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Tag: Mukesh Ambani

  • Anil Lale returns to Viacom18 as head of business & legal affairs

    Anil Lale returns to Viacom18 as head of business & legal affairs

    MUMBAI: It can be termed as return of the prodigal. Anil Lale takes charge at Viacom18 as senior vice-president and head of business & legal affairs this September. He will report to group general counsel Sujeet Jain.

    This is Lale’s second stint with Viacom18 where he is returning to head the business legal function across its various verticals.

    “Apart from litigations, I will oversee the group’s overall business and legal proceedings that include contract negotiations as well,” Lale told Indiantelevision, confirming his appointment at Viacom18.

    His previous stint as group general counsel at Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) saw him setting up a new and vibrant legal team and streamlining the legal functions. Within a span of two years, the legal team at Zee was recognised as the best in-house bunch of lawyers in media by Legal Era that also heaped recognition and awarded it for so.

    Lale had left Zee mid-July this year, as reported by indiantelevision.com.

    This would be a homecoming of sorts for Lale who had worked at Viacom18 from 2009 to 2014.

    Viacom 18 Media Pvt. Ltd. is one of India’s fastest growing entertainment networks and a house of brands that offers multi-platform, multi-generational and multicultural brand experiences. A joint venture of Viacom Inc and the Network18 Group (controlled by Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Ltd via subsidiaries), Viacom18 businesses connects with people on-air, online, on ground, in shop and through its cinema.

  • Anil Lale returns to Viacom18 as head of business & legal affairs

    Anil Lale returns to Viacom18 as head of business & legal affairs

    MUMBAI: It can be termed as return of the prodigal. Anil Lale takes charge at Viacom18 as senior vice-president and head of business & legal affairs this September. He will report to group general counsel Sujeet Jain.

    This is Lale’s second stint with Viacom18 where he is returning to head the business legal function across its various verticals.

    “Apart from litigations, I will oversee the group’s overall business and legal proceedings that include contract negotiations as well,” Lale told Indiantelevision, confirming his appointment at Viacom18.

    His previous stint as group general counsel at Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) saw him setting up a new and vibrant legal team and streamlining the legal functions. Within a span of two years, the legal team at Zee was recognised as the best in-house bunch of lawyers in media by Legal Era that also heaped recognition and awarded it for so.

    Lale had left Zee mid-July this year, as reported by indiantelevision.com.

    This would be a homecoming of sorts for Lale who had worked at Viacom18 from 2009 to 2014.

    Viacom 18 Media Pvt. Ltd. is one of India’s fastest growing entertainment networks and a house of brands that offers multi-platform, multi-generational and multicultural brand experiences. A joint venture of Viacom Inc and the Network18 Group (controlled by Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Ltd via subsidiaries), Viacom18 businesses connects with people on-air, online, on ground, in shop and through its cinema.

  • BSE seeks & gets clarification on Eros Now-RelianceJio deal

    BSE seeks & gets clarification on Eros Now-RelianceJio deal

    MUMBAI: The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which had sought clarification from Eros International Media Ltd on a partnership with Reliance Jio, has been told that the deal pertains to US-based parent Eros International Plc and not the India-listed entity.

    On 25 August, Eros International had announced a deal between its over-the -top (OTT) platform Eros Now and Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio, which is slated to launch its telecom services soon offering subscribers high- speed broadband and other related services.

    The Eros Now service with its huge library of Bollywood movies, including recent blockbusters such asBajrangi Bhaijaan, Bajirao Mastaani, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, will power Jio’s on-demand entertainment offering.

    The company in its announcement yesterday claimed the “game changing partnership” with Reliance Jio will allow consumers to access high quality Eros Now service within the Jio ecosystem. Jio will provide Eros Now with an opportunity to acquire new subscribers throughout urban and rural India, the company had stated.

    Eros International group CEO and MD Jyoti Deshpande was quoted in an official statement as saying , “As a market leader in the film business, Eros has always strived to bring our users the best of Indian entertainment, offering them the same unified experience across screens and networks. Eros Now’s philosophy is to be platform agnostic and embrace the very best in technology as we continuously enhance our content offering. With the broadband and 4G stage set to explode, our alliance with Jio is part of our philosophy to provide consumers entertainment whenever and wherever they want it.”

    Eros Now has over 44 million registered users across Web, WAP and APP globally and is available across 135 countries with a vast majority of users from India. Currently it’s focused on monetization and achieving a target of one million paying subscribers by the end of fiscal year 2017.

    With a pricing of Rs. 49 ($0.73) per month for a streaming service and Rs. 99 ($1.47) per month, which has additional features such as offline viewing, high definition, subtitles and progressive viewing, the Eros Now service is competitively priced in India compared to other OTT services offering Indian language and international content, the company had claimed.

  • BSE seeks & gets clarification on Eros Now-RelianceJio deal

    BSE seeks & gets clarification on Eros Now-RelianceJio deal

    MUMBAI: The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which had sought clarification from Eros International Media Ltd on a partnership with Reliance Jio, has been told that the deal pertains to US-based parent Eros International Plc and not the India-listed entity.

    On 25 August, Eros International had announced a deal between its over-the -top (OTT) platform Eros Now and Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio, which is slated to launch its telecom services soon offering subscribers high- speed broadband and other related services.

    The Eros Now service with its huge library of Bollywood movies, including recent blockbusters such asBajrangi Bhaijaan, Bajirao Mastaani, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, will power Jio’s on-demand entertainment offering.

    The company in its announcement yesterday claimed the “game changing partnership” with Reliance Jio will allow consumers to access high quality Eros Now service within the Jio ecosystem. Jio will provide Eros Now with an opportunity to acquire new subscribers throughout urban and rural India, the company had stated.

    Eros International group CEO and MD Jyoti Deshpande was quoted in an official statement as saying , “As a market leader in the film business, Eros has always strived to bring our users the best of Indian entertainment, offering them the same unified experience across screens and networks. Eros Now’s philosophy is to be platform agnostic and embrace the very best in technology as we continuously enhance our content offering. With the broadband and 4G stage set to explode, our alliance with Jio is part of our philosophy to provide consumers entertainment whenever and wherever they want it.”

    Eros Now has over 44 million registered users across Web, WAP and APP globally and is available across 135 countries with a vast majority of users from India. Currently it’s focused on monetization and achieving a target of one million paying subscribers by the end of fiscal year 2017.

    With a pricing of Rs. 49 ($0.73) per month for a streaming service and Rs. 99 ($1.47) per month, which has additional features such as offline viewing, high definition, subtitles and progressive viewing, the Eros Now service is competitively priced in India compared to other OTT services offering Indian language and international content, the company had claimed.

  • TRAI-COAI spar on interconnect charges consultation paper

    TRAI-COAI spar on interconnect charges consultation paper

    MUMBAI: Telco watchdog  the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has garbaged allegations by the Cellular Operators Associaiton of India (COAI) that its latest consultation paper on call connect charges was “unfair” on incumbent operators and favouring newer entrants. TRAI chairman RS Sharma told PTI that the allegations against the regulator are “baseless.”

    TRAI maintained that it will continue to work according to its mandate. “Trai will continue to work in the areas in which it is mandated to work…We will continue to perform functions assigned in the Trai Act, with regard to consumer protection, Quality of Service, encouraging competition, fair play and growth of industry,” Sharma said.

    COAI had questioned the regulator’s urgency in initiating the process of  reviewing interconnect charges – paid by one operator to another for connecting calls, which the association claimed “favours new entrants.” TRAI  said it had undertaken this review in the backdrop of 4G and internet telephony changing the way consumers communicate.
    Currently, termination charges for a mobile to mobile local and national long distance call is pegged at 14 paise per minute while the termination charges for international incoming call to wireless and wired line stands at 53 paise per minute.

    Trai had sought fresh views on whether this should be continued or whether a new way of computing could be considered which is Bill and Keep (BAK) – to maximize consumer welfare, adoption of more efficient technologies and growth of the telecom sector. Under the BAK method, each telco bills its own subscribers for outgoing traffic that it sends to the  other interconnecting network and keeps the revenue received from its subscribers.

    COAI has finger pointed at the regulator’s suggestion, saying it essentially favours new operators as they would  not have to pass any payments to existing older operators, while the latter would end up incurring costs. “This is a misguided effort from the TRAI that will help new entrants at the cost of the incumbent. We are extremely disturbed by this, this further tilts the level playing field,” COAI director general Rajan Matthews had stated yesterday.

    This is not the first time that India’s private sector telecom operators have tried to put pressure on the regulator.
    Even in the case of net neutrality and zero-rating plans of telecom operators, the telcos had termed certain orders of TRAI without any basis that did not give the telcos a level playing field against new technologies (OTT services like WhatsApp, Skype, etc) and their backers.

    Matthews told PTI that his association   had sought a meeting with the telecom minister and secretary “so that the matter can be debated in a transparent manner.”

    The Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd, which has a pan-India licence for providing telecom services by a subsidiary company under Reliance Jio brand name, is slated to launch its services formally later this year. Reliance Jio is also slated to offer its consumers hi-speed 4G broadband services on low-priced Lyf handsets at  monthly subscription rates, telecoms observer opine, that are likely to start a blood-bath in the telecoms sector.

    RIL also controls the Network18 media group, founded by Raghav Bahl, which owns several TV channels and online and digital properties.

    In recent times, incumbent telecoms operators have been severely criticised within and outside the government for the low quality of services and rampant call-drops that TRAI had tried to rectify by proposing fines to benefit consumers.

    This move and other such regulatory initiatives too were criticised by telecos and various telecom industry bodies like COAI and Broadband India Forum.

    Interestingly, Reliance Jio  is also a member of COAI, though, according to media reports, its position on the present round of TRAI bashing by telcos is not known and unclear.

    ALSO READ:

    BIF bats for OTT regulations & level-playing field for all in Net Neutrality debate

  • TRAI-COAI spar on interconnect charges consultation paper

    TRAI-COAI spar on interconnect charges consultation paper

    MUMBAI: Telco watchdog  the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has garbaged allegations by the Cellular Operators Associaiton of India (COAI) that its latest consultation paper on call connect charges was “unfair” on incumbent operators and favouring newer entrants. TRAI chairman RS Sharma told PTI that the allegations against the regulator are “baseless.”

    TRAI maintained that it will continue to work according to its mandate. “Trai will continue to work in the areas in which it is mandated to work…We will continue to perform functions assigned in the Trai Act, with regard to consumer protection, Quality of Service, encouraging competition, fair play and growth of industry,” Sharma said.

    COAI had questioned the regulator’s urgency in initiating the process of  reviewing interconnect charges – paid by one operator to another for connecting calls, which the association claimed “favours new entrants.” TRAI  said it had undertaken this review in the backdrop of 4G and internet telephony changing the way consumers communicate.
    Currently, termination charges for a mobile to mobile local and national long distance call is pegged at 14 paise per minute while the termination charges for international incoming call to wireless and wired line stands at 53 paise per minute.

    Trai had sought fresh views on whether this should be continued or whether a new way of computing could be considered which is Bill and Keep (BAK) – to maximize consumer welfare, adoption of more efficient technologies and growth of the telecom sector. Under the BAK method, each telco bills its own subscribers for outgoing traffic that it sends to the  other interconnecting network and keeps the revenue received from its subscribers.

    COAI has finger pointed at the regulator’s suggestion, saying it essentially favours new operators as they would  not have to pass any payments to existing older operators, while the latter would end up incurring costs. “This is a misguided effort from the TRAI that will help new entrants at the cost of the incumbent. We are extremely disturbed by this, this further tilts the level playing field,” COAI director general Rajan Matthews had stated yesterday.

    This is not the first time that India’s private sector telecom operators have tried to put pressure on the regulator.
    Even in the case of net neutrality and zero-rating plans of telecom operators, the telcos had termed certain orders of TRAI without any basis that did not give the telcos a level playing field against new technologies (OTT services like WhatsApp, Skype, etc) and their backers.

    Matthews told PTI that his association   had sought a meeting with the telecom minister and secretary “so that the matter can be debated in a transparent manner.”

    The Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd, which has a pan-India licence for providing telecom services by a subsidiary company under Reliance Jio brand name, is slated to launch its services formally later this year. Reliance Jio is also slated to offer its consumers hi-speed 4G broadband services on low-priced Lyf handsets at  monthly subscription rates, telecoms observer opine, that are likely to start a blood-bath in the telecoms sector.

    RIL also controls the Network18 media group, founded by Raghav Bahl, which owns several TV channels and online and digital properties.

    In recent times, incumbent telecoms operators have been severely criticised within and outside the government for the low quality of services and rampant call-drops that TRAI had tried to rectify by proposing fines to benefit consumers.

    This move and other such regulatory initiatives too were criticised by telecos and various telecom industry bodies like COAI and Broadband India Forum.

    Interestingly, Reliance Jio  is also a member of COAI, though, according to media reports, its position on the present round of TRAI bashing by telcos is not known and unclear.

    ALSO READ:

    BIF bats for OTT regulations & level-playing field for all in Net Neutrality debate

  • Arnab-Barkha face-off amplifies disturbing trends

    Arnab-Barkha face-off amplifies disturbing trends

    When a section of the Indian media tries to make a case for prosecution of industry colleagues, it’s a disturbing trend. It’s more worrisome when the case being made out is based on the assertion either-you-are-with-us-or-against-us, implying that plurality of opinion (no matter how unpalatable the `other’ view is) is not welcome and that everyone needs to subscribe to just one narrative.

    Is it a case of bloated egos?

    Could be.

    Is it a case of a section of powerful media succumbing to political pressure?

    Very much possible.

    Is it a case of corporate vested interests at work?

    Why not? As most Indian media organisations, especially the big ones, are owned and run by corporations who treat media just as a business.

    Or, is it an example that in a big democracy like India a pillar of democratic right — freedom of expression — now is being readied for sacrifice at the altar of short-term gains?

    The Arnab Goswami-Barkha Dutt (AG-BD) spat that’s keeping the nation interested presently and consuming lot of online space probably is the result of all the reasons listed in the previous para – and much more.

    While the AG-BD scrap, which has spilled over everywhere, has managed to corner eyeballs (wonder whether BARC would have data on this saga), another media related development seems to have largely gone unnoticed.

    According to the Mukesh Ambani-controlled online publication Firstpost, controversial teleevangelist Zakir Naik, accused of allegedly spreading hate through his sermons on his TV channel Peace TV, has slapped a Rs 500 crore defamation suit on Times NOW and AG.

    Why are we mentioning this defamation suit by Naik at all here? Simply because such cases will chip away at the foundation of Indian democracy and Indian media’s role as a watchdog or the Fourth Estate. This will also encourage vested interests in the country to take on more often a divided news media.

    Coming back to the face-off between AG and BD, it echoes many things, but more sharply two facts: growing intolerance in the country towards plurality of thought and opinion and increasing commercialisation of a news media where fact and fiction mix freely without alerting the consumer.

    Old school journalists have been aghast at the public display of verbal fisticuffs and washing of dirty linen (and egos) terming such behaviour from two high-profile news anchors as “shrewish and infantile,” egoistical and unworthy of such perceived role models for youngsters in the media.

    On the other hand, there are supporters of AG too, who is said to have started it all when during one of his recent shows he advocated that everybody who’s seen as anti-national (to be defined, probably, as per standards laid down by him and like-minded people), including media persons, should be legally prosecuted and punished. BD and some others media pros waded into the debate sullying the waters further with views and counter views.

    Where does that leave thousands of faceless and not-so-high profile journalists trying to eke out a living being a watchdog far away from the limelight?

    That’s a question that the media itself has to answer if it has to regain its fast-losing credibility and also protect its freedom that’s so essential in a democracy like India. For the present, it seems the Indian media is reeling under the Donald Trump effect.

  • Arnab-Barkha face-off amplifies disturbing trends

    Arnab-Barkha face-off amplifies disturbing trends

    When a section of the Indian media tries to make a case for prosecution of industry colleagues, it’s a disturbing trend. It’s more worrisome when the case being made out is based on the assertion either-you-are-with-us-or-against-us, implying that plurality of opinion (no matter how unpalatable the `other’ view is) is not welcome and that everyone needs to subscribe to just one narrative.

    Is it a case of bloated egos?

    Could be.

    Is it a case of a section of powerful media succumbing to political pressure?

    Very much possible.

    Is it a case of corporate vested interests at work?

    Why not? As most Indian media organisations, especially the big ones, are owned and run by corporations who treat media just as a business.

    Or, is it an example that in a big democracy like India a pillar of democratic right — freedom of expression — now is being readied for sacrifice at the altar of short-term gains?

    The Arnab Goswami-Barkha Dutt (AG-BD) spat that’s keeping the nation interested presently and consuming lot of online space probably is the result of all the reasons listed in the previous para – and much more.

    While the AG-BD scrap, which has spilled over everywhere, has managed to corner eyeballs (wonder whether BARC would have data on this saga), another media related development seems to have largely gone unnoticed.

    According to the Mukesh Ambani-controlled online publication Firstpost, controversial teleevangelist Zakir Naik, accused of allegedly spreading hate through his sermons on his TV channel Peace TV, has slapped a Rs 500 crore defamation suit on Times NOW and AG.

    Why are we mentioning this defamation suit by Naik at all here? Simply because such cases will chip away at the foundation of Indian democracy and Indian media’s role as a watchdog or the Fourth Estate. This will also encourage vested interests in the country to take on more often a divided news media.

    Coming back to the face-off between AG and BD, it echoes many things, but more sharply two facts: growing intolerance in the country towards plurality of thought and opinion and increasing commercialisation of a news media where fact and fiction mix freely without alerting the consumer.

    Old school journalists have been aghast at the public display of verbal fisticuffs and washing of dirty linen (and egos) terming such behaviour from two high-profile news anchors as “shrewish and infantile,” egoistical and unworthy of such perceived role models for youngsters in the media.

    On the other hand, there are supporters of AG too, who is said to have started it all when during one of his recent shows he advocated that everybody who’s seen as anti-national (to be defined, probably, as per standards laid down by him and like-minded people), including media persons, should be legally prosecuted and punished. BD and some others media pros waded into the debate sullying the waters further with views and counter views.

    Where does that leave thousands of faceless and not-so-high profile journalists trying to eke out a living being a watchdog far away from the limelight?

    That’s a question that the media itself has to answer if it has to regain its fast-losing credibility and also protect its freedom that’s so essential in a democracy like India. For the present, it seems the Indian media is reeling under the Donald Trump effect.

  • Network18 strengthens revenue team; Joy Chakraborthy hires Priyanka Datta & Preeti Sahni

    Network18 strengthens revenue team; Joy Chakraborthy hires Priyanka Datta & Preeti Sahni

    MUMBAI: There’s change afoot at Television18 and Network18 following their acquisition by the Mukesh Ambani group last year. The companies saw a rash of exits close to it being taken over – and afterwards too – as executives long associated with Raghav Bahl’s team decided to move out.

    But looking at the past few months, both the companies have been strengthening the senior management team. Amongst the standout hires who have come in since is Rahul Joshi as CEO (News) and editor-in-chief and he has followed up by building the team editorially with journalists and editors for the channels being roped in.

    Another solid news industry resource recruited in May 2016 was Joy Chakraborthy, who came in as president revenue of TV18, allowing Joshi to concentrate more on management and editorial. Recently Joy was entrusted with further responsibility as CEO of Forbes India, thus consolidating television and the business magazine revenues under one head.

    A 20 year old veteran of the media industry – with experience ranging from The Times of India group to Star India to Zee Entertainment to India Today – Joy is now building his team under him. He has brought in Priyanka Datta as executive vice president to head the English news cluster (CNBC-TV18, CNBC-TV18 Prime HD and CNN News18) and network sales head for north and south.

    Another senior professional, Preeti Sahni has been appointed as vice-president to head sales for Forbes India and International business for English news channels of the network.

    Says Joy: “I am pleased to welcome Priyanka and Preeti to the Network18 family. Both Priyanka and Preeti come with right learnings and experience to take on their respective mandates at Network18. Priyanka Datta comes with a well-rounded understanding of TV channels, having headed ad sales and brand solutions roles at Zee. Preeti Sahni comes with specialization in luxury and international sales, having worked on and headed senior roles with premium media brands in her earlier roles.”

    Priyanka has around 20 years of experience with an exposure to sales, marketing, business management and P&L. and was last associated with Zee Entertainment for 14 years wherein she headed sales nationally for almost all channels of Zee Network as well as their Brand Solutions Cell. Her last assignment with Zee was that of Business Head of Zindagi and the FTA GEC channels.

    Prior to joining Network18, Preeti was with BCCL as general manager handling the luxury and international businesses. Preeti has a vast professional repertoire in product management and sales, and is skilled in conceptual marketing and business development. Prior to BCCL, she has worked with brands like India Today, HT Media, Oracle and Scholastic.

  • Network18 strengthens revenue team; Joy Chakraborthy hires Priyanka Datta & Preeti Sahni

    Network18 strengthens revenue team; Joy Chakraborthy hires Priyanka Datta & Preeti Sahni

    MUMBAI: There’s change afoot at Television18 and Network18 following their acquisition by the Mukesh Ambani group last year. The companies saw a rash of exits close to it being taken over – and afterwards too – as executives long associated with Raghav Bahl’s team decided to move out.

    But looking at the past few months, both the companies have been strengthening the senior management team. Amongst the standout hires who have come in since is Rahul Joshi as CEO (News) and editor-in-chief and he has followed up by building the team editorially with journalists and editors for the channels being roped in.

    Another solid news industry resource recruited in May 2016 was Joy Chakraborthy, who came in as president revenue of TV18, allowing Joshi to concentrate more on management and editorial. Recently Joy was entrusted with further responsibility as CEO of Forbes India, thus consolidating television and the business magazine revenues under one head.

    A 20 year old veteran of the media industry – with experience ranging from The Times of India group to Star India to Zee Entertainment to India Today – Joy is now building his team under him. He has brought in Priyanka Datta as executive vice president to head the English news cluster (CNBC-TV18, CNBC-TV18 Prime HD and CNN News18) and network sales head for north and south.

    Another senior professional, Preeti Sahni has been appointed as vice-president to head sales for Forbes India and International business for English news channels of the network.

    Says Joy: “I am pleased to welcome Priyanka and Preeti to the Network18 family. Both Priyanka and Preeti come with right learnings and experience to take on their respective mandates at Network18. Priyanka Datta comes with a well-rounded understanding of TV channels, having headed ad sales and brand solutions roles at Zee. Preeti Sahni comes with specialization in luxury and international sales, having worked on and headed senior roles with premium media brands in her earlier roles.”

    Priyanka has around 20 years of experience with an exposure to sales, marketing, business management and P&L. and was last associated with Zee Entertainment for 14 years wherein she headed sales nationally for almost all channels of Zee Network as well as their Brand Solutions Cell. Her last assignment with Zee was that of Business Head of Zindagi and the FTA GEC channels.

    Prior to joining Network18, Preeti was with BCCL as general manager handling the luxury and international businesses. Preeti has a vast professional repertoire in product management and sales, and is skilled in conceptual marketing and business development. Prior to BCCL, she has worked with brands like India Today, HT Media, Oracle and Scholastic.