ITV

Tag: Kevin Vaz

  • Star Suvarna to telecast ‘Kannadada Kotyadhipati 2018’ the Kannada version of ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire’ as part of its revamp

    Star Suvarna to telecast ‘Kannadada Kotyadhipati 2018’ the Kannada version of ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire’ as part of its revamp

    May 21, 2018: The third season of Kannadada Kotyadhipati, the Kannada version of ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire’, which sets the stage for a revamps of Star Suvarna, the Kannada GEC channel of Star Network will premiere in June’18. Since January 2018, the channel has gained viewership share in Kannada GEC, led by new fiction launches; Muddu Lakshmi and Bili Hendthi and daily reality show Pyate Hudugir Halli Life – S4.

    To further strengthen its consumer offering, Star Suvarna is launching the 3rd season of Kannadada Kotyadhipati, the Kannada language series of the format “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire”, popularly known as KBC (Kaun Banega Crorepati) in India. In its first 2 seasons in 2012 and 2013, it was the most-watched show in Kannada. Star Suvarna is planning to further strengthen the line-up with 2 new fiction launches along with Kannadada Kotyadhipati’s launch. 

    Mr. Kevin Vaz, CEO of South Entertainment Channels for Star India Pvt Ltd commented: “Star Suvarna is known to provide differentiated and wholesome family entertainment and we are excited to bring Kannadada Kotyadhipati back to the viewers. We are confident that with Mr. Ramesh Aravind as the host and the new feature, ‘Play Along’, this show will engage viewers very well, and Star Suvarna will flourish to become Kannadigas favorite channel yet again.” 

    The 3rd Season of ‘Kannadada Kotiyadhipathi’ will be hosted by the versatile actor, Mr. Ramesh Aravind, who has worked in movies across 5 languages as an actor, producer, and director. Beyond films, Ramesh has also won people’s hearts as TV show anchor, motivational speaker, TEDx presenter and social worker. 

    Speaking about the show host, Mr. Ramesh Aravind said “I am really honored to host Kannadada Kotyadhipati. This show touches a deep chord in the viewer. It holds the promise of change, the ability to carve out a life one desires. This show is not about money, but hope and I’m humbled to be a part of the process.”

    With a promise of making common man a ‘Kotyadhipati’, the show has been a big draw among viewers across markets irrespective of gender and age groups. This season, with the advent of technology and features like ‘Play along’, the show gets closer to its viewers as never before as it gives viewers an opportunity to participate and get rewarded from the comfort of their homes.

    The show is being produced by Mr. Siddharth Basu of Big Synergy, widely known as the Father of quiz on Indian TV. 

    Mr. Siddharth Basu opines “KannadadaKotyadhipati remains the most loved show as anyone can win here irrespective of background, education, caste, provided (s)he is empowered by knowledge. The stringent processes are practiced to ensure fairness, which enhances the credibility of the show”.

    “Kannadada Kotyadhipati” has the power to change people’s lives forever. The show is in line with Star Suvarna’s commitment towards providing thought-provoking and entertaining content to its viewers. The registration lines to participate in the show now closed were open for 10 days, receiving an overwhelming response from the aspirants.

  • Movies HD in Star Maa’s refreshed identity with new programmes

    MUMBAI: Star Maa, the Telugu GEC of Star Network, is rechristening its network channels under the Star Maa umbrella. On 25 June, the brands Maa Music, Maa Gold and Maa Movies were respectively rebranded as Star Maa Music, Star Maa Gold & Star Maa Movies. Apart from the refreshed movies channel, a HD addition is added to the bouquet, Star Maa Movies HD.

    Each channel is aimed at amplifying the ante but also aims to create emotional connect with its viewers. With the re-branding the channels content offerings will further see a ramp up with bigger and better viewing experiences as a network. All the network channels will showcase and launch an array of new shows and innovative programming with impeccable standards.

    The brand proposition of Star Maa Music is aimed as flipside of music, which will resonate everything that relates to music. Maa Music has grown 2 times over the last few months in terms of the viewership. New programs like Connect & Restart have contributed to this growth and with the refresh that happened, Star Maa Music aims to reach young consumers and entertain them more.

    Star Maa Gold is poised to be a GEC with a difference. It will aim to provide an alternative viewing experience, the channel claims. Unlike other mainline GECs which cater mostly to the female viewers with daily soaps and dramas. Star Maa Gold explores multiple genres such as action, mythology, crime, comedy, reality, movies and other lesser explored content areas. The popularity of the channel has been seeing dramatic growth in the recent weeks and has grown 3-fold times compared to the beginning of the year.

    Star Maa Movies SD & Star Maa Movies HD are aimed at constantly redefining the possibilities of movie viewing experience. Maa Movies has been the numero uno movie channel in the last 6 weeks. With a strong movie library of 800 plus movies Star Maa Movies refresh is all set to bring home the love for cinema to viewer’s. HD version of Star Maa Movies will take a lead in creating inventive and ground-breaking ways to tell stories and redefine the home movie viewing experience.

    Star India CEO – south region Kevin Vaz commented “We are in the entertainment space and with changing aspirations and expectations of viewers we always look to redefine entertainment”. “Innovation, content variety, spiffy packaging and quality of the channel is a sign of our commitment to Telugu viewing audience, globally,” Vaz, also added “As we enter this new phase, we will continue to delight our consumers with new stories and new programs that will redefine entertainment in various genres be it with gold movies or music channels.”

    Star Maa Network EVP & business head Alok Jain said, “Star India’s Integration with Maa was a testimony to STAR wanting to build and grow in Telugu market. With this brilliant synergies, all the network channels underwent refresh on 25th June, we are now poised to take a leap forward. With the new brand name and proposition, we plan to significantly scale up our offerings of all our network channels which has seen tremendous growth starting from the year of 2017’’

  • Star Maa: ‘Refreshed’ channel to offer MEK, Desamudurlu & fiction shows

    MUMBAI: MAA TV, a Star India portfolio channel, announced its new Brand position and Refresh along with a dynamic new logo, brand tagline and channel pneumonic theme track at a media conference. Star Maa is poised for bigger and better – be it with shows, look & feel, audiences, reach and impact.

    Megastar Chiranjeevi unveiled the new logo and the brand tagline. Maa TV has now become Star Maa. The logo’s new identity is gorgeously red with the intrinsically bold Maa written under it. The color red symbolizes prosperity, optimism, celebration, desire, purity, passion, love and holiness. The logo reflects two very powerful brands and promises a strong collaboration.

    Another highlight was when Star Maa’s main leads came onstage dressed in their fiction show characters along with Megastar Chiranjeevi to jointly announce the new tagline of the Channel… “Ade Bandham … Sarikotta Uttejam” (Same bonding … New inspiration).

    Star Maa has aggressive and forward-looking plans of growth and expansion. It has plans to consolidate its position in the Telugu market and achieve dominant thought, content and image leadership.

    Leveraging the Big brand refresh, Star Maa is also launching MEK on Monday, 13 February at 9.30pm with megastar Chiranjeevi as the host. Another non-fiction comedy show, Desamudurlu, is being launched on Friday, 17 February at 9.30pm, These two shows will be a great addition to the recently launched four promising and popular prime time fiction shows — Koyilamma, Kumkuma Puvvu, Lakshmi Kalyanam and Malleswari. Kumkuma Puvvu is currently the No 1 Telugu show nationally and poised to stay at the top in the foreseeable future.

    Star India CEO – south region Kevin Vaz said, “Star India’s acquisition of Maa was a testimony to STAR wanting to build and grow in this market. With the brilliant synergy of the strengths of Maa and STAR, we believe, we have come a fair distance in the last few months but we are now poised to take a leap.”

    “Keeping tune with changing aspirations and expectations of audiences is the key to long-term success. Programming innovation, content variety, and modernizing the entire packaging and quality of the channel through Star Maa brand refresh is a sign of our commitment to the Telugu people, globally,” Vaz added.

    Chiranjeevi, addressing the audience, said: “I have been a part of Maa TV from its inception and this channel has been known to have vibrant, innovative, pleasant and interactive programming. The channel has been close to your hearts and you have respected and nurtured this emotional connection. With this refresh of the channel’s ID, logo and signature tune as well as a power-packed line up of new shows, I can only see Star Maa continuing to climb the charts of success.”

    Maa business head Alok Jain said: “Our aim is to make Star Maa more current and relevant to the viewers. We are crafting a philosophy that respects the spirit of the Telugu people across the globe. Our story-telling develops linkages with the dreams to create an entertainment brand that is consumed by the entire family. We educate, uplift and usher in new thinking. Every Telugu woman and man, who is optimistic and growth-oriented, yet rooted in home and state, is our key audience. Our aim is to be innovative, revolutionary and original in every aspect of our business and hopes to deliver best in this journey.”

    He added: “The Star Maa Refresh is about inspiring people. At every level, we aim to be inspired storytellers who will influence and persuade the Telugu viewer to improve and enhance his dreams and aspirations. The thought behind the words “Ade Bandham … Sarikotta Uttejam” reverberates through programming and through every visual element of the channel.”

  • Star India to back its Star Jalsha and Jalsha Movies HD launch with aggressive marketing and adequate content

    Star India to back its Star Jalsha and Jalsha Movies HD launch with aggressive marketing and adequate content

    MUMBAI: It is very easy to say that the television industry in India is in a state of stagnation and soon will fall prey to the new predator- digital, as has happened in the west. But then, when you have a constantly innovating broadcaster like Star India, the perception can be false. Setting trends has been a regular habit for the media baron Rupert Murdoch backed broadcaster and it’s repeating itself again.

    “We launched the first HD channel in India and the rest followed the trend. Now we are launching the HD feed of Star Jalsha and Jalsha Movies, which is a first in the Bengali space,” says Kevin Vaz.

    This Bengali new year (Poila Boishak), the front-runner in the Bengali entertainment space, Star Jalsha and Jalsha Movies will have their HD offering to woo their consumers with an exquisite viewing experience. “We have a 51 per cent market share when it comes to viewership, we have 8 to 9 shows always featuring among the top shows, which clearly proves our superiority and our leadership in the space. It’s our responsibility to go and invest on an innovation like this,” asserts Vaz.

    There are a lot of new shows that Jalsha has launched recently and a good number of them are there in the pipeline. “It’s not just launching a channel, it’s about backing it up with adequate content also. We have shows like Krian Mala which in HD will give viewers an all new experience to cherish. We are coming up with our 100 episodic show Mahanayak starring Tollywood super star Prasenjit Chatterjee. It will be our biggest production ever and when you have a show like this going HD, is a certain proposition,” explains Vaz.

    “The HD feeds will be exact replicas of the SD channels” confirms Vaz, which also rules out the possibility of exclusive HD premiers. But the network will not follow the replicating strategy when it comes to monetisation. “As a group, Star India monetises HD separately, and we will continue to do this with the two new Bengali HD offerings also,” he adds.

    A media planning expert on condition of anonymity says, “HD is emerging as an exclusive platform to cater to the niche or rather the top of the pyramid audience and the rates too are reaching a premium, at least in the English entertainment genre. This new offering from Star in the regional Bengali market too will have its premium price. And it’s not only the people from that region who will consume the content, Bengali people across the country will enjoy the offering, so from the brands point of view, its not only that particular region but the entire community that the channels will reach out to.”   

    The launch will be backed by aggressive 360 degree marketing, “We will promote it across all our HD offerings, this is a big launch that we are doing and we will back it in every possible way,” Vaz concludes.       

     

  • Star India to back its Star Jalsha and Jalsha Movies HD launch with aggressive marketing and adequate content

    Star India to back its Star Jalsha and Jalsha Movies HD launch with aggressive marketing and adequate content

    MUMBAI: It is very easy to say that the television industry in India is in a state of stagnation and soon will fall prey to the new predator- digital, as has happened in the west. But then, when you have a constantly innovating broadcaster like Star India, the perception can be false. Setting trends has been a regular habit for the media baron Rupert Murdoch backed broadcaster and it’s repeating itself again.

    “We launched the first HD channel in India and the rest followed the trend. Now we are launching the HD feed of Star Jalsha and Jalsha Movies, which is a first in the Bengali space,” says Kevin Vaz.

    This Bengali new year (Poila Boishak), the front-runner in the Bengali entertainment space, Star Jalsha and Jalsha Movies will have their HD offering to woo their consumers with an exquisite viewing experience. “We have a 51 per cent market share when it comes to viewership, we have 8 to 9 shows always featuring among the top shows, which clearly proves our superiority and our leadership in the space. It’s our responsibility to go and invest on an innovation like this,” asserts Vaz.

    There are a lot of new shows that Jalsha has launched recently and a good number of them are there in the pipeline. “It’s not just launching a channel, it’s about backing it up with adequate content also. We have shows like Krian Mala which in HD will give viewers an all new experience to cherish. We are coming up with our 100 episodic show Mahanayak starring Tollywood super star Prasenjit Chatterjee. It will be our biggest production ever and when you have a show like this going HD, is a certain proposition,” explains Vaz.

    “The HD feeds will be exact replicas of the SD channels” confirms Vaz, which also rules out the possibility of exclusive HD premiers. But the network will not follow the replicating strategy when it comes to monetisation. “As a group, Star India monetises HD separately, and we will continue to do this with the two new Bengali HD offerings also,” he adds.

    A media planning expert on condition of anonymity says, “HD is emerging as an exclusive platform to cater to the niche or rather the top of the pyramid audience and the rates too are reaching a premium, at least in the English entertainment genre. This new offering from Star in the regional Bengali market too will have its premium price. And it’s not only the people from that region who will consume the content, Bengali people across the country will enjoy the offering, so from the brands point of view, its not only that particular region but the entire community that the channels will reach out to.”   

    The launch will be backed by aggressive 360 degree marketing, “We will promote it across all our HD offerings, this is a big launch that we are doing and we will back it in every possible way,” Vaz concludes.       

     

  • Channel V’s ‘Gumrah’ is first TV series to be adapted into book

    Channel V’s ‘Gumrah’ is first TV series to be adapted into book

    MUMBAI: Channel V’s crime television series, Gumrah – The End of Innocence, has become the first television series to be adapted into a book.

     

    The book titled – Gumrah has been written by Ira Trivedi and was unveiled by Chetan Bhagat in Mumbai on 27 January.

     

    Priced at Rs 195, the book has been published by Rupa Publications and will be available across key retails outlets as well as digitally in the form of an e-book.

     

    With a foreword by Bhagat, the book has 11 gripping short stories, wherein each story tells a tale and unravels the consequences of wrong choices made by innocent teens. 

     

    Talking about the book launch, Channel V business head Kevin Vaz said, “Gumrah is not just a show; it’s a brand in itself. Over the past few years it has gained in stature and is revered by youngsters. It redefined the way in which we looked at teen crime in the country. Even parents ask their teenage children to watch Gumrah so that they can be better prepared to face the uncertainties of the current environment. The purpose of the book is the same; it just gives us another avenue to engage with the youth who can now consume the content in a different form.“

     

    “The stories featured in this book are powerful, touching and gripping all at the same time. They are not only entertaining, but they are also important – they were important to write and they are important to read, and I do hope young Indians everywhere read this book. Many of the stories are chilling, gruesome and even horrific– they are based on true incidents and the book is telling of our times,” added Trivedi.

     

    The book is written with a view to help teens differentiate between perception and reality of the real world. The show is focused towards appealing to the young, vulnerable and impressionable minds of India.

     

    Channel V has been airing Gumrah over the last four years.

  • Channel V’s ‘Gumrah’ is first TV series to be adapted into book

    Channel V’s ‘Gumrah’ is first TV series to be adapted into book

    MUMBAI: Channel V’s crime television series, Gumrah – The End of Innocence, has become the first television series to be adapted into a book.

     

    The book titled – Gumrah has been written by Ira Trivedi and was unveiled by Chetan Bhagat in Mumbai on 27 January.

     

    Priced at Rs 195, the book has been published by Rupa Publications and will be available across key retails outlets as well as digitally in the form of an e-book.

     

    With a foreword by Bhagat, the book has 11 gripping short stories, wherein each story tells a tale and unravels the consequences of wrong choices made by innocent teens. 

     

    Talking about the book launch, Channel V business head Kevin Vaz said, “Gumrah is not just a show; it’s a brand in itself. Over the past few years it has gained in stature and is revered by youngsters. It redefined the way in which we looked at teen crime in the country. Even parents ask their teenage children to watch Gumrah so that they can be better prepared to face the uncertainties of the current environment. The purpose of the book is the same; it just gives us another avenue to engage with the youth who can now consume the content in a different form.“

     

    “The stories featured in this book are powerful, touching and gripping all at the same time. They are not only entertaining, but they are also important – they were important to write and they are important to read, and I do hope young Indians everywhere read this book. Many of the stories are chilling, gruesome and even horrific– they are based on true incidents and the book is telling of our times,” added Trivedi.

     

    The book is written with a view to help teens differentiate between perception and reality of the real world. The show is focused towards appealing to the young, vulnerable and impressionable minds of India.

     

    Channel V has been airing Gumrah over the last four years.

  • Krishnan Kutty to take charge of Star’s English cluster by Jan-end

    Krishnan Kutty to take charge of Star’s English cluster by Jan-end

    MUMBAI: Star India distribution head Krishnan Kutty is all set to take charge of the network’s English channel cluster by the end of January.

     

    The development comes in the light of the fact that Star India business head – English cluster, Star Jalsha, Jalsha Movies, Channel V & Hindi GECs Kevin Vaz will no longer will be handling the English cluster. He will, however, continue to handle the other portfolios under him.

     

    A source close to the development informed Indiantelevision.com, “While Vaz will continue to head Star’s Bangla cluster, Hindi general entertainment channels, and Channel V, Kutty will oversee the English entertainment channels. He will take charge of the English cluster by the end of January 2016.”

     

    The channels that he will take charge of are Star World, Star World HD, Star World Premiere HD, FX, FX HD, Star Movies, Star Movies HD, Star Movies Action and Star Movies Select HD.

     

    Kutty joined the company as VP – research & on-air in 2005 and was then promoted to EVP of distribution in January 2009. He was made the head of distribution in April 2015.

     

    Prior to his stint with Star India, he has also worked with companies like GroupM, Vodafone and NDTV.

  • Channel V to launch ‘Mastaangi’ & ‘Sadda Haq’ season 2 in January

    Channel V to launch ‘Mastaangi’ & ‘Sadda Haq’ season 2 in January

    MUMBAI: Channel V is all geared up to launch two new shows in January namely Mastaangi as well as the second season of Sadda Haq. The two new shows will see its launch on 18 and 19 January, 2016 respectively.

     

    The love story Mastaangi will be aired from Monday to Saturday at 6 pm. The show transcends two lifetimes and is set against the backdrop of a college. The lead protagonists are shown as soul mates in past life but their love story comes to a tragic end with both of them meeting an untimely death. They meet again in a new life only to uncover the mystery of their past life and rekindle their love once again.

     

    On the other hand, the new season of Sadda Haq will be aired from Monday to Saturday at 6:30 pm and is set in a space research centre. The female protagonist Sanyukta will play the role of a scientist working on Mission Mars 2020.

     

    The launches are backed with a 360 degree marketing campaign across key markets and platforms, targeting the core audience. The new and current shows are also available on Hotstar.

     

     Speaking about the new launches, Channel V business head Kevin Vaz said, “Channel V has always made interesting shows exclusively for the youth audience of the country. The shows focus on anxieties and relationships of the young, consciously staying away from adult themes like post marital situations, hence the shows are well differentiated from the staple shows done by other GECs.”

     

    The channel has a few more shows in the pipeline, which will see its launch in February and March 2016.

  • ‘Content innovation to govern English movie channels’ landscape:’ Kevin Vaz

    ‘Content innovation to govern English movie channels’ landscape:’ Kevin Vaz

    MUMBAI: As 2016 rolls in after an action packed 2015, people are now rolling up their sleeves setting tougher goals to meet new challenges and touch greater heights in the new year. And amongst them is Star India business head – English cluster Kevin Vaz.

    According to Vaz, the English movie channels’ landscape will be governed by content and experience that will be led by innovation. And that’s exactly what Star Movies and Star Movies Select HD plan to do this year.

    Vaz tells Indiantelevision.com, “The industry landscape will be governed by content and experience that will be led by innovation. The invitation to our viewers is not just the promise of top-of-the-line Hollywood premieres on TV, but a marketing story to match its grandeur. Advertisers are well informed and believe in the power of great content and innovations and are willing to partner on something that will drive the viewers. At Star, we have also invested in creating a very strong brand extension in the form of Star Movies Secret Screening that engages and involves viewers beyond TV and makes them a part of the brand community. Understanding the consumer psychographics and creating stories that appeal to them will continue to the motivation for the team.”

    With an edge over its competitors with the rights to the Oscars, this year the 88th Academy Awards will be simulcast live for the first time on Star Movies as well as Star Movies Select HD on 29 February, 2016.

    While Star believes in curating content with content filters that appeals to the audience, Vaz is not perturbed by the advent of over the top (OTT) platforms offering content to viewers at their convenience. Opining that the mushrooming OTT platforms are not something that will affect acquisition cost of content, Vaz says, “At Star, we have some of the longest running studio deals giving us access to the biggest blockbusters and franchises. Our acquisition model has always been content based and continues to focus on ensuring that our viewers get the best of Hollywood.”

    Nowadays, marketing is not just about spending more, but spending smart and driving impact for viewership and perception of brands. For the premiere of Captain America, the channel initiated a first of its kind activity giving viewers a chance to win Captain America’s Harley Davidson bike. Going a step further in content innovation, for X-Men: Days of Future Past, Star Movies had joined forces with Farhan Akhtar, Vishal Dadlani & SKRAT to create a music video for the TV premiere.

    Additionally, the network has strategically invested in creating a strong brand extension in the form of Star Movies ‘Secret Screening’ that involves viewers beyond the television and makes them a part of the brand community.

    When queried as to how viewership impacts advertisers and agencies when it comes to English entertainment channels, Vaz says, “Advertising does depend on viewership, as that’s how the format of the TV business operates in India.” However, he is quick to add that Star has a competitive edge over its rivals with the strategic content deals with 21st Century Fox and Disney, which gives it access to some of the biggest blockbusters and franchises. “Our library strength is exhaustive and cannot be replicated by anyone. These facts alone make us a natural choice for our partners. The responsibility of having the best premieres and the biggest library is well shouldered with thought through marketing stories and festivals,” he adds.

    From a content perspective, Vaz is bullish about 2016. “This year will be spectacular for our viewers as they will get to see some of the biggest titles like Avengers- Age of Ultron , Birdman, Boyhood, Fantastic Four and Ant Man being showcased as an offering month on month between Star Movies and Star Movies Select HD. We will continue with our radical content innovations like premiering unreleased movies month on month on Star Movies Select HD, something no other channel can offer,” he informs.

    Beyond the premieres, the channel will continue to offer viewers unique movie festivals on book adaptations, critically acclaimed animation and Select 7+ to name a few, which brings some of the highest rated movies together.