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Tag: Kolkata

  • Eden Gardens to host opening and closing ceremony of IPL 2015

    Eden Gardens to host opening and closing ceremony of IPL 2015

    MUMBAI: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the Pepsi IPL 2014 winners, will commence their defence of the title, on home turf, on 8 April 2015. The opening encounter of the Pepsi IPL 2015 will see them play Mumbai Indians, at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

     

    A total of 60 matches (including the four playoffs) will be played over a period of 47 days, in the eighth season of the flagship tournament.

     

    The Maharashtra Cricket Association International Stadium at Pune will host three home games of Kings XI Punjab, whilst the Dr. YSR ACA-VDCA Stadium at Visakhapatnam will host three home games of Sunrisers Hyderabad. After a hiatus in 2014, the Shahid Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium at Raipur will once again stage two home games of Delhi Daredevils. Rajasthan Royals will play their home games at the Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad, and another venue that will be confirmed shortly.

     

    The Pepsi IPL 2015 Final will be played at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on 24 May 2015. The schedule is available at http://www.iplt20.com/schedule.

     

    IPL Governing Council chairman Ranjib Biswal said, “The top players from all over the world will be seen in action this year at the Pepsi IPL 2015. I am looking forward to some exciting contests in the middle. Over the next couple of weeks, the teams will strengthen their squads in preparedness for the 2015 edition of the Pepsi IPL. I am excited to join the fans to see a lot of exciting cricket over the next three months.”

  • I really wanted to be a part of ISL, says King Khan

    I really wanted to be a part of ISL, says King Khan

    KOLKATA: After a number of starts recently flaunting their football teams, King Khan, who already co-owns a cricket team, expressed his disappointment at not being able to be a part of the Indian Super League (ISL).

     

    The Baadshah of Bollywood who tried to buy the Kolkata franchise of the ISL said that he could not bring himself to buying another city.

     

    “I will say something which is unfortunate and sad for me. I really wanted to be a part of ISL and I wanted to own a football team but there was no way that I would have got Kolkata and if I can’t have Kolkata I can’t have any other city,” the superstar reckoned.

     

    “I was offered every other city but I said I won’t do it,” he added. “If we play football we have to play for Kolkata, you don’t play for any other city. I have all my love for Mumbai and Delhi but the city I back is Kolkata.”

     

    The brand ambassador of West Bengal, who was in Kolkata to promote his latest film Happy New Year described Kolkata as his ‘home’.

     

     “This is my hometown. I have been all over the world to promote this film. But I told them that one place where you have to come is Kolkata which is my own city,” SRK said.

     

    He, however, congratulated Ganguly, the co-owner for the ISL’s Kolkata franchise. “More deserving than me is ‘dada’ (Ganguly) and he should have it and I can’t compete with him…I wish ‘dada’ and everyone in the championship. I hope it does well.”

     

    He said the team is in better hands than him and would do well.

     

    “Even today when I was flying down I felt very sad that I don’t have the football team of Kolkata. I started IPL because I was told that IPL will extend into soccer. My love is for football. I play football, my son plays football and my daughter is the captain in football,” the actor-producer revealed.

     

    He also went to meet West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with Happy New Year co-actors Sonu Sood, Vivaan Shah and director Farah Khan. “She has told me that she has liked my film although I don’t think she had the time to watch the whole film. She is the ‘didi’ (elder sister), I do not see her only as a chief minister,” Khan said.

     

    Khan, who also co-owns IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders, said he had met everyone involved to buy the Kolkata ISL franchisee which was eventually bought jointly by former cricketer Sourav Ganguly, businessmen Harshavardhan Neotia, Sanjiv Goenka, Utsav Parekh and Spanish club Atletico Madrid.

  • Kolkata MSOs to meet Star to resolve RIO rates issue on 28 October

    Kolkata MSOs to meet Star to resolve RIO rates issue on 28 October

    KOLKATA: Multi system operators (MSOs) in Kolkata are likely to meet Star India representatives on 28 October to discuss the issue of RIO rates as per the outcome of the Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal’s (TDSAT) order of putting Star India channels on a la carte.

     

    On one hand, the package prices will go down by Rs 9, Rs 12 and Rs 16 respectively for different packages but cable TV consumers will have to spend an additional amount for watching their favourite Star channels if the MSOs put Star India channels on a la carte.

     

    Siti Cable Kolkata director Suresh Sethiya says, “We are meeting Star India officials on 28 October to find a solution. The rates should be fashioned in such a way that the broadcaster does not lose revenue and at the same time, consumers do not have to shell out huge amounts to watch cable TV.”

     

    Star Network comprising Star Plus, Star Jalsha, Star Movies, Star Sports, National Geographic and other channels, are likely to lose viewers if the MSOs remove the bouquet of Star channels from the packages and offer to subscribers on a-la-carte basis only, cable TV analysts claim.

     

    Initially, almost all the MSOs in Kolkata had agreed to remove the channels on the Star Network from basic, smart and premium packages and had issued advertisements across major newspapers notifying consumers about the same. “The ground is not prepared for RIO rates. If Star India comes on a negotiation, it is good for the industry,” says Advance Multisystem Broadband Communication (AMBC) managing director Sujit Das.

     

    While Manthan Broadband director Sudip Ghosh hopes that the negotiations between MSOs and Star Network would bear fruit.

     

    Though Star India had mailed the change to MSOs on 30 September, MSOs have cited the festive season for delay in implementing it.

     

    A source says, “Star Jalsha that currently reaches 100 per cent households here may lose around 40 per cent subscribers in a la carte as more than 50 per cent non-Bengali population in Kolkata would opt out.”

  • SureWaves Media mulls tie-up with third party media research agencies

    SureWaves Media mulls tie-up with third party media research agencies

    KOLKATA: SureWaves Media Tech, a Bangalore-based digital media-technology company, which offers integrated advertisement aggregation, content delivery, network management, media planning and reporting platform, is mulling a tie-up with third party media research agencies.

     

    “We are looking at media research companies. We have a technology platform which shows where the advertisements have been aired and when. They can be verified too. The industry would feel more comfortable if it is viewed by some third party. The national advertisers would buy more inventories,” said SureWaves founder Rajendra Khare.

     

    Even though Khare did not reveal the size of the contract, he added that the company is in talks with two media agencies currently for the same.

     

    With the average spend going up, the company is looking at tying up with third party media research agencies to validate the platform to increase the credibility of the company, he explains when being asked how the media agency would help SureWaves.

     

    “We are working with agencies that will validate all the channels that are there. These agencies can check the veracity of the report also,” he added.

     

    SureWaves provides real-time data monitoring of ads, which has, for the first time, made cable TV advertising accountable. “Now we see good growth in our platform. The advertisers are increasing their spending,” says Khare adding that ad spend has increased by 100 to 300 per cent in various sectors.

     

    SureWaves is a cloud based technology. The company which has penetrated over 100 different markets across the country by tying up with over 250 local channels, plans to approach more satellite channels to extend its solution, as with digitisation process, the country is expected to see satellite channels increasing in coming days.

     

    The company positions a propriety device which is connected to the grid and the TV channels.

     

    Talking about the eastern region operations, he said that the company has started its operations in Kolkata around 10 months ago months ago by tying up with local cable companies like Manthan, Den, Incable, WWIL among others and is betting on Kolkata market for growth.

     

    “National advertisers like HUL, Parle, Aircel, Vodafone, Nestle, Honda do look at West Bengal market due to its local flavour,” said Khare adding that in the next three to five years, SureWaves is looking at eating up a share of 8-10 per cent in the Bengal market.

  • Kolkata HC puts stay order on Digicable Comm Service’s license cancellation till 29 August

    Kolkata HC puts stay order on Digicable Comm Service’s license cancellation till 29 August

    KOLKATA: Granting relief to Digicable Comm Services, the Calcutta High Court has put a stay order on the cancellation of the registration of Kolkata-based multi-system operator (MSOs) till 29 August.

     

    In the order that was passed on 12 August, it states that “The petitioners having been in business for quite some time would suffer irreparable loss and injury, unless appropriate ad-interim protection is granted to them.”

     

    It continues to say, “The operation of the order dated 17/18 July, 2014 shall remain stayed till 29 August 2014”.

     

    Last month, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) had cancelled the registration of Digicable.

     

    The Digicable counsel had argued in the court that the MIB had only stated the reason for cancellation of registration as not receiving security clearance from the Home Ministry. However, it did not give the reason for denial of security clearance. The counsel from the ministry side stated that the reason for clearance not being given cannot be disclosed to Digicable for security reasons.

     

    The court also observed that when the company was given the DAS licence in 2013, that was subject to the security clearance from Home Ministry and the same has been denied in the order passed last month. They were subsequently asked to stop operations within 15 days.

     

    Digicable Comm was hopeful that after appealing to the Home Ministry and moving the High Court, the decision would be in favour of the MSO.

     

    The company is a joint venture between Digicable (51 per cent) and Kolkata-headquartered Multicar Group (49 per cent) was formed in the year 2009, to gain the foothold in the West Bengal market.

     

    “We will follow the mandate. We are hopeful that the authorities would consider the minute details presented by us,” said Digicable Comm director Dileep Singh Mehta.

     

  • Grey Group India gets Projit Sarkar on board to head its Kolkata Office

    Grey Group India gets Projit Sarkar on board to head its Kolkata Office

    MUMBAI: Grey Group India has appointed Projit Sarkar as head of Kolkata operations.

     

    Sarkar brings with him an experience of nearly 13 years in brand and marketing communications. His last stint was with Amrit Group of companies where he was heading the brand and marketing department. The other agencies he has worked with include Genesis, Mileage, Mudra, O&M and Madison BMB.

     

    At Grey, Sarkar will report to the newly appointed chairman and managing director Sunil Lulla.

     

    Lulla said, “Grey Group is delighted to welcome Projit back to lead the growing operations of eastern India from Kolkata. His familiarity with the market place, clients and consumers coupled with his experience in brand and marketing communications will add tremendous value and benefit both the agency and clients based in the market. We look forward to him enabling Grey Group to be even more famous and effective, in the east of India.”

     

    Sarkar said, “Coming back to Grey Group is a homecoming.  I see and believe that there is a lot of opportunity to create value for internal and external stakeholders through meaningful effective marketing communication. Grey Group is the place where it can be done from. ”

     

    Projit has worked on various brands across categories like Telecom, Insurance, Banks, Retail, Cement, Tourism, FMCG, Footwear, Paints and Foods. His experience will enable the current roster of clients, which include West Bengal Tourism, Score Information Technologies, Tea Board of India, Mani Group, Philips Carbon Black and Haldiram’s, amongst others.

  • FIFA World Cup draws female fans to Sony Aath

    FIFA World Cup draws female fans to Sony Aath

    MUMBAI: The 2014 FIFA World Cup has gripped the nation, and if one thought it was only a man’s game, the TAM TV ratings for FIFA World Cup on Sony Aath will prove them wrong.

     

    As per the week 26 of TAM TV ratings, Sony Aath from the Multi Screen Media stable has seen a rise in the female viewership in the 15 plus age group. The channel saw a four per cent hike, from the 146 TVTs that ESPN Star Sports (the then official broadcaster of FIFA) received during the FIFA World Cup 2010 telecast to 152 TVTs it has got in the current season.   

     

    In the first week of the telecast of FIFA World Cup, Sony Six had an all India reach of 12,469,000 while Sony Aath’s reach was 3,114,000. Combined, the two channels had a total reach of 14,792,000 in the CS 4+ years group.

     

    In the West Bengal market, while Sony Six recorded a reach of 3,056,000, Sony Aath’s reach was 3,043,000. In the second week of FIFA World Cup, Sony Aath’s reach increased to 5,589,000 in the West Bengal market. Within Kolkata, the reach of Sony Aath was 2,561,000 for the first week while in the second week it rose to 4,427,000.

     

    Amongst male in CS 15+ age group, Sony Aath recorded 173 TVTs in the West Bengal market in week one, which dropped to 154 TVTs in the second week. For Sony Six, the all India ratings in the same category was 613 TVTs in the first week, which saw a huge drop in the second week, as it recorded 453 TVTs.

     

    As of the current ratings, Sony Six (all India) has recorded 483 TVTs and Sony Aath has garnered 161 TVTs, combined the two have scored 644 TVTs.  

     

    Telecasting most of the matches at prime time has definitely paid off since the Germany versus Portugal match on 16 June telecasted at 9:30 pm
    received 1,514 TVTs on Sony Six and 393 TVT’s on Sony Aath. Combined the two have garnered 1,907 TVTs. This is the highest rated match so far.

  • Zee Business Unveils The most promising Budget Survey

    Zee Business Unveils The most promising Budget Survey

    NEW DELHI: Zee Business (part of India’s largest News Network, Zee Media Corporation Limited) India’s No. 1 Hindi business news channel has taken a lead further by digging deeper relating to news for its viewers spread in India as well as abroad. The business news channel has conducted a nation wide survey in nine cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Patna, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Indore and Lucknow) comprising of industry experts as well as common man to capture mood of masses relating to the forthcoming Union Budget.

     

    A quantitative survey, using a structured questionnaire was administered to CXOs from top 500 companies and SMEs to sense and understand the kind of Budget do industry captains and top honchos expect.

     

    The telephonic survey was conducted with the best minds from India Inc., Indian and global markets, industry experts, economists, intelligentsia as well as chief wage earners (CWEs), housewives/ working women and students. Zee Business unravels the initial expectations of India’s economic future and its subsequent impact based on industry reactions, citizen demands, market implications and expert opinions.

     

    As the world is watching, expectations are running high for Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing the Indian economy back on track. It will be a litmus test for the new dispensation as they had promised to millions of Indians before getting the mandate of serving the largest democratic country of the world. Will Narendra Modi and Arun Jaitley stand tall with these expectations revealed? The world is watching!

     

    To know more, watch the ‘Big Story’ on 4th July, Friday where nation’s budget expectations will be unearthed by the Nation’s No.1 Hindi Business News Channel Zee Business.

  • TRAI audits MSOs in Kolkata

    TRAI audits MSOs in Kolkata

    KOLKATA:  The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) will not allow any laxity in achieving complete digitisation in phase I markets. After issuing several directions to multi system operators (MSOs) operating in the region, the regulator has now decided to visit all the MSOs to inspect whether the DAS regulations have been maintained, technical issues have been resolved and CAS and SMS are in place.

     

    Industry sources reveal that the TRAI officials inspected the office of Kolkata based MSOs, 18 June onwards.  As part of this, the regulator checked if the details in the subscriber management system (SMS) were duly filled. It can be recalled that TRAI had, a few weeks ago, in a directive, asked the MSOs to keep their SMS updated and also start online pre-paid and post-paid billing facility.

     

    Sources indicate that while all the MSOs were prepared for this inspection, billing in the KM area with more than 32 lakh cable TV homes emerged as the biggest issue for some as customers were not paying as per the bill. “During the inspection, TRAI officials noted non-compliance of the provisions of the regulations by the service providers,” inform the sources.

     

    Siticable Kolkata director Suresh Sethia adds, “It is for the first time that TRAI officials came to our office for auditing. They checked our SMS, CAF, SAF and our agreement with the LCOs.”

     

    “The TRAI officials who visited the offices of the various MSOs in the region for two-three days, questioned them on the nitty-gritty’s of facts and information that were missing,” informs the source.

  • Vodafone India to recruit more women employees

    Vodafone India to recruit more women employees

    KOLKATA: The telecommunications service provider, Vodafone India, plans to recruit more women employees following the global strategy.

     

    In the Kolkata, out of 440 employees, the number of women employees till March 2014 formed the 21 per cent as compared to 17 per cent reported at the end of March 2013.

     

     “Vodafone India has always laid great emphasis on equal rights and opportunities for our employees and our policies encourage women employees to aspire for and achieve their career ambitions. We have women employees across all the levels,” says Vodafone India business head Kolkata and Bengal Anand Sahai, on the sidelines of opening the first ‘Angel Store’ retail outlet in Kolkata, run only by women employees.

     

    Vodafone is first to launch an Angel store in Kolkata with an aim to provide its women employees with one of the most secure and productive working environments. “We are confident that our Angel Store staff members will excel in their tasks and succeed in making this store one of the finest Vodafone stores,” he adds.

     

    Talking about the 2G and 3G internet connections in the Kolkata circle, he informs that as on March 2014, the company boasts of around 2,417 2G and 1,918 3G connections, respectively.

     

    Vodafone currently has 18 stores and 127 mini stores in Kolkata.