ITV

Tag: Kevin Vaz

  • Star Bharat aims to expand its reach within HSM: Kevin Vaz

    Star Bharat aims to expand its reach within HSM: Kevin Vaz

    Mumbai: There was a buzz about Star Bharat’s revamp when many shows including “Meri Gudiya” and “Kartik Purnima” were axed during the lockdown. Now, in a conversation with IndianTelevision.com, Disney Star head for network entertainment channels Kevin Vaz confirms that with a new content lineup, the channel is gradually shifting towards its new concept philosophy of romance-laden family entertainment shows.

    “With new content lineup, Star Bharat is aiming to expand its reach to a larger Hindi speaking market (HSM). The channel already has a loyal viewer base in Delhi, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh. We will commission new shows along this line targeting more Hindi speaking states including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Some part of Bihar, Rajasthan etc,” Vaz highlights.

    After Start Plus, Star Bharat is the second-largest Hindi GEC from the aegis of Star with a stronghold in the three largest Hindi-speaking markets – Delhi, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh. And with its revamp plan, the channel is all set to grab more eyeballs from viewers as well as advertisers.

    Star Bharat announces ‘Swayamavar: Mika Di Vohti’ to amp up programming lineup

    Throwing some light on their content strategy to fulfill their goal to reach a larger audience, Vaz says that the channel has no plans to stick to a particular genre. Rather they are aiming to establish Star Bahrat as a light-entertainment hotspot that offers something interesting to all age groups but romance and entertainment will remain the central theme for all programmes.

    “With our recent launches ‘Woh Toh Hai Albela’ and ‘Swayamvar: Mika Di Vohti,’ we have demonstrated that Star Bahrat will have a mix of shows themed on romance and entertainment,” he shares.

    Adding onto his statement, Vaz says that based on their research they have identified romance as a central theme and we can expect future launches crafted around the romance theme.  

    Last month the channel launched “Woh Toh Hai Albela”- a show already creating a buzz in the market, followed by their recent launch “Swayamavar: Mika Ki Voti.” The channel is also planning to launch “Gud Se Meetha Ishq” and “Kall Bhairav” in the coming months.

    “If we take a deep look at the shows being launched, it can be said that the channel is keeping love as its basic theme but the content is full of variety,” he says, adding that, “We have just begun with fresh content. We have more shows in the pipeline which will add value to its bouquet of content in the next six months,” he further adds.

    While the sponsors and advertisers are not yet revealed for the upcoming programming, it is expected that this expansion of content bouquet will help Star Bharat become a new favorite for advertisers across categories.

  • Disney Kids to launch new channel ‘Super Hungama’ on 1 March

    Disney Kids to launch new channel ‘Super Hungama’ on 1 March

    Mumbai: Disney Kids Network is set to launch kids’ channel Super Hungama on 1 March. 

    As per Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc) data, Disney Network is the preferred destination of entertainment for kids aged 2-14 years with 29.1 per cent network share (Source: Barc India | India Urban | TG: 2-14 | Wk 3-6’22 | All day 7-23 hr). “To further strengthen the portfolio and create an extension of the very popular Hungama channel, the network is bringing a new destination Super Hungama,” said the statement.

    Hungama is the most trusted TV channel among kids per Ormax Brand Trust Survey 2021. Super Hungama’s programming will target 8–12-year-olds inclusive of boys and girls.

    The channel is set to premiere four brand new series titled “Buzz Lightyear of Star Command,” “Milo Murphy’s Law,” “Big City Greens” and “The Daltons” along with popular series such as “Pokémon,” “Beyblade,” “Supa Strikas,” and much more. 

    “As Disney, we have always enjoyed a great affinity and loyalty among our fans; emerging as a network that they want to spend the most time with,” said Disney Star head – network entertainment channels Kevin Vaz. “Kids have looked at us to be their constant companion as our stories and characters have become an integral part of their lives and they have started enjoying the world through us. Given this, we thought this was a perfect opportunity to strengthen our multiplex of offerings and make a wholesome addition to our portfolio of channels.”

    “Hungama has always been a clear favourite among kids, because it has personified the world of a child as he or she sees it, bringing in lots of memorable moments filled with friendship, fun, mischief and a riot of laughter. With Super Hungama, we are creating a whole new dimension to an already popular destination by celebrating all the fun the kids have as well as partnering with them on their adventures. We are only optimistic that we will be able to entertain a larger section of fans and become friends that they trust and enjoy,” added Vaz.

    This new channel will replace Marvel HQ channel across Indian television.

  • Disney Star network execute 24-hour roadblock for Tata Play

    Disney Star network execute 24-hour roadblock for Tata Play

    Mumbai: Disney Star network executed a 24-hour roadblock for Tata Sky to drive awareness for their recent rebranding campaign as Tata Play. The roadblock was in effect from 27 January to 28 January.

    After 18 years as Tata Sky, the direct-to-home service provider announced its rebranding as Tata Play on 26 January signaling its expanded business interests in broadband and OTT aggregation.

    The Pan India outreach was delivered in eight languages on 54 channels across movies, entertainment, music, kids, infotainment and lifestyle channels. The network also executed 1800+ aston bands, 1450+ bugs, strategic in-show integrations in top shows across seven languages and 30+ creatives.

    “Disney Star is thrilled to associate with Tata Sky at a critical juncture in their 18-year journey, as they rebrand themselves as Tata Play,” said Disney Star head network entertainment channels Kevin Vaz. “This 24-hour network roadblock across all the entertainment channels of Disney Star demonstrates the strength of our network and the pivotal role it can play to support brands in their business transformation efforts. Our entertainment network’s rich experience and unparalleled reach of 700 million monthly unique viewers makes us the platform of choice for advertisers to derive the maximum investment value.”

    Tata Play MD and CEO Harit Nagpal said the 24- hour roadblock on the Disney Star network has helped create massive awareness across India, of Tata Play and its offerings right on day one of the launches.  “Disney Star teams across various channels worked closely with the Tata Play team and amplified the message through their well-known characters, and created many other value-adds which added further ammunition to the execution. It was an absolute delight to work with the Disney Star network who brought all their resources together to provide seamless execution for this brand transformation campaign,” said Nagpal.

    Wavemaker India chief client officer and head – West Shekhar Banerjee said the agency had set very strong, aggressive goals about the new brand’s awareness in week one. “When we’re doing such a high scale, important brand transition, nothing comes close to TV as a medium. It is still the largest medium with around 900 million audiences in the country. And there cannot be a better steroid than the largest network to reach this audience. In one day you can achieve what you cannot in a month. Our creative partner Ogilvy has worked with us in the past for similar launches and knows the drill. We made sure there’s enough content and space so that it doesn’t become jarring but at the same time, it allows us to get our messaging out clearly.”

  • National Geographic India brings new adventurous series – ‘Snakes SOS: Goa’s Wildest’

    National Geographic India brings new adventurous series – ‘Snakes SOS: Goa’s Wildest’

    Mumbai: National Geographic in India has announced its new adventure series – ‘Snakes SOS: Goa’s Wildest’ which is all set to premiere on 10 January.

    Keeping with the channel’s philosophy, the latest series focuses on the rescue efforts of two Indian wildlife activists – Benhail Antao and Louise Remedios. The two are luxurious wedding planners by profession, but wildlife rescuers by passion, and the show will follow their exciting lives, taking the viewers on an immersive journey through the city of Goa.  The 10-part series promises to show the duo in action and give an up-close and personal experience of their techniques and contributions in rescuing the varied snake species and other undomesticated animals through the city of Goa. The series also focuses on informing and enhancing the knowledge of viewers on the rich and diverse wildlife present in Goa the city and breaking the myths and misconceptions that people have come to believe about snakes in particular.

    “At National Geographic in India, we believe in showcasing purpose-driven narratives to help deepen engagement and drive meaningful conversations among our viewers. With adventure and entertainment as a backdrop, we wanted to bring a local narrative of two very inspiring individuals and challenge the myths and pre-established beliefs around snakes and reptiles. We hope that our efforts inspire viewers to care about the magnificent wildlife we have in our country and encourage them to play their part in preserving and protecting it,” said Star and Disney head of entertainment Kevin Vaz.

    Ben and Louise, said they were thrilled to bring their story to a large base of audiences through the channel. “We both have been extremely passionate about wildlife. Every day presents us with a new adventure and we have truly been enjoying the process of rescuing snakes; sometimes in the most unexpected circumstances. But more importantly, we have managed to rescue people from the perceptions they carry about these beautiful creatures. We hope that our stories inspire more people to change their attitude towards snakes by highlighting and showcasing how important they are to our ecosystem,” 

    ‘Snakes SOS: Goa’s Wildest’ will premiere on National Geographic Channel in India at 8.00 pm on 10 January. The episodes will be aired every Monday and Tuesday and will be available across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, and Kannada.

  • Asianet set to premiere ‘#Home’ on 25 December

    Asianet set to premiere ‘#Home’ on 25 December

    Mumbai: Malayalam general entertainment channel Asianet is set to premiere “#Home” on Christmas Day.

    The channel is gearing up to air the biggest releases in 2022 including “Marakkar- Lion of the Arabian Sea,” “RRR,” “Bro Daddy,” “Aarattu,” “12th Man,” “Kaaval,” “Bhramam,” “Keshu Ee Veedinte Nadhan,” “Kanakam Kaamini Kalaham,” “Kaane Kaane,” “Lalitham Sundaram Minnal Murali,” and “Malayankunju” to name few.

    “Asianet is a household name in Kerala and we remain committed to delivering high-quality entertainment that resonates with the viewers in the market,” said Star and Disney India head – network entertainment channels Kevin Vaz. “Watching movies on television as a family continues to be the norm and there is a high demand for quality movies from Malayalam speaking audiences across demographics. Asianet’s library of contemporary and quality movies makes it a sought-after destination for brands to reach out to their key target segments,” he added.

    Asianet has a library of 1500+ Malayalam films. In the last few years, the channel has significantly ramped up movie acquisitions in line with the constantly evolving tastes of the audience. These include some of the biggest 2021 hits like “Drishyam 2,” “Nayattu,” “Joji,” and “The Great Indian Kitchen,” all of which were well received by audiences outside of Kerala as well. Asianet also has 41 out of the all-time top 50 IMDb-rated films in Malayalam.

  • Star India consolidated its market share post-lockdown: Kevin Vaz

    Star India consolidated its market share post-lockdown: Kevin Vaz

    Mumbai: In the 18 months post-lockdown, Star TV network has emerged as the top broadcaster with over 30 per cent network share and strong growth across network channels, said Star and Disney India president and head – network entertainment channels Kevin Vaz.

    In the Hindi segment – Star Plus and Star Utsav are leaders, and Star Plus has grown to a seven year high, said Vaz while addressing the APOS India summit that began virtually on Tuesday. 

    While there have been tectonic shifts in the regional markets, Vaz said Star Pravah initially ranked third among the top channels reached the top position, and Star Vijay, which was Star India’s first regional channel competing in one of the toughest markets, became number one in primetime. Markets where Star TV had a stronghold – Malayalam (Asianet) and Telugu (Star Maa) have only grown further.

    In conversation with Media Partners Asia co-founder and senior partner Vivek Couto, he also spoke about the recovery of TV advertising business, the future of regional TV, investments in content on TV, resurgence of free-to-air (FTA) and future of mass TV.

    “There are several positive macroeconomic factors that are indicating that the economy is bouncing back,” noted Vaz, adding that the IMF has predicted 10 per cent growth in the coming year. “IIP Index reported 11.9 per cent growth in August. GST collections are up by 17 per cent compared to 2019. The last three months have seen GST collections crossing Rs one crore every month. The successful vaccination drive where 1.2 billion Indians have received at least one shot has led to a positive future outlook.”

    In terms of depth of advertisers, Vaz observed that the set of advertisers has shifted in the past five years. For instance, five years ago 92 per cent of advertising for the Indian Premier League (IPL) came from categories such as beverages, telecom, handsets and consumer durables. However, now the new age companies such as e-commerce, fintech, gaming and edtech are changing the paradigm.

    “These companies have grown their contribution from eight per cent to 40 per cent with the remaining 60 per cent constituted by traditional advertisers. Five years back there were 35 unicorns in the country. This year there are 72 unicorns which are expected to grow to 100 unicorns in the year ahead. These companies have a lot of funds, they want to grow their customer base and advertising on TV is their first point of call,” said Vaz.

    Discussing the situation during the lockdown, Vaz said TV broadcasters were caught in a dichotomy as advertisers were pulling back yet with the consumer sitting at home, this was the best chance to create strong partnerships and serve them really good content. “We decided to double down on investments and keep investing in brands keeping the consumer at the focus. We also changed the programming schedule. For example, Star Pravah increased its original programming from two hours to five hours and regional channels such as Star Vijay and Star Maa started serving 45-55 hours of original content every week. The result we see today is that every channel is a leader,” he added.

    TV has a lot of scope to grow in the country, noted Vaz. There are 300-325 million households out of which TV reaches 210 million. The rural markets added 20 million homes in the last five years, he said. Every week 750 million viewers tune in to watch TV and consume one trillion minutes of content, indicating that TV is the preferred entertainment medium. Vaz said that TV viewers in regional markets consume four hours of TV every day which is 25 per cent higher than the national average. So, growth in HSM markets will come by getting them to stick to TV for a longer period of time.

    In terms of content investments, Vaz said that Disney and Star India’s strategy is agnostic to screens. He remarked, “We continue to invest more on TV by launching new channels, opening in new markets. In each market, we intend to have one entertainment, one movie and one music channel to serve wholesome viewing to the consumer.”

    He also talked about how the production values on TV have also been scaled up with the launch of big historical dramas and mythological shows. Apart from regular fiction shows, he said finite shows where production values are higher will also be part of TV offering.   

    Speaking about the resurgence of FTA channels, Vaz said, “We are committed to serving every consumer segment. The FTA market is an incremental opportunity. There are 40 million FTA households. The awareness of pay channels is not high in these markets. Most consumers will begin their TV journey with an FTA channel. The monetisation opportunity is to upsell them. It is important to target this audience as their consumption is disproportionate in the rural markets.”

  • Star India bolsters content slate for festive season

    Star India bolsters content slate for festive season

    Mumbai: Star India network is bringing specially curated shows and films across Hindi, English, and regional channels this festive season. The content slate includes new seasons of marquee shows such as “Dance+,” “Bigg Boss” – Telugu and Tamil, “Super Singer,” “Start Music,” and many more.

    “Viewers are at the front and centre of everything we do; as a network, we understand their pulse and are committed to offering content that resonates with the entire family,” said Star and Disney India head – network entertainment channels Kevin Vaz. “We are thrilled to present power-packed shows with the biggest celebrities including Kamal Haasan, Akkineni Nagarjuna, Sonu Nigam, Remo D’Souza to entertain our viewers this festive season. This is a terrific opportunity for advertisers to reach and engage with viewers across demographics and make most of the festive period.”

    The upcoming weeks will bring in a plethora of new shows and films on the network including the comeback of “Dance+” on Star Plus after two years. Season six of the popular show will have Raghav Juyal as the host and the famed choreographer-director Remo D’Souza return as Super Judge along with Shakti Mohan, Punit J Pathak, and Salman Yusuf Khan as the judges, “Haathi Ghoda Paal Ki Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki,” a mythological drama series on Star Bharat, “It Happens Only In India” on National Geographic, Bollywood blockbuster films such as “The Big Bull,” “Mimi,” “Hungama 2,” and “Bhuj: The Pride of India” on Star Gold and Hollywood super hits “Frozen 2,” “The New Mutants,” “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil,” “The Empty Man,” and “A Welcome Home Christmas” on Star Movies. 

    The network’s regional entertainment offering will include a special talent show “Me Honar Superstar Chote Ustaad” on Star Pravah, “Cook with Comali Season 3” on Star Vijay, “Bigg Boss Diwali Special” on Star Maa, and more. In addition to this, multiple new fiction shows will be launched across the television network.

    Star India network currently has some of its biggest properties running on-air including “Bigg Boss Tamil” and “Start Music” on Star Vijay, “Bigg Boss Telugu” on Star Maa, “Super Singer Season 3” on Star Jalsha, “Me Honar Superstar Jallosh Dancecha” on Star Pravah and “Comedy Stars” on Asianet which continue to entertain viewers season after season and add to the festive cheer, said the broadcast network in a statement.

  • Star & Disney India expands roles of Kevin Vaz, Gaurav Banerjee

    Star & Disney India expands roles of Kevin Vaz, Gaurav Banerjee

    Mumbai: Star & Disney India has expanded the roles of senior executives Kevin Vaz and Gaurav Banerjee. 

    Previously, head of kids, infotainment and regional entertainment channels, Vaz has been appointed as head of entertainment, a newly created role and will be responsible for the entire entertainment channel business. Banerjee, previously head of English and Hindi entertainment channels, has been appointed as head of content and will spearhead content for HSM entertainment channels and Disney+ Hotstar including regional content on the OTT platform.

    The new roles were announced by The Walt Disney Company India and Star India, country manager, K Madhavan in an internal memo to staff.

    Vaz’s remit will expand to include Star Plus, Star Bharat, Star Utsav, Hindi movies, and English cluster. Star Plus, GM, Sumanta Bose, Star Bharat, GM, Arpit Mankar and Star India, GM – Hindi films, Hemal Jhaveri will report to Vaz. Additionally, Star India’s executive vice president – ad sales, entertainment business, Arghya Chakravarty will have a dotted line reporting to Kevin for HSM ad sales.

    The content heads of all Hindi channels will report to Banerjee. Hemal Jhaveri will also have a dotted line reporting to Banerjee for digital movie rights. Apart from Jhaveri and Dhawal Gusain, all regional channel GMs will also have a dotted line reporting to Banerjee for Disney+ Hotstar content.

  • National Geographic ropes in Karan Johar for ‘Your Lens’ campaign

    National Geographic ropes in Karan Johar for ‘Your Lens’ campaign

    Mumbai: National Geographic is celebrating the art of photography with the launch of its new campaign called ‘Your Lens’. The TV network has brought onboard Indian film director and television personality Karan Johar for the initiative.

    The campaign encourages the photo-enthusiasts to share their best pictures to get featured across the National Geographic television channel, social media and a specially curated website www.nationalgeographicyourlens.in for India.

    The entries spread across various themes such as breathtaking landscapes, majestic wildlife, thrilling adventures, vibrant festivals, people and portraits will be assessed by established National Geographic explorers, who are also among the most renowned photographers in the country like Prasenjeet Yadav, Deepti Asthana, and Poulomi Basu, said the statement.

    “National Geographic has always held a very distinctive and revered position in photography. Our iconic photographs and ground breaking imagery have been inspiring our audiences for decades with fresh new perspectives,” said Star & Disney India’s president and head – infotainment, kids & regional entertainment channels, Kevin Vaz. “Over the years, our fans have often included us by tagging us in their stories and beautiful captures. With ‘Your Lens’, we are strengthening this relationship by giving them a dedicated and a larger platform to celebrate their passion and be a part of our brand that they love and admire.”

    “We are excited to join hands with Karan Johar, a filmmaker who understands the power of emotions, to encourage everyone with a camera to continue sharing their stories with us,” he added.

    “National Geographic as a brand is truly iconic and I have always admired the outstanding and striking visuals they share with the world, inspiring millions of people,” Johar said. “This association is special to me since it is an extension of the passion I have for the camera and who I am as a person. As a filmmaker myself, I believe that an image has the power to move your soul and express so many emotions. The premise of ‘Your Lens’ is extremely exciting as it gives an opportunity for everyone to showcase their creativity and get featured on a prolific platform like National Geographic.”

  • Nat Geo India, with Gul Panag, launches 2 shows for Earth Day

    Nat Geo India, with Gul Panag, launches 2 shows for Earth Day

    MUMBAI: National Geographic in India, with a mission to ignite hope and change among the planet-conscious viewers, is bringing in Planet Possible to celebrate Earth Day 2021. With actor and environmental enthusiast Gul Panag on board, Planet Possible seeks to inform, inspire and empower viewers by bringing them stories of ingenuity, grit, hope, and optimism. The celebrations will feature the premiere of Tiger Queen of Taru and On the Brink on 22 April 2021 at 12 pm & 1 pm on National Geographic India and Nat Geo Wild. The shows will also stream on Disney+ Hotstar.

    Encouraging viewers to bring about a change – either through the biggest or smallest of actions, Planet Possible aims to inspire people of all ages to step outside their realities, ask questions, look closer, and forge a deeper understanding of the world and their place in it. As a part of the initiative, the films – Tiger Queen of Taru and On the Brink will explore the life of wild animals living in the 21st century in India and share intriguing insights along with offering a fresh new perspective and nuances.

    Directed by Indian documentary filmmaker Aishwarya Sridhar for over six years, the film Tiger Queen of Taru traces the remarkable life of Maya, a wild Bengal tiger living in the Tadoba Andhari tiger reserve, Maharashtra’s oldest and largest National park. On the Brink series journeys through the sub-continent, immersing audiences in the most incredible landscapes and habitats in the country and bringing them eye to eye with the rarely spotted animals that are living on the edge of extinction. From vanishing Gharial crocodiles in Chambal River to Indian Pangolin in Papikonda National Park, Andhra Pradesh, the two part series will uncover the hidden and harsh reality, secrets and facts about the endangered species and help discover the key for their survival.

    “At National Geographic, we draw audiences with our creative storytelling; taking them on immersive, empathetic journeys. With an unwavering commitment to the world we live in, Planet Possible hopes to provide a perspective-shifting inspiration through our narratives – Tiger Queen of Taru & On the Brink and illustrate the most effective ways to help our world. We are really happy to have Gul Panag join us in our mission to bring stories of hope and change for all the planet lovers across in the country,” said Star & Disney India infotainment, kids & regional entertainment channels president & head Kevin Vaz.

    “I have grown up with National Geographic and I’m truly honoured that I got the chance to be part of their Earth Day special celebrations. The thought and cause behind Planet Possible is extremely close to my heart since I firmly believe that we should all be contributing towards our planet. I am urging people to take inspiration from the films and do their bit in making the world a better place to live in,” said Gul Panag