ITV

Tag: Network 18

  • Revamped IBN7 to focus on ‘news’ and not ‘views’

    Revamped IBN7 to focus on ‘news’ and not ‘views’

    MUMBAI: In a bid to differentiate itself in the crowded Hindi news genre, IBN7 of the Network18 group has decided to re-launch itself once again.  

    It was in July 2013, that the channel had revamped itself.  Now on 19 October, it will again undergo change to reposition itself with the new tag line ‘Hausla Hai’, a fresh perspective and a committed team of reporters, new shows and pacier and cleaner graphics.

    Network 18 News president Umesh Upadhyay stated that the re-launch will be a defining milestone for the channel.
    “Our increased focus on news as against just views, clean look and feel, our unmatched footprint and coverage and our focus on strong journalistic values will resonate with the Hindi news viewers. We already have an exceptionally strong team with senior journalists like Sanjeev Paliwal and MK Jha which has become stronger, more vibrant and more credible with the addition of our new team members.”

    With over 2,200 reporters across the country, the channel plans to focus on providing more news as opposed to views and opinions that it says have become the norm on most news channels.

    The changes at the channel are being fronted by established faces of television like Sumit Awasthi, Richa Anirudh and Akash Soni along with Navjyot Kaur, Tejasvi Chandok Nayyar, Payal Bhuyan, Himani Naithani, Pankaj Bhargava, Amrit Anand and the channel’s present team of journalists and reporters.

    As part of the new launch, IBN7 will also be launching several new shows. From a programme that will showcase news from every nook and corner of the country called Desh Din Bhar to a big town, big story show named Rajdhani Express and a show dedicated to the latest buzz and trends in the social media space called INews. The prime time programming on IBN7 is also being strengthened with a new show Aath Baje which will be a round-up of news and will also deep dive into major issues. This will be followed by a rejuvenated India Nau Baje which will have short format news, packages and newsmaker interviews and a new crime bulletin called Crime News.

     

  • Network 18 gets shareholder approval to borrow up to Rs 1800 cr

    Network 18 gets shareholder approval to borrow up to Rs 1800 cr

    MUMBAI: The board of directors (BOD) of Network 18, at its annual general meeting (AGM) seeked shareholder approval for allowing borrowing power up to Rs 1800 crore. At the same time the BOD of TV18 also requested the same for Rs 1500 crore.

     

    Both the resolutions were passed giving the BOD rights to borrow till the limit over and above the paid-up capital, free reserves and securities premium account.

     

    Another special resolution was to get an approval to offer or invite to subscribe to non-convertible debentures on private placement basis for both the companies.

     

    ‘Private placement’ means any offer of securities or invitation to subscribe securities (equity or securities that convert to equity) to a select group of persons by a company, other than by way of public offer, through issue of a private placement offer letter.

     

    Bothe the special resolutions were passed at the AGM with 100 per cent votes.

     

    The ordinary resolution passed at the meeting included, re-appointment of Raghav Bahl as a director who retires by rotation, appointment of Rohit Bansal and Vinay Chhajlani as directors and appointment of Deepak Parekh and Adil  Zainulbhai  as independent directors.

     

    Other resolutions include appointment of auditors and fixing their remuneration (ordinary resolution), approval of the remuneration of the cost auditor (ordinary resolution) and adoption of new articles of association of the company (special resolution).

     

    It has been four months since the Bahl-founded company was taken over by petrochemical conglomerate Reliance Industries’ chairman Mukesh Ambani.

     

  • Vinay Tewari quits Network 18

    Vinay Tewari quits Network 18

    MUMBAI: Adding to the list of the latest exits from Network 18, CNN-IBN and IBN7 managing editor Vinay Tewari has quit the company.

     

    Confirming the news to indiantelevision.com, Tewari said that he is evaluating his future course of action. Unconfirmed media reports state that he may be joining Headlines Today.

     

    Tewari has been associated with the network for nearly a decade. Prior to that, he was with TV today for three years, The Times of India for eight years and The Pioneer. 

     

    At Network 18, he was responsible for all special projects and news gathering operations.

     

    Initially Tewari was handling just the English channel but after Ashutosh quit as managing editor of IBN7 earlier this year to join the Aam Aadmi Party, Tewari was given the mandate of the Hindi channel as well.

  • One-time adjustment of Rs 1045.3 cr; Network18 – GEC and news segments grow in Q1-2015

    One-time adjustment of Rs 1045.3 cr; Network18 – GEC and news segments grow in Q1-2015

    BENGALURU:  Network18 Media and Investments Limited (Network18) said that it has made a one-time exceptional adjustment of Rs 1,045.3 crore in Q1-2015 and reported a loss of Rs 1,021.88 crore in the quarter ended 30 June 2014 as compared to a loss of Rs 4.12 crore in Q4-2014 and a profit of Rs 18.90 crore in Q1-2014. The company reported 27.3 per cent higher operating income at Rs 708.4 crore in Q1-2015, but 4.1 per cent lower than the Rs 738.32 crore in Q4-2014.

     

    Network 18’s Media operations segment reported 28.8 per cent higher revenue at Rs 694.08 crore in Q1-2015 as compared to the Rs 538.81 crore in Q1-2014, but 4.3 per cent lower than the Rs 725.31 crore in Q4-2014. The segment reported higher operating loss of Rs 83.87 crore in Q1-2015 as compared to an operating loss of Rs 39.85 crore in Q1-2014 and an operating profit of 62.07 crore in Q4-2014. 

     

    Note: 100,00,000 = 100 lakhs = 10 million = 1 crore.

     

    Let us look at the other figures reported by Network 18 for Q1-2015

     

    Network 18’s operating loss reduced 37 per cent from Rs 70.1 crore in the last year’s correspon ding quarter to Rs 43.9 crore in Q1-2015. The company attributes the improvement in operating loss to a strong growth delivered by its television operations from the general entertainment and new segments. 

     

    Network 18’s film production and distribution segment reported 23.8 per cent drop in revenue in Q1-2015 at Rs 14.32 crore as compared to the Rs 18.79 crore in Q1-2014 and 2.27 times less than the Rs 35.53 crore in Q4-2014.

     

    The company’s total expenditure in Q1-2015 at Rs 733.45 crore was 19.9 per cent more than the Rs 611.82 crore in Q1-2014 and one per cent more than the Rs 726.06 crore in Q4-2014. 

     

    Network18’s programming cost has almost doubled (up 1.91 times) to Rs 169.54 crore (23.9 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2015 as compared to the Rs 88.87 crore (18.1 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2014 and was 26.7 per cent more than the Rs 133.82 crore (16 per cent of TIO) in Q4-2014. 

     

    The company’s finance cost was down 2.6 per cent to Rs 30.88 crore in Q1-2015 as compared to the Rs 31.71 crore in Q1-2014 and was 3.7 per cent less than the Rs 32.08 crore in Q4-2014.

  • Raghav Bahl to experiment with personalised news on hand held devices

    Raghav Bahl to experiment with personalised news on hand held devices

    MUMBAI: The media industry had received a jolt when veteran and founder of one of the largest and most successful media companies in India, Raghav Bahl announced that petrochemical giant Reliance Industries would be taking over Network 18.

     

    Bahl who is now the non executive director on the board of Network 18 decided to sell off his business after building it with an investment of only Rs 50,000. However, Bahl who is now in his 50s told Mint that ‘50s is the new 30s’. Indeed, his two decade long journey with News is set to continue even now.

     

    While the world moves to digital, he won’t be far behind. Bahl has made public his intention to venture into the digital space with news. Although he hasn’t officially announced his exact venture, his tweets give some clue.

     

    “It shall be a venture in the exciting new world of hand held digital content,” he tweeted in reply to someone’s query. This new venture will also be in the field of his most beloved News genre.

     

    Currently, Bahl and his wife Ritu Kapur are touring the US for ‘digital news discovery through Big Apply and Silicon Valley’ as his tweet says.

     

    ‘Eight weeks after Network 18, I have met more exciting, creative, ambitious digital savvy young professionals than over all of last decade! Eight weeks of start-up nitty gritty, hunting offices and fresh talent, learning digital products – like early 90s TV18!’ he tweets enthusiastically from the US.

     

    ‘The printing press of the 21st century is the publishing algorithm of a mobile news app! Lessons from America,’ he tweeted.

     

    It seems like Bahl is out to create the next Twitter-like news channel to provide personalised news on phones and tabs.

     

  • Reliance Industries announces schedule for Network18 open offer

    Reliance Industries announces schedule for Network18 open offer

    MUMBAI: After announcing its open offer to acquire Network18 group’s public shareholding last week, Reliance Industries (RIL) has announced the schedule for the entire offer that will run between June and August.

     

    12 June has been fixed for filing the Network18, TV18 and Infomedia draft letters with the securities and exchange board of India (SEBI) while 26 June has been fixed as the last date for competitive offer. Unless SEBI asks for additional information, it will give in its observations on the letters by 3 July. The identified date has been kept as 7 July.

     

    The public shareholders should receive the letters of offer by 14 July which can be revised till 15 July. The committee of independent directors of the three companies shall give their recommendation to shareholders of target company by 17 July. 18 July is when the offer of opening public announcement will be published in newspapers. Tendering period opens on 21 July and ends on 4 August.

     

    The last date for communicating the rejection/acceptance and completion of payment of consideration or refund of equity shares to the shareholders of the company is 20 August while the last date for publication of post-offer public announcement in the newspapers is 27 August.

     

    A content licence agreement, dated 27 February 2012 was signed between Network18 and its subsidiary TV18 and Reliance Jio Infocomm, RIL’s subsidiary for content transmission through its 4G broadband network. Reliance Jio Infocomm shall have preferential access to its content on a first right basis.

  • No government interference in acquisition of Network 18 by RIL: Prakash Javadekar

    No government interference in acquisition of Network 18 by RIL: Prakash Javadekar

    GOA: “There is no government interference in the acquisition of Network 18 by Mukesh Ambani owned Reliance Industries Limited,” announced I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar, brushing aside any rumour about BJP led government having a role to play in the recent acquisition of Network 18 by RIL. The newly appointed I&B Minister was addressing the gathering on the final day of GoaFest. Javadekar also accepted that cross media ownership was debatable and will be addressed soon.

     

    “The I&B Ministry will always protect and respect the freedom of press,” emphasised Javadaker. The Minister further went on to say that I&B Ministry is looking at making both Doordarshan and All India Radio competitive. “It is my dream to make Doordarshan a success story,” he said.

     

    “I would address the grievances of all cable operators if they take DD in the prime brand,” added the Minister on a lighter note. “The Ministry will take into consideration all the viewpoints of various stakeholders of the media and then take necessary actions in the near future,” he announced.  

     

    The biggest challenge for the Minister will be the smooth rollout of the remaining two phases of digitisation. While in phase III of digitisation 11 crore set top boxes are expected to be installed, Javadekar is of the view that the set top boxes manufactured in China do not guarantee good value for money. “The Ministry is looking at creating opportunities to manufacture set top boxes locally. We will soon meet with both the Finance and Commerce Ministries to take this forward,” he said.  

     

    Javadekar also touched upon the issue of FM radio in India. “I have already met all the FM radio heads and the way forward will be declared shortly.  The age old batteries of transmitters of AIR stations will soon get some ‘air’ as the Ministry is looking at replacing them with new ones,” he announced.  

     

    The Minister, who believes in the age old thought that good advertising cannot make a bad product good and strongly feels that it holds true in today’s world too, also used the platform to address the advertising fraternity. “The difference that the nation will see now is not only difference in leadership but in its vision too,” he said.

     

    Javadekar too has the experience of creating campaigns. The Minister who had crafted campaigns for his party away back in 1989 in Maharashtra said, “I truly understand the system that goes behind each campaign.”

     

    Javadekar is impressed with what ASCI has been initiating and said the Ministry will give its complete support to the association. He also mentioned that issues related to ratings, if any, should be treated privately by advertisers and broadcasters unless there is conflict and they seek government intervention.

     

    The Modi government has truly used the power of social media to scale up its communications. Javadekar said that under his leadership he will review the party’s social media activities very keenly. 

     

    It will be interesting to see what Javadekar brings on table in the coming days for the media fraternity as a whole! 

  • IBN18 Network ropes in Avinash Kaul as CEO

    IBN18 Network ropes in Avinash Kaul as CEO

    MUMBAI: Times Television Network (TTN) CEO Avinash Kaul has decided to move on from the Network. The former TTN CEO has joined Network18 group as IBN18 Network CEO.  In his new role, Kaul will be responsible for the day-to-day operational, strategic and financial management of the general news network. Amongst the key tasks mandated for Kaul is the consolidation and diversification of TV18’s general news network.

     

    Network18 group CEO B Saikumar said, “Avinash brings a very successful track record as a leader and a wealth of knowledge about the media and broadcasting industry. Now, as we gear up for an ambitious phase of growth, I am convinced that he has the inclusive skills and leadership that are needed to steer us through. He has our best wishes and support.”

     

    Network18 COO Ajay Chacko added, “The IBN18 Network has over the years consolidated its leadership in the news space. I am confident in Avinash’s ability to play a significant role to sustain the growth and leadership momentum of these stellar brands.  He will be working closely with the talented and resourceful marketing, editorial and sales teams to achieve this.”

     

    With a career spanning over 16 years, Kaul has rich experience in a variety of roles in sales, marketing and general management across genres like news and entertainment , movie and lifestyle in India.

     

    Asserted Kaul, “With the heightened interest in general news among the populace as is evident in the highest turnout percentage in the general elections the timing of me joining Network18 couldn’t have been better.  My mandate is to ensure leadership of the brands and continued business success with a clear focus on general news across various languages.”

     

    Prior to this, Kaul held the position of CEO – TV Division of BCCL, managing Times Now, ET Now and zoOm. He has also worked in leadership and various capacities in networks like Star, NDTV Media and Discovery Networks among others.

  • Sarthak TV gains in week 16 of TAM TV Ratings

    Sarthak TV gains in week 16 of TAM TV Ratings

    KOLKATA: General entertainment channel (GEC) Sarthak TV has gained big in the week 16 of TAM TV ratings. The Odia GEC has garnered a gross rating point (GRP) of 207, as compared to the 204 GRPs in week 15.

     

    Tarang TV on the other hand managed 183 GRPs, as compared to the 181 GRPs, recorded a week prior.

     

    While OTV, an infotainment channel, saw a drop in its GRP. The channel got 162 GRPs as compared to the 190 GRP it garnered last week.

     

    ETV Oriya, now under the belt of Network 18 Group too came down to 82 GRPs as compared to 84 GRPs, it reported in the week 15 of TAM TV ratings.

  • Network 18 and Microsoft set up analytics centre for 2014 elections

    Network 18 and Microsoft set up analytics centre for 2014 elections

    MUMBAI: Just as India enters its first leg of election 2014, Network 18 has announced a partnership with Microsoft India in order to create a Microsoft Election Analytics Centre for its two premiere English and Hindi channels: CNN-IBN and IBN7.

     

    The centre will make use of the software and hardware technologies from Microsoft in order to bring analysis, trends and data visualisation during the general elections. Both current as well as historical data will be used to give election insights that will be powered by data visualisation by a Microsoft partner, Gramener.

     

    Speaking on the development Network18 COO Ajay Chacko said, “General Elections 2014 are possibly the most complex electoral exercise ever undertaken. Technologically enabled tools and skills are required to decode, decipher and analyse the subtle nuances of these elections. We are excited about partnering with Microsoft in this context and leveraging their leadership in technology and analytics. We are confident that this will further add to our legacy of credibility and accuracy in elections programming.”

     

    Microsoft India chairman Bhaskar Pramanik said, “With a billion people gearing up to make their voices heard, there is a lot of data out there that can sometimes be confusing. Using cloud services, big data analysis and data visualisation will help CNN-IBN present that data in a manner that makes sense to the Indian voter, and helps them engage with the election process much more than ever before.”

     

    An ‘Indian Election’ app has been created for viewers to find, search and engage with election data in a unique way. This will be assisted by its online platforms such as IBNLive.com, Firstpost.com and Bing.com. The app can be downloaded by Windows phone and Windows 8 tablet users. Very soon, it will also be available to Android and iOS users.

     

    IBN Network editor in chief Rajdeep Sardesai said, “We are very excited about the partnership with Microsoft India.  We have always believed in putting our viewers first and giving them the best we can. This partnership is another step in that direction. Microsoft with its vast expertise in technology and analytics will definitely add value and precision to our programming this election.”