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  • ‘We used the brand ambassador route to break through the cluttered FM market’ : Tarun Katial – Big FM COO

    ‘We used the brand ambassador route to break through the cluttered FM market’ : Tarun Katial – Big FM COO

    Reliance ADAG has aggressive plans laid out for its radio venture Big FM. With 29 stations already in place, Big FM has 16 more waiting in the wings. And it has an investment outlay of Rs 4 billion.

    Banking on Abhishek Bachchan as the face of Big FM and supported by the brand philosophy of ‘Suno Sunao Life Banao,’ Reliance’s radio venture is looking to firm up its position in existing markets by rolling out four unique properties this year-end.

    In an interview with Indiantelevison.com’s Nasrin Sultana, Big FM chief operating officer Tarun Katial speaks about the penetration of the FM stations into the urban and smaller markets, the potential that the sector has, and the advertising opportunities it throws open for local advertisers.

    Excerpts:

    Being a new entrant in established markets, has it been a tough journey for Big FM?
    We have been extremely successful in selling the brand across the country. Our success comes from launching in cluttered markets like Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai. We were the first station in Bangalore to come out with local language content.

    How has it been in the smaller markets which opened up for private operators in the second phase?
    Big FM is working extremely well in small towns. We have, in fact, revolutionised media and media consumption habits in the tier II and tier III cities. Eventually people are realising that radio is a local medium which needs to have localised content and marketing to make it successful.

    We have even entered troubled places like Srinagar and Guwahati where no one thought of venturing.

    Are the big advertisers willing to put money in the small town stations?
    For Big FM, local advertising contributes 30-40 per cent of our entire revenue kitty. Apart from this, there are corporates who advertise across all the 29 stations including big FMCG and telecom players.

    Is Delhi turning out to be a sticky wicket for the new players?
    Delhi is one of our best stations. It has been getting us good revenue. Nokia, Samsung and the big FMCGs, apart from the local retailers, are our major advertisers in Delhi. As far as listnership goes in Delhi, our internal research says that we have a good amount of base in the capital city.

    What has been the focus area for Big FM?
    It is really bad to say that we are focused on some markets and not on others. In the tier II, tier III cities it has been our effort to gather a base for listenership. In the next roll out phase, our focus will be about building a uniqueness and getting the dynamics of the company to all the stations.

    Why was there a requirement to change content in your Delhi station?
    The consumer behaviour and attitude of Delhi changes very frequently and it is very different from the other cities. Our internal research showed that Delhi is happening and on the move. That is where we zeroed in the ‘100 chartbuster’ format whereby every week the songs that the station plays is renewed. 100 songs are selected on the basis of a survey that covers mobile phones, internet downloads, music sales and song requests. This way, we satisfy the need of Delhi listeners to get something new every week. We are the first station in the country to have introduced such content in music.

    How is Big FM faring in regional markets like Jhansi, Bareilly, Jalandhar, Asansol and Guwahati among others?
    We have created a local brand out of the local product. FM has created an atmosphere where local entrepreneurs have understood these cost effective measures. There are lots of un-organised and semi-organised workers in the Indian economy for whom we have provided a platform.

    In the regional space, we have been beneficial to the common people by generating job avenues. People now need not go to cities in search of jobs in media.

    Physical hardware sales are also up. Nokia, Reliance and Samsung have got sales high. Even FM radio is being launched on the mobile platform.

    Is having Abhishek Bachchan, Upendra and Asin as brand ambassadors helped you in grabbing listenership in the Hindi and southern regions?
    Today we are in a cluttered FM market in India. The easiest way to break through the clutter is through the brand ambassador route.
    ‘FM should be allowed to have news and sports in the content mix‘

    How has the brand philosophy ‘Suno Sunao Life Banao‘ worked for Big FM?
    The whole premise was to provide a new space. If you listen to our station, it’s about raising ones voice. Our content and marketing campaigns affect the lives of the people. Later this year we will introduce four new properties that will make (banao) someone’s life. As far as music goes, we are currently playing contemporary hot music of Tempo 3. Tempo 3 are specific songs that are up beat because as a rule the station does not play extremely slow music.

    What do you regard as prime time for Big FM?
    Our prime time is dependent on who our target audience is at a particular time band. If it’s the youth, then the prime time band is evening. If it’s the office goers, then it’s definitely in the morning. If it’s women, the target then is the afternoon time band.

    Which are the different platforms you are experimenting with to build brand awareness?
    Across mediums, internet is the best medium as it has an extended reach. But the best thing that works for us is on-ground activities. Big FM has been doing a good amount of on-ground activities across the country, which has received a good response in terms of participation.
    What do you think about TV campaigns used by FM stations to advertise?
    TVC is definitely a good way of promoting a brand. We are also looking to launch a TVC soon.

    What is your argument for or against the Content Code?
    Instead of getting ways to regulate us, the government should grant us some freedom. As FM affects so much of the consumption of people’s life, we should be allowed to have news and sports in our content mix.

    The ministry is talking about regulating FM broadcasters, when we are already functioning with restrictions to our content.

    When they are comparing Indian FM stations with the international radio industry, they have conveniently forgotten that we are the only set of broadcasters who have been working on the restricted content set up by the government.

    What is the investment outlay for Big FM?
    We are pumping in Rs 4 billion.

    What is the de-merger status of Big FM?
    I can’t comment on that.

    How is Big FM planning to synergise Reliance ADAG’s Big Music and Entertainment for music and home video?
    Big FM gets the exclusive music and content rights from Big Music and Entertainment, giving us the first right of refusal. We have the option to build music properties across the medium. We have the option to promote the division by pushing the content through internet downloads and mobile ring tones. Big FM does 360 degree advertising for Big Music and Entertainment.

    How are your advertising spots being priced?
    Recently we have introduced the uniform rate card system ‘Aqua’ for all our advertisers across the country. This is easily available in our website. Unlike other stations, we are transparent in our advertising rates. The advertisers know what is the rate for the same space on the other stations. The advertisers are aware of how we are priced in different markets.

    Besides, all our stations have installed the wide orbit software.

    With the increasing content clutter on radio especially with Bollywood music, how is Big FM placed?
    I agree that Bollywood is all over FM stations, but it also depends on what kind of songs you are playing at what time of the day. How you treat the music is what differentiates the content. We play old songs across era in different time bands.

    You have recently got Raju Srivastav (stand up comedian of The Great Indian Laughter Challenge) as an RJ. In an attempt to break away from the clutter, every FM station is now adopting the fun element. How is this differentiated?
    Fun is an important aspect of entertainment. We are here to entertain, so what’s wrong in doing it? Some are doing it by some other means and people; we are doing it with Raju. He is the best and the biggest clutter breaker in the industry. Nobody wants to start the day on a sad note. We will get you to start the day with laughter and good thoughts. Our effort is rewarded if we can put smile in our listener’s faces.

    Do you think the future will be in niche or mass stations?
    The FM business is in a nascent stage for me to predict the future. It depends on what is the target, though I would recommend that segmentation is required.

    How are you looking to close 2007?
    We have recently announced the four properties that Big FM has planned for the various festival seasons for the later part of the year. Starting from September, Big FM will start rolling out these properties.

    We will soon launch a show completely based on and coinciding with the ICC World Cup Twenty20. The show will provide scrore updates, interactive contests and interview of cricket celebrities.

    During the time of Diwali and Dusshera, Big FM will launch a shopping contest Sabse Sasti Diwali. With the various tie-ups that we are still working on, the contest will offer shopping discounts from 9.27 per cent to 92.7 per cent.

    Then we have a contest titled Chipak Ke Dekho by which we will give away a car to whoever remains near the car for the longest duration of time.

    Finally, we have the biggest contest of its kind, Ek Saal Free Maal to bear the entire expenses of the winner for the whole year of 2008.
  • Pirated software worth $2.1 mn seized in 2006 raids

    Pirated software worth $2.1 mn seized in 2006 raids

    BANGALORE: The total value of software seized in 2006 in the more than 200 anti-piracy raids carried out across the country is $2.1 million.

    The raids were conducted by the Business Software Alliance (BSA) and its member companies collectively and individually. BSA has vowed to step up enforcement actions in 2007 to further bring down piracy rates.

    Jeffrey J Hardee, BSA vice president and regional director, Asia-Pacific, said, “In over 200 actions that have been conducted by BSA and its member companies in 2006, we had found widespread use and sale of pirated software across Indian cities. With the high software piracy rate in India, it is important to highlight efforts of the industry in combating piracy through enforcement.”

    The BSA and its members have carried out raids in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Hyderabad in 2006.

    As per the findings of the BSA-IDC study of 2005, the rate of PC software piracy in 2005 was 72 per cent. According to the statistics, the Indian software industry lost revenue to the tune of of $566 million in 2005.

     
    Hardee added, “BSA adopts a three pronged strategy i.e. spreading the awareness on the perils of piracy, training and education of users including use of specialized tools like software asset management (SAM) and enforcement, in addressing software piracy around the globe. Whilst enforcement is a last resort, it is an important part of our approach as it serves to underline the seriousness of the matter.”

    Pirated software that has been seized includes those from Adobe, Autodesk, McAfee, Microsoft and Symantec.

     
    The BSA maintains a close working relationship with the government and industry associations in India such as Nasscom. According to an economic impact study conducted by IDC, if the piracy rate is reduced by 10 points by 2009, India could benefit with an additional 115,000 new IT jobs; an additional $ 5.9 billion pumped into its economy and increased tax revenues of $ 386 million.

  • Radio Today in talks to dilute 20 per cent to foreign strategic investor

    Radio Today in talks to dilute 20 per cent to foreign strategic investor

    MUMBAI: Aroon Purie-promoted Radio Today Broadcasting is planning to dilute 20 per cent equity to a foreign strategic investor, following a template that other FM radio companies in India are keen to adopt.

    Radio Today is in active talks with overseas media companies as it prepares to launch the FM stations in the three metros of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata in March. The Living Media group company has won licenses paying a fee of Rs 280 million to operate in seven stations in the second phase of FM expansion after selling Red FM to a clutch of investors comprising infotech company Value Labs, Malaysia-based Astro and NDTV. Red FM was operating in the circles of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.

    “We feel we will discover the real value of our radio business by roping in a foreign strategic investor. We are ready to sell 20 per cent stake and are in discussions with a couple of companies for this,” says a source familiar with the deal. A maximum of 20 per cent foreign holding is allowed in radio companies in India.

    Bertelsmann and CBS are among the foreign majors who have yet to make an entry into India. The source, however, declined to name the companies which are in talks with Radio Today.

    TV Today Network Ltd, which owns a slew of channels including Aaj Tak and Headlines Today, has a 10 per cent stake in Radio Today. “There is no plan to up the stake. But with a 10 per cent holding, TV Today will capture the value when a partner is roped in for Radio Today which will get reflected in the scrip price,” the source says.

    Foreign companies are showing interest to participate in India’s FM radio business that is set for rapid growth. Mid Day Multimedia sold stake to BBC Worldwide in its radio venture while Hindustan Times Media has tied up with Virgin. Star is awaiting FIPB (foreign investment promotion board) approval to acquire a 20 per cent stake in Music Broadcast ( the company which operates under the Radio City brand), marking a re-entry into the FM radio business. The US-based Balfour Capital LLC is also investing in Noble Broadcasting Corporation, the FM radio-arm of the Chennai based Kumudham Publications.

    Investors are drawn in by the prospect of radio stations appealing to youth audiences and tapping local advertising. As reported first in Indiantelevision.com, IDBI picked up a 10 per cent stake in B.A.G Infotainment, the subsidiary of B.A.G Films which is engaged in the radio business.

  • Radio One launching in Chennai Wednesday

    Radio One launching in Chennai Wednesday

    MUMBAI: Radio One 94.3 launches operations in Chennai tomorrow after 9 days of test runs in the southern city.

    The past few days have seen the station gearing up for the Chennai launch with promotional activities which included branding its name and logo on tea stalls across Chennai to garner more visibility.

    A Mid Day Multimedia Limited and BBC Worldwide venture, Radio One is already present in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. Chennai will be the FM station’s fourth foray.

    Speaking on the issue of how it would take on some of the bigger more established radio stations like Surya and Radio Mirchi, Radio One station head LV Navaneet said, “These are major players and more established as they had the first mover advantage. Radio One will concentrate on 
    content and attitude to position itself. In fact content is at the centre of our universe.”

    The channel is looking at a target group of 20 to 30-year-olds and the content and the feel of the radio station leans towards the youth.

    “The focus will be on fast tempo Tamil music because this is what the youth in Chennai are more interested in. And this fast, racy music will be played throughout the day. Even if you switch on the channel at 6 o’clock in the morning, the music that will greet you will be up tempo not slow spiritual sounds,” according to Navaneet. In fact he goes on to mention that no melodies pre 1990 will be played on the station.

    The sound of the station is also young in keeping with its youth centric theme. Most of the RJs on the station were selected through a RJ hunt and the criteria was to have the right attitude to be part of Radio One.

    On D-day, the station plans to start the day with a celebrity RJ hosting a 2-hour show where the celebrity will talk about issues that affect him in the city and grouses faced by the city’s denizens. “Mumbai and Delhi are perceived as rocking cities by people who live there and even outside.

    Chennai, on the other hand, is not considered cool enough. With this initiative we want to instill a sense of pride within Chennaiites, make 2007 a year to celebrate Chennai.”

    The celebrity RJ concept sure seems to be catching on as the show will be flagged off with television actor Vijay Adhiraj taking on the airwaves and over the weeks 50 other celebrities will host the show. Other stars lined up on the station include film stars like Vikram and Surya.

    Another unique initiative is a team of journalists who will scour the city in search of news, views and opinions focused on the Chennai youth. This will be used as part of regular programming by the various RJs on their shows.

    Radio One will soon launch more stations in Pune, Kolkata and Ahmedabad.

  • ‘Rolling out of Cas has been the most significant development’

    ‘Rolling out of Cas has been the most significant development’

    The Olympic motto `Citius Altius Fortius’ a Latin phrase when translated means Faster-Higher-Stronger. We see strong parallels between the motto and the Indian Entertainment & Media (IEM) Industry. India is among world’s largest media consuming and content creating markets. Paradoxically, IEM is just 0.7 per cent ($10 bn) of the global $1.4 trillion industry. Till now, poor policies, fragmented markets, low investments and leakages have kept the moolah remarkably elusive. However, with sweeping changes in distribution, convergence and integration of models, we see IEM growing to $21 billion by 2010. We are bullish.”

    The above mentioned observations of SSKI research aptly sums up the present upbeat scenario on the television and distribution sector in India. 2007 has been full of various significant developments in the television industry, which have laid the foundation for technological convergence, digitisation and addressability, thus ushering a new era in the sector which would revolutionalise the television viewing experience in the ensuing years.

    The most significant and landmark development of the year has been the successful implementation of Conditional Access System (Cas) in notified areas of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. This is being regarded as a big leap towards migration from analogue regime to digital regime. The regulatory framework is acting as a catalyst in the process of digitization. Trai has already recommended to the government for extension of Cas in remaining areas of these three Metros.

    Trai has also submitted to the government a report of the Group on digitization for introduction of voluntary Cas in 55 more cities in a well defined time frame. It is now up to the information & broadcasting ministry, to trigger off the said process by laying down a clear cut road map.

    Prior to 2007 the digitisation rollout in cable was virtually negligible. However, now we expect it to be happening at an accelerated pace. It is estimated that by 2010, the total C&S homes are likely to increase to 90 million from present level of 68 million. It is expected that out of those homes, 37 million would be digitised.

    In October 2007, Trai had also sent its recommendations to the I&B ministry on the policy framework for licensing and issues pertaining to headend-in-the-sky (HITS), which too is a digital distribution platform. The ministry is examining them and once a final decision is taken on these recommendations, it is expected that the digitization in the cable segment will take off at a faster pace as HITS has potential of digitising the entire country within a short span of time.

    In addition to various benefits of digitization such as capacity augmentation and provision of Value Added Services (VAS) to consumers, digitisation also results in bringing transparency in the cable sector, which not only leads to better tax compliance and realisation of due taxes by revenue authorities, but also ensure equitable distribution of revenue across the value chain.

    The government is the biggest beneficiary of the shift from analogue to digital cable, as digitisation releases significant spectrum. The spectrum can be utilised for other services like telecommunications, defence, emergency, interactive platform and value added services. This is possibly what is driving the government to take the steps necessary for the evolution of digitisation.

    For instance, in Germany, the government subsidised Set Top Boxes for the low income group, whereas in Ireland, the government launched a company (Digico) to introduce digital terrestrial services.

    Digitisation in the cable segment will take off at a faster pace as HITS has potential of digitising the entire country within a short span of time
    _____****_____

    Similarly in DTH distribution, the market is going to witness fierce competition amongst five to six players. In addition to the existing DTH operators DD Direct, Dish TV and Tata Sky, new entrants Bharti, Reliance, Sun TV and Videocon are also expected to launch their services shortly. It is expected that by 2010 the DTH segment would also have about 16 million digital subscribers.

    Similarly, IPTV and Mobile TV both emerging digital technologies are also expected to register an impressive growth by 2010.

    The year 2007 also witnessed lot of activities and developments on the content front. Though already about 270 channels are existing yet, unfazed by the large number of existing channels, several new channels of different genres were launched during the year.

    However, on account of bandwidth constraints on analogue network, the new channels are required to spend heavily on carriage fee in order to ensure their placement on the visible band in the cable network. The existing channels also witnessed intense competition and the entertainment/current affair channels were mainly dominated by “reality shows”.

  • No extension on Cas deadline: I&B ministry

    No extension on Cas deadline: I&B ministry

    MUMBAI: Conditional access system (Cas) will be rolled out in the notified areas of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata from 31 December and no time extension is under consideration, the government said today.

    The deadline has been fixed by the Delhi High Court and there is no possibility of it being extended, an official statement from the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry clarified.

    “In an application moved by a multi-system operator (MSO) before the Delhi high court for extension of time, the court has already taken a view that no such time extension is possible. The I&B ministry does not have the power to order any extension in the date of implementation of Cas. The transition time to run encrypted and unencrypted channels and switching off pay channel signals in unencrypted format began from 16 December and will end on 30 December,” the release said.

    The ministry was reacting to a report in a leading news daily that the deadline for rolling out Cas had been relaxed. “The report is totally misleading and baseless,” the ministry said.

    The ministry also categorically denied that it had left open a month-long window after 31 December for implementation of CAS and said that there was no question of any channel being blacked out. The I&B ministry has not filed an affidavit in the Delhi High Court seeking transition time after 31 December, it clarified.

    “In the advertisements on Cas released by the ministry from time to time in various newspapers, subscribers have been requested to apply sufficiently well in advance of 31 December for set-top boxes indicating their choice for pay channels lest their pay channels are blacked out on 31 December,” the release added.

  • Dopod launches in India with convergent mobiles

    Dopod launches in India with convergent mobiles

    NEW DELHI: Dopod International Corporation, a leading PDA phone and Smartphone provider, today opened their India operations, setting up office in New Delhi. The company is launching here with three models that has convergent technology powered by Microsoft.

    Dopod also announced the appointment of Ajay Sharma as the Regional Sales Manager, Dopod Communications (India) Private Limited, to oversee its Indian operations.

    Sharma told indiantelevision.com “Initially, we are introducing three handset models – C800, C720 and 818Pro in India. These devices are aimed at providing the combined power of telecom and IT through a unique, convergent solution with Microsoft.”

    Sharma will manage Dopod International’s new office, serving as India’s first Regional Sales Manager, India, overseeing all marketing and business development activities in the region.

    Asked about the company’s investment plans in India, Sharma said: “Presently, we are just setting up a distribution base here to cater to the Indian market. In due course we will be investing a substantial amount in marketing and sales related activities”.

    The models being introduced are 818Pro, a GSM Quad Band PDA phone that enables users to communicate by voice, any place around the world; the C720W, which supports Bluetooth v2.0 w/A2DP & AVRCP, and USB 1.1 for charging and data transfer and also provides GSM Quadband with GPRS & EDGE & hi-speed WLAN access 802.11g.; and C800, which has a sliding QWERTY keypad and 5-way navigation button that “makes messaging a breeze”.

    The last also offers the “ultimate connectivity”, with Bluetooth v2.0 w/A2DP & AVRCP, and a USB port for charging and data synchronisation, and provides GSM Quadband with GPRS & EDGE & hi-speed WLAN access 802.11g.

    Company executives explained that Dopod have entered the Indian market late, after it has seen the expansion phase into the B and C class cities, and the Class A cities have matured into creating a large demand for convergent mobile phones.

    “Dopod International would offer sophisticated and innovative converged solutions to the Indian consumers, which would be at par with the best designs and trends prevalent internationally. The distribution of its handsets models in India would start through a strategic tie-up with National Distributor, Jaina Marketing & Associates,” Sharma said.

    Asked about the roadmap for the company in India, Sharma said, “In the first phase Dopod plans to make its handsets available to Indian customers in 10 cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat and Chandigarh.

    Dopod International Corporation was founded in 2002, and has expanded rapidly, Sharma said.

    By the end of 2007, Dopod plans to set up operations in 25 cities in the country.Talking about the models on offer, Sharma said: “818Pro is designed simply to appeal to the no-fuss crowd. It is a light, small and futuristic device which comes in lifestyle design with incredibly enhanced features.”

    The machine packs a host of comprehensive connectivity options, including WiFi 802.11b/g, Bluetooth, Infrared, GPRS (on top of basic features like SMS and MMS), making it “an unparalleled choice for not only general consumers but also mobile business professionals”, Sharma claimed.

    Powered by the advanced Microsoft Windows Mobile Version 5.0, the 818Pro comes with a full suite of applications for viewing and editing files, like Pocket Word, Excel, Power Point, managing address book and e-mails like Pocket Outlook while allowing users full access to the Internet.

    In addition, the 818Pro also comes bundled with the WorldCard Mobile Business Card Capture Solution software. “This means users can now enjoy easy business card data input. All they need is to take a picture of a business card with the intelligent software and all their contacts are instantly captured, recognised, sorted and stored,” according to Sharma.

    Model C720W has a lean and mean design, Sharma said, adding that runs on user-friendly Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone operating system. “Windows Mobile 5.0 with DirectPush Technology allows you to instantly synchronise emails, calendars and schedules, and besides, you can access PDF, Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents allowing you to work even while on the go,” Sharma explained. It has a built-in 128 MB ROM, 64 MB RAM with persistent storage and a Micro-SD card slot, he added.

    Model C800 is the “slimmest PDA Phone with slide-out QWERTY keyboard”, but apart from that has all the features of C720W.

  • Hungama TV Captains Hunt auditions kick off 28 October

    Hungama TV Captains Hunt auditions kick off 28 October

    MUMBAI: Currently in its third year, the Parle-G Hungama TV Captains Hunt 2006 is set to kick off the audition stage. With the inclusion of Indore, Baroda and Hyderabad, the hunt will travel across 10 cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Ludhiana, Lucknow . The first two-day audition will commence in Kolkata on 28 and 29 October at St. Thomas Boys School.

    Having received a favourable response, of about 1,68,318 kids, Hungama TV will finally select 10 kids in the age group of 8-14 years to represent their respective cities as the Hungama TV Captains providing their valuable inputs in running the channel.

    At this stage, the articulation ability and confidence levels would be tested through a method of extempore speech. The uniqueness, level of achievement and ambition to pursue the talent at this level will also be measured. This year, instead of the evaluation rounds being based on artistic abilities, a balance of the right and left-brain skills will be tested.

    Qualified judges from the event’s knowledge partner – Origentest would evaluate all the rounds to arrive at two candidates per city who would compete in the Grand Finale to be held in Mumbai on 9 and 10 December, informs an official release.

    What’s different, is that the premise for this year’s talent hunt is to ‘Find and Shape the Future Leaders of India’ thus, several leaders from various industries will form a Captains Advisory Council (CAC) to meet the Captains on a regular basis and provide them with a sound platform to hone their nascent talent, while giving them advice and direction to emerge as leaders of tomorrow.

    As reported earlier, the channel has set aside a budget of Rs 10+ million for this year’s Captain’s Hunt. Hungama TV will be pushing the initiative via on air promotions and on-ground initiatives primarily through the intensive School Contact Program.

    Initiated in 2004, this concept allows a Board of Kid directors to give active and regular feedback on running of the channel specifically in the area of programming, marketing, distribution and competition.

  • Adlabs Films Q2 net profit up 224 per cent at Rs 204 million

    Adlabs Films Q2 net profit up 224 per cent at Rs 204 million

    MUMBAI: Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group controlled Adlabs Films’ net profit stood at Rs 204 million for the quarter ended 30 September as against Rs 62.86 million for the same period last year.

    The second quarter total income recorded an increase of Rs 595.97 million from Rs 246.82 million for the July-September quarter 2005.

    Operating profit stood at Rs 309.51 million as against Rs 110.04 million for the corresponding period last year .

    The company’s expenditure for the quarter closed at Rs 286.45 million as compared to the previous fiscal period Rs 136.79 million.

    Recently, the company picked up 51 per cent stake in Siddharth Basu promoted Synergy Communications. The company also launched its radio stations in Delhi , Hyderabad , Chennai, Kolkata and Bangalore, under the brand name Big 92.7 FM.

  • Star signs first CAS agreement in Delhi

    Star signs first CAS agreement in Delhi

    NEW DELHI: Star India looks like being the first major broadcaster to sign on to the CAS bandwagon.

    In a clear statement of intent directed at its detractors who have been claiming that India’s leading broadcast network is only paying lip service to the government mandated rollout of addressability, Star has signed up with one of South Delhi’s biggest independent cable TV networks, Home Cable, for CAS-enabled services.

    This agreement between a broadcaster and a cable network also heralds that the “CAS dawn” is around the corner.

    Says Star India president – advertising sales and distribution Paritosh Joshi, “We have sent out CAS agreements to all the cable networks operating in the CAS notified areas of Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata. We expect to have signed contracts in place well within the government-stipulated deadlines.”

    “Other than Home Cable, we expect to sign up the other networks in Delhi like SitiCable (now called WWIL), INCablenet and Hathway (26 per cent owned by Star) by tomorrow evening. In Kolkata there are seven or eight networks while in south Mumbai the main ones are Hatway and INCablenet,” Joshi pointed out.

    Addressability is an issue that has been buffeted by various forces, including political ones wherein the underlying theme had been to stall it as long as possible.
    Home Cable is owned by Vikki Chowdhry and services a sizable number of households in the posh Maharani Bagh and New Friends Colony areas of South Delhi where CAS is scheduled to be rolled out from 1 January 2007.

    According to Chowdhry, “The court mandated CAS has to be rolled out and since my network was one of those that has registered with the government, it is better I finish signing up the various agreements with broadcasters as soon as possible.”

    Those cable networks and MSOs who have applied for government clearance for CAS rollout in Delhi include WWIL, the Hindujas-controlled INCablenet, Hathway and few other independent operators who have big networks servicing a large area.

    CAS is scheduled to be rolled out in south zones of Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi from the midnight of 31 December 2006 wherein all pay channels would have to pass through a set-top box on a mandatory basis.