC India unveils individual ratings; Zee TV claims third spot

    BARC India unveils individual ratings; Zee TV claims third spot

    MUMBAI: Week 21 of Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) ratings, for the first time, highlighted data at an individual level.

     

    The latest week witnessed Zee TV emerging as a clear winner by securing its long lost ‘third’ position with 232395 (000’s sum). Life OK moved back to the fourth position with 224480 (000’s sum).

     

    Star Plus further strengthened its top position with 406152 (000’s sum) followed by Colors at number two with 361133 (000’s sum).

     

    On the other hand, Sab stayed put at number five with 187228 (000’s sum).

     

    Coming to the three shows, Star Plus’s Saath Nibhaana Saathiya continued to rule the charts with 7430 (000’s). Zee TV’s Kumkum Bhagya perched at number two with 4971 (000’s) and Colors’ Sasural Simar Ka stood at number three with 4930 (000’s).

     

    In the news broadcasting space, Aaj Tak continued to hold on to its numero uno position with 26410 (000’s sum) followed by ABP News with 22898 (000’s sum), whereas India TV secured the third position with 22487 (000’s sum).

     

    Times Now continued its dominance in the English News broadcasting space with 497 (000’s sum) followed by India Today Television (erstwhile Headlines Today) with 175 (000’s sum). CNN IBN at number three registered 155 (000’s sum).

     

    With absolute no change in the pecking order of sports category, Sony Max and Sony Six, official broadcasters of the Indian Premier League (IPL) were placed on the first and second slot with 256640 (000’s sum) and 51286 (000’s sum) respectively. Ten Sports at number three noted 41773 (000’s sum).