ITV

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  • 9XM reaches 5 million Facebook likes

    9XM reaches 5 million Facebook likes

    MUMBAI: It has been seven years since 9XM launched in India. Owned by 9X Media, the flagship channel is dedicated to the latest in Bollywood music and has proved its place in its audiences’ hearts. This is clearly evident in the 5 million likes it has managed to garner on Facebook.

     

    According to Vibha Gosher, Sr. Vice President – Digital, 9X Media, the company started using social media with its Hindi Music Channel 9XM when it joined Facebook in January 2009 but had little activity or traction till December 2010. From December 2010, 9XM shifted focus to build this community.

     

    “We attribute the growth of numbers solely to the content created for the platform. We have constantly strived to keep innovating on the properties and changed strategy from time to time to keep the audience engaged and interested. We get an average of 800 shares per post, per day”, says Gosher when asked about the traction received by the Facebook fans.

     

    Approximately 8-9% of 9XM’s total fan base is talking about brand 9XM on a daily basis. 9X Media, India’s largest music television network, interacts with around 15 million plus audience on the digital platform. Our digital eco system focuses on conversations and not the numbers alone.

     

    Some of the best marketing campaigns 9XM made used of was, on Valentine’s day, the channel released the “Sanskaari Valentine’s Day” video with Alok Nath, created memes, imagery and textual jokes which were distributed across digital platforms. Immediately after Sanskaari Valentine’s Day, the channel released Bade Chote’s rap with Yo Yo Honey Singh, “Bakwaaspan”. This was amplified with 100s of memes and imagery on Facebook, Twitter and other platforms. 9XM had started the year with “Tung Tucking Ting”, on World Music Day has generated a lot of buzz due to its catchy tune and digital amplification. Their weekly countdown, “9XMTop9”, is derived from votes from Facebook and Twitter. The activity has trended multiple times on Twitter. Our On-air property 9XM likes features songs and comments from 9XM fans on Facebook.

     

    Over the past few years, 9XM’s strength on Digital platform has grown many folds. On Facebook, 9XM had 5 lakh Likes and now they have over 5 Million. On Youtube, the channel’s video views per day used to be around 4K but now they see 1 lakh of views every day.

     

    “All the channel’s animated characters were popular only with the TV audience but now they have an extended life and longer shelf life in form of games n applications and VOD on various platforms. All of 9XM’s characters are ageless, irreverent and cut across cultures and geographies. The list is long but it depends on you what you call it – Growth or just a beginning”, continues Gosher.

     

    To keep the fans continuously engaged, 9XM uses various interactive methods like: Pictorial News, Fashion Ki Class, What The Farak, X or Y – Faceoff between stars, Pehchaan Kaun, Best Of, Birthday Wishes, New Content promotions.

  • Grand Theft Auto V tops $800 million first day

    Grand Theft Auto V tops $800 million first day

    MUMBAI: It had been over five years since the last Grand Theft Auto game hit store shelves, and all that pent-up demand did wonders for sales of the franchise’s fifth installment, which went on sale Tuesday.

    Take-Two Interactive Software announced Wednesday that the first day of “Grand Theft Auto V” sales topped $800 million worldwide (excluding Japan and Brazil, where the launch is still expected).

    At about $60 a pop, that translates to more than 13 million units. It is the highest first-day retail sales in the company’s history and the GTA series, which had sold 125 million units before this release.

    The revenue numbers also make GTAV the biggest video game launch ever, exceeding the record set last November by Activision’s Call of Duty: Black Ops II, which hit $500 million in its first 24 hours and a record $1 billion its first 15 days.

    The question is whether GTAV will be able to maintain its momentum over the next two weeks and beat Activision with its consistently record-setting game. Then next up whether Activision’s next massive release, “Call of Duty: Ghosts,” can match $800 million its first day.

    GTAV’s setting this record speaks of three major trends in the video game industry, which has otherwise been struggling with massive sales declines as consumers shift their spending to digital add-ons, and free or cheap apps.

    First, big brands rule. During the past few years, consumers have bought fewer games, but they’re continuing to spend big on established titles.

    Second, digital content makes games more appealing. GTAV has more digital add-ons than ever, and that makes it a better value proposition to the consumer.

    And third, while people have held off on buying new consoles, with the next Microsoft Xbox and Sony PlayStation coming this fall, every year the user base with consoles grows and enables a bigger game launch.

  • Man of Steel exceeds market expectations amassing $196.7 million worldwide

    Man of Steel exceeds market expectations amassing $196.7 million worldwide

    MUMBAI: It‘s a bird, it‘s a plane, no it‘s Superman! Warner Bros‘ and Legendary Pictures‘ Man of Steel starring Henry Cavill, reprising the role of the red-capped Krptonian superhero has swooped across the box office with a record opening of $196.7 million worldwide.

    Zack Synder‘s Superman reboot, premiered on Thursday and over the four day period raked in a whopping $125.1 million pushing it to the number one position in June, and second best debut in 2013 behind Disney/Marvel‘s Iron Man 3. Internationally too, the tentpole soared amassing over $71.6 million during the same period.

    As reported by a Warner Bros executive to Deadline, the Sunday matinees ran much brighter than the Saturday‘s collection, unusual but not surprising considering the formula of the hype of a much anticipated movie release coupled with the Father‘s Day occasion worked well in favour.

    Man of Steel opened across 4207 theatres worldwide with a 3D release in 3,357 venues.

    Although film critics and reviews didn‘t quite appreciate this third franchise on Superman, the audience gave the movie a thumbs-up snubbing all critics‘ views and giving it an ‘A‘- CinemaScore. The high octane visual treat of Man of Steel packed a strong opening punch in 3D (3,357 venues), immense and skilful marketing of Warner Bros together with Christopher Nolan‘s and Zack Synder‘s involvement has truly wooed the audience worldwide. A Warner Bros executive reported that, Man of Steel grossed nearly double the next top four films added together, marking its dominance over the marketplace.

    With a wide presence across 331 domestic IMAX screens, Man of Steel delivered a $13.3 million opening with 42 per cent generated from the 3D versions. The movies presence has also boosted the entire box office weekend nearly 78 per cent more than the similar corresponding period last year. Along with Man of Steel, Sony/Columbia Pictures‘ apocalyptic comedy, This Is the End received a decent feedback and is projected for a $ 32.8 million in its five day bout.

    Meanwhile, Summit/Lionsgate multi starrer Now You See Me crossed the $100 million worldwide mark in its third week. The Vin Diesel adrenalin pumping Fast & Furious 6 amassed a stupendous $636.9 million worldwide in its fourth successful week. The Box Office shocker, The Purge grossed $58.5 million in its second week, although it received a thrashing at the box office this week.

  • Ek Thi Daayan’s BO collection remains below the mark

    Ek Thi Daayan’s BO collection remains below the mark

    MUMBAI: Balaji Telefilms‘ Ek Thi Daayan met with a response that was below expectation. Despite a long weekend with Friday being Ramnavami holiday, the film‘s first day collections remained below the mark dropping further on day two. The first weekend collections stood at Rs 152.5 million.

    Rohan Sippy‘s comedy outing Nautanki Saala dropped in collections from Monday after a good weekend at the multiplexes. With limited merit and only Ayushmann Khurana to count on, the film added just another Rs 54 million over the next four days ending its first week with figures of Rs 169 million.

    The Vidyut Jamwal starrer Commando, aimed at single screen mass audience, sustained well through the week to end its first week with Rs 173.5 million. Maintaining steady collections, the film raked in Rs 19.1 million in its second weekend.

    Chashme Baddoor benefitted as Nautanki Saala dropped at the multiplexes. The film collected a healthy Rs 89 million taking its two week total to Rs 394.5 million.

    Sajid Khan‘s Himmatwala hit rock bottom collecting just about Rs five million for third week taking its three week tally to Rs 430.5 million.

    Court room comedy/drama Jolly LLB collected Rs four million in its fifth week taking its five week total to Rs 314 million.

    Mere Dad Ki Maruti added Rs two million for its fifth week to move its five week total to Rs 119 million.

  • Zee Entertainment Q3 net up 179 per cent at Rs 958 million

    Zee Entertainment Q3 net up 179 per cent at Rs 958 million

    MUMBAI: Having gained market share in the TV ratings game, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL) is seeing a surge in earnings with third-quarter consolidated revenues growing 53 per cent to touch Rs 4.18 billion.

    Net profit also saw robust growth for the fiscal third quarter ended 31 December, jumping 179 per cent to Rs 958 million.

    The consolidated operating profit stood at Rs 1.36 billion, after expensing of initial investments in new activities (Zee Sports, Arabia) amounting to Rs 232 million. These are higher by 187 per cent as compared to the year-ago period.

    The results include the financials of Taj TV Ltd (Ten Sports) with effect from 13 November, ETC, international and educational businesses of Zee.

    Zee will separately announce the results of its other demerged entities – Zee News Ltd (ZNL), Wire & Wireless India Ltd (WWIL) and Dish TV. While ZNL and WWIL are already listed, Dish TV is likely to be listed by February.

    Fuelling ZEEL’s third-quarter growth has been a 59 per cent rise in advertising revenues to Rs 2.1 billion, benefitting largely from Zee TV’s prime time ratings gain and higher average rates on most of the network channels.

    “Zee Entertainment finished the third quarter with outstanding performance, highlighted by strong advertising revenue growth of 59 per cent, extremely robust operating profit growth of 187 per cent and 179 per cent growth in net earnings. Our television broadcasting business continues to lead industry in converting rating success into strong growth in revenues and operating profits. The performance reflects our success in delivering superior content to viewers and stronger relationship with our consumers,” says Zee chairman Subhash Chandra.

    Adds Zee wholetime director Punit Goenka, “Zee TV continued to increase its viewership share from 28 per cent in 2Q FY2007 to 29 per cent during 3Q FY2007, along with growth in time spent. During the quarter, average gross ratings points (GRPs) of Zee TV grew to 250 levels, with gains coming mainly from prime time. The growth has been led by continued success of ‘ Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ , Saat Phere’ and ‘ Kasamh Se’, while our new launches ‘ Dulhan’ and ‘Betiyan’ have helped bolster the prime time shares. Zee TV now has five programmes in top 20 and 11 programmes in top 50.”

    Zee also saw gains in the other channels. “Zee Cinema continues to be the No. 1 movie channel, and increasingly is becoming a reach channel for the advertisers. Zee Café and Zee Studio have gained shares. We will continue to reinforce our competitive advantage and deliver more value to viewers and shareholders,” says Goenka.

    Contributing to the strong third-quarter performance was a 55 per cent surge in subscription revenues at Rs 1.96 billion. This was bolstered by new revenue streams coming from direct-to-home (DTH) services and digital cable. Other sales and services was Rs 116 million.

    “We are extremely pleased to see the steady steps towards digitization of the Indian cable and satellite industry. Conditional access system (Cas) has been successfully implemented in the notified areas of Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata. With more subscribers opting for digital services even in other parts of the country, it will give a big boost to our subscription revenues in the near future. Our investment in Ten Sports is doing well. All these have extremely positive and long term impact on our business,” says Chandra.

    Elaborating on the performance, ZEEL CEO Pradeep Guha says, “We are pleased with the strong operating results in the third quarter. We have outperformed the market locking in higher advertising rates which would continue to help us in the future. Looking ahead, we are confident that continued execution of our content strategy would result in a revenue growth faster than that of industry. Additionally, with digitization of Indian cable and satellite industry, we expect to reap a rich harvest from subscription based revenues.”

    Sports business adds Rs 610 million to kitty

    The sports business revenue during the third quarter was Rs 610 million, after consolidating the results of Taj TV from 13 November 2006. EBITDA from Sports business during this quarter was Rs 133 million.

    “The main event for Ten Sports during the quarter was the Pakistan-West Indies series, which helped it garner significant revenues from the Pakistan and the Middle East beams. This was in addition to its other lead programs such as WWE, UEFA and Champions League. Ten Sports has also begun the telecast of the South Africa-Pakistan series on its Pakistan beam,” Zee says in a statement.

    “Zee Sports continued to grow on the Indian football opportunities; it covered the Asian Football Confederation under 20 championships in Kolkata in November and the Federation Cup in December. India is fast becoming a focus area for the world football governing body FIFA as well. Among some of the other events that Zee Sports covered was the Delhi Marathon, WTA tennis and the Italian Serie A. Zee Sports also bagged a three-year deal for the UEFA Cup,” the release adds.

    On a standalone basis, ZEEL posted a net profit of Rs 793.70 million for the quarter ended 31 December 2006 from Rs 341.60 a year earlier. Total income stood at Rs 2.46 billion as against Rs 2.4 billion during the same period.

    Condensed statement of operations

    The table below presents the condensed statement of operations for ZEEL and its subsidiaries for the third quarter of FY2007 versus FY2006, as published. The FY2006 numbers also include the cable, news and direct consumer business undertakings, which have now been demerged. Hence the numbers are not comparable.

    Comparable figures with FY06

    For better understanding of performance of ZEEL, the table below presents the proforma FY2006 numbers of ZEEL, on a comparable basis. These numbers are illustrative of the performance on a like to like basis.

    Segment-wise revenue streams

    The following table sets forth the percentage of revenues that each type contribute to consolidated revenues for the third quarter of 2007 and 2006.

    Comparable figures with FY06

    For better understanding of performance of ZEEL, the table below presents the proforma FY2006 numbers of ZEEL, on a comparable basis.

    Expenses account

    The following table sets forth the percentage of costs that each type contributes to consolidated expenses for the third quarter of 2007 and 2006.

    FY06 Expense chart

    For better understanding of performance of ZEEL, the table below presents the proforma FY2006 numbers of ZEEL, on a comparable basis. These numbers are illustrative.

    Segment-wise performance

    ZEEL is a diversified entertainment company with a multi-pillar approach to business. Its operations lie in three segments: (i) Content and broadcasting, (ii) Film Production and distribution and (iii) Education.

    The table below presents Zee’s third quarter performance for FY2007 in the key segments.