ITV

Tag: NDTV 24×7

  • NDTV forecasts faster growth from Q3

    NDTV forecasts faster growth from Q3

    MUMBAI: NDTV’s first-quarter net loss from news business has widened over the year-ago period as it increased its employee expenses while revenue dipped on absence of political advertising.

    The company, which operates English news channel NDTV 24X7, Hindi news channel NDTV India and business news channel NDTV Profit, suffered a net loss of Rs 241.2 million for the three-month period ended June compared to a loss of Rs 23.9 million a year ago.

    Income from operations at Rs 670.8 million fell 12.11 per cent, as against Rs 763.2 million in the year-ago period. In the previous fiscal, revenue had jumped on the back of political advertising due to general elections.

    “The first quarter has generally not been good for anybody so far as ad revenue goes. Companies are just walking out of recession and there is an air of caution. We expect a slight improvement in the second quarter and better growth over the subsequent quarters. Our subscription revenue for the first quarter has seen good growth,” says NDTV Group CEO Narayan Rao.

    On consolidated basis, the subscription income has gone up 22 per cent to Rs 116 million, as against Rs 95 million in Q1 FY 10 on the back of increased DTH penetration.

    NDTV’s expenses jumped 20 per cent to Rs 889.1 million, from Rs 741 million a year ago. This was mainly because of personnel cost, increase in marketing expenses and special bonuses the company awarded to its employees.

    The rise in personnel cost even without the one-time expense of bonus and gratuity has been sharp over the trailing quarter.

    Explains Rao, “We have got to a headcount that is similar to 2007 – prior to our expansion. That is a good development. Besides, salaries had to be corrected after the recession.”

    On a consolidated basis, NDTV has narrowed its net loss to Rs 311.1 million, as against Rs 834.1 million a year earlier. However, the previous fiscal included NDTV Imagine financials, which NDTV sold to Turner International, and is thus not strictly comparable.

    Income from operations stood at Rs 835.6 million compared to Rs 1.31 billion a year ago, while expenses were at Rs 269.7 million (from Rs 667.7 million).

    The company’s lifestyle channel, Good Times, is performing well. “Good Times should be able to do a revenue of over Rs 650 million this fiscal and is profitably poised. The core news business could remain under a bit of a strain unless ratings improve,” says a media analyst who tracks the company.

  • CNBC TV18, Awaaz hold fort on Budget day

    CNBC TV18, Awaaz hold fort on Budget day

      MUMBAI: TV18 business channels – CNBC TV18 and CNBC Awaaz – have maintained leadership positions in their respective genres on the Budget day.

    As per Tam data for 26 February, when finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee was reading out the union Budget in the Parliament, the English business viewers preferred CNBC TV18 over competition.

    The channel commanded 43.2 per cent viewership (Tam, CS 25+, All India), followed by Bloomberg UTV and ET Now (20.6 per cent each). Surprisingly, NDTV Profit, the second in command for the week, could manage only 15.5 per cent viewership.   
         
      Meanwhile, in the Hindi business news terrain, CNBC Awaaz maintained its dominance on 26 February with 71.3 per cent genre share as compared to 28.8 per cent of Zee Business (Tam, 25+, HSM Market).

    Among the English general news channels (Tam, CS 25+, All India), Times Now led the pack not only on Budget day but also throughout the week. On 26 February, the channel dominated the genre with 31.4 per cent viewership, followed by NDTV 24X7 (30.9 per cent) and CNN IBN (29.1 per cent). Headlines Today got 7.3 per cent while NewsX managed to hold 1.4 per cent of the viewership pie.

    CNN IBN said it occupied the top position on Budget day in the C&S audience segment aged 15+ (0600-2400 hours). In its defined demographic, CNN IBN garnered a ratio of 0.12 per cent over Times Now (0.11 per cent) and NDTV 24X7 (0.11 per cent).

    The Hindi general news space was led by Aaj Tak with 21 per cent share, followed by Star News (16 per cent), Zee News (15 per cent) and India TV (13 per cent) on the day.

  • Surgery starts at NewsX, 78 face the axe

    Surgery starts at NewsX, 78 face the axe

    MUMBAI: It was a black Saturday for the NewsX staff, the English news channel which came under financial cloud and saw ownership change hands within a year of launch as the original promoters, Indrani and Peter Mukerjea, exited after struggling to fund the high-cost operations.

    The new owners, NaiDuniya promoter Vinnay Chhajlani and former Businessworld editor Jehangir S Pocha, have started the surgical process. They have asked 78 people to submit their resignations and take three months salary in advance, multiple sources say.

    The trimming includes staff from editorial and technical divisions. “We were given current month’s salary along with an advance of three months and asked to sign the resignation letter,” says a senior editorial staff.

    Clarifying the position, a company spokesperson said: “When NewsX was purchased by IndiMedia in January this year, it was carrying the infrastructure and resources that were originally created to enable the launch of multiple channels. We are now focusing on NewsX and streamlining and strengthening its operations. All previous plans to launch multiple channels have been put on hold. This has made it imperative for NewsX to prune and rightsize its operations, both in terms of infrastructure and people.”

    “Many of us joined the channel before it launched. We worked in leading TV news brands like CNN IBN, NDTV 24X7 and Times Now. We have worked hard for the channel and it is heartbreaking to know that after putting in all the efforts, we have been asked to leave in such a manner,” another senior editoral executive said.

    Meanwhile, the new management is reviewing the business and planning an overhaul of the channel. Multiple sources say the channel will don a new look, have a new name and relaunch sometime in September.

    NewsX, however, will not stop hiring. “We will continue to hire talent in specific positions and strengthen the channel’s operations, distribution and branding,” the spokesperson explains.

    NewsX landed into trouble very early in life with editor-in-chief Vir Sanghvi leaving the company amid controversies. The channel failed to make an impact and ratings stayed elusive. After the buyout, the new owners introduced a slab-structured pay cut policy to stave off 10 per cent of employee cost.

    NewsX has a tough road ahead as the general English news channel space is being fought fiercely among Times Now, CNN IBN and NDTV 24X7.

  • NDTV 24X7 to air special documentaries on environment

    NDTV 24X7 to air special documentaries on environment

    MUMBAI: NDTV 24X7 has lined up three environment based documentaries to air in the wake of World Environment Day on 5 June.

    Under its Documentary 24X7, the English news channel claims to take viewers through the stretches across the south of our planet, assist them to witness the most unique animals and help to observe the plight of the endangered sharks.

    On 31 May at 1 pm, the channel will air Shores of Silence, a film by Mike Pandey. It documents the Indian coast that house the largest concentration of whale sharks in the world. An alarmingly high number (independent studies put it at 600) is slaughtered every year. The film brings to light the massacre of the fish. The Green Oscar-winning film galvanised global attention to the largest and the gentlest fish in the ocean – the whale sharks.

    At 1.25 pm, the channel will air Timeless Traveller-The Horseshoe Crab, a film by Gautam Pandey. It shows the endangered species Horseshoe Crab, which is one of the most unique animals. It emerged from the oceans 562 million years ago and has survived unchanged. If the situation is not carefully managed, the risk of adversely affecting the horseshoe crab population becomes a certainty.

    On 7 June at 1 pm, NDTV 24X7 will air Antartica: The White desert by Damon Foster. It takes viewers through white wilderness stretched across the south of our planet; a giant natural laboratory that has long occupied the human psyche. Antarctica is a continent of remote natural wonder. For brief moments each year, this hauntingly beautiful landscape opens up, beckoning scientists and explorers from around the world to investigate its frozen secrets.

    The films take viewers on a visual adventure into this mysterious continent, introducing them to a team of scientists, researchers and explorers who have braved the inhospitable continent in the quest to learn its secrets.

  • NDTV plans to launch MetroNation Chennai in April

    NDTV plans to launch MetroNation Chennai in April

    NEW DELHI: NDTV is readying for the launch of MetroNation Chennai in April while cutting costs in MetroNation Delhi to keep losses in check amid an economic downturn.

    Jennifer Arul is the managing editor of the channel. “We have already hired about 100 people and will be launching MetroNation Chennai in April,” says NDTV MetroNation CEO Rajiv Lulla.

    As reported first in Indiantelevision.com, NDTV will launch the Chennai city-centric channel through a joint venture company with the Hindu Group where it will hold 51 per cent stake.

    So what led to the delay when the channel was supposed to launch last year? “There were licence issues and it took us time arranging for everything,” says Lulla.

    Meanwhile, NDTV has scaled down the operations of MetroNation Delhi by axing jobs and reducing fresh programming on the city-specific channel for Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). The channel has converted its mobile studio, ‘The Metronation Bus,’ into a mobile election studio to be used by the two sister news channels, NDTV 24X7 and NDTV India.

    “MetroNation is a resilient and nimble channel. We are cutting costs and will hire people when the time is right,” says Lulla.

  • News channels hit record viewership in terror week

    News channels hit record viewership in terror week

    MUMBAI: As the deadly terror attacks struck Mumbai on 26 November, Indians all over the country stayed glued to news channels. Providing regular updates and a rigorous 60 hours of live TV coverage, the news genre gained immensely during this period.

    Hindi news channels occupied 22.4 per cent of the entire TV viewing share for the four days (26 to 29 November) of terror coverage, the highest the genre has ever recorded in Indian television. Hindi general entertainment channels, which enjoy maximum TV viewing, had a share of 19.5 per cent while Hindi movie channels took away a 15.1 per cent share, as per Tam data (C&S, 4+, HSM).

    For the week ended 29 November, Hindi news channels have seen a 10 per cent surge in market share to 16.1 per cent, from an average of 6.7 per cent in the prior four weeks (26 October to 22 November).

    Hindi general entertainment channels, which were not showing any fresh content due to the dispute between TV producers and workers, were hard hit, with the genre share sliding to 22 per cent for the week, from a previous four-week average of 32.4 per cent.

    The high-voltage drama has fetched Aaj Tak the highest number of viewers among the Hindi news channels. Aaj Tak has gained 6 per cent to enjoy a market share of 23 per cent for the week ended 29 November. The next big gainer in the Hindi news genre is Zee News, with a 3 per cent rise to 11 per cent.

    In the pack, Star News is at 16 per cent (gained 1 per cent) while India TV and IBN7 has seen no change which stand at 16 per cent and 11 per cent respectively.

    NDTV India also remains static at 8 per cent, followed by News24 and Samay both at 4 per cent. Tez has slipped by 1 per cent, DD news, Live India have fallen by 2 per cent each.

    In the English news genre, NDTV 24X7, which has gained 5 per cent, has captured the highest market share for the week with 30 per cent (C&S, 15+, All India). Times Now also gained 5 per cent to garner a share of 28 per cent.

    CNN-IBN lost in the numbers game, slipping 6 per cent to have a share of 24 per cent. Down the ladder, NewsX gained marginally to have a 9 per cent share among English news channels while Headlines Today fell from 13 per cent to 9 per cent.

  • NDTV lines up special shows to cover elections

    NDTV lines up special shows to cover elections

    MUMBAI: NDTV Networks has lined up special programming to cover state elections. The shows will provide an insight into the relevant issues, gather views and relay the energy and enthusiasm associated with the upcoming elections in six states.

    English news channel NDTV 24X7 will have shows like Campaign Trail, Follow the Leader, Battle Ground. Starting on 17 November at 7 pm on weekdays. Campaign Trail will combine live reports, citizens’ views and aims to get answers from the policy makers.

    Follow the Leader, starting on 18 November, chases some of the biggest contenders in the political arena from sunrise to sunset on campaigning days. The show will telecast every Tuesday and Sunday at 9.30 pm.

    In Battle Ground, Prannoy Roy and Dorab Sopariwala will discuss the real story of the elections – who is likely to win and become the next chief minister, what are the issues that will matter and all the news that citizens need to know. The show will air on 26, 28 Nov and 3 December at 9.30 pm.

    Hindi news channel NDTV India will air Agla CM Kaun?, Youngtantra and Jawab Do. Agla CM Kaun? will take a trip to the places that will be affected by the new political scenario.

    Vinod Dua takes on the politicians one-on-one and gets to the grassroots problems of the common man, in an effort to tell both sides of the story. Vinod Dua enables both, the politicians and the common man, to meet face-to-face and talk about the problems and solutions offered.

    The show Youngtantra turns its attention towards the youth of our country and seeks to encapsulate the ideals of the young and the ambitious.

    In Jawab Do, the current state Chief Minister is pitted against the potential CM and public in a fiery debate where he defends his performance in his current term.

  • News channels spend highest time on crime stories

    News channels spend highest time on crime stories

    MUMBAI:Crime, law and order stories rule the roost on news channels. At least for the period 14 September to 24 October 2008 when news channels dedicated 29 per cent of their coverage time on such kind of content, according to News Content Track (NCT), a monitoring service recently launched by Tam.

    The study conducted by Tam covers Hindi channels Aaj Tak and Star News and English channels Times Now and NDTV 24X7.

    During the period, news channels have spent 513.22 hours of programming on crime, law and order stories. Next in the rung is sports coverage which occupies 13.48 per cent (234.09 hours).

    Top content type
    CONTENT TYPE    Duration in Hour:Min:Secs    % contribution
    CRIME/LAW & ORDER
    513:22:25
    29.54
    SPORTS NEWS
    234:09:29
    13.48
    POLITICAL NEWS/GOVERNMENT NEWS
    217:51:04
    12.54
    ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
    199:30:19
    11.48
    FINANCIAL NEWS
    121:29:59
    6.99
    BUSINESS NEWS
    66:46:40
    3.84
    SOCIAL
    58:49:14
    3.39
    SPIRITUAL/RELIGION
    57:27:32
    3.31
    ASTROLOGY
    57:05:23
    3.29
    MISHAPS/FAILURE OF MACHINERY
    44:38:12
    2.57
    source : News Content Track, Tam
    period : 14 Sept- 24 Oct

    News on politics is still not the favourite with news channels. Political news covers only 12.54 per cent (217.51 hours), followed by entertainment news which is 11.48 per cent (199.30 hours) of the entire programming.

    News channels spent 6.99 per cent on financial news and 3.84 per cent on business news. Humour covers 2.17 per cent of the time while news on sting and scandals contributes 0.02 per cent. News channels spend the minimum time on spoofs (0.01 per cent, 0.08 minutes).

    Top stories
    Story
    Total    %
    DELHI BOMB BLASTS
    115:13:26
    6.63
    BORDER GAVASKAR SERIES 08
    74:03:48
    4.26
    BOLLYWOOD UPDATES
    57:21:48
    3.30
    ZODIAC FORECAST
    57:05:13
    3.29
    SHOOT OUT IN DELHI
    51:34:40
    2.97
    AUSTRALIA TOUR OF INDIA(2008)
    49:41:01
    2.86
    INDIAN MARKET UPDATES
    40:39:20
    2.34
    COMEDY PROGRAM
    37:24:24
    2.15
    MNS WORKERS BEAT UP OUTSTATION CANDIDATES (MUMBAI)
    36:26:22
    2.10
    REPORT ON BLASTS IN INDIA
    34:41:58
    2.00
    source : News Content Track, Tam
    period : 14 Sept- 24 Oct

    The Delhi bomb blast became the top story (6.63 per cent) that was shown repeatedly by the news channels during this period, followed by the India-Australia cricket series (4.26 per cent). In the top story ranking, Bollywood updates covered 3.30 per cent while zodiac forecast was 3.29 per cent.

  • NDTV 24×7 to cover ‘Uncommon Ground’ on 27 July

    NDTV 24×7 to cover ‘Uncommon Ground’ on 27 July

    MUMBAI: NDTV 24X7 is launching a series Uncommon Ground. Starting on 27 July, the show will discuss challenges that India faces today.

    Slated to air at 9:30 pm on every Sunday, the eight-part-series will cover fundamental issues that confront India like food, healthcare, employment, energy, land rights, financial inclusion, access to transport and sustainable development.

    The show will guest like Mukesh Ambani and Dr RK Pachauri debating energy solutions for India, Anand Mahindra and Medha Patkar analyzing the complexities of land rights, Sunil Mittal and Aruna Roy debating the right employment model and Rahul Bajaj and Dinesh Mohan analyzing the pros and cons of public versus private transport among others.

    NDTV 24X7 senior editor Manvi Sinha Dhillon says, “Sustainable development means different things to different people and this show attempts to draw some very influential Indians to the table to thrash out crucial development issues. We hope that this show will open up lines of communication that will spur the growth of modern India in a manner that is both rewarding and inclusive.”

  • NDTV 24×7 to air Oscar winning documentaries in June

    NDTV 24×7 to air Oscar winning documentaries in June

    MUMBAI: NDTV 24X7 is airing two Oscar nominated documentaries – Taxi to the Dark Side and Please Vote for Me in ‘Documentary 24X7’.

    Starting from 18 June, Taxi to the Dark Side directed by Alex Gibney is based on the plights of the prisoners of Bagram during the war on terror.

    Gibney has bagged ‘Oscar for the best documentary film’ in 2007 for Taxi to the Dark Side. It provides an in-depth look at the circumstance that prevails in USA during the ‘war on terror’.

    Taxi to the Dark Side revolves around the story of a taxi driver Dilawar, an Afghan taxi driver, who was arrested without trial and after five days he was declared dead in the prison of Bagram. The story develops the last week of Dilawar’s life and shows how decisions taken by the officials led directly to Dilawar’s brutal death.

    Directed by Weijun Chen, Please Vote for Me, shows the consequences of democracy in China through a simple class election.

    Please Vote for me is on the director’s experiment on democracy, in Wuhan, China. The purpose of Chen’s experiment is to determine if democracy comes to China, how it would be received. Through a simple election to select the class monitor he tried to answer – is democracy a universal value that fits human nature? Do elections inevitably lead to manipulation? Please Vote for Me is a portrait of a society and a town through a school, its children and its families.