ITV

Tag: Network 18

  • ETV Kannada and ETV Bangla to launch new shows

    ETV Kannada and ETV Bangla to launch new shows

    MUMBAI: Ringing in the new financial year are two regional general entertainment channels (GECs) under the belt of Network18 – ETV Kannada and ETV Bangla.

     

    Treating its audience on the Bengali New Year is ETV Bangla. The channel has come up with a dedicated afternoon time band called ‘Duronto Dupur’ which goes on air from 15 April.

     

    Four new shows will feature in the time band between 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm from Monday to Saturday. This includes two fiction shows Gouridaan– a remake of Balika Vadhu and  Shesh Theke Shuru. Two non- fiction lineup includes a mythological show Durgesh Nandini and a neighbourhood based game show Parar Shera Bouthan hosted by Bigg Boss Bangla winner Anik Dar. Prior to this, the slot had reruns of the evening programmes.

     

    Marketing for these shows have already begun in West Bengal. The channel is banking heavily on OOH, by putting hoardings and banners in markets, railway stations, bus back panels, rickshaw back panels, ferry branding and bus shelters. Also a 15 day radio campaign with an average of 72 slots across four channels has been devised.

     

    On the other hand, viewers of ETV Kannada will be treated to a buffet of five new shows in the next three months.  This includes two fiction and three non-fiction shows, of which one will be a mythological programme, named Srinivasa Kalyana, which is based on the tale of Lord Balaji.

     

     “Kannada is a good market for us to introduce this show. We wanted to make the show perfect and which is why we delayed it a bit. It is looking brilliant,” says Viacom 18 executive vice president Ravish Kumar who handles ETV Kannada, Bangla and Oriya.

     

    The timings and launch dates for the Kannada shows are still undecided but will be within three months.

  • Seventh News Television Awards gets a full house

    Seventh News Television Awards gets a full house

    NEW DELHI: The bright shining chandeliers that towered over the audience could not match the delight on the faces of the winners as they cheered for their team mates and channels at the seventh edition of indiantelevision.com’s News Television Awards. The gala evening held at The Lalit in New Delhi saw the who’s who of the News TV fraternity and the best of them took away the coveted trophy.

     

    Awards being presented by noted personalities that included Communication advisor to the prime minister Pankaj Pachauri, national commission for minorities chairperson Wajahat Habibullah, fashion designer Ritu Kumar, former cricketer Ajay Jadeja,  actor Parvin Dabbas, Padma Shri dancers Raja  Reddy and Radha Reddy, Dabur chairman VC Burman, politician Subramanian Swamy,  former Comptroller & Auditor General of India Vinod Rai, NDTV head honcho KVL Narayan Rao, cricketer Surinder Khanna, among many others.

     

    Some of the big take aways for the gala night were NDTV 24X7 editor  Barkha Dutt and NDTV India editor Ravish Kumar for best TV news anchors in English and Hindi respectively, Bloomberg TV editor Vivek Law as best business news anchor in English and CNN-IBN’s Suhasini Haidar as best TV news presenter in English.

     

    Shows that won accolades included CNN-IBN’s India at 9 for best daily news bulletin in English and Dastak by Aaj Tak for the same in Hindi. CNBC TV 18’s India Business Hour was given the award of best business news programme in English while NDTV 24X7’s We the People won for best talk show in English.

     

    Not to forget were the awards given away in the two regional categories as well- Telugu and Marathi. K Nagendar Sai from CVR news won best business news anchor in Telugu while K Padmini from TV9 was awarded for best entertainment news anchor in Telugu. Alka Dhupkar from IBN-Lokmat was recognized as the best TV news anchor in Marathi. V6 news from Andhra Pradesh won best channel packaging of the year and Zee 24 Taas’ show Rokhthok- Shradhecha Bhandwalachi Mujori won for best news debate in Marathi.

     

    Apart from this, for the first time, recognitions were given to the ‘game changers’ of 2013 by indiantelevision.com group founder, CEO and editor-in-chief Anil Wanvari, that included NDTV, Zee Media Corporation, Network 18 and India TV.

     

    The evening saw around 500 guests – consisting of professionals from the TV news ecosystem –  attend and cheer for the winners as they took away galores of prizes.

     

    The ceremony was possible thanks to partners such as Jia News, News Nation, Akamai Technologies, India News, News X, Sakshi TV, TV9, CNBC Awaaz and CNBC TV18.

     

    Click here for the complete list of winners

     

  • Pepsi MTV Indies to reach the audiences by 15 March: Aditya Swamy

    Pepsi MTV Indies to reach the audiences by 15 March: Aditya Swamy

    MUMBAI: It’s set to change the indie scene in India. The announcement of the launch of the ambitious indie channel – Pepsi MTV Indies from the Viacom 18 group was made amid much fanfare last month. However, the launch date was kept a secret. Now, MTV India EVP & Business Head Aditya Swamy reveals that the channel may go on air pretty soon.

     

    On the sidelines of the launch of MTV Films on Saturday, Swamy revealed: “The test run for Pepsi MTV Indies started on Monday, 3 March and will continue for the next two weeks.”

     

    Continuing further, he said that in all probability the channel should reach the audiences by the weekend starting 15 March.

     

    The feed for the channel is being beamed off from the satellite Measat 3. Swamy informs that all the operators are on board for the distribution of the channel. However, he didn’t reveal the pricing of the channel.

     

    Talking about the content, Swamy stated that there are plans to use Pepsi MTV Indies as platform to discover independent artists, find their unique sounds, their independent music and their expose it to the mainstream audience of MTV. “For example, you will find Vishal Dadlani’s Pentagram on Pepsi MTV Indies, but the music of Vishal-Shekhar will be on MTV. Similarly, you will find The Raghu Dixit Project on Pepsi MTV Indies, but you’ll hear the compositions of Raghu Dixit for Bewakoofiyaan on MTV,” he said.

     

  • Yahoo India gets a new MD in Gurmit Singh

    Yahoo India gets a new MD in Gurmit Singh

    MUMBAI: There’s a top level change in the Yahoo India management. Gurmit Singh has been appointed as the Managing Director for Yahoo India. As MD, Singh will oversee Yahoo’s business in India and will be responsible for its growth in the country. He will report to Yahoo  VP & Head of India and South East Asia Yvonne Chang.

     

    With over 20 years of experience, Gurmit brings with him a deep understanding of the media and entertainment industry in India. Prior to joining Yahoo, Singh was the CEO of Forbes India at Network 18.

     

    Chang said, “Gurmit comes to Yahoo with a strong track record of delivering growth. His understanding of users and advertisers will be a great asset for Yahoo as we bring a number of product innovations to India. Yahoo is a loved brand in India, and we are very happy to have a leader of Gurmit’s caliber leading the team.” 

     

    Gurmit Singh, who took up his new role at Yahoo today, said “An Internet industry pioneer, Yahoo is now at a very exciting point in its journey. It truly reflects the energy and spirit of the world’s largest startup. Working together with an extraordinary team in India and colleagues across the world, I am looking forward to unlocking the full potential of Yahoo products and services in India.”

     

    During his career Gurmit has held leadership roles across Consumer Products, Music & Entertainment and Media sectors, working for companies such as Sony Music, Hindustan Times, India Today Group, Rajshri Media, Marico Industries and most recently at Network 18.

     

    Gurmit received his Masters in Business Administration from the Faculty of Management Studies (FMS) at the University of Delhi. He is also a University Gold Medalist in Mechanical (Production) Engineering from Osmania University, Hyderabad.

  • Is ETV Bangla looking at a news foray?

    Is ETV Bangla looking at a news foray?

    Kolkata: Is Bengali infotainment channel ETV Bangla ready to shed its current avatar and spawn a 24 hour Bengali news channel? The buzz in Kolkata is that indeed it is. And this change will reportedly happen in the next two months, if sources are to be believed. More than 100 professionals – including journalists and techies – are expected to be recruited for the news foray. Apparently, the company has already got a news uplinking licence; and the new pay TV channel will be given a moniker which includes the words “ETV Bangla” in it. 

     

    An ETV Bangla executive  explains that it already has the set up to run a 24 hours news channel, and the deadline that has been drawn up for its launch is 15 March 2014. Says he: “ETV Bangla currently employs 135 people. So for the news channel some employees would be common and the rest we will hire.  We will also make further investments.” 

     

    He further adds that the news channel’s reporting stance will be to give updates and analyse developments in an objective and unbiased manner. Uplinking will take place from either Hyderabad or Noida where Network18 has uplinking facilities. 

     

    He points out that it is quite likely that ETV Bangla will be converted into a complete GEC, and the three news bulletins under the brand Aamar Bangla running on it will be dropped, once the news service becomes operational. Currently, ETV Bangla airs Aamar Bangla from 7 am to 7:30 am, 7:30 am to 8 am and from 4 pm to 4.30 pm. 

     

    Viacom18 executive vice-president Ravish Kumar refused to confirm or deny that any such moves were underway at ETV Bangla. 

     

    It should be noted that ETV Bangla, part of the ETV Network, was launched in Kolkata in 1999 and it currently takes a rice plate approach for airing a variety of programs – including cultural events, family dramas, movies, debates, children’s programs, tourism, and the occasional news bulletins.

     

    Some of the original programmes telecast on the channel include: Prathamar Rannaghar,  Jhalak Dikhlaja Bangla, Ranga Mathaye Chiruni, Bigg Boss Bangla and Sadhok Bamakhyapa among others.

     

    Only time will tell if ETV Bangla will be reincarnated once again. We will be watching the channel closely for further developments. 

     

  • Network18 group gets back on expansion track

    Network18 group gets back on expansion track

    MUMBAI: Gujaratis are known to be good business men and hoping to add to their business acumen is one of India’s leading media companies – Network 18. It has decided to launch a Gujarati business news channel called CNBC Bazaar as well as an online business website called firstbiz.com.

     

    When contacted, Network 18 group CEO B Sai Kumar confirmed the news. While additional details on CNBC Bazaar were not available, firstbiz.com will be led by Firstpost editor R Jagannathan.

     

    2013 was a tough time for the entire news industry and even the network as it underwent rationalisation and consolidation with some employees being laid off.  Network 18 already runs several other news channels- CNN-IBN, IBN7, CNBC TV 18, CNBC Awaaz, IBN Lokmat. 

     

    On the other hand, Network 18 subsidiary Viacom 18 is all set to launch two new channels as well in the coming few weeks. One is its second Hindi GEC  Rishtey that has already got on board several platforms and the other is a new music channel in partnership with PepsiCo called MTV Indies.

     

    The flurry of launches this year indicates that the TV network has once again got into expansion mode and the days of overhanging debt are far behind it now.  

     
     
  • Ashutosh moves on from IBN-7, Vinay Tewari takes charge as Managing Editor

    Ashutosh moves on from IBN-7, Vinay Tewari takes charge as Managing Editor

    NEW DELHI: Ashutosh has decided to move on from his role as Managing Editor of IBN7, the Network18 Group’s National Hindi News Service. He is passing on the mantle to Vinay Tewari, Managing Editor, CNN-IBN who will now also lead IBN7 editorial operations in the same capacity. In this expanded role, Tewari will also drive network synergies at CNN-IBN and IBN7.

     

    Speaking on this development, B.Sai Kumar, Group CEO, Network18 said “Ashutosh has played a key role in IBN7’s emergence as one of the most credible brands in Hindi news. We thank him for his immense contribution and commitment to the Network. Vinay has led CNN-IBN admirably and in this expanded mandate, we’re confident that he will not only take IBN7 to new heights editorially but also strengthen our general news network further”

     

    Commenting on this, Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-In-Chief, IBN News Network added “Ashu has been a driving force behind IBN7 and his passion and leadership has been instrumental in making it into a fearless and independent voice in Hindi journalism. We thank him for his stellar effort and wish him the very best. Vinay has been an integral part of the general news network from the very beginning and I’m confident that he will bring his unique perspective and rich news experience to bear at IBN7 and the network ”

     

    Ashutosh added “Building IBN7 into what it is today has been one of the most satisfying experiences of my professional journey. I would like to thank all my colleagues for their support and look forward to newer challenges”

     

    Vinay Tewari commented “IBN7 today stands for the best in hard-hitting and inclusive journalism and it’s a privilege for me to lead it further. I look forward to working closely with the talented and passionate team to ensure we honor the trust of our viewers in IBN7 and ensure that both CNN-IBN and IBN7 benefit and capitalize from the general news network in equal measure”

     

    Tewari has over two decades of experience in journalism across reportage, desk, news production and special events coverage. Prior to Network18, he has had stints with the TV Today Network, Times of India and The Pioneer. 

  • ZMCL hires Dwivedi as national sales head

    ZMCL hires Dwivedi as national sales head

    MUMBAI: Zee Media Corp Limited (ZMCL) has got a new hire:  national sales head Harsh Vardhan Dwivedi has hopped on board. He will be in-charge of two channels – Zee Uttar Pradesh and the newly acquired, Zee Maurya, also known as Zee Bihar/Jharkhand. To be based in Noida, he will be reporting into Zee News chief sales officer Jitesh Rajdeo. Alongside, he will also be handling a team of about 20-25 people.

     

    Dwivedi earlier headed retail sales for Network 18’s five channels – ETV Madhya Pradesh/Chattisgarh, ETV Uttar Pradesh/Uttarakhand, ETV Bihar/Jharkhand, ETV Rajasthan and ETV Urdu (North).

     

    This is Dwivedi’s second stint with the Zee TV group. He earlier worked in the position of sales manager from 2006 to 2009 for both Zee News and Zee TV.

     

    “It’s going to be a good experience as now ZMCL is catering to an unexplored market. There is more opportunity for us to grow in the regions after the downfall of Mahuaa. Zee has a big background and a good understanding of the market,” says Dwivedi, who is excited about his new job.

     

    Dwivedi started his TV career with Sahara India TV Network after which he moved to Zee as sales manager for ZEEL (Zee Entertainment Enterprises) and Zee News. He has also worked with Mahuaa as the regional sales head (north) in the past.

  • Television business props up Network 18 Q1-2014; prevent further reddening

    Television business props up Network 18 Q1-2014; prevent further reddening

    BENGALURU: Network 18 Media & Investments Limited (Network 18) reported a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs18.9 crore in Q1-2014, as compared to a loss of Rs 90 crore in Q1-2013. Results from three of the four revenue segments of the media and entertainment player reported losses, with television playing the lone hand in keeping profits for Q1-2014 buoyant and positive. Though Network 18 reports combined figures for Television and Motion Pictures, company officials confirmed that Motion Pictures had also added to Network 18 losses. Despite showing revenue growth, the other two segments -digital content and e-commerce business; and allied businesses also pulled down profits for Q1-2014. Let us take a look at the figures for Q1-2014 Operating revenue for Q1-2014 stood at Rs 556.6 crore on a reported basis. The corresponding figure for Q1-2013 was Rs 435.6 crore, hence showing a 28 per cent growth for Q1-2014. Operating revenue during Q1-2014, was however lower by 18 per cent as compared to the Rs 679.6 crore for the preceding quarter Q4-2013. Revenue from the television and motion business at Rs 437.4 crore was 47.2 per cent higher than the Rs 297.2 crore for Q1-2013 but about 8.6 per cent lower than the Rs 511.3 crore for Q4-2013. Revenue from digital content and e- commerce at Rs 106.9 crore grew 46.8 per cent as compared to the Rs 72.8 crore in Q1-2013, and was about 3.2 per cent lower than the Rs 110.4 crore during Q4-2013. Revenue for Q1-2014 from allied businesses fell 37.7 per cent to Rs 65.6 crore from Rs 105.3 crore in Q1-2013 and 36.7 per cent from Rs.103.6 crore in Q4-2013. Digital content and e-commerce reported a loss of Rs 43.5 crore. Allied businesses reported a loss Rs 9.9 crore and Rs 9.2 crore were contributed to the losses from discontinued operations. Television and Motion picture business propped up the company with an operating profit of Rs 23.8 crore. The company turned in a profit after tax of Rs 18.9 crore for the quarter. Network18 managing director Raghav Bahl said, “The macroeconomic environment continues to be challenging and growth prospects remain uncertain. Despite this backdrop, our core TV and digital businesses turned in a steady performance. We continued the profitable monetisation of our investments and raised growth capital in HomeShop18. There were pockets of weaknesses in our portfolio and we are committed to improving segments that are not meeting expectations. We have a strong portfolio of media businesses and remain confident of unlocking its value for our stakeholders”. Network 18,group CEO B. Saikumar said, “The core television and digital businesses got off to a stable start in the new fiscal year. Our entertainment broadcasting business showed strength and the e-commerce businesses grew strongly. While our news and infotainment businesses have seen distinct softness in advertising, our entertainment businesses led by Colors have performed well on this front. Motion pictures have seen losses this quarter and the management is confident of stemming them in the immediate term. Net distribution revenues from IndiaCast are on a strong growth trajectory and we continue to be enthused by its growth potential. Our e-commerce businesses continued their stellar growth and the digital content business grew steadily as well. We remain confident of delivering a strong year ahead.”

  • Television business props up Network 18 Q1-2014; prevents further reddening

    BENGALURU: Network 18 Media & Investments Limited (Network 18) reported a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs18.9 crore in Q1-2014, as compared to a loss of Rs 90 crore in Q1-2013.

    Results from three of the four revenue segments of the media and entertainment player reported losses, with television playing the lone hand in keeping profits for Q1-2014 buoyant and positive. Though Network 18 reports combined figures for Television and Motion Pictures, company officials confirmed that Motion Pictures had also added to Network 18 losses.

    Despite showing revenue growth, the other two segments -digital content and e-commerce business; and allied businesses also pulled down profits for Q1-2014.

    Let us take a look at the figures for Q1-2014

    Operating revenue for Q1-2014 stood at Rs 556.6 crore on a reported basis.

    The corresponding figure for Q1-2013 was Rs 435.6 crore, hence showing a 28 per cent growth for Q1-2014. Operating revenue during Q1-2014, was however lower by 18 per cent as compared to the Rs 679.6 crore for the preceding quarter Q4-2013.

    Revenue from the television and motion business at Rs 437.4 crore was 47.2 per cent higher than the Rs 297.2 crore for Q1-2013 but about 8.6 per cent lower than the Rs 511.3 crore for Q4-2013.

    Revenue from digital content and e- commerce at Rs 106.9 crore grew 46.8 per cent as compared to the Rs 72.8 crore in Q1-2013, and was about 3.2 per cent lower than the Rs 110.4 crore during Q4-2013.

    Revenue for Q1-2014 from allied businesses fell 37.7 per cent to Rs 65.6 crore from Rs 105.3 crore in Q1-2013 and 36.7 per cent from Rs.103.6 crore in Q4-2013.

    Digital content and e-commerce reported a loss of Rs 43.5 crore. Allied businesses reported a loss Rs 9.9 crore and Rs 9.2 crore were contributed to the losses from discontinued operations. Television and Motion picture business propped up the company with an operating profit of Rs 23.8 crore. The company turned in a profit after tax of Rs 18.9 crore for the quarter.

    Network18 managing director Raghav Bahl said, “The macroeconomic environment continues to be challenging and growth prospects remain uncertain. Despite this backdrop, our core TV and digital businesses turned in a steady performance. We continued the profitable monetisation of our investments and raised growth capital in HomeShop18. There were pockets of weaknesses in our portfolio and we are committed to improving segments that are not meeting expectations. We have a strong portfolio of media businesses and remain confident of unlocking its value for our stakeholders”.

    Network 18,group CEO B. Saikumar said, “The core television and digital businesses got off to a stable start in the new fiscal year. Our entertainment broadcasting business showed strength and the e-commerce businesses grew strongly. While our news and infotainment businesses have seen distinct softness in advertising, our entertainment businesses led by Colors have performed well on this front. Motion pictures have seen losses this quarter and the management is confident of stemming them in the immediate term. Net distribution revenues from IndiaCast are on a strong growth trajectory and we continue to be enthused by its growth potential. Our e-commerce businesses continued their stellar growth and the digital content business grew steadily as well. We remain confident of delivering a strong year ahead.”