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Tag: NDTV

  • NDTV partners with Google leverages data to drive +24 per cent new user growth

    NDTV partners with Google leverages data to drive +24 per cent new user growth

    Mumbai: NDTV news platform, has achieved remarkable success through its innovative partnership with Google, focusing on real-time data insights to refine its content strategy. Recognising the limitations of traditional engagement measurement tools, NDTV went on a mission to develop a data-driven framework aimed at improving the quality and engagement of its published content. This collaboration led to the implementation of a machine learning-based process that allowed NDTV to accurately identify high-performing articles and those needing refinement. By leveraging real-time insights, editors could strategically focus on topics and formats that garnered the highest viewership, optimizing the content strategy to meet audience demands more effectively.

    Within the first quarter of deploying this framework, NDTV witnessed substantial growth. New User Growth increased by 24 per cent, Page Views moved up by 12 per cent, Average Session Duration extended significantly and Bounce Rate improved by 3.7 per cent. These metrics underscore the success of NDTV’s new strategy in attracting and retaining a larger audience, marking a significant milestone in its digital transformation journey.

    NDTV executive director Senthil Chengalvarayan stated, “NDTV is synonymous with trust and excellence in journalism. Our dedication to outstanding content is unwavering. To further enhance our standards, our editorial teams developed a cutting-edge Newsroom Quality Index. Leveraging Google products and other databases, this tool provides near real-time insights, enabling us to continually refine and optimize our articles for greater impact and audience engagement.”

    This initiative not only highlights NDTV’s commitment to journalistic excellence but also showcases the transformative impact of data and machine learning in enhancing content quality and user engagement. The partnership with Google has bolstered NDTV’s digital content strategy, driving significant improvements in website traffic and viewer engagement. (Case Study: https://newsinitiative.withgoogle.com/en-gb/resources/stories/ndtv-leverages-data-and-ml-to-drive-24-new-user-growth/) 

  • NDTV tops Reuters Institute’s digital news report 2024

    NDTV tops Reuters Institute’s digital news report 2024

    Mumbai: NDTV further cementing its position as the pioneer in Indian broadcasting achieved a significant milestone leading in offline and online reach as per the latest Digital News Report 2024 by the Reuters Institute at the University of Oxford. The study showed NDTV ranked highest in weekly reach for both offline (TV, Radio & Print) and online news consumption among the young, urban audience in India.

    The report revealed that NDTV’s 24-hour TV news channels lead the offline segment with 32 per cent of respondents indicating weekly usage. Notably, 18 per cent of respondents watch NDTV at least three days per week. This consistent viewership underscores NDTV’s reputation as a trusted news source in the competitive media landscape. In the online domain, NDTV continues to dominate with a 27 per cent weekly usage rate. In addition, 17 per cent of respondents reported using NDTV online at least three times a week. These figures reflect NDTV’s successful digital strategy and its appeal to a tech-savvy audience that relies on the internet for their news consumption.

    “NDTV has pioneered insightful news reportage. Being at the top of the chart yet again in the prestigious Reuter’s Institute Digital News Report, 2024 is more than a feat; it demonstrates our unwavering commitment to quality journalism. NDTV’s team of fearless journalists will continue to report powerful stories with unflinching integrity.” NDTV Network – CEO and editor-in-chief Sanjay Pugalia.

    The Reuters Institute study (Source: https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/digital-news-report/2024/india) offers a snapshot of NDTV’s weekly usage within the country’s vast and diverse media market, indicating the network’s strong presence and influence among this key audience segment. NDTV has remained the go-to platform for many during major headline events of 2023, spanning from global happenings to domestic events. NDTV’s ability to maintain high reach across both its traditional and digital platforms demonstrates the brand’s adaptability and commitment to delivering quality journalism.

  • NDTV redefines excellence in 2024 election coverage

    NDTV redefines excellence in 2024 election coverage

    Mumbai: NDTV has once again proven its unmatched position as the premier destination for intelligent and meaningful news with its dynamic and captivating coverage during this election season. From breaking news to in-depth analyses, NDTV ignited the electoral fervour with “India Decides” and “Chunav India Ka,” presenting an electrifying array of innovative formats to comprehensively cover elections across states, featuring over 100 reporters and more than 1000 ground reports.

    The programming commenced with “Battleground with Sanjay Pugalia,” spotlighting key political figures in major cities. NDTV’s “Election Carnival,” launched in April, covered over 11,000 kilometres and 50 cities, providing unparalleled electoral insights from the ground. The “Pledge to Vote” initiative mobilized corporate leaders from the likes of Jayen Mehta (MD, Amul), Ajay Bijli (MD, PVR Inox), Rohit Kapoor (CEO, Swiggy), and Nadir Godrej (Chairman and MD, Godrej Industries) to drive voter participation among employees.

    This holistic election coverage featured trailblazers spanning various domains, leading the line-up was PM Narendra Modi who engaged with NDTV on multiple occasions along with key figures from the Union Cabinet such as the minister of home affairs Amit Shah, the minister of defence Rajnath Singh and the minister of external affairs Dr S Jaishankar. These interviews highlighted the government’s achievements, national security efforts, and future plans, offering viewers a comprehensive understanding of the political landscape. Following this, prominent figures like Chandrababu Naidu & Pawan Kalyan, Anurag Thakur, Piyush Goyal, Revanth Reddy, KC Venugopal, Milind Deora, Amitabh Kant and Sachin Pilot also shared their insights, further enriching the coverage.

    Additionally, we traveled 7,400 kilometers through southern India, engaging with 39 prominent leaders across 19 Lok Sabha constituencies in 4 states, engaging with key figures such as Siddaramiah, Shashi Tharoor, Annamalai, and Vijayendra Yeddyurappa, focusing on regional issues and transformative development initiatives.

    The interviews with PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, in particular, garnered extensive attention, with multi-million views across platforms, and achieved a social impression of over 3 billion as per Twitter Analytics.

    For the two marquee days of the season, NDTV’s “Poll of Polls” aggregated exit poll data, offering a balanced and comprehensive view of voter preferences and electoral trends, crucial for voters and analysts alike, and the Counting Day coverage, with its campaign #ResultKyaRaha, amassed massive traction.

    “NDTV has consistently upheld a legacy of trust and credibility, reinforcing its position as the premier destination for comprehensive election coverage. As this election season concludes, we are proud to have significantly contributed to shaping voter opinions. Through intelligent conversations, high-quality production, engaging interactions, and sharp, focused discussions, we stood out from the herd and made a real impact”, NDTV – editor-in-chief and CEO Sanjay Pugalia.

    NDTV also launched some groundbreaking initiatives, such as the innovative #NDTV18KaVote engaged first-time voters with influential young leaders and the youth-centric “Yuva” conclave. Meanwhile, “Poll Curry with Kunal Vijaykar” offered a unique blend of politics and local cuisine, featuring dynamic discussions with prominent political personalities.

    The comprehensive 360 campaign, backed by a Pan-India media plan, gained substantial traction across platforms and topped industry charts on many fronts:

    . As per data from industry platform SimilarWeb, NDTV.com was the No.1 English news website, with a groundbreaking 23.3 million visits worldwide, far ahead of every other English news website in the country on June 4th 2024

    .  According to BARB, UK, NDTV 24×7 was the No. 1 Asian channel in the entire UK, achieving the highest reach among all Asian channels on June 4th 2024.

    . On YouTube, NDTV 24×7 attracted a peak concurrency of 94k, far higher than most others in the industry. Source: Playboard. YouTube Peak Concurrency, 4th June. 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. (NDTV 24×7)

    This comprehensive programming strategy and extensive marketing plan not only set NDTV apart in the industry but also made a significant contribution to the democratic process.

  • NDTV’s carnival truck brings flavour to election result

    NDTV’s carnival truck brings flavour to election result

    Mumbai: NDTV captivated viewers with its innovative and engaging special coverage of the General Elections 2024, featuring its election carnival truck. To mark the counting day on 4 June 2024, NDTV came up with a distinctive approach to election coverage by infusing culinary elements into their reporting, seamlessly blending the political discourse with gastronomical delights.

    The unique set-up held at the NDTV premises, featured a unique collaboration with an array of partners such as PVR, Biryani by Kilo, Urban Vada Pav, Sitaram Diwan Chand – Chole Bhature, and Chaat Masters, delivering an irresistible feast of mouth-watering foods from across the nation and offered a rich tapestry of India’s diverse culinary heritage. From the flavourful Chhole Bhature and Aloo Tikki of Delhi to the beloved Vada Pav and Pani Puri of Bombay, NDTV’s coverage brilliantly encapsulated the essence of India’s culinary diversity.

    Against this vibrant backdrop, NDTV anchors and analysts provided insightful discussions on the election results from various states. The channel presented a fusion of political analysis and rich cultural & culinary experience. This distinctive approach not only highlighted the regional cuisines but also made NDTV’s election coverage a unique and memorable event. This initiative garnered significant interest from NDTV’s viewers, as it offered them a fresh perspective on how media can creatively engage with their audience across states.

    This was the conclusion of NDTV’s election carnival, a vibrant celebration of democratic enthusiasm and civic engagement, that marked an extraordinary journey across India. It captivated hearts and minds as it travelled the carnival originally planned to cover 5,000 kilometers, but due to its overwhelming reception, the route was extended to over 11,000 kilometers, reaching more than 50 cities non-stop over the past 30 days.

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    A post shared by NDTV India (@ndtvindia)

     

  • NDTV Battleground Finale with Dr. S. Jaishankar highlights foreign policy

    NDTV Battleground Finale with Dr. S. Jaishankar highlights foreign policy

    Mumbai: The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are nearing the slogovers, with only two rounds of voting left, on 25 May and 1 June.

    To gauge the public mood and understand the electoral atmosphere, NDTV brought a special “Battleground” series that saw editor-in-chief Sanjay Pugalia travel to various states and decode the electoral issues on the ground, and political and caste equations.

    On Battleground’s finale tonight, foreign minister Dr S Jaishankar gave his prediction on the BJP’s 2024 performance. Pro-incumbency in several states and growing support in areas that are not the BJP’s traditional strongholds would ensure that the party beats its 2019 score, Dr Jaishankar said in a special conversation with Sanjay Pugalia.

    Asked what number he would choose if he has to place a bet on the BJP’s tally in these polls, Dr Jaishankar said he would leave the numbers to experts. “But I can tell you one thing, I had several public interactions in this election. I think the support base in very solid. People have a way of showing pro-incumbency. So I felt there is a pro-incumbency in several states,” he said.

    “I can say that the trend in our favour is very positive. On the basis of my experience, I feel the numbers will increase, not decrease,” he said. He said the BJP would improve its tally in Bengal, Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

    The foreign minister also brushed aside speculation that regional issues could impact the BJP’s prospects.

    “Local problems will be there but, in the end, when people vote, they will vote on whether they believe in Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Dr Jaishankar said.

    The show also featured team lease services vice chairman Manish Sabharwal and former IMF executive director Surjit Bhalla.

    “I have never seen such a one-sided election,” Surjit Bhalla said, expressing confidence that the ruling party’s tally would be record-breaking. Asked to guess the BJP’s seats, he suggested “350”.

    He said the country had never seen the kind of progress or performance it had seen in the last 10 years. Arguing against the notion that it is a “wave-less election”, Bhalla remarked: “If the BJP wins a vote share of 42-47 per cent, which I have said in my book that it’s possible, then that is a wave.”

    Manish Sabharwal said that the past 70 years had seen the delivery of democracy but not prosperity. “The last 25 years for India are very different from the next 25 years,” he said.

  • NDTV unveils ‘The Election Carnival’ for Lok Sabha Elections 2024

    NDTV unveils ‘The Election Carnival’ for Lok Sabha Elections 2024

    Mumbai: The NDTV Network has announced the launch of ‘The Election Carnival,’ an initiative aimed at fostering civic engagement and awareness ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

    NDTV Election Carnival is a travelling studio that aims to travel to 34 cities across New Delhi, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, covering a total distance of 4000 kms. This platform is designed to move around and engage with citizens, helping them deepen their understanding of local leaders and issues relevant to their communities. Backed with an NDTV anchor accompanying a politician from each area, it promises meaningful discussions and interactions, providing voters with valuable insights into the electoral landscape.

    The first leg of the NDTV Election Carnival kicked off from the heart of the nation, New Delhi, on 5 April 2024, in the presence of Manoj Tiwari, MP from North-East Delhi, setting the tone for an engaging and informative journey ahead. The inaugural ceremony in New Delhi featured a performance by a Punjabi folk artist. The campaign will commemorate the vibrant culture of every region by featuring performances from local folk artists, highlighting the rich diversity that characterizes India’s political and social landscape.

    This drive underscores NDTV’s commitment to fostering informed citizenship and facilitating meaningful dialogue between citizens and leaders. Through this campaign, the network hopes to empower voters and strengthen the democratic process.

    NDTV Election Carnival will make stops at prominent cities such as Ayodhya, Dehradun, Jamshedpur, Lucknow, Amritsar, Srinagar, and Nashik, among others. During these stops, it will provide citizens across the country with the opportunity to participate in discussions, learn about local issues, and interact with their elected representatives.

  • Anurag Thakur, Sachin Pilot, Sidharth Malhotra and other youth icons at NDTV’s Yuva Conclave

    Anurag Thakur, Sachin Pilot, Sidharth Malhotra and other youth icons at NDTV’s Yuva Conclave

    Mumbai: NDTV’s Yuva conclave brought together India’s youth icons on one stage, for special conversations about leveraging youth to foster change. Union minister Anurag Thakur led the power-packed line-up that included Congress leader Sachin Pilot and actor Sidharth Malhotra.

    A special interaction and question and answer session with Anurag Thakur kicked off the daylong conclave.

    What is it to work with prime minister Narendra Modi, the union minister was asked. “My boss, prime minister Narendra Modi, is the best. He is the strictest at work but kindest when it comes to citizens,” Thakur said, drawing loud applause.

    “If you have a boss who hasn’t taken a single holiday in 23 years, even when his mother passed away, that is the type of commitment the PM has”.

    India’s youth, the minister said, stands for “positive energy, inspiration, passion, and motivation”.

    Thakur also spoke about 18kaVote, NDTV’s mission to make the youth – especially those who have just turned 18 and eligible to vote in their first election – aware of the need to vote.

    Fielding a wide range of questions, the union information and broadcasting minister also spoke about what the opposition alleges is persecution by probe agencies, restrictions on media and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) report on the bleak job situation in India.

    “The questions show you can ask anything to the minister on National TV. You may not be able to do so in Pakistan or Saudi Arabia. We still have a slavery mentality because we always depended on foreign ratings. We need to come out of it and trust organisations in our country,” he said.

    Wrapping the session, the minister took a selfie with his young audience.

    Later, Congress general secretary Sachin Pilot, who debuted as an MP at the age of 26, spoke about encouraging youth in politics.

    Political parties prefer winnability over youth, and people were also inclined towards voting veterans and known players, Sachin Pilot noted, adding that a change in this thinking would take time.

    Pilot also responded to a question on Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate and the row over objectionable comments on BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut posted on her handle.

    “No one has the right to make personal attacks or character assassination, it is important to focus on issues,” said the former Rajasthan deputy chief minister.

    Actor Sidharth Malhotra, our Yuva Yodha, said he believed mental health is a formidable challenge for the youth. Giving tips on handling stress, he said yoga helps. “Stress is something which is unavoidable. We are giving exams every Friday (movies releases). It never ends. It’s how you deal with it. You have to be in your lane and focus on yourself. Focusing on oneself is most important for success. Following my own path has worked. There is no point in having wild case scenarios,” he said.

    “Focus is key. Yoga has helped me. It helps you centre.”

    Alaya F, our actor disruptor, the daughter of actor Pooja Bedi and the granddaughter of another actor, Kabir Bedi, shared what she called her “privileged struggles” in making it in films. “Nepotism also has its limitations. It will get me into rooms. But then no one will give me movies just because of that. I was being tested for a year and half before I landed my first role,” she said.

    NDTV Network’s revenue head Mandeep Singh commented “NDTV has been always known for its purposeful initiatives that disrupt the way news impacts lives of people and communities. Yuva is one such incredible initiative that makes its grand comeback.

    YUVA embodies the idea of young people actively engaging in efforts to bring about positive transformations in their communities and beyond. It highlights the role of youth as catalysts for social, political, and environmental progress, using their voices, creativity, and energy to address pressing issues and advocate for meaningful change.

    We wanted to celebrate this along with like-minded partner brands who saw huge potential in this endeavour.  

    We had Panasonic, Motorola, Rungta Steel, KP Foods, Sakarni, Canara Bank, HDRC Life, Rama University, and Solo Files backing us in this season of NDTV Yuva.

    We will make this franchise far larger in times to come.”

    Other highlights of the event included Gaurav Kapoor’s stand-up, and performances by musicians Akshay and IP Singh and Jasleen Royal.

    A session on mental health saw an expert panel comprising Dr Amit Sen, Amrita Tripathi, Divija Bhasin, and Kairavi Bharat Ram discussing the challenges faced by the youth.

  • NDTV’s Indian of the Year Awards: A tribute to India’s unsung heroes

    NDTV’s Indian of the Year Awards: A tribute to India’s unsung heroes

    Mumbai: NDTV’s Indian of the Year award, held this year after a gap of several years, was a celebration of the women of India, the millions who have driven real change and who contribute to the have the power to transform India.

    Union minister Smriti Irani, former banker Naina Lal Kidwai, squadron leader Nikita Malhotra, para-athlete Suvarna Raj, tennis icon Sania Mirza, and Delhi’s first Uber driver Shanno Begum received the award on behalf of the women of India.

    The glittering evening saw the biggest faces – from top politicians, and business leaders to film and sports personalities – celebrating the exceptional and paying homage to the unsung.

    India’s Heroes Award went to the team of rat miners involved in the heroic rescue of 41 trapped in a collapsed Uttarakhand tunnel last year. One of the most moving moments of the evening was when actor Sunny Deol walked up to the team and hugged them, wiping tears.

    Vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar started the celebrations by giving away the first few awards, including the Science Icons of the Year, which went to the ISRO team behind the successful Chandrayaan and the Aditya-L1 missions.

    In his address, the vice president urged the media, as a key pillar of society, to contain the “freefall of misinformation”. Using the Citizenship Amendment Act CAA as an example, he said it is a reprieve for persecuted people and does not deprive anybody of citizenship, but a different impression was created. The media, said Mr Dhankhar, must play its role and tackle misinformation.

    Vikrant Massey, who delivered a stellar performance in the superhit film’12th Fail’, won the ‘Actor Of The Year’, the ‘Sports Performance Of The Year’ went to the Indian Women’s cricket team and was awarded by Suvarna Raj (para-athlete & motivational speaker) and Sania Mirza. Sunny Deol, who made a grand comeback last year with his blockbuster-hit ‘Gadar 2’ a remake of his 2001 film, won the ‘Entertainer Of The Year’. The heroes from the Silkayara tunnel rescue operation were also honored with the ‘India’s Heroes’ award.

    The awards honour those who have thought ahead, dared to be different, and redefined the meaning of ‘being a true Indian’.

    Here is the complete list of winners:

    Health Leader of the Year: Dr Yazdi Italia, Padmashree awardee

    Ex-director, Go-NGO Sickle Cell Anaemia Control Program, Govt of Gujarat

    Business Leader of the Year: N Chandrasekaran, Chairperson, Tata Sons

    To accept on his behalf is Mr Kreethivasan, CEO Tata Consultancy Services

    Entrepreneur of the Year: Deepinder Goyal

    CEO & Founder, Zomato

    Innovator of the Year: Peyush Bansal

    Founder, LensKart

    The India First Award: Amitabh Kant

    India’s G20 Sherpa

    Best Performing Small State Award: Pramod Sawant

    Chief Minister of Goa

    Entertainer of the Year: Sunny Deol

    Sports Performance of the Year: Indian Women Cricket Team

    (Represented by: Shafali Verma, Shriyanka Patil, Sneh Rana, Radha Yadav)

    India’s Heroes: The Silkyara Saviours  

    Actor of the Year: Vikrant Massey

    Director of the Year: Atlee

    Climate Influencer of the Year: Prajakta Koli

    UNDP Youth Climate Champion

    Science Icons of the Year: M Srikanth, mission director, Chandrayaan-3 & mission director, Aditya L1

    Dr P Veeramuthuvel, project director, Chandrayaan-3

    K Kalpana, Associate project director, Chandrayaan-3

    Nigar Shaji, project director, Aditya L1

    Social Impact Influencer of the Year: Kusha Kapila (actor, influencer)

    The LiFE In India Award: Gadge Meenakshi

    Sarpanch, Mukhra village, Telengana

    Indian of the Year: Women of India

    Union Minister Smriti Irani, tennis legend Sania Mirza, Squadron Leader Nikita Malhotra, Naina Lal Kidwai, members of the Indian Women’s cricket team, and scientists from ISRO, received the award.

  • NDTV onboards new marketing head in Gaurav Barjatya

    NDTV onboards new marketing head in Gaurav Barjatya

    MUMBAI: There’s change afoot at group NDTV. Former Star TV India and Times Pro exec, Gaurav Barjatya has hopped on board the Adani-owned newscaster as its marketing head. 

    He brings to NDTV around 20 years of work experience, with companies as varied as Idea Cellular, Parle Agro, Star TV India, WWE, and Times Pro.

    Barjatya had managed either brands or held the full marketing function at each of these companies. 

    Said he on Linkedin: “I am looking forward to diving into this new journey headfirst, ready to make an impact!”

  • Rathikant Basu: A bureaucrat who pushed boundaries

    Rathikant Basu: A bureaucrat who pushed boundaries

    Mumbai: He loved the high life. A career bureaucrat from the Indian Administrative Services, Rathikant Basu, shifted from the civil services to a private sector corporate job as head of Star TV India (yes, the same Disney Star TV India which has today been subsumed in the Big A’s Reliance Industries) in the late nineties.

    He had impressed Rupert Murdoch (who was then the owner of Star TV India) with the work he had done for Doordarshan when he, along with information and broadcasting secretary Bhaskar Ghose, privatised the news bulletins on the state-owned channel by handing production to the Prannoy Roy-owned NDTV.

    Additionally, he had also faced the influx of private general entertainment channels, Zee TV, Sony Entertainment, ATN, Star Plus (a hotch-potch of Chinese language and international programmes) -head on in the early and mid-nineties.

    He injected freshness into DD programming by inviting private producers to churn out popular shows on its buzzing with entertainment spinoff called DD Metro. This was at a time when Zee TV had revolutionized TV consumption with its dose of Anchor Ek Minute, Saregama, Antakshari, shows which struck a chord with starved-for-entertainment Indian viewers.

    Suddenly, DD which seemed to be losing its hold on the media planner and buyer trade, got it back, thanks to the spurt in ratings.

    And that is what had enamored Murdoch about Mr Basu – as he addressed him – and he hired him as the CEO. Former Star TV India CEO Peter Mukerjea had a moniker for him – he simply called him Rodney. Says he in his book Star Struck – Confessions of a TV executive: “..it was a friendlier and more informal way of referring to him than Mr Basu, which sounded very much more like a school headmaster. .He himself was an excellent thinker, super bright and also exceptionally amiable – clearly a highly talented individual.”

    Peter then talks about Mr Basu’s sojourn at Star India when the latter thankfully failed in his bid to transform its biz model to a slot-fee-air time model just like DD used to operate. He then talks about other failed forays of Star India into the DTH business with the government getting wind of it and disallowing it without it jumping through regulatory hoops. Basu’s attempt at localizing the foreign and English language shows like Baywatch, The Bold and the Beautiful into Hindi led to Star Plus becoming a laughing stock. His efforts at playing out reruns of shows such as Chandrakanta and Saans also flopped miserably. And led to confusion amongst advertisers who deserted it.

    What he was certainly successful at, was in the setting up of the lobbying group the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), which he did as a knee jerk reaction to the government raising the red flag on the Star India DTH service ISkyB. He also did a great job in launching the first private satellite news channel in India under the brand Star News in partnership with Prannoy Roy’s NDTV, with whom he had a prior and also good working relationship since his days at DD

    The confusion about Star Plus’ identity and Basu’s hiring of former government personnel led to a period of some chaos in amongst content producers and advertisers which then forced Murdoch’s hand and led to his being elevated as non-executive chairman with Peter becoming CEO.

    What also worked against Mr Basu as CEO of Star TV India was some envy from his peers in government service who saw him as a turncoat, thus retarding the network’s progress in India. 

    Not one to be put down, Basu,  after the completion of his contract at Star India launched channels under the brand Tara (a takeoff on Star India), which he continued to run for more than a decade and a half. Not very profitably. But ran them he did. Until he discovered he was suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease.

    Basu, on his part, also knew how to give back. He had kindly consented to be on indiantelevision.com’s The Indian Telly Awards jury for at least a couple of years. Far from being just a serious former bureaucrat, he cracked a few jokes and he chortled. Yes, he did – an antithesis to the strict and sombre exterior he normally presented to the media. 

    The industry veteran passed away on 17 March 2024, following a harrowing descent while grappling with the mind-robbing ailment. He was just nine days short of completing his eighty-second birthday.

    Says Peter in his book: “Rodney was never a bad chap, on the contrary he was rather fun to be with. Alongside his intelligence, I admired so many aspects of his admittedly quirky personality. As a boss, he had always been very civil with me and I, in turn, gave him due regard and respect. There was no doubt in my mind he was a gentleman.” 

    May the gentleman RIP.