ITV

Tag: INX News

  • TDSAT: MSO Honey Sky Vision’s petition against INX News dismissed

    TDSAT: MSO Honey Sky Vision’s petition against INX News dismissed

    NEW DELHI: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal has dismissed a petition by multi-system operator Honey Sky Vision wanting a decree against INX News for certain payments.

    Chairman Aftab Alam and member B B Srivastava said, “Since the agreement itself fails to get our acceptance and absence of invoices and proper statement of account, there is no justification for entertaining this petition. Accordingly, we find no merit in the petition and it is accordingly dismissed.”

    Honey Sky Vision had filed for issuance of order/decree in its favour and against INX News for an amount of Rs 23,59,560 as the alleged outstanding amount due in lieu of placement of channel News X on its network. Additionally an order awarding interest at the rate of 18 percent in favour of the petitioner had also been sought.

    The case of the MSO is that the INX News had entered into an agreement with it for placement of its channel News X on the petitioner’s network. The agreement was for the period 28 September 2011 to 27 September.2012 and for a consideration of Rs. 21 lakh per annum plus service tax as payable.

    The MSO claimed it complied with all its obligations; carried/placed News X at desired frequency/band to the complete satisfaction of the respondent whose representatives/officials regularly visited the networks/units of the petitioner in various areas of Delhi.

    The petitioner also claims to have raised/provided monthly invoices to the respondent for placement of its channel. However, INX News completely denied all allegations made by the petitioner including execution of any placement agreement between the parties.

    The MSO produced copy of a placement agreement which only bore its representative’s signature and not those of INX News. The MSO also failed to produce the invoices it claimed to have raised.

    The tribunal, which also examined witnesses, said, “In view of facts emerging on the basis of pleadings, documents and evidences adduced, it is extremely difficult to accept the agreement, in the form it has been produced before us, as a legitimate and validly executed agreement between the petitioner and the respondent. Rather we hold and find that there was no agreement between the petitioner and the respondent.”

  • TDSAT: MSO Honey Sky Vision’s petition against INX News dismissed

    TDSAT: MSO Honey Sky Vision’s petition against INX News dismissed

    NEW DELHI: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal has dismissed a petition by multi-system operator Honey Sky Vision wanting a decree against INX News for certain payments.

    Chairman Aftab Alam and member B B Srivastava said, “Since the agreement itself fails to get our acceptance and absence of invoices and proper statement of account, there is no justification for entertaining this petition. Accordingly, we find no merit in the petition and it is accordingly dismissed.”

    Honey Sky Vision had filed for issuance of order/decree in its favour and against INX News for an amount of Rs 23,59,560 as the alleged outstanding amount due in lieu of placement of channel News X on its network. Additionally an order awarding interest at the rate of 18 percent in favour of the petitioner had also been sought.

    The case of the MSO is that the INX News had entered into an agreement with it for placement of its channel News X on the petitioner’s network. The agreement was for the period 28 September 2011 to 27 September.2012 and for a consideration of Rs. 21 lakh per annum plus service tax as payable.

    The MSO claimed it complied with all its obligations; carried/placed News X at desired frequency/band to the complete satisfaction of the respondent whose representatives/officials regularly visited the networks/units of the petitioner in various areas of Delhi.

    The petitioner also claims to have raised/provided monthly invoices to the respondent for placement of its channel. However, INX News completely denied all allegations made by the petitioner including execution of any placement agreement between the parties.

    The MSO produced copy of a placement agreement which only bore its representative’s signature and not those of INX News. The MSO also failed to produce the invoices it claimed to have raised.

    The tribunal, which also examined witnesses, said, “In view of facts emerging on the basis of pleadings, documents and evidences adduced, it is extremely difficult to accept the agreement, in the form it has been produced before us, as a legitimate and validly executed agreement between the petitioner and the respondent. Rather we hold and find that there was no agreement between the petitioner and the respondent.”

  • TDSAT orders INX News to pay Manthan’s Rs 96 lakh outstanding due

    TDSAT orders INX News to pay Manthan’s Rs 96 lakh outstanding due

    NEW DELHI: INX Media Pvt Ltd has been directed by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Arbitration Tribunal (TDSAT) to pay to Kolkata’s Manthan Broadband Services Pvt Ltd outstanding dues of Rs 95.76 lakh.

     

    According to the judgment by TDSAT chairman Justice Aftab Alam and members Kuldip Singh and B B Srivastava, INX will have to pay the amount after deducting TDS, if any, deposited by it with the income tax authorities for which it will provide the TDS certificates.

     

    The amount is to be paid within six weeks from the date of the order. The sum so payable will also carry interest at the rate of eight per cent from 17 May 2013, which is the date of filling of the petition and till the same is paid to Manthan.

     

    The cost of litigation was assessed as Rs 25,000.

     

    According to Manthan, Fifth Avenue Media of Mumbai acting on behalf of INX News had agreed to pay a sum of Rs 1.15 crore for the placement of the channel for the period 1 June, 2011 to 31 May, 2012. Though the channel was placed as per the agreement, INX News made a payment of Rs 31.07 lakh only and has not made any further payment to Manthan.

     

    The Tribunal said after considering the facts of the case, rival submissions and evidence on record as well as the law in this regard, it was convinced that Fifth Avenue Media was acting on behalf of INX News and there was an agreement between the parties for placement of the INX News channel on the network of Manthan.

     

    The Tribunal was informed that it had been agreed that Manthan would be paid this amount in advance in three equal instalments.

     

    However, INX News had denied any such agreement or that it had approached Manthan through Fifth Avenue Media.

     

    Nevertheless, Manthan had produced evidence before the Tribunal, which noted that though the initial e-mails exchanged were between Gurmeet Singh representing Manthan and Gaurav Kohli of Fifth Avenue Media, an e-mail was written by INX News’ Anuj on 29 June, 2011 to Kohli enclosing a soft copy of the distribution agreement for Manthan. The same was forwarded by Kohli to Singh on 30 June, 2011, with a copy to Anuj.

  • Three months deadline to channels for responding to clarifications: MIB

    Three months deadline to channels for responding to clarifications: MIB

    NEW DELHI: Even as it said it will not respond to applications of permissions for licences if an applicant has delayed in responding to queries by more than three months, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry today gave a final grace period of 15 days to 73 applications.

     

    The Ministry said in a note today that a stock-taking had shown that in 20 per cent to 40 per cent cases, applicants took anything between three months to one year to reply to the information sought by the Ministry. So, the ministry has said that henceforth, it will close requests where clarification has been due for more than three months.

     

    A final call has been given to all to send in their clarifications that are pending within 15 days.

     

    At the same time, it said that it is committed to granting permissions and other regulatory approvals as soon as clearances and clarifications are obtained in a speedy and transparent manner. It said that no permissions can be “held up intentionally.”

     

    However, the company’s response sometimes becomes crucial to expeditious disposal of such requests.

     

    Failure by the companies to reply, delays the whole process leading to an impression that the permissions are held up by the Ministry.

     

    The Ministry also sent separate emails to the concerned companies.

     

    Applicants include major players like Big RTL Broadcast, INX News, UTV Entertainment, Sarthak Entertainment, Focus group, News Express among others. Some of these have filed applications for more than one channel. 

  • NewsX undergoes makeover, gets new name

    NewsX undergoes makeover, gets new name

    NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: Eighteen months after it was bought over by Indi Media from Indrani and Peter Mukerjea, the English news channel NewsX is all set to take on a new identity: it will be known as IMN News from July.

    The change in the name of the channel to Independent Media Network News will also mean a change in the name of the company. But the new nomenclature will be known only after one of the three names, proposed by Indi Media, is approved.

    Jehangir S Pocha, who had formed a joint venture with NaiDunia promoter and CEO Vinay Chhajlani to take over INX News in January last year, did not rule out more ventures in media after the re-launch of NewsX as IMN News. Pocha, who is a former editor of Businessworld, was categorical that any new venture would be in the non-fiction sphere.

    Introducing the new name and logo, he told mediapersons that the entire news channel would undergo a complete change with new programmes and formats. He also stressed that the channel would not ‘personalise news’ – that is, individual presenters or anchors will not be promoted as it is being done by some other channels.

    Pocha said that the new brand name and look had been developed by Argentina-based broadcast design house Stein Branding and the new sets were being created by James Yates Design in New York.

    He said, unlike other news channels, IMN News would have a clear screen and not cluttered with several scrolls running simultaneously. There will be just one half-hour slot on entertainment, he said, reacting to a comment that most news channels thrive on cricket, cinema and crime. He said crime would not be played up as is being done by some channels, particularly in the regional and Hindi sphere.

    Answering a question, he said around 15 to 25 new stories would be covered everyday, with just three or four being played up if necessary. He stressed that there would be no ‘noisy shouting’.

    He was categorical that the aim would be to present news that is non-tabloid in nature and contemporary. Around 12 to 14 new programmes are being launched simultaneously though he indicated that the popular India Inc business programme would continue.

    Talking about the logo, he emphasised that the morning beam and evening beam will have different colours in keeping with the mood of the day. He also said a new website will be launched, imnews.com.

    Stressing that the new organisation had cut costs since it took over the channel, he said the number of staff had come down from 450 to around 327, of which 65 per cent were on the edit and journalistic side. Outside the country, the channel has bureaus only in New York and London.

    While ruling out any financial investment by any other media group from India or overseas, he said that arrangements for getting news are being worked out with Voice of America and a Pakistani news channel.

    He said TBWA is handling the advertising for the channel. 

    IMN News will continue to be beamed from INSAT 4A, which has a footprint over south and South East Asia and parts of the Arab world.

  • Rahul Shaw is INX News SVP ad sales

    Rahul Shaw is INX News SVP ad sales

    MUMBAI: Rahul Shaw has joined INX News as senior vice president ad sales. Based in Delhi, he will be reporting directly to INX News COO Vynsley Fernandes.

    In his new post, Shaw will be responsible for driving the revenue function of English news channel NewsX and the other upcoming channels from INX News.

    Shaw was earlier with NDTV Imagine where he was working as senior VP ad sales.

    Commenting on the appointment, Fernandes said: “Rahul has a wide experience of handling advertising sales across several genres in print and television. He has proven expertise of driving revenue growth in start ups as well as building and leading strong sales teams. We are delighted to have him on board.”

    Prior to NDTV Imagine, Shaw was in Star India where he held various roles in the sales function. Shaw also had a stint in Set India, where he was managing revenue for their English language channels.

    Shaw started his career with Bennett, Coleman & Company Ltd. and later moved to Turner International where he handled HBO, Cartoon Network and CNN before joining Set India.

  • INX News ropes in Karan Thapar’s ITV as editorial advisor

    INX News ropes in Karan Thapar’s ITV as editorial advisor

    MUMBAI: INX News has appointed Karan Thapar’s company Infotainment Television Pvt Ltd (ITV) as editorial advisor to NewsX, the soon-to-be-launched English news channel.

    The advisory services will comprise a review of progress to date and consultancy on future editorial development of the channel.

    INX News head of newsroom Arup Ghosh said, “I am very pleased that Karan’s ITV has come on board as editorial advisor to NewsX. With its experience and reputation, I am sure ITV will contribute immensely to our vision of a world-class news channel for NewsX.”

    Commenting on ITV’s appointment as editorial advisor to NewsX, Thapar added, “ITV is delighted to accept a project from NewsX to advise it on how to become one of the most exciting news channels available in India.”

    INX News chairperson Indrani Mukerjea said, “With the expertise of the editorial and operations team at NewsX, we are ready to provide the highest quality of intelligent news for today’s audience.”

    Established in 2001, ITV has worked for the BBC, Channel News Asia, CNBC TV18, CNN-IBN and Doordarshan, among other channels.

  • INX News ropes in Arup Ghosh as newsroom head

    INX News ropes in Arup Ghosh as newsroom head

    MUMBAI: Indrani and Peter Mukerjea’s INX News Pvt Ltd has announced the appointment of news broadcast veteran Arup Ghosh as its newsroom head.

    Ghosh’s appointment marks the first senior level hire by INX News after the departure of its CEO and editorial head Vir Sanghvi and the recent summary dismissal of executive editor Avirook Sen and others.

    Indrani Mukerjea said, “I am delighted to welcome Arup to the INX family as the newsroom head, and I am sure he will add immense value to the company. We will also shortly announce the appointment of our editor-in-chief.”

    Ghosh said, “I really look forward to working with the team at INX. This is the perfect time in the industry to raise the bar where the English News genre is concerned, and I am very happy to be a part of the team who are committed to doing this.”

    Ghosh’s television career started in 1995 with NDTV. He has at different points held top positions in Star News, Sahara Samay Rashtriya and Channel 7. Prior to joining INX News, Ghosh was running a consultancy firm called Network 1 Media Consultancy.

  • Vir Sanghvi exiting INX News

    MUMBAI: The rumours have been floating for a while of rumblings within Indrani and Peter Mukerjea’s news broadcast arm INX News Pvt Ltd. It can now be confirmed that Vir Sanghvi, CEO of INX News and editorial head of the group’s upcoming news channel News X, is on his way out of the company.

    As for who might be replacing Sanghvi, while no confirmation was available from the company at the time of filing this report, the buzz is that the head of a leading Hindi news channel might be taking charge in due course.

    Details are awaited…

  • INX News ropes in Sourav Ganguly as brand ambassador

    MUMBAI: INX News has roped in cricketer Sourav Ganguly as its brand ambassador. Besides, Ganguly will also present a show on NewsX and will be actively involved in the channel’s programming.

    INX News will be launching an English news channel NewsX in early 2008.

    Ganguly will work closely with NewsX sports team headed by sports journalist Pradeep Magazine. Says NewsX CEO Vir Sanghvi, “I have always been keen to have Sourav on board and am pleased that we’ve signed up for a long-term association. We are still some months away from launch and this is just the beginning.”

    Being an ambassador of INX News, Ganguly will eventually play a role in the entertainment programming for the general entertainment channel 9X.

    Says INX Media founder and CEO Indrani Mukerjea, “Sourav is one of the most loved stars from India’s collective passion -Cricket. We are proud that Sourav too has been keen to associate with the INX Network.”